[Envy Lawn Service]

It's probably just pushing oil through the block breather valve.
These are usually plumbed into the carb/airbox via tubing.

So when oil passes through, it gets sucked in with the gas.
It will puff white smoke like a freight train until it clears.

Check your air box, air filter and carb for any traces of oil.

I really don't know any more to tell you about that engine though.
I wouldn't think it would do that unless the angle was pretty extreme though.

My advice to you is just to contact Briggs directly from their site.
Or better yet, just give them a call in the morning.
You will find they are great to work with.
They will steer you straight.

I can't say anything but two thumbs up about them and my commercial briggs engines.

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

To be honest, shame on me, but I have never even "looked" at a Quick 36 period. Not even online. But other responses in this thread had me scratching my head...

So anyways, I went to their website and looked at their machine. As soon as the picture popped up I understood totally.

I NEVER REALIZED THEY MOUNTED THEIR ENGINES SIDEWAYS.

Ferris does this on their walks also, as does Hustler on the Z's and the new Trimstars.

The sucky but simple answer is just don't mow those areas with the trim side pointing down hill. Furthermore, 15 degrees is basically flat as far as I'm concerned. I hope the areas are steeper than that.

Anyways, still go ahead and check that airbox because I'm still not 100% satisfied that is all their is to it. Could still be a weak or bad block breather valve.

All these things aside though, how many hours are on the engine so far? Enough that it is well broken in and seated? What oil are you running?

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

Just wondering Envy, If there was a problem with the crankcase breather wouldn't you think it would smoke all the time and not just on slopes twice ?

Well... far be it from me to second guess the opinion of a Master Service Technician... LOL

No now seriously, you would know way more than I would.... and the answer to your question I feel is "ordinarily.... yes"

However, if there is one thing I have learned, it's that you rule out the simple to check stuff first, and always stop at the extreme of "wouldn't you think?" so as to never absolutely rule things out too quickly.

But anyways, yeah, if one of those goes bad it usually will go all at once and it will smoke like an Alabama freight train. But at the same time, I've found oil in my airbox and carb a few times over the years at random after having them smoke like he describes. But I have to admit I was not concerned enough to dig any deeper. Usually figured I pushed it too far on the angle of operation or it was just a weak BBV but not a gone one.

Lastly, I personally just have to think there is something more to it since we are only talking a 15 degree slope. With various engines I have operated at 2 times that angle without any problem.

So in addition, I would also be considering the oil and the actual oil level.
Could be the oil itself or the engine could be a hair over full.
It could even be too full because of a short dipstick.

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

Hey this is good info. The PHRASE 15 degrees came from the Briggs & Stratton website. Both times this happened I was just mowing a small little bank(hill) and trying to get to some grass so I would have less to trim. I would say the mower was probaly around 40 degrees. It was tipped kind of awkward. I think Briggs tries to cover themselves when they say not to operate at a 15 degree angle. I couldn't agree more with you ENVY about 15 degrees being almost flat. If you couldn't mow at 15 degrees you might as well quit making mowers. Thank you for all input. MV

OK, now I see. Anyways, here is how it is... when it comes to mowers and mower engines, 15 degrees is the politically correct angle for liability purposes.

It's more about that than anything and I also think Briggs is saying their engine will lubricate perfectly normal at that angle. I think most have just adopted that number except for Kawasaki. I run the commercial Briggs engines much steeper than that and I have never had a problem with premature failure due to oil starvation. But on the other hand I have had that problem with about every brand of 4 stroke engine on a 21" mower over the years. So it's hard to say.

I wouldn't want someone to take the following opinion I have settled on as "fact of the matter period" and suffer a starvation failure... but I have drawn the conclusion that the little engines like that are just more prone.

Anyways, 40 degrees with the valve cover pointing down hill could be enough to do the trick and cause puffs of smoke. I'd just go at it the other way or not do the area at all.