Genuine parts guide: the oil filter

The oil filter is a vital part of your engine’s defence, standing between your lawn mower engine and all the dirt and debris of the outdoors. Without it, contaminants enter the engine and impact its performance – in worst-case scenarios, with a non-functional filter, the engine suffers catastrophic failure.

It's why the oil filter is one of the most commonly replaced lawn mower parts. They are doing the hard graft for your lawn mower and garden machinery engines, and need to be regularly replaced!

How often should you change your oil filter?

It depends on your engine, so always check your owner’s manual for information. Working in tough conditions can also shorten a filter's lifespan; these instructions should only be taken as a guideline. You can find the manual for your specific Kawasaki engine model on our Technical Downloads page.

As an example, for our FR 651, 691 and 730V engines, you should change the oil filter every 200 hours of operation. Similar to an oil change, you must wait for the engine temperature to drop before attempting to remove the oil filter.

1. Run the engine until warm
2. Drain the engine oil into a suitable container
3. Rotate the oil filter anti-clockwise to remove it
4. Coat a film of clean engine oil on the seal of the new filter
5. Install the new filter, rotating it clockwise until the seal contacts the mounting surface. Then rotate the filter 3/4 turn more by hand
6. Supply the engine oil as specified
7. Run the engine for about three minutes, then stop the engine and check for any oil leakage around the filter
8. Add oil to compensate for the oil level drop due to the oil filter capacity

Are all lawn mower engine oil filters the same?

Professional landscapers will know the importance of using the right oil filter for their engine model, but some may not realise the difference between Kawasaki Engines genuine parts and aftermarket parts.

Our extensive range of genuine parts are all part of the original engine specification as designed and tested by our engineers. They are made to enhance performance – not cut costs – and go through rigorous testing. With aftermarket parts, you run the risk of reduced performance and, in the worst case, causing significant, potentially catastrophic engine damage. You wouldn’t choose accessories that didn't fit or improve the performance of your mower; the same approach should be taken for engine parts!

Why is a genuine oil filter superior?

Official Kawasaki Engines genuine oil filters are designed to maximise performance. We placed a genuine part side by side with an aftermarket part (from a reputable supplier) to help you see the difference.

Why is the genuine part superior?

The quality of the genuine oil filter assists in extending the life of the engine:

• It captures smaller particles and a wider range of contaminants. The filter element is more effective due to a low micron rating, ultimately improving the quality of the oil.
• The filter top plate has more holes, improving oil flow.
• Removal for maintenance is easier thanks to a matt finish. The circumference of the canister will also fit an industry standard oil filter removal tool, which isn’t a guarantee with non-genuine oil filters.
• Superior oil flow. The Kawasaki oil filter has a relief spring/valve which is engineered to supply a continuous flow of engine oil. The design of the relief spring/valve is superior to any non-genuine filter. 
• Protects your engine with the inclusion of a pressure release valve. This safety feature is designed to allow oil flow if the filter becomes blocked. While not an ideal situation, it prevents the engine from running without any oil at all, which would result in a terminal failure within a short space of time.
• The canister is of a lightweight design, which helps heat dissipation. Some non-genuine parts are heavier, which may give the illusion of it being high-quality, but is actually detrimental to its purpose.

Potential issues with a non-genuine oil filter include:

• Reduced oil flow can shorten the oil life and engine performance.
• Engine oil quality may be compromised. If combustion contaminants pass through the filter, they can damage the engine.
• No leak-down valve leaves your engine vulnerable to dry starts. Kawasaki fits a leak-down valve in all of its oil filters. Some aftermarket suppliers do not include this, and if they do it is often of poor quality. This valve prevents a dry start while the oil filter is filling up. No engine oil in a cold engine can cause significant and irreparable damage!
• Poor quality anti-drain back valve. The rubber on the anti-drain back valve can be too flexible in non-genuine oil filters, or at times not even present. This valve prevents engine oil draining out of the canister when the engine is not running. An inferior valve may not prevent this from occurring – this could cause the engine oil to not circulate immediately to pressurise the lubrication system on start-up.

Follow manufacturers guidance

While it is a guideline, and may need to be adapted according to conditions, you should always listen when manufacturers recommend changing lawn mower parts like oil filters within a certain time frame.

Most manufacturers will have their own guidelines and recommendations; the essential maintenance of a Kawasaki engine may be very different to those of other engine manufacturers.

Find a dealer

Find a Kawasaki Engines Authorised Dealer near you to get guaranteed Kawasaki Engines genuine parts and keep your engine operating at peak performance.