On 02 Mar 2009 01:05:42 GMT,
(pbarts) wrote:

My one year old Craftsman mower was overfilled with oil (unbeknowst to me)
a few days ago, was started, but never got as far as cutting any grass
(lazy son, not the mower). I went out to cut the grass this afternoon and
had trouble starting it. I checked the gas then checked the oil and found
that the oil level went a couple inches up the dipstick where full is
about 1/3 inch. Apparently there was so much in it, it was spraying out
of the air filter.

If it was spraying out the air filter, there was oil in the
carburetor, and maybe it got into the small passages of the air
cleaner. Otoh, it did run some, so I doubt it, but keep the
possibility in mind.

If it feels like it used to when you pull the rope, there is probably
no engine damage. Take the spark plug wire off the spark plug, remove
the plug and crank it long enough to be sure no oil or something will
hit you in the eye if you look in the spark plug hole. Good habit to
wear glasses. Look in the hole while you or someone pulls the rope.
You should see the piston come closer and then farther from the hole.

If it does this, it's probably fine.

Stuff the face of your thumb inthe hole and every two full cycles you
should feel the air pushing out past your thumb.

If you can get it to do this, even more likely it's fine.

Put the plug back in but be certain the plug wire is nowhere near the
plug. Tie it in place if necessary. You don't want it to start when
your hand is on the mufflier, althought I guess that wouldn't be so
bad. Pull the rope and every coupld strokes you should be able to see
or feel air coming out of the muffler.

I drained a bunch out of it and let it set for awhile.
I tried it again, and it started momentarily, belching out a huge cloud
of white smoke. Tried one more time getting a smaller cloud of smoke
before it died.

What is my best option at this point? Does it need to be stripped down or
can I salvage it some other way? Any suggestions or recommendations would
be very appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Paul B.
Texas

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