Does anyone know the answer to this problem.....

[vader]

I have a 48 Bunton premium gear drive with a 14 horse kawa. It is brand new. The first time I used it, I was mowing a hillside. I mowed it for about 15 minutes and then all of the sudden, thick white smoke came out of the exhaust for about 5 seconds. Thinking it may be an oil problem (I did check it before I mowed), I stopped the motor and checked the oil again. It was OK. That was 4 weeks ago. I mowed again, same hill, checked oil, same 15 minutes, and it happened again. Can anyone tell me why the Kawa is doing this. Should I take the mower back or just leave it alone. Thanks in advance for the replies.

[John DiMartino]

it sounds likes there is a little to much oil in it,and running it on a hill allows some to get in the combustion camber,possibly thru the breather in the air cleaner,take off the air filter,look for an oil trail,or soaked filter.<p>----------<br>John D<br>

[Keith]

How steep is the hillside? The lack of constant smoke would make me think it was possibly a valve stem oil seal.<br>

[Doug406]

I had this exact same problem today on a 18 horse kohler gravely. I wonder what it is?

[Evan528]

and i had that problem on my gravely 3 whee;er with a 20hp kohlor magnum...

[LoneStarLawn]

The problem is this......since most 4-cycle engines are not oil pressurized like a car the oil will shift on slopes or hillsides. Most 2-cycles do not have this problem and you can pay more to have your engines oil pressurized to avoid this problem. The oil is actually getting to the exhaust valve of the engine (since it is not level). You may notice on some old cars white smoke coming out of the exhaust...this is basically the same thing but with the car the oil has broken a seal which allows it to get to the exhaust valve.

[vader]

Lonestar, is this a problem that can be ignored, or if it persists, could it shorten the life of the engine. Thanks guys to all the replies. The slope of the hill varies from 50 to 60 degrees.

[Keith]

LoneStar, the engine in question is pressurized, it certainly isn't a splash oiling sytem.

[vader]

Keith, regarding your answer to this problem, is this bad on the Kawa and can it be fixed or is this something that just happens.

[LoneStarLawn]

Most manuals will tell you about cutting on slopes and hillsides for periods of times. I know that most (not all) 4 cycle engines for mowers are not pressurized (read you manual to check) and their manuals advise not to cut on slopes or hillsides for a period of time. The problem at hand is common.....meaning that the manual will tell you about the problem. The information that im giving you is not from experience but from an expert mechanic on cars and mowers....I have been lucky to be associated with this person. Just a general answer to most engines not any particular. <br>

[Doug406]

If An engine has a remote oil filter like an auto, can't we assume it is a pressurized system?

[Keith]

I agree that mowing steep slopes should be avoided, due to potential oil starvation. I think if the problem persists you should take it to a dealer to check.<p>I just think the majority of commercial mowers now have pressurized lubrication systems. That was not meant to challenge you Lonestar, I completely agree that operating at extreme angles can cause problems. <p>

[LoneStarLawn]

More than likely it is pressurized with a remote oil filter....I agree with you Keith, but some older ones may not and some non-big name engines may not...but for the Kawa I believe that it is pressurized, but fot the others I'm not sure...just trying the answer the question in general ...not specific.<br>

[thelawnguy]

Pressurized oil system or not, sometimes when operating off-camber the oil will get into the cylinder, either up thru the cylinder via the sump past the rod and rings or into the head and flooding the valves thru the oil return holes.<p>First, be sure the oil level is correct, not overfilled. If level is normal, Id suggest using a 2-cycle hand mower on this slope since dumping oil in the cylinder will 1) most likely oil starve the rest of the engine and 2) really carbon up the head and valves.<p>In any case its not good to let the engine do this regularly.<p>Bill

[lawnworker]

hello you have a tad to much oil asuming every thing else is all right. run the kawa 14with oil level halway on hash marks.on that engine you have to clean the dip stick 10 times are more to get a good reading on oil pecouse it collects in the fill tube .When mine was new i did the same thing as you on a steep hill WHITE smoke every where addjusting the leval down fixed this for me.

[vader]

Thanks Lawnguy and Lawnworker. Lawnworker, I think the level is a little above the dipstick line. I will siphon a little oil out and see if this works. I love this site because you CAN find people who are willing to lend a hand and give knowledge to people who are not as experienced as I am. <p>Go Ole Miss REBS!!! Deuce for Heisman!