Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Sears mower with Honda engine, ohc engine, honda engine

Question
I have a new Sears mower (Item Number:  710 436 544 10 on sears.ca) with a 5.5hp Honda OHC engine.  The last couple of times that I went to use it, it would start with difficulty, run at low rpms and spit  blue smoke.  In trying to figure out what was going on, I removed the air filter on the side and it fired right up.  I think oil or gas must have ran into the filter when I cleaned the mower tipped on its side.  What should I do to fix and prevent this from happening?  

Answer
Check the oil level and make sure it does not smell like gas.

When tipped on it's side oil can enter the carb through the intake valve.  I would drain the fuel from the fuel tank, remove the spark plug and drain the carb by removing the float bowl nut located on the bottom of the carb.  With the fuel drained and spark plug removed, pull the starter string to remove any excess oil in the cylinder.

If the oil level is correct and does not smell like gas, re-install the plug, float bowl nut and fill with fuel.  If the oil smells like gas you will need to drain the oil.

If you have a paper air filter and it is saturated with oil then you will have to replace it.


Let me know if this helps.
Eric