I have a mower that is less than one year old, and i think it may have iol in the gas. what could cause this?

Question

Well, its actually my friend's mower, but he said he thinks that it might have iol in the gas. What could cause this? how could i fix it? The only major thing i can think of is maybe a cracked cylinder but i dont know.

thnx
Gage

Answer 1

Black smoke from the exhaust is overly rich- too much fuel, white smoke is oil - which means oil is getting past the rings/valve seals and the motor is burning it. It could be caused by leaky carb, a cracked/worn ring. Being a year old it shouldnt be having this problem so soon.
Check the oil first, the level and if it smells like gasoline,change it and clean the carb, if its going thru alot of oil, its most likely a ring/ valve seals or in a rare case the oil breather ( connects to the carb thru a small rubber tube) is plugged , causing over pressurizing of the engine ( needs to 'breathe'. )
Or is it possible he or someone accidently dumped some 2 cycle gas mix in it? Try dumping the gas tank out and putting fresh gas in as well.
Kidd

Answer 2

I have never heard of a 2 cycle mower, possibly they exist.
If you think there is oil in the gas, maybe someone picked up the chainsaw gas can and filled the mower gas tank. Drain the gas tank and put in fresh gas. If you have the wrong gas in the tank, the mower would probably run, but run rough and blow some smoke out of the exhaust.
I once turned a push mower on its' side and somehow some oil drained into the cylinder. It blew smoke for a while until the oil burned off, then all was well.
Check or change the oil, and make sure it is filled to the proper level. Put clean gas in the tank and run the mower for a while (like, mow the yard). If you are getting smoke out of the exhaust, you will probably notice that you have to fill the mower with oil each time you use it. This would mean the piston rings are bad. This would be a major repair, and would be unusual on a relatively new mower. It would not do any further damage to run the mower like this, so long as you keep the oil filled.

Answer 3

Engine oil in the gas tank is a common problem. You must have a small push mower with a carb that sits on top of the tank. Oil gets in the tank when the mower is tipped over with the carb on the lower side, allowing oil to run into the carb through the breather tube then when the mower is set back down the oil in the carb flows down into the fuel tank. (always tip the mower with the carb to the upper side)
Empty out the tank, add a small amount of fresh gas, push and pull the mower handle rocking the gas in the tank to suspend the oil in the gas and empty the tank again. Add fresh gas, refill the engine's oil. It should take care of the problem!
(Older "Lawnboy" mowers were equipped with 2 cycle engines that required mixing 2 cycle oil with the gas)

Answer 4

There is no way for oil to get into the gas tank. It is possible for oil to get into the cylinder and even into the carburetor. It can enter the carb through the crankcase vent tube. You would be able to see the oil in the bottom of the air box and probably on the air filter. What makes you think that there is oil in the gas? Smoke, hard starting? If it is in the gas tank, someone put it there.

I don't know why people keep saying most lawnmowers are 2 cycle. Where do they live?

Do you have any more information? Check the oil level and make sure it is not above the full mark and if it runs, run it.

Answer 5

If it's a four stroke & hard to start and blows out white smoke when it does start, then there is too much oil in it. Set up on something so you have access under it. Look for a drain bolt and remove it , let oil drain, replace bolt and refill with oil ( maybe only less than a quart ) Check dipstick and do not overfill. Change spark plug and air filter. Prime a few times and it should fly. About $ 15 ortake it to a shop & let them do it ( easy enough to do yourself. ) Good luck.

Answer 6

most mowers are 2 stroke and are suppose to have oil in the gas. 4 stroke engines just have straight gas. If you have a 4 stroke mower it is probobly very quit compared to other mowers.

Answer 7

actually i don't see the concern with the 5 12 months previous mowing. he's learning at an early age and develop muscle tissues. Make him mow it lower back, kick lower back and function a lager interior the ac.