Exmark Vantage has white smoke on start up only 1-2 times a week

[Randall Lawn Care]

So I have an exmark vantage 52inch with a kohler command pro 787 efi system. It only happens maybe 1 time a week but when I start the machine it puffs a cloud of white smoke and stops immediately after start up. I’ve checked compression and it’s good. Obviously oil is somehow getting into the cylinders but I’m not sure how.

 

[Randall Lawn Care]

So I have an exmark vantage 52inch with a kohler command pro 787 efi system. It only happens maybe 1 time a week but when I start the machine it puffs a cloud of white smoke and stops immediately after start up. I’ve checked compression and it’s good. Obviously oil is somehow getting into the cylinders but I’m not sure how.

It has 1500 hours on it and the white cloud stops after start up not the engine.

 

[slomo]

Not seeing the issue. 1500 hours, you got more than what you paid for. She is a tired old mower. Oil is cheap. Keep an eye on the oil as in prior to EVERY MOW.

What about the cooling fins?

Also probably time to decarbon the cylinders as your engine manual states.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Toe things
1) engine is worn so go to a heavier oil
2) engine was too hot when you finished mowing so clean the cooling fins and / or go the a thicker oil

 

[Born2Mow]

Could be...
• Excessive engine wear due to poor maintenance over long term.
• Engine oil over-filled.
• Fuel diluting the engine oil making the oil level higher AND the oil thinner.
• Parking the mower with one cylinder facing downhill while the oil is hot.
• Wrong weight/ type engine oil based on the ambient temp in your area.
• Clogged air filter making the engine ingest more engine breather oil.
• Hot running due to blocked engine cooling air.

And more

 

[slomo]

Keep mowing with it. Keep the oil FULL.

If you are worried about this one, I had an old Snapper pusher with a Wisconsin Robin engine. It would choke you up if the wind blew your way LOL.

 

[VegetiveSteam]

I’ve checked compression and it’s good.

What's good? What are the numbers? If this engine has been properly maintained, 1500 hours is pretty much nothing. Properly taken care of, 2500-3000 hours is pretty common and 4000 is not unheard of. Sadly, very few take the kind of care it requires to get those kinds of hours.