24 HP Intek Started to burn oil over night?

[Drussell]

I have a Crapsmen 24 hp BS 445677 2 cyl engine 7 yr old FS5500 Fairway series 725 hr. 3 weeks ago it started to blow blue/white smoke and eat oil. I changed one head gasket yesterday. I did not see obvious failure. There was a lot of carbon build up on the piston face and valve head. I scraped it clean and reassembled. Runs good but still smokes to much. Sprark plug is darker than the other cyclinder. I will change the other head gasket tonight.

Any Ideas what to do next.

 

[Carscw]

I have a Crapsmen 24 hp BS 445677 2 cyl engine 7 yr old FS5500 Fairway series 725 hr. 3 weeks ago it started to blow blue/white smoke and eat oil. I changed one head gasket yesterday. I did not see obvious failure. There was a lot of carbon build up on the piston face and valve head. I scraped it clean and reassembled. Runs good but still smokes to much. Sprark plug is darker than the other cyclinder. I will change the other head gasket tonight.

Any Ideas what to do next.

725 hours on it and you call it crap?
I am going to say you have bad rings letting oil get past and into the cylinder.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

 

[Drussell]

725 hours on it and you call it crap?
I am going to say you have bad rings letting oil get past and into the cylinder.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

Is 725 hour the expected life of BS engines or rings. I changed the oil every 50 hours and new air filter every 100 hr. It was running great until 3 weeks ago. Then wham, All of a sudden it started eating oil. What happen.

If it is the piston rings how hard is it to change them.

 

[motoman]

Drussel, Unfortunately there is probably more than changing rings if that is the problem. You need a "character analysis" of your cylinders that you may not be able to perform yourself. By that "we" (taking collective liberty here) mean the cylinders must be checked by a pro with proper insruments for taper, round,height and cracks. In this throw away society we have you may find you cannot do the old school fix of e.g., honing or boring .010" over as the parts are not available, the factory wanting to sell you (perhaps) a short block . This may not be bad for you if the rest of the tractor is worth it. This I do not know. Although I have a 24 Intek with about 700 hours it only smokes on sart up and just a little making me think valve seal/guides. This blabber may motivate the professional dudes to add from their knowledge. Good luck . I am depressed Mr Carscw thinks our tractors must die at 700 hours. I have grown almost fond of mine. :shocked:

 

[Rivets]

Do a cylinder leak down test to identify the cause of your problem, before digging too deep into your pockets.

 

[Carscw]

Drussel, Unfortunately there is probably more than changing rings if that is the problem. You need a "character analysis" of your cylinders that you may not be able to perform yourself. By that "we" (taking collective liberty here) mean the cylinders must be checked by a pro with proper insruments for taper, round,height and cracks. In this throw away society we have you may find you cannot do the old school fix of e.g., honing or boring .010" over as the parts are not available, the factory wanting to sell you (perhaps) a short block . This may not be bad for you if the rest of the tractor is worth it. This I do not know. Although I have a 24 Intek with about 700 hours it only smokes on sart up and just a little making me think valve seal/guides. This blabber may motivate the professional dudes to add from their knowledge. Good luck . I am depressed Mr Carscw thinks our tractors must die at 700 hours. I have grown almost fond of mine. :shocked:

I guess I should have been more clear with my comment.

It is known that I like craftsman. He started out saying my crapsman.

When a mower/ tractor gets up to 700 hours on it your going to have to do some maintenance to it.

Most homeowner mowers do not ever make 700 hours. IMO craftsman is not crap and you can not blame craftsman for a engine problem at 700 hours.

One of my many craftsman mowers is on its 3rd engine. ( Used engines )The deck and tranny are still in good shape. The steering is still good.

I just replace belts and spindles as I hit things a lot
I use it as my brush mower. I know it has well over 2000 hours on it.

I hope mowers last longer than 700 hours as my cub cadet will hit it this week.

I hope this helped to redeem my self

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

 

[Drussell]

Actually I do like Crapsmens. I have a Crapsmen roto tillier 15 years old and work great. I doubt it has 725 hr on it though. The problem is not Crapsmen its BS. I don't mind a little maintenance. I do a lot of it. I also maintain a 15 yr Ariens snow thrower and many dirt bikes of various makes and years, chain saws, gas trimmer, and a 27 yr old Articat snow mobile. Everything needs some TLC now and then. What I really like about Crapsmen is part availability and exploded diagrams. From my point of view the tractor is fine. If I have to replace the engine so be it. My objective is to walk up from simple (inexpensive) fixes. Breather tube, head gaskets, ect. I have a compression tester but not the equipment to due a full blown bleeed down test. However I don't believe the engine should only last 725 hr. No how much should I invest in diagnostic test and fix versus a rebuilt engine. A new engine is more than 1/2 a new Tractor.

 

[Rivets]

Many of the franchised auto parts stores loan out test equipment. Auto Zone, O'riellys, Advanced Auto, etc. I would check there first, may be worth a phone call or two. I would not invest ing buying a leak down tester for one engine. Too costly.

 

[Carscw]

I would get on Craigslist and find a cheap mower with the engine you want.
For $200 you can get one that will last a few more years

I get them all the time most for around $100. Clean the carb and good to go

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

 

[motoman]

Carscw, thanks I needed the hope. motoman