Engine puffs blue smoke on starting?

[GregU]

I've got a 2005 JD L111 that I'm going to sell. Good mower, never had any problems with it. But it always has puffed a cloud of blue smoke for a couple of seconds when it starts. OK, maybe I should say occasionally, not every time. It my not smoke for 2-3 start ups, then smoke, clear, then smoke, etc. My mechanic, auto that is, says his does the same thing. His take on it is that depending on how the valves sit when the mower shuts off, some oil is allowed to seep into the engine, which is burned out on the initial start. It doesn't smoke normally and doesn't use any oil. I've searched the web, and I've seen where JD says don't worry about it, not a problem. So, doe's this sound reasonable or could there be a problem? Greg

 

[reddragon]

it definitely sounds like valve guides....it just means your engines getting old.....its not catastrophic:smile:

 

[GregU]

I spose, but seems like it's always done it.?. It's only got 130 hrs on it. Greg

 

[reddragon]

well....it could be a rich condition from the choke or maybe it floods slightly when the engines off and burns it at start up

 

[jamesslcx]

Hello everyone, one of my mowers does this upon starting, it is only a year old, I wonder if me using synthetic oil from day one has anything to do with the smoking at startup?

 

[reddragon]

synthetic has nothing to do with it.......again.. all motors with chokes will poof a little gray smoke at start up

 

[jamesslcx]

Hi Reddragon, I really do believe the supposed myth about not breaking in certain engines on synthetic oil, I paid a lot for this push mower and wanted to keep it forever so i put Lubro-Moly synthetic in , none of my others do this. I am not worried about it but I wonder every now and then when it slightly smokes on startup.

 

[reddragon]

if its not using oil....dont worry about it...these engines arn't highend precision built...ny neighbors briggs threw a rod for no reason last week

 

[jamesslcx]

Reddragon I know you are right but sometimes I obsess over the little things!:thumbsup:

 

[reddragon]

its ok!...i do it too:laughing: