smokey mower

 Hi there,

I've got an old Greenfield ride-on mower with a Honda engine that is blowing
oily smoke all the time probably because the engine is generally fairly worn
out.

Apart from paying $$$ to get the engine re-conditioned, are there any
different oil types that might reduce the smoke as one can do with old car
engines?

Cheers,
Rob

 Rob & Shel wrote:

Try a compression test first.
It could be Valve Guides, rather than worn rings. It may even only the
oils seals that are in need of replacement.
Using thicker oil like Penrite for aussie conditions can work but is
always a patchy method.
Sticking rings can be another problem. The old Kero with oil mix
sometimes works. After which it has run a few minutes can ruin you
engine completely, so you have to be careful. Only add it to a warm
engine start to circulate, but dont run full power or any lenght of
time. About 20 seconds should be enough.
Better still is to get a proper ring unsticking magic can cure from
Repco or some-one like this. Put out by various addetive companies like
Wynns.
Best thin to do is get an honest mechanic, who works for someone to look
at it....
Best of luck.
Engine repairs arent cheap

 Rob & Shel wrote:

Head gasket...

 g'day rob & shel,

at a guess i wouold say you are using multi grade oils in the engine,
these are designed for car engines. i have always used and recommended
sae grade oils in mower engines.

so you could try using sae 50 grade oil in the engine, and add a bit
of stp this will hold the smoke back a bit, app 1/3 to 1/2 the bottle
of stp if you go that way.

also depending on bore wear ie.,. not badly damaged buy glazing or
scouring then maybe a set of rings will do the job and give years more
life?



snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.gardenlen.com

 Many thanks for your replies.
I certainly have some ideas to work with, thanks!  :)

The mower I speak of is one I bought recently for $570...not sure if I
bought a dead donkey or not yet, but it has good blades, new air filter, new
starter motor, battery & solenoid.
It's a GREENFIELD TRACTOR 11, Honda 11HP GV400 Engine, almost the same
machine as the one already on this property, a GREENFIELD 8, B&S 8.5HP.

The Honda had very black oil, & I changed it for 30W monograde....think it
was Valvolene.  I might, after checking some things out, change it again
(after some running) for some B&S "heavy duty" 30W oil.
When I tested it before buying, it was a bit smoky tho it didn't seem as
smoky as it is now.....but anyways, "buyer beware" & all that etc etc.

I thought of it as good for parts.
It steers & rides better than the B&S....slightly bigger tyres & better
seat.
Tho the B&S @ 8.5HP, compared to Honda 11smokey HP's, has heaps more
grunt....extremely feisty.
However, the B&S has seriously dodgy steering, bald tires, & is a harsh
ride.  The people at a Nambour Greenfield outlet tell there are steering
assembly bushes  for extremely worn (oversize) bush holes. . . . . So I
might spruce up the B&S if the Honda engine can be fixed
economically....otherwise it'll be an engine transplant with the B&S going
to the tractor.

Done some serious bush bashing with the B&S.  Waded through heaps of small
weed trees...it really kicks ass.

Thanks again all
Cheers.
Rob