QuestionI have an 8 year old tractor with a B&S 14.5 OHV engine model number 287777. For the last 4 or 5 years I have needed to add 4 to 6 oz of oil to the engine before each mowing. It blows white smoke under heavy loads and 5 or 6 times has blown a large cloud of white smoke and lost power. After dis-engaging the blades, the engine would recover.
Last week the large cloud happened 10 times within 1 hour of mowing. I finally gave up and parked the tracker. When I removed the air filter I found a large amount of oil all over it.
I use 30 oil and change oil and filter once a year.
I have an acer of grass that take about 1.5 hour of mowing each week with a 10-15 degree slope in parts of the lawn.
Other than a valve or ring job which I don't have the tools or expertise for, are there any simple things I should check?
AnswerSome of those older engines had leaky dipstick o-ring seals resulting in a loss of engine vacuum.
A manometer or vacuum is the best tool to use to check the crankcase vacuum.
You can purchase the o-ring for the dipstick from you local dealer. I would also recommend cleaning the valve breather with gasoline or carb cleaner to make sure the valve is not sticking. Follow the hose from the air cleaner down to the valve breather. The breather acts a a PCV device on an automobile engine.
Let me know if the o-ring and valve breather cleaner work.
Eric
