Someone checked the oil level (perhaps overfilling it) and then forgot to tighten the cap. Someone else then began to drive it.
I don't know how much oil escaped before it was noticed.
Start the mower, it mows fine for about a minute and then starts letting out massive smoke stacks.
Rumor has it that it isn't really overfilled at this point.
Asking here first because I can't get to the mower right now.
What could the causes be besides an overfilled crankcase?
Briggs engine info...
31A6070458E1
I/C 502cc 15.5 HP
Compression is about 90 PSI cold.
Someone said if it is an overhead valve Briggs then it is likely a head gasket. I am not much of an engine guy but think this is an overhead valve engine.
I am now thinking this is more fuel related. The issue seems to only manifest itself when mowing and hot. It surges like it is low on fuel then dies. During the process of dying, smoke comes out of the airbox. My sense of smell has never been great but I would be willing to guess the smoke is fuel not oil.
Replaced carb with a known good one. With intake disconnected so I can see right to the carb butterfly I observe the following:
1) Little to no smoke from the intake when the lawn tractor isn't moving and blades aren't disengaged.
2) Synchronous puffs of white appearing smoke once the blades are engaging and the lawn tractor isn't moving. My nose isn't great but it might smell like fuel.
3) With blades engaged and moving, there is even more smoke from the intake and out of the muffler. Smell from muffler smells like oil to me. The lawn tractor will die in about 10 seconds in this condition.
Hi, I replaced the head gasket and now it smokes oil all the time and exhibits the same symptoms. No more smoke coming from the carb though. Any other ideas?
For that known to toss head gasket engine, I would use a solid copper gasket from Bert's friend that makes them. Bert has the info on this known good fix.
Uhmmm, do you mean like lapping valves? I did not go to that extreme. However, I did what I would say might be the "averagish" person would do and carefully clean up the surfaces, follow torque specs and torque sequence.
For that known to toss head gasket engine, I would use a solid copper gasket from Bert's friend that makes them. Bert has the info on this known good fix.
Smoke went away...might have been residual. It appears that this was also a fuel problem....chinesium fuel shutoff valve I purchased a while back and gave me problems. I need to find some decent fuel shutoffs that aren't too expensive but aren't ebay quality either. I am concerned to pay a premium for a shutoff valve that takes 10 zillion years to get here and is still chinesium. Runs without that shutoff valve.
Hi, I replaced the head gasket and now it smokes oil all the time and exhibits the same symptoms. No more smoke coming from the carb though. Any other ideas?
If the carb is good then the shut off valve is a braces & Belt approach
Mind you I always ft them, mostly for my convienance as the customers rarely bother to turn them off .
