engine problem

[neil 2,410]

Hi

i tried to start tractor yesterday, & when it started it was smoking quite bad so i checked oil and notice that it looked very thin and also smelled of gasolene

what is wrong?

is my engine finished

any advice

[Trouty56 567]

Hi Neil. I would check the fuel pump to see if the diaphragm is torn. If that checks out then go to the carb to see if the bowl valve is blocked open from sediment. I guess gravity would let it drain through the carb into the cylinder if the tank is above the engine.

Hopefully the engine is OK. Good thing you checked it out before running to much.

There will be some others with better ideas once they get up this morning.

[rmaynard 16,299]

Hi

i tried to start tractor yesterday, & when it started it was smoking quite bad so i checked oil and notice that it looked very thin and also smelled of gasolene

what is wrong?

is my engine finished

any advice

Neil,

What engine are we talking about here?

Bob

[neil 2,410]

Hi Bob

its actually on one of my other garden tractors

its a Briggs 13hp

this is not one of my wheelhorse tractors

Ive been having trouble starting it lately but yesterday i recharged battery in new fuel then tried to start it when the smoke appeared thats when i checked the oil dip stick an noticed that the oil was thin and it smellt of fuel

so i left it , ididnt want to do anymore damage.

i bought it last year and it was running ok but hasnt been used that much this year as i have been using one of my wheel horse tractors to cut lawn.

so i thought i might as well sell it ,that when i found this problem & not being too mechanically minded i thought id ask you guys before i really damage it.

[Coadster32 793]

If this is a verticle shaft engine, it could be a valve keeper slipped off. B&S IC motors are nortorious for their valve issues. Alot of their vavle seats pop out of place, but it sounds like a keeper slipped out. (runs, smokes like crazy, and gas mixes with the oil) Good luck.

[neil 2,410]

does this mean is it a lot of work to repair and is it a hard repair

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

go to the carb to see if the bowl valve is blocked open from sediment. I guess gravity would let it drain through the carb into the cylinder if the tank is above the engine.

Yes, If it has a vacuum fuel pump, you can check that (also mentioned above) - but I'll go with dirt in the float needle/seat area too. (commonly referred to as a "stuck float")

This is a relatively simple task - just make sure you do it where you can see small pieces if they fall or remove the carb assembly and work on it at a bench or table.

Make sure you shake the float when it's removed - especially if it's brass. If it has a pinhole and gas leaks inside, it will cause the same problem. Make sure you fit a new inline fuel filter and it might not hurt to remove and rinse the tank while you're at it.

[Buzz 502]

And don't forget to drain the old diluted oil and replace with fresh oil before you start it. :)

[racinfool40 203]

does it have the electric selonoid on the bottom of the float bowl??? problem iI had on a troy- built and an MTD both with briggs vertical shafts the selonoids went bad and didn't let the little plunger close when shut down thus lettin fuel run thru carb and past intake valve into oil.but only when intake valve was left open during shut down. replaced this selonoid and haven't had a problem since...selonoid was around 50.00 or could just put an inline fuel shut off on did that to for neighbor who didn,t want to spend 50.00....

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Regardless if it's equipped with the fuel cut-off solenoid or not, the float and needle/seat are what regulates the flow of fuel into the carburetor.

The solenoids are intended to help eliminate "run-on" (dieseling) and after-run backfire.

[neil 2,410]

That funny that you say some of these things because for some reason when i put fuel in ,leave for a couple of days the tank drains

also there is an inline fuel tap that has been added by PO

Ive only used this tractor about 4 times since buying.

It doesnt seem to have lost any power , just smoky

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

And don't forget to drain the old diluted oil and replace with fresh oil before you start it.

Make sure you do this, Neil.

Oil diluted by gasoline will not lubricate/protect the internal moving parts. You may have already "ruined" this engine (or at least drastically shortened it's life) by allowing the piston rings to drag on the cylinder bore and the connecting rod "big end" to contact the crankshaft journal.

I have seen gouges in the cylinder wall and smeared aluminum burnt to the crankpin (and worse) because of gas in the oil. You can fix it now for the cost of some time and fresh oil, or you can buy another engine for it later.

See if you can find the MODEL/TYPE/CODE numbers on the engine and post them here.