FJ180V BLOWS BLUE SMOKE AT STARTUP OR UNDER LOAD

[ADDISON1990]

I recently replaced a drive bearing on my self-propelled unit on my push mower. I did have to have it on its side for awhile and now it is blowing smoke. I checked the breather tube going into the carb and it has oil in it. I suspect a bad breather valve( (just an uneducated guess) but cannot figure out where it is. The engine ran fine before I tipped it but now the oil level drops from full to just at the add mark every tank of gas. The engine still runs fine except under load with the oil bogging it down. Am I on the right track or way off base.

 

[bertsmobile1]

1 always tip the mower crankcase down or spark plug up if you like then you will never end up in this situation
You will probably find oil contamination in the carburettor and perhaps even a blown head gasket .
So start by removing the carburettor & cleaning it or better still clean it and run a rebuild kit through it
Does the oil feel thin & have a slight smell of fuel to it ?