Dirty Oil

[mac91]

Hi PJ -
Couple of things. I did my first oil change on 2007 Fastrak / 19hp Kawi. I was a few hours overs over intial suggestion (10.3 hours at first change). The oil was extremely dirty - almost black. Is that unusual? Conditions are not bad where I'm at in Northern NJ and I'm cutting roughly 1 acre per week.

Also - any suggestions for getting the oil filter off without major spillage? I did pretty well with two drip pans, one over the muffler and one below the engine, and some foil, but there has to be a trick!

Thanks

[mowerconsultant]

That wouldnt be out of the norm, this is why we want it changed after the initial break in period.
As to a easier / cleaner way to change that filter....
No trick to it really...
What your doing works as good as anything else.
I usually use a good shop towel and hold it under the filter and use the drip pan over the muffler while removing the filter as quickly as possible.

Pj