Oil and filter for kohler 23hp engine in troy bilt mower

There is generally a pipe coming out of the side of the engine just above where it mounts to the mower frame. It will generally have a six sided cap at the end. Get a pan to drain the oil in that will hold approx. 1 gallon. Most small engines have at most 2 quarts of oil, but this leaves some room at the top to avoid oil sloshing over the side.

Get the proper sized wrench, or an adjustable wrench (Crescent wrench) to remove the cap.

Before you remove the cap, run the engine for a minute or two--not much longer-you want to warm up the oil so it drains well but not get so hot that it burns you.

Remove the plug and allow all the oil to drain into the pan... let it run even only a thin stream is coming out. Many small engines don't have oil filters and it's best to get all the used oil out of them you can.

If your engine has a filter, you'll want to replace it also. You might be able to remove it with your hands, if not, go buy an oil filter wrench of the right size (take your replacement filter as a guide when you go to the store). Be careful when removing the filter quite a bit of oil will come out. Put a pan under it if you can, if not, push a large rag under the filter to catch the oil and stop it from pouring on the ground. Unscrew the filter, then turn the open end upright to catch any oil in the filter. Drain the filter in your oil pan, etc.

When you install the new filter, put some new engine oil on your finger and wipe it around the black rubber gasket. I also like to put some oil in the filter as this gets oil to the engine a little faster when you first start it after the oil change. If the filter is mounted on its side you can still put some oil in it--the filter will absorb it. Quickly screw it on and you won't spill any.

You'll feel resistance from the gasket touching the filter base on the engine, after a couple turns--tighten it only about 3/4ths of a turn more--don't use a filter wrench to install it--they get stuck in use and you'll have a difficult time removing it at the next oil change.

Make sure the cap is screwed back on the drain pipe, then put the correct amount of fresh oil into the engine. You normally pour it into the spout where the dip stick is, or else there is a cap on the engine marked for adding oil. DON'T OVER FILL IT!! Overfilling can cause the oil to be drawn into the carburetor; and may increase crankcase pressure that will cause your seals to leak ,etc.

Air cooled engines rely on engine oil to help cool them. For this reason, keep the oil up to the Full mark on the dip stick--check it every time you use the machine and top off as needed.

A cheap but effective oil drain pan for lawn mowers and lawn tractors is to get an old rectangular gallon jug like antifreeze comes in. Make sure it is completely empty--if you wash it out, catch the rinse water and dispose of it properly. Anti-freeze has a sweet taste that attracts animals, but is highly poisonous. It's also against the law to wash it down a toilet, household drain, or the gutter on the street. Also the auto parts store won't accept your used oil if it has antifreeze in it.

Make sure you have a tight fitting lid on the jug. Lay it on it's side and use a sharp knife or scissors to carefully cut a large square hole out in the side that's facing up. Round the corners if possible. Leave about 1" of the top surface (the surface you're cutting) all the way around. This will make it stronger, and also helps contain oil that sloshes around when you move it. It also will allow you to drain the oil through the pour spout into a jug to take to an auto parts store for disposal.

Old gallon milk jugs are handy to transport oil in but be careful the lids don't pop off due to rough handling. I prefer using an oil drain pan with a large lid over the opening with a smaller lid over the spout. Leave it flat when carrying it and you won't have any oil leak out. Also, don't store used oil in milk jugs as the plastic breaks down quickly and you could have oil all over your floor.

This is a long comment, but I hope it was helpful.

drechsel97