Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman mower blowing oil cloud, blown head gasket, huge cloud

Question
I bought a used Craftsman LT1000.Mowed with it 1 time and fine.Started up today and huge cloud of white smoke leaked from around exahust bottom.Also ran rough.Any help would be great.

Answer
Check the oil level, see if it looks overfull.  If it does, give it a sniff.  If it smells like gas, then your carb is flooding and needs fixed.

If the oil level is low, and it doesn't smell like gas, then it may
be a blown head gasket, if it is an OHV.
Check these things out, and find the engine's model numbers, and let
me know.

Fish