Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Lawnmower Engine, briggs stratton, clouds of smoke

Question
Hi Michael,
I have a mountfield rotary lawnmower with a Briggs & Stratton 4 stroke engine. Recently got a piece of wire caught around the blade. Turned it over and removed wire. It started after a few attempts but clouds of smoke and oil coming out of muffler. Note your comments re-oil in crankcase causing smoke but is the oil coming out also a symptom, and if so is it ok to run it
until it burns off.
Thanks for any help.
Tony Browne  

Answer
Hi Tony,

Sorry for the long delay.  The AllExperts server seemed to be down.

You are right, the oil would come out of the muffler if enough got out of the crankcase.  The muffler oil will burn off, causing no problems.  Check the air filter and clean or replace if oil soaked.

Good Luck,
Michael