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. 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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******* ******* **
****** ****** **

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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. 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

If it didn't bend the rod or anything else, clean
the spark plug and run it until it quits smoking.
Put in a new plug and happy grass cutting. You did
pull the spark plug and spin the motor to blow out
any excess oil didn't you?

TDD

"pbarts" wrote in message
om...
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. 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.

I did that to myself on a generator one day. The oil had gotten up in the
carburetor and I had to clean it out. You may need to check the spark plug
.. I poured about a teaspoon of gas in the spark plug hole and the generator
would run for about 3 seconds and quit. That was a 10 hp motor.

On 02 Mar 2009 01:05:42 GMT, against all advice, something
compelled (pbarts), to say:

What is my best option at this point?



Clean the spark plug.




--

Real men don't text.

"pbarts" wrote in message
om...
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. 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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Unless you know otherwise, you should consider that the crankcase oil might
have gotten gasoline in it. That happens fairly easily on some small motors
and requires the oil to be changed. Try to keep excess oil blown out the
spark plug hole or it could cause the piston to hydraulically lock and
damage the engine.

Don Young

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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On Mar 1, 7:05*pm, (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. *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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It probably wasnt overfilled with oil but the float stuck and flooded
it with gas, does oil smell like gasolene, Do you shut off gas to the
carb with a valve. Drain it all if it smells of gas.

You didn't mention if it was a walk behind mower, or a
rider. Sounds like you didn't kill the mower. Just need to
drain the oil out, and start over. Also unthread the spark
plug, and run the start mechanism to blow out any excess oil
from the cylinder. Might need a new air filter. Put in the
correct volume of new oil, and fire it up. Will likely smoke
for a while as the excess oil burns out.

Air cooled engines need a high quality oil. Castrol,
Penzoil, something like that. They run hotter than water
cooled automobiles.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"pbarts" wrote in
message
om...
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. 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

On Mar 1, 8:05*pm, (pbarts) wrote:

Does it need to be stripped down or
can I salvage it some other way?

Dump out the excess oil, clean the plug and crank it.

If it doesn't start, repeat as necessary.
-----

- gpsman

On Mar 2, 7:19*am, gpsman wrote:
On Mar 1, 8:05*pm, (pbarts) wrote:



Does it need to be stripped down or
can I salvage it some other way?

Dump out the excess oil, clean the plug and crank it.

If it doesn't start, repeat as necessary.
*-----

- gpsman

If gas leaked in oil is ruined and will ruin the motor from thin oil.
gas will also varnish up everything as it cooks out.

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. 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


I could not believe how this could happen. I guess not everybody
checks the oil before starting, it's easy to do. Overfilling is
worse then underfilling, you may have a damaged engine.

On Mar 2, 9:14*am, Phisherman wrote:
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. *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

I could not believe how this could happen. *I guess not everybody
checks the oil before starting, it's easy to do. * Overfilling is
worse then underfilling, you may have a damaged engine.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

How can this happen, a friend couldnt start his mower it was locked
up, we removed the plug and pulled the cord and gasolene shout out 20
ft. The float stuck and filled the motor wiht gasolene. And alot of
equipment doesnt come with a fuel filter or fuel shutof valve anymore.

On Mar 2, 9:14*am, ransley wrote:
On Mar 2, 7:19*am, gpsman wrote:

On Mar 1, 8:05*pm, (pbarts) wrote:

Does it need to be stripped down or
can I salvage it some other way?

Dump out the excess oil, clean the plug and crank it.

If it doesn't start, repeat as necessary.


If gas leaked in oil is ruined and will ruin the motor from thin oil.

What would cause gas to leak into the oil?

gas will also varnish up everything as it cooks out.

Pfft. Varnish up what?

If there's any gas in the oil it'll boil out between 100-400°F. If it
varnishes up anything it will either wear off or burn off.

It's a mower. You can buy a whole damn brand new one for less than
$200.
-----

- gpsman

On Mar 2, 11:12*am, gpsman wrote:
On Mar 2, 9:14*am, ransley wrote:

On Mar 2, 7:19*am, gpsman wrote:

On Mar 1, 8:05*pm, (pbarts) wrote:

Does it need to be stripped down or
can I salvage it some other way?

Dump out the excess oil, clean the plug and crank it.

If it doesn't start, repeat as necessary.

If gas leaked in oil is ruined and will ruin the motor from thin oil.

What would cause gas to leak into the oil?

gas will also varnish up everything as it cooks out.

Pfft. *Varnish up what?

If there's any gas in the oil it'll boil out between 100-400°F. *If it
varnishes up anything it will either wear off or burn off.

It's a mower. *You can buy a whole damn brand new one for less than
$200.
*-----

- gpsman

If there is gas in it the oil wont lubricate, gas is thinner than
water so just use water and have fun.

"ransley" wrote in message
...
On Mar 2, 11:12 am, gpsman wrote:
On Mar 2, 9:14 am, ransley wrote:

On Mar 2, 7:19 am, gpsman wrote:

On Mar 1, 8:05 pm, (pbarts) wrote:

Does it need to be stripped down or
can I salvage it some other way?

Dump out the excess oil, clean the plug and crank it.

If it doesn't start, repeat as necessary.

If gas leaked in oil is ruined and will ruin the motor from thin oil.

What would cause gas to leak into the oil?

gas will also varnish up everything as it cooks out.

Pfft. Varnish up what?

If there's any gas in the oil it'll boil out between 100-400°F. If it
varnishes up anything it will either wear off or burn off.

It's a mower. You can buy a whole damn brand new one for less than
$200.
-----

- gpsman

If there is gas in it the oil wont lubricate, gas is thinner than
water so just use water and have fun.

I'd like to add to what ramsey said and say to check the carb float to make
sure it's shutting off the gas when the bowl if full. I always shut off the
fuel and pull the rope until it get harder in order to close the valves. I
mainly just do this on Honda engines as they are the only ones so far that
I've had fill the crankcase with gasoline.

Definately change the oil unless someone admits to over-filling the
crankcase. I would not use Castrol or Pennzoil in anything that I wanted to
keep.

Oil low on dipstick. Add quart of oil. Everyone knows that.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Phisherman" wrote in message
...

I could not believe how this could happen. I guess not
everybody
checks the oil before starting, it's easy to do.
Overfilling is
worse then underfilling, you may have a damaged engine.

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. 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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get the oil at the proper level, clean out the air filter, (replace if
it's a paper one and oily) Then replace the spark plug, (sounds like it
fouled) and then just run it. It'll be fine.

steve

Steve Barker wrote:
....

get the oil at the proper level, clean out the air filter, (replace if
it's a paper one and oily) Then replace the spark plug, (sounds like it
fouled) and then just run it. It'll be fine.
....

Unless the problem was as others noted (and probably most likely) the
reason for the high apparent oil level as that the carb poured raw gas
down the intake. If that's the case, while the above are needed, they
won't help until the carb is cleaned/problem fixed.

--

dpb wrote:
Steve Barker wrote:
...

get the oil at the proper level, clean out the air filter, (replace if
it's a paper one and oily) Then replace the spark plug, (sounds like
it fouled) and then just run it. It'll be fine.
...

Unless the problem was as others noted (and probably most likely) the
reason for the high apparent oil level as that the carb poured raw gas
down the intake. If that's the case, while the above are needed, they
won't help until the carb is cleaned/problem fixed.

--

In my normal fashion, i did not read the entire OP. You are correct, if
the carb is flooding then that needs to be fixed also.

steve