Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): briggs and stratton smokin, blown head gasket, air filter assembly

Question
QUESTION: just picked up a craftsman lt1000 17hp briggs with ohv and when i engaged the mower got a lot of white smoke from muffler area. this tractor turns, starts and seems to run fine but begins to smoke after it gets hot. noticed oil in carb and air cleaner. cleaned carb, air cleaner, new spark plug. hoping you can give me your thoughts on weather this is a blown head gasket, if so how hard is this to fix, or could it be breather assembly. any info would be greatly appreciated

ANSWER: White smoke usually indicates too much fuel and not enough air.  It's interesting that the engine does it under load only.  That could indicate a blowing head gasket or even a fuel.  Oil in the air filter assembly means the engine crankcase has a air leeek.  This will cause the engine to pump oil up through the breather and into the air filter assembly.  To find out if this is the problem remove the breather it should not be full of oil.  If it is look for an air leak at the engine oil fill or dipstick.  Check the crankcase gasket for leaks with an OHV check the valve covers for air leaks.  Someplace along journey you should find the problem.  If not you get back to us.  Good luck on your project!

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QUESTION: the breather is full of oil and the tractor is belching white smoke even without the. you mentioned air leaks how can i check for that thanx

Answer
If the breather is full of oil oil.  It is being pumped up into it past the valve stems.  For the engine to be able to do that there has to be positive crankcase pressure meaning as the piston goes up and down the dissecting air into the crankcase and pushing the oil or pumping the oil decibel stems.  The normal areas for air leaks argue oil fill tube and the dipstick O ring.  The other areas would be to gasket between the crankcase in the oil sump, crankshaft seals top and bottom, head gasket, breather gasket, or fuel pump.  If the engine has an oil filter it could be at fault also.  Clean up the breather be sure it the oil level is at the proper height and try it again after you find the air leak.  The white smoke is coming from the oil being pumped directly into the carburetor from the breather.  Make sure the breather is in correctly the drain holes should be down.  Take a look at these areas and if it's not one of them get back to me.