Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): tecumseh engine on 1986 snapper, piston rings, breather tube

Question
no power at high rpm, smoke coming out of the breather line? between carb and engine..not sure the model # just started since last summer. carb i'm sure is out of adjustment..any help would be greatly welcomed..   Thank you   Bill  

Answer
Your 20 yr old mower has had a long productive life. You obviously took care of it to keep it running this long. The smoke you are seeing is due to the piston rings and  cylinder wall being worn over time. The compression is backing up into the crankcase and coming out the breather tube. you can try to adjust the rpms by bending the metal tab that the throttle spring is attached to but the engine itself is not repairable. It may run for awhile longer or it may not.