How to Change Oil in a Briggs & Stratton 5500 Generator

Written By
Lucosi Fuller
Lucosi Fuller
Published: Feb 9, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

If the oil is allowed to become thick or to dry out, the generator's internal components may begin to wear down from metal-to-metal contact and then the entire unit will be useless. With fresh oil in the engine, the generator should be ready for use whenever you need it.

Things You Will Need

  • Adjustable wrench or pliers
  • Plastic oil pan
  • Engine oil
  1. Turn on the generator and allow it to run for a few minutes to heat up the oil. Warm oil is easy to change because it has a more liquified consistency, which allows it to drain out of the generator more completely.

  2. Place the generator on a level surface and disconnect the spark plug wire. Place the spark plug wire in a place on the generator that allows no possibility of it coming into contact with the spark plug as you're changing the oil.

  3. Wipe any oil and grime away from the oil drain plug so you can see what you're doing.

  4. Place a plastic oil pan beneath the oil drain plug, then remove the plug. The oil will drain out of the engine and into the oil pan.

  5. Replace the oil drain plug and ensure that it's tightened completely.

  6. Remove the oil cap from the oil filler tube.

  7. Pour the engine oil into the oil filler tube until the oil nearly reaches the top of the tube.

  8. Replace the oil cap.

  9. Connect the spark plug wire.

  10. Start the generator and allow the oil to move throughout the engine so the generator is lubricated with new oil.

The Drip Cap

  • Keeping fresh oil in your Briggs & Stratton 5500 portable generator allows the engine parts to be properly lubricated so the generator runs properly.
  • Place the spark plug wire in a place on the generator that allows no possibility of it coming into contact with the spark plug as you're changing the oil.
  • Place a plastic oil pan beneath the oil drain plug, then remove the plug.
  • Connect the spark plug wire.
Lucosi Fuller

Lucosi Fuller was a student at Miami University-Middletown and a graduate of the University of South Carolina-Upstate, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2008. He devotes his time to writing this thing and that other thing…

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