Is it safe to use aftermarket air filters or oil filters? What you NEED to…
Is it safe to use aftermarket air filters or oil filters?
Looking to save some money and use an aftermarket air or oil filter on your lawn mower?
Or maybe an aftermarket air filter is the only option you have available.
Whatever the case, is it safe to use an aftermarket air filter on your commercial lawn care equipment?
Well, we have done the research!
Whether you are looking at air and oil filters for your lawn mower, or weed eater.
Below you will find everything you need to know about using off-brand air and oil filters on your equipment.
Quick answer: Is it safe to use aftermarket air and oil filters?
Yes, generally you can use off-brand or aftermarket oil and air filters on your lawn care equipment without any issues. While it is always recommended to use OEM parts when possible, it is unlikely that using off-label oil and air filters will cause you any issues. Simply be sure to perform regular maintenance on your lawn equipment.
But lawn care professionals have a different take.
What Do Lawn Care Pros Say?
Look, lawn care pros have a different take on this, with over 65% saying that they only use OEM filters on their lawn care equipment.
One of the biggest reasons lawn care pros only use OEM filters is to maintain the warranty on their equipment. The last thing any lawn care pro wants is to give the manufacturer an excuse to not honor the warranty.
So while it is unlikely that aftermarket filters will harm your equipment. They may create issues with the warranty. Despite this, 35% of lawn care professionals still use aftermarket filters on their equipment.
Some lawn care pros also argue that taking the chance with cheaper filters simply is not worth the risk.
Are you a lawn care pro in GreenPal’s service area? Why not join the team?!
Aftermarket Parts Vs. OEM
Look, it’s typically your safest bet to use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts when possible. And aftermarket parts are by definition anything but that.
“Aftermarket parts are replacement parts that are not made by the original equipment manufacturer.”.Source Investopedia
However, when it comes to oil and air filters, there are a lot of options to choose from. And there are truly a lot of good aftermarket options. Some may even be superior to OEM parts. But when it comes to air filters at least, research has shown that there is little to no improvement in performance to using aftermarket air filters.
The most common OEM oil and air filters for mowers will come from either Briggs Stratton, or Kohler. But much like your car, you typically don’t need OEM oil filters or air filters on your lawn care equipment.
When it comes to aftermarket oil and air filters, they either serve their purpose or don’t, and that’s really all that matters.
The Purpose of Oil and Air Filters
Here’s the deal, filters whether they are for oil, air, or even gas have a simple job. Keep debris and particulates out of places they don’t belong. Unless you use a battery-powered lawn mower, oil and air filters are crucial components of a combustion engine.
Purpose of Air Filters
It’s no secret, lawn mowers kick up a lot of dust and debris. And that is why your air filter is so important. Look, your small engine needs air to combust gasoline properly. But if dust and debris enter the internal engine, it can cause premature wear and tear.
Purpose of Oil Filters
And as your engine’s internal components wear down, they can end up in the oil. This is exactly why you need to use and replace your oil filter regularly. Otherwise, your engine may be filling up with harmful particulates.
Which can damage your engine’s piston rings, or scrape your engine’s cylinder walls. This can lead to a loss of compression and engine power. Which will eventually lead to your engine being inoperable.
Pro Tip! Regularly replacing oil, air, and gas filters can prevent debris from entering your engine, which will prevent long-term engine damage.
Is it safe to use aftermarket or off-brand oil and air filters on my lawn mower?
Truly there isn’t anything complex about oil and air filters. They have a simple job, and once they are too dirty to perform any more, they need to be replaced. While there may be certain aftermarket brands that you should steer clear of. Most serve their purpose.
In my experience, I always recommend reading the reviews when possible.
So if you can save 50% by purchasing oil and air filters that are off-brand, I don’t see what issues could occur. Just be sure to change them out regularly. Not only changing the oil filter, but also the oil in your lawn mower.
Aftermarket Oil and Air Filters at the End of the Day
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you regularly replace your air and oil filters. That way they don’t get clogged up and will continue to filter out particulates and protect your engine.
So you can cut as many lawns as possible, with as few issues as possible. And at the end of the day, that is what they are for!
This is true for any of the lawn care gear you may get for your lawn care company including small engines such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, or weed eaters.
After all, think about it, you don’t use an OEM air or oil filter in your car, and really lawn equipment is no different.
Looking for more to read? Check out this guide to winterizing your lawn care equipment.
Lawn Mower Air Filter Soaked in Oil: Reasons and Solutions
The problems causing lawn mower air filter soaked in oil can include the mower’s positioning, oversaturation, maintenance, or issues with other parts.
In this complete guide, we will delve into each of these issues and provide easy solutions to prevent an oil-soaked lawnmower air filter from happening again, so read on to learn more!
Why Is the Air Filter In Your Lawn Mower Soaked in Oil?
The air filter in your lawn mower is soaked in oil because it was flipped over on the wrong side, the crankcase is overfilled, the head gasket is blown or worn out, you are mowing on sloped land, or the air filter is oversaturated, among other reasons.
Here are the most probable reasons why the air filter of your lawn mower keeps on getting soaked in oil.
– Tilting of Lawn Mower
One of the most likely reasons why the air filter of a lawn mower can be drenched in oil is that it was flipped over on the wrong side. While turning the lawnmower on its side to do maintenance like adjusting, sharpening, or replacing the blade, there are both proper and improper ways to do it.
Tilting it in the wrong direction risks having an oil-soaked air filter because the oil leaks from the engine and can accumulate over time in the air filter until it is completely soaked.
Even though the location of the air filter depends on the brand and model of the mower, it must always face upwards when you turn the mower on its side. If the air filter is facing downward, then it will most likely catch the gas and oil that leak due to gravity.
However, air filters do become greasy with time, so if the issue is not persistent, your filter probably just needs to be replaced.
– Overfilled Crankcase
The majority of lawnmowers used for residential purposes have small crankcases. Typically, it only needs a fraction of a quart of oil. Therefore, the likelihood of oil flowing out of the crankcase will be significantly higher if it is filled up above the recommended level.
Even though the excess oil will frequently reach the cylinder, it can sometimes find its way into the carburetor and exit through the air filter.
– Blown or Worn-out Head Gasket
If, in addition to an oil-soaked air filter, your lawn mower also won’t start, the most likely cause is that the head gasket is blown or broken, which can result in the spark plug suffering.
This is because, aside from sealing the combustion gases inside the cylinders, one of the functions of the gasket is to help prevent engine oil from leaking into the cylinders, piston rings. carburetor, and other areas.
Do K&N Air Filters Destroy Your Car’s Engine
– Mowing on Sloped Land
Even though it does not frequently happen, it can still be a reason why the air filter of your lawn mower can be soaked up in oil. Mowing on an extremely sloped lawn can cause oil leaks. Because of the angle of the mower’s position, the oil will begin moving out of the crankcase and toward the air filter.
– Incorrect Maintenance Procedure (Dirty Filter Cleaning)
Air filters are typically replaced once every season or after you have used your mower for 25 hours. If you are using a paper air filter, replace it. However, if it is made of foam, you can wash it in hot water with a bit of dish soap and then wring it out.
Before being placed back in the mower, it should be saturated with engine oil and wrung out with a cloth. Although that is contrary to what we are trying to prevent, air filters are really meant to be oily but not clogged, soggy, or dripping with oil.
Sometimes, the carburetors must also be cleaned as a dirty carburetor that is not functioning well can also contribute to the problem of the air filter.
– Oversaturated Air Filter
As previously mentioned, the air filter of a lawn mower is meant to be applied with a little oil because it improves the ability to capture dust particles. However, it loses its effectiveness if you oversaturate it with oil.
In addition, the oil coming out of air filter may also leak into the filter box or the carburetor, thus also reducing efficiency. Worse, the engine might sustain significant damage.
– Internal Engine Problem
If you checked out all six of the probable causes in this list and found them not to be the root of the problem, then the culprit may be the engine itself, especially if your mower is pretty old, which means your air filter can be covered in oil.
This is because the oil that leaks in the wrong direction and reaches the air filter could be caused by a blown head gasket, a broken cylinder, or worn cylinder rings. If this is the case, then you will need the assistance of a specialist to repair the engine.
Also, because repairs can be costly, you should consider whether it is still worth repairing your mower or you would be better off purchasing a new mower.
What Are Some Solutions ?
Some solutions for lawn mower air filter soaked in oil include tilting your lawn mower to the correct side, always checking the oil levels, replacing the head gasket, replacing the filter, squeezing out extra oil from the filter, or bringing the lawn mower in for repairs. You can also try to clean your lawn mower’s air filter before following the solution below.
Now that we have discussed the most common reasons, here are the solutions that you can apply to solve this air filter problem.
– Tilt Your Lawn Mower
Oil spills on the air filter can be avoided by tilting your lawn mower such that the carburetor is facing the high side. There is another way to choose how to place your grass-eating machine if you do not prefer turning your lawnmower on its side or if your particular model cannot be turned. Although it was suggested to turn the mower on the correct side, tilting the handlebars to the ground is also a good alternative.
– Always Check the Oil Level
As advised by manufacturers, it is best to put very little oil on your lawn mower. To prevent overfilling the crankcase, use a dipstick to check the level. Keep adding small amounts until you reach the recommended level. The safe range of oil level should be above the “Add” mark but not beyond the “Full” mark on the dipstick. If oil is coming out from your lawn mower’s exhaust there are some easy-to-follow solutions for you.
– Replace the Head Gasket
The only solution to this is to replace the gasket to stop the oil leakage and prevent a sudden loss of engine power. Bring your lawn mower to a mechanic to diagnose the problem and replace the head gasket for you if you don’t have much experience with mowers.
– Find Alternatives for Sloped Land
If your lawn is situated in an area with extremely sloped land and you are using your lawn mower, you should be very careful and always check to see if there will be oil leaking into your air filter.
It is also best to assess if it is worth using a lawn mower with all the given risks, or if it is time to look for alternative solutions on how to attend to your sloped lawn without using the mower.
– Replace Lawn Mower Oil Filter
The simplest solution is to periodically replace the lawn mower foam air filter oil and air filters. Make sure to maintain it in good condition as well. Leaving it dirty and saturated with oil will cause the oil to leak through the lawn mower, eventually coating other engine parts.
So if the air filter is not always replaced, your lawn mower will eventually break down due to the oil in it. Ideally, air filters should be changed once per season or when they get clogged with dirt or debris.
– Squeeze Out Extra Oil From the Air Filter
If you accidentally pour too much oil onto the foam filter, you can remove it by wrapping the filter in a paper towel and squeezing off the excess oil. Squeeze out the extra oil using a foam air filter or foam pre-filter.
– Bring Your Mower to Professionals
The biggest problem on the list can only be solved by repair. Depending on the severity of the engine problem, it is best to call in professional help to solve it rather than try to do it yourself, especially if you are not that familiar with repairing small engines.
Conclusion
Problems with your lawn mower happen when the air filter soaked in oil. Thankfully, we got that covered here, along with how to fix oil in air filter lawn mower.
- Tilting your lawn mower when doing maintenance and mowing on sloped land will cause oil to leak from the air filter generator.
- A faulty part like a blown or worn-out head gasket can cause more problems like a suffering spark plug. It can also cause the oil to leak into the cylinders and other parts of the mower.
- An overfilled crankcase and oversaturated foam air filter will also cause oil to travel from the air filter housing to other parts of the engine.
- If the mower produces black smoke, then it’s a problem if the lawn mower air filter is soaked in gas. The solution is just to replace the filter.
With the learnings you got from this article, maintaining your lawn will be so much easier as long as your trusty lawnmower is always in good condition.
Lawn Mower Oil Filter Vs. Car Oil Filter: Can You Use Them Interchangeably?
While the oil acts as the engine’s lifeblood, the oil filter serves its kidney to remove impurities and drain the fuel from the waste agent.
In other words, this component will be beneficial for cleaning the oil in the engine of any vehicle.
Is there any difference between a lawn mower oil filter vs. car oil filter ? Can you use them interchangeably? This article will discuss and find out the answer.
Oiled vs Dry Air Filters. Which Is For You? Ep. 3
Let’s delve into it to get into details!
Lawn Mower Oil Filter And Car Oil Filter Differences
There are a few differences between the various oil filters for the inexperienced eye. They all include a similar amount of cloth pleating, bolt into the vehicle engine, become dirty, and require replacement.
How can you point out the differences between a lawn mower oil filter and a car oil filter? Let’s keep reading to learn about their features!
Lawn Mower Oil Filter
Most people don’t highly appreciate a lawn mower oil filter. However, it’s essential to keep the machine working smoothly and effectively.
What filter is suitable for your mower? It depends on your mower model. Generally, three main types of oil filters include:
Paper oil filter is the most affordable and commonly used in mowers. It can filter dirt and contaminants but may get clogged if not maintained regularly.
A foam filter is better than the option above and doesn’t require regular cleaning. However, its price is relatively high.
The felt filter is the best variety for mowers. Its filtration is excellent and doesn’t need regular maintenance like the types above. However, it’s the most high-priced.
Car Oil Filter
A filter for car oil can remove dirt, unburned fuel, and contaminants from circulating. It only allows clean fuel to enter the engine.
The components of a car oil filter may include the following:
- Full-flow filter
- Cartridge filter:
- Spin-on filter
- Secondary/By-pass filter
- Spinner filter
- Magnetic filter
You can watch this video to choose the best-suited type for your car:
Difference Between Lawn Mower Oil Filter Vs. Car Oil Filter
| Lawn Mower Oil Filter | Car Oil Filter |
| bigger | smaller |
| Built to remove large particles, including grass clippings | Built to eliminate tiny particles and impurities from fuel |
| Designed for motors with 21L displacement or more | Designed for motors with 6L displacement or more |
| Featuring a drain valve | Without a drain valve |
Is Lawn Mower Oil Different Than Car Oil?
The short answer is yes! The oil types used for lawn mowers and cars are not the same, depending on the motor kinds.
Some lawn mowers may use two-cycle engines, which need a mixture of oil and gasoline.
Two-cycle engines can’t use car oil. Blend with gasoline demands light fuel to lubricate fast-moving engine parts.
Besides, the manufacturers of two-cycle lawn mowers sell specialized oil for their machines.
On the other hand, most mowers use four-cycle engines, including garden tractors and riding mowers.
Like cars, these engines store oil and gasoline separately. They can utilize the same fuel as automobiles.
However, you must check manuals since smaller motors may be sensitive to alternatives and additives.
Can You Use Car Oil Filter On A Lawn Mower?
The short answer is yes. Some people still use car oil filters on their lawn mowers because their size perfectly fits the mower’s filter.
A car oil filter doesn’t have particular materials to make it incompatible with a smaller engine.
over, if this filter can regulate the car engine’s pressure, it rarely has trouble handling a smaller mower engine.
However, it would be best to look for car oil filters with an anti-drain back valve to prevent the fuel from exhausting when you turn off the engine.
over, this oil filter must feature a silicone gasket to avoid melting at extreme temperatures.
You should also choose the car oil filter that physically fits your mower, meaning it won’t rub or chafe against your machine.
Should You Use A Car Oil Filter On A Lawn Mower?
While you can use a car oil filter on your lawn mower, it’s not a good idea. The lawn mower and car filter designs are not the same.
The filters built for mowers require clearing lawn clippings occasionally with debris and dirt from the fuel.
On the other hand, the filters used for car oil function to remove tiny particles and impurities from the fuel.
For these reasons, a filter designed for the car on your mower may get blocked due to dirt, glass chippings, debris, and particles. Thus, the fuel can’t flow smoothly and stop entirely at a specific point.
The final verdict is up to you if you ensure that big particles will not block the filter. That said, your engine’s dirty oil might cost you dearly.
FAQs
What Happens If You Use The Wrong Oil Filter On A Lawnmower?
The oil filter is vital to maintain oil pressure. If you use the wrong filter on your lawn mower, it may negatively affect oil pressure.
The wrong oil filter won’t work correctly, which makes it clogged and causes the oil pressure to drop.
Besides, the engine may receive too little or too much if you use the incorrect filter.
Sometimes, it may have trouble sealing correctly, leading to leaks or oil pressure issues.
If you are using the wrong filter type, it may show the signs, including:
- Engine performance is degraded, which makes you lose acceleration.
- Your machine will sputter while operating, and you will have difficulty maintaining speeds.
- The oil pressure measuring instrument may move slightly usually, but when you notice a fast drop, it is a warning cue.
- You will witness burning oil entering the exhaust pipes, causing the exhaust to be dirty or black.
Are All Mower Oil Filters The Same?
The short answer is no. While the oil filters perform the same purposes, different sizes and features differentiate them.
Here are the main characteristics making them different:
Various-sized engines require oil filters using proportionally larger threads.
The size might vary significantly between automobiles and tiny engines. The internal construction of these filters is often unique from that of other filters.
Every machine’s engine requires a particular oil weight, which essentially only indicates how thick or dense it is.
If the oil weight is higher, the filters should be constructed with harder synthetic materials to tolerate the flow of heavier oil.
The price of oil filters will vary significantly. Thus, lawn mower owners may want to look for cheaper car oil filters as alternatives.
Final Thoughts
We’ve shown the main differences between a lawn mower and car oil filters. Hopefully, you can tell them apart after referring to our post.
It’s worth noting that while you can use a car fuel filter on your mower, it’s not a good idea because it doesn’t feature a drain valve to block large particles and grass clippings.
If you know any dissimilarities between these filters, you can share them in the comment. Thank you for reading!
Oil Filter For Zero-Turn Mowers, 7463097
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Oil Filter For Zero-Turn Mowers, 7463097
Oil Filter For Zero-Turn Mowers, 7463097 is designed for your Bobcat commercial-grade turf equipment for durability, power, and quality.
Due to engineering standards, some parts are updated or changed and are assigned a new part number. Previous part number was P502024. This part is the direct replacement.
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