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Hello,

I am new here was looking for some help. My mower has been burning oil for two summers now and I am planing on fixing the issue. After talking to a small engine repair shop today they thought the engine was to young for the rings to go bad (600 hours). I was planning on replacing the rings and gaskets but after digging into the motor I am not sure if I should do everything. It looks like cylinder #1 is fine after pulling the plugs, I was hoping to get some feed back on what the problem might be.

Pics

Cylinder 1 plug



Cylinder 2 plug (yuck!)



Cylinder 2



Head on Cylinder 2

All that junk on the cooling fin is a indication of a possible head gasket problem in that area. I'd try replacing the head gasket and see what happens.

I would double up on that.
How did the head bolts feel on the duff cylinder, a little looser than the other side ?

bertsmobile1 said:

I would double up on that.
How did the head bolts feel on the duff cylinder, a little looser than the other side ?

Click to expand...

I only pulled the head off the cylinder that had the gunk filled plug. It was tight (a quick bump on a 3/8" ratchet. if one is looser than the other does that mean something?

I would clean the gunk of the head and valves. Clean the mating surface of the block and head well replace with a new head gasket and see how it dose.

You didn't show the under side of the head gasket. I find it is more common for a leak to be between the gasket and cylinder block.

Walt Conner

Cleaned the mating surfaces tonight, gaskets come tomorrow. I will follow up with the outcome. Thanks for the help!

Head gasket, valve adjustment and valve gasket got done on cylinder #2. I figured I would adjust the valves on cylinder #1, on both valves I could fit a .025 feeler gauge between the lifter and valve. Replaced cylinder #1 valve gasket along with intake and exhaust gaskets. New plugs, Air filter, oil filter and oil. I have not started it up yet (it late and I am about to leave for the holiday) but will let you know if the problem was solved.

Thank you for the help.

Looks like burnt oil on the plug, mixed with a little gas and air to create a goopy mess for Mr. Plug. But if the plug was fouling for a while, it would cause that build-up.

I see have yet to test the new plugs. Did the engine spit at all during running at top, under load?