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I have a Ariens 21" push lawnmower with a Kohler Courage XT-6 engine
Just started it for the first time this year - it started on the first pull ok
After running for a few minutes it started to miss and started to emit large volumes of blue smoke
I pulled off the air cleaner and noticed a large amount of oil - probably mixed with gas - inside the air cleaner box and into the carb
It would not start again
Let it sit for a while after cleaning out the air cleaner box and carb throat and it started after a few pulls.
Blue smoke cleared but after a few minutes it started again until it finally shut down
I had drained the carb before putting it away for the winter
If the rings are bad - since it is out of warranty- it probably is not worth fixing I assume
The mower has not had a lot of use and is just over 2 yrs old
Any input appreciated. Thanks

Read my post in the " NO STABILZER CARB". I recommend you do the same things. Rings should be good, but you will have to change the oil.

Upon further investigation the fluid in the air filter box and carb throat is strictly engine crankcase oil
It is coming into the air filter box via the crankcase vent hose
I believe that the crankcase vent has a screen that is supposed to separate the oil from the vapors and return the oil to the crankcase
I think that there is also some sort of reed valve also involved
Any suggestions
Thanks

It will be the first time I've seen one of those engines with a blow head gasket, but it sure sounds like that. Do you know how to test for a blown head gasket?

Rivets said:

It will be the first time I've seen one of those engines with a blow head gasket, but it sure sounds like that. Do you know how to test for a blown head gasket?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately I do not have a compression gauge Is there any other way to check for a blown head gasket

Don't have time this morning to explain the poor mans way of testing, but will try to post it tonight.

compression gauges are not that expensive

Think I found the problem
When I put the mower away for the winter I changed the oil and inadvertently put in 5 W 20
When I looked at the oil a few days ago before starting I realized the oil was very thin
I replaced it with 30 W but in gaining access to the drain plug I tipped the mower on it's side and I think the thin oil got through the separator screen and into the crankcase vent hose
Today I disconnected the vent hose at the air filter box and before starting noticed oil coming out of the hose. I left it disconnected and ran the mower . Ran just fine with no stuttering or blue smoke
The oil stopped dripping after about 10 minutes and I reconnected the hose and continued to cut the grass for about 1/2 hour.
No problems - no oil - running great
Thanks for all the help - much appreciated: :ashamed: