QuestionI have the 1742HS Sabre series mower. 17HP Briggs engine. It starts and runs great, no smoke until put under load. Intermittant puffs of smoke occur upon mower engagement and oil consumption. Definitely tolerable but the rest of the unit is like new and would like engine to perform as such. Any thoughts as far as maybe gasket failure or rings/piston. Not sure where a knowledgable person would start.
Answerhi jeremey
check the breather 1st
then check for high oil level ?
then leak test engine @ tdc compression for leakage from combustion chamber into push rod tunnell
if inside of air cleaner is wetish with oily residue - possible blown head gasket
if single cyl ohv model vangaurds are famous for it .
you could try dry compression test -record reading
then a wet compression test note crank engine same mumber of x for each test
pour in 2 tablespoon of sae 30 oil into combustion chamber , redo compression test
and record the reading
if wet test reading now significantly higher than dry compression test reading
then worn rings indicated
but if reading is only slightly higher , leaking/ burned valves or blown head gasket indicated
check your valve clearance as well @ 1/4 past tdc on compression stroke
0.003" intake and 0.005" exhaust
then if these all check quite possibly rings but depends on service history and age and number of hours done
give it a crack
cheers paul
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