How MUCH oil do you use?

Should I assume these engines just use a LOT of oil?

When I started on the craftsman, the dipstick showed a tiny bit over full.

Yesterday, only the very tip of the stick showed a tiny bit of oil.

It has only been run as long as the average time it takes to mow a lawn.

Is this too much oil use? Or do all these engines just use a lot of oil?

How much oil do you go through, and how quickly?

Nah, they usually don't use much unless they have a lot of use on them. Probably burning it. Just use some heavier oil and don't let it get too low. I've found that after the oil gets down a little, they don't burn it as quickly. I think with the splash system, it throws too much around when completely filled. Overfilling isn't really the best idea either, it'll just burn more yet. Which doesn't hurt a whole lot, just carbons everything up.

Thank you Mr.M

I am using some 30 weight diesel oil for now. I'll swap to a thicker oil later, and put in some of that conditioner stuff that makes the oil extra sticky, so it stays on the gears and such, even during the long times that the engine is just sitting there, not running.

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So... no one else goes through oil quickly?

Not here, my single 12.5 and 16.5 opposed never leak/use oil. I wish gas was the same

mine might use 1/2 a pint every year, exept my tecumse, which uses about a quart and a half

Excessive oil consumption can be caused from a few things...

Piston rings being broken or worn out. Then they wear out they lose there springy properties because of the heat treating effect an engine will have on it.

Also, one that people never check or thing about it is the valve guides being worn out. Excessive valve guide clearance will let oil push by them more then normal causing it to get burned. When you get a chance to change the oil run straight 40 weight in it.

Is it burning blue smoke? Its normal for even the best engine to consume a little bit of oil over a period of time but considering your bunt through as much as you said it would have it would be burning a lot of blue smoke Is it leaking oil? Park it over some cardboard or something that will show oil spots on it. It could be a crank seal.

It was the engine oil seal.

Took the engine apart. Removed the seal. Sealed with RTV instead. No more leaks!