This is happening to me too. Someone in my neighborhood tossed out what appeared to be a perfectly good looking Toro lawn mower (Model #20017, Serial #250058039). Once I got it home I pulled the spark plug only to find it swimming in blackish oil. The little gas it had did not seem too old and the oil doesn't seem to be that bad looking either. I thought I would start with a general tune-up (new spark plug, air filter, oil change) but also change the head gasket. Once I removed the head cover, I noticed a lot of oil inside but also a dark film all around the inside on both sides. I'm assuming there shouldn't be any oil in this area. My question is, would changing the head gasket solve the problem with oil getting on the spark plug? Or am I looking at a bigger problem?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
JAC