QuestionI have a Scotts riding mower. It has a 17HP Briggs and Stratton engine, model 311777. It looks just like a John Deere LA100 42".
It was just given to me because when the previous owner started it, it smoked burned oil smoke like it's on fire. I think perhaps he just put too much oil in it. The oil is about 1/8" above the hot full mark now. I pulled the head off and other than oil everywhere, it looks OK. The cylinder walls look great. The top of the piston and inside of the head are covered with a gritty, oily black substance. I'm tempted to clean it up, put it together, drain the extra oil, and run it. Should I dig deeper first?
Thanks in advance,
John
AnswerWhat's up John.
The oil being overfill will definitely make it smoke.
Where I work we don't say "smokes like it's on fire" we say it "smokes like a bus". I know the smoke.
2 different things going on here. The smoke is probably coming from a blown head gasket (very common on this engine). Replace the head gasket and scrape all the "gritty, oily black substance" out of the head and off of the top of the piston. Use a wire brush on the head and wash in HOT soapy water when you are done.
By the way that "gritty, oily black substance" is a combination of carbon and "burnt dirt" mostly dirt.
Previous owner did a poor job of air filter maintenance.
If the new head gasket doesn't, help, then, dig deeper. Head gaskets are cheap, give it a try first.
Look on the bright side, you won't have to worry about mosquitos while you mow.
