MV18 is old enough to smoke?

[hanz63]

I've not seen this yet, but is coming. Started blowing smoke. Told me he thought there is head gasket problem. Talked myself out of that when I saw the model. Did these have any breather issues? I can go years w/o seeing one. So sans diluted oil or diesel in the tank, thoughts besides bad ones?

[bluemower]

These were very durable engines. After 25 years of service, oil dilution is likely. As I recall, the breather is a sturdy design. The reed valve has a gently assist from a rubber bumper to help hold this closed. Nevertheless, diluted oil will easily pass through the breather. Look for oil in the air filter area. The mechanical fuel pump diaphragm and the carburetor needle can both cause the oil dilution.

[bgsengine]

I agree on the fuel pump. check your oil and check for any smell of gas in the oil, if it seems thin/gassy, then first thing I'd check is the carburetor throat for raw fuel seeping out, if none, pop the fuel pump off and block off the outlet and inlet, work the lever by hand while checking if you get any fuel coming out the lever area, (ASSUMING, THAT IS, that you freshly pulled the pump without draining the fuel that was already inside of it) if you do, you got a ruptured diaphragm. Either case, can load up crankcase with fuel and cause excessive oil burning (while seemingly not a lot of oil loss, until engine has sat a while "out of gas" and fuel in the oil has evaporated)

[hanz63]

Thanks for your experienced views in this.