MTD Tractor Smoking and Hot when only cutting tall grass

[marcumg]

Hello everyone,

I have an 1999 Statesman (MTD) lawn tractor with a Briggs and Stratton 12.5 HP engine. I sent it out for repair--the mechanic fixed a couple of flat tires--leveled and sharped the blades. He also changed the engine oil. The battery was dead (mechanic had to charge it once--and a week later, it did not start), and I purchases a new one. I went up to 300 cranking amp battery from a 230. Before starting the engine, I checked the oil. The oil level is fine. When starting the tractor and cutting thin grass, it runs good. But when you put a load on the engine and run it through thicker,taller grass, the engine starts emitting white, thick smoke through the muffler and the engine smells hot. The engine sputters and wants to die. When you drive it out of the thick grass--the smoke clears and the tractor works like there is nothing is wrong with it. I guess if you cut the heavier grass long enough, the engine would die. Has anyone ever heard of this problem? I am afraid it is a weak valve in the engine--engine oil is getting in motor's cylinder somehow. What is really weird is that the problem only happens when engine is pulling a load. It has no problem driving up small grades (as long as is not cutting thick grass). Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks, marcumg

 

[KrashnKraka]

Hello everyone,

I have an 1999 Statesman (MTD) lawn tractor with a Briggs and Stratton 12.5 HP engine. I sent it out for repair--the mechanic fixed a couple of flat tires--leveled and sharped the blades. He also changed the engine oil. The battery was dead (mechanic had to charge it once--and a week later, it did not start), and I purchases a new one. I went up to 300 cranking amp battery from a 230. Before starting the engine, I checked the oil. The oil level is fine. When starting the tractor and cutting thin grass, it runs good. But when you put a load on the engine and run it through thicker,taller grass, the engine starts emitting white, thick smoke through the muffler and the engine smells hot. The engine sputters and wants to die. When you drive it out of the thick grass--the smoke clears and the tractor works like there is nothing is wrong with it. I guess if you cut the heavier grass long enough, the engine would die. Has anyone ever heard of this problem? I am afraid it is a weak valve in the engine--engine oil is getting in motor's cylinder somehow. What is really weird is that the problem only happens when engine is pulling a load. It has no problem driving up small grades (as long as is not cutting thick grass). Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks, marcumg

Check numbers on your air filter, the mower guy would have swapped it
out as part of the service. Make sure the correct filter is fitted and no restrictions
in the airways - the mower guy may have inadvertantly left his sweatrag in a pipe :}
Oil grade is likely also but the air feed mistake is easily made.

Trust that helps some.

KK

 

[motoman]

Bogging down in thick grass may not be unreasonable depending on the grass you are cutting. I use my craftsman 24 Intek to cut 12" weeds and it does not like it. I go very slow and take "half bites." The temp on the gauges begins to rise. If you are trying to cut such high grass it also wraps around the blades and tries to stop them. On the other hand if "thick" is average green grass perhaps the engine has lost power due to wear on internals. Slowing down the engine reduces oil circulation and oil pressure at the crank bearings -not good. Everything begins to heat up beyond its normal hot condition.:2cents: