Did I Just Ruin My Engine?

[LawnBoy97]

So I just bought a craftsman 22 inch self propelled lawn mower with a 6 hp briggs engine. It would start, but not run, so I was able to get it at a good price. So I got it home and removed the air filter and carburetor. I then cleaned the carb and replaced the fuel line. SO I got this all put back together and start ed it. It ran but there was smoke coming from around the muffler:frown:. So I then found and removed a huge mouse nest and then put it back together. I then changed the oil and started it up. Still smoking from around the muffler. so I called it quits and started to clean up all of my tools and junk when I noticed the small angled rubber tube that goes between the air filter housing and the metal tube coming out of the engine right by the carb.. So I quickly put it back where it went and started it up. I ran it for a little while and shut it off. Still smoke. So could my little mishap have caused this problem, or do i just need a new muffler? And what role did the little rubber tube play in the running of my small briggs? Thanks.

 

[panabiker]

I think you are talking about the crankcase ventilation tube. I don't think disconnecting it for a short period of time would ruin the engine. The open tube may get some dirt/dust into the carb if you run the engine. It's more likely something else is wrong.

 

[possum]

I think I would start real simple. Is the oil full or overfull? Is the carb flooding? After it dies does it have spark? Is the cylinder full of gas and or oil? Is there more mouse nest under the engine cover? Did the mice get into the engine and rust the rings from urine? Dont worry about ruining the engine worry if the engine was already ruined before you bought it.

 

[LawnBoy97]

The oil level is fine and it never died after running it for a while, so I was wondering if it could just be the muffler. Because that is where the smoke is coming from. And I didn't notice any smoke coming from the actual holes in the muffler, it was just smoking from around the muffler, and was very noticable when I stopped the engine. Maybe I will be able to post a picture tomorrow to show exactly what I mean. Thanks.

 

[KennyV]

Not a problem...
The muffler is never going to control smoke, it is there to control the noise...
If you, or someone else got oil or anything else on the outside of the muffler it will Burn off eventually, and then will no longer smoke.

The crankcase vent needs to be connected and the air cleaner in place... then go mow, You should know how it is after about 1/2 a tank of gas... :smile:KennyV

 

[moonbeam]

Did u have the mower on its side? If so it sounds like its burning excess oil that has ran into ur muffler. Dip the oil level if its ok then start mower and let it run for 10 or 15 mins until excess oil in the muffler has burnt off

 

[Practical Consumer]

Sounds like oil got into the muffler or cylinder. Hopefully it will clear up after running in to a bit. When it does clear up I would clean or replace the spark plug it will probably be pretty black. If it doesn't clear up you will have to do some more troubleshooting. If it is black smoke the problem is fuel related. If it is white smoke the problem is burning oil.

Good Luck

 

[LawnBoy97]

Alright thanks. There was some black gunk on the spark plug when I first got it, but the guy said it ran fine before he put it in the shed after buying a new mower. I did replace the spark plug, so I will go and start it again and see what happens. I did remove the muffler and noticed something burnt on the back of it, so maybe that had something to do with it, but hopefully the smoke does clear up because it is a pretty nice mower, still has some paint under the deck. Thanks.

Actually, I wonder if oil got into the muffler when I took it out of the car. But what is weird is that the smoke is coming from around the muffler, not the actual holes in the muffler where the exhaust comes out. That is why I am so confused.

 

[LawnBoy97]

So I just ran it and there was no smoke at all. I guess whatever it was cleared itself up. But I did remove the spark plug and it looked like it had this flaky gritty stuff on it and looked kind of beat up for a new plug. So could dirt have gotten into the engine when I had that rubber part off? But anyways, I was wondering if I would be okay removing the self propelled. Not completely, but just removing the gear inside the wheel hub. I really don't like self propelled, especially the front wheel non adjustable kind. So if I did remove the metal gear inside the wheel, should I also remove the belt to lessen the strain on the engine? Thanks for all the help.

 

[KennyV]

The slight discoloration of the plug will be normal, (after all there is a big fire inside the cylinder:thumbsup
You can remove the drive gear, the belt will make little difference,

Happy mowing... any time anything gets on or in the muffler it will burn it off, paint, oil anything... :smile:KennyV