Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): B & S 15 hp oil and gas, dipstick tube, baby rattle

Question
B & S 1995 15 hp ohv. Recently upon starting my craftsman rider(starter has difficulty turning it over)an amount of what appears to be oil and gas exits from the exhaust. It also seems to be using much more oil than it previously had.(a small amount is leaking around the dipstick tube)As well when looking into the carb area with the air filter off a small amount of gas has pooled in the plastic area before the carb.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
M

Answer
Are you using SAE-30 oil?  Has it been changed recently?

If you see oil leaking from around the dipstick tube I would replace the seals on the tube and the dipstick cap.

Briggs has had touble with these o-rings leaking in the past and causing the engine to loose vacuum and leak/burn oil.

Also, make sure the valve breather is clean.  It should rattle like a baby rattle if it is working correctly.  The valve breather acts like a PCV on an auto engine...maintaining crankcase vacuum keeping the oil in the oil pan/sump.

Let me know if the o-rings help.
Eric