Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): oil coming out of breather, craftsman gt5000, dipstick tube

Question
yes, the oil was thin and runny.  yes, I have been using it in cold weather--plowing lots of snow near Denver.

thanks,
Scott
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-----Question-----
Eric,

Thanks alot for your help!

Do not know what weight oil was in it,  bought it used recently.  The dipstick tube seems to seal pretty good.

The oil does smell like gas!!!!  What is going on with that???

Thanks!!!
Scott
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-----Question-----
I have a craftsman GT5000 with Kohler Pro 25 horse.  A lot of oil leaked through the breather into the caburator area.  Smaller amounts had been doing it previously.  But this time when I parked it after plowing, there was alot of oil on everything under the carb.  Any suggestions on what I should look for that would be causing oil to come out of the breather tube??

Thanks,
Scott
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What weight oil are you using?  Does the oil smell like gas?  Is the dipstick tube sealing?
Let me know.
Eric
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The most common reason for the oil smelling like gasoline is a leaky carburetor inlet needle.  Is the oil thin and runny?

Are you using the machine in cold temperatures?
Let me know.
Eric

Answer
Is the engine produceing bluish/white smoke?
Change the oil ASAP and use SAE 5W-30 oil.  It's too cold lately to use straight SAE 30W oil.

I'm betting that gas got into the oil from a leaky inlet needle and thinned the oil.
You might want to clean the breather by removing it, soaking in parts cleaner, drying with compressed air from an air compressor along with a fresh oil change.
Let me know what happens.
Eric