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Gas in Oil?

#1

A

Amadauss

Hi, older craftsman riding mower 12 HP Briggs and Stratton engine. Went to change oil after sitting over the winter and when I removed the oil plug, the oil poured out almost looking like dark water. Smelled like gas. Can gas get into the oil somewhere? And if so, where would be the places to check? Thanks very much for any help.


#2

I

ILENGINE

Needle valve in carb is leaking. Gas will get into an open intake valve and seep past the rings or in some carbs can also run into the engine breather hose into the crankcase. Need to take carb apart and clean real well.


#3

A

Amadauss

Thanks for help. Will take the carb apart and give it a cleaning. When apart, anything I should replace when there?


#4

I

ILENGINE

Best thing to do is just get a repair kit and give it a good cleaning, and hope that gets it. some carbs have a replaceable seat which requires pulling it out and pressing the new on in, but other then that you be straight forward.


#5

A

Amadauss

Can't thank you enough for the help. The mower is my father's, he is 97 years old and still wants to live in his house and not a home. I promised him he could stay. Little did I know the issues that would come up i.e. the grass cutter. Do all the work on my own cars (extensive) so should not be that difficult. Just did not know tractors so thus the questions. Really appreciate the response. Will take some pics as I go and post for someone else that might need the help. Going to work on it this weekend.


#6

K

KennyV

As usual ILENGINE has your problem solved...:thumbsup:

You can also Get one of these... : inline fuel shut off | eBay
Put it in the fuel line and you will not have any problems, unless you forget to turn it on or off ...

Your carb cleaning will be easy but if you want a good visual see this site: Small Engine, Lawn Mower, Snowthrower Troubleshooting, Repairs and Safety Scroll down to Briggs & Stratton when you spot your carb select it and it will step you right through it... :smile:KennyV


#7

W

wheelerjb

I'll second the in-line gas valve. Part of my normal routine is to turn the valve off and run the gas out before I put it away. It's good piece of mind for me.


#8

G

greggn

Also use non- oxygenated / non ethanol fuel. The new E10 blend causes carb problems.


#9

wjjones

wjjones

As usual ILENGINE has your problem solved...:thumbsup:

You can also Get one of these... : inline fuel shut off | eBay
Put it in the fuel line and you will not have any problems, unless you forget to turn it on or off ...

Your carb cleaning will be easy but if you want a good visual see this site: Small Engine, Lawn Mower, Snowthrower Troubleshooting, Repairs and Safety Scroll down to Briggs & Stratton when you spot your carb select it and it will step you right through it... :smile:KennyV


:thumbsup:.... Good advice Kenny....:biggrin:..


#10

B

benski

It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway; change the oil after you get your carb rebuilt and working properly.:wink::biggrin:


#11

D

DaveTN

A float needle leaking and letting gas fill up an engine could on some mowers leak out onto the floor. Should for example you have a gas water heater, the ~~~fumes~~~ could and possibly would drift over to the pilot light on the heater and KA-BOOM!! Instant fire, which is what happened to a neighbor up the road from me. He was out mowing and came in to refuel the riding mower in his basement. He was fueling it when the fumes hit the pilot light. The Instant explosion caused a conflagration that burned the house to the ground in a matter of minutes. He didn't think to turn off the gas supply and the natural gas only made it worse! So be careful about not refueling engines, or storing gasoline in the basement of your house!!


#12

B

benski

A float needle leaking and letting gas fill up an engine could on some mowers leak out onto the floor. Should for example you have a gas water heater, the ~~~fumes~~~ could and possibly would drift over to the pilot light on the heater and KA-BOOM!! Instant fire, which is what happened to a neighbor up the road from me. He was out mowing and came in to refuel the riding mower in his basement. He was fueling it when the fumes hit the pilot light. The Instant explosion caused a conflagration that burned the house to the ground in a matter of minutes. He didn't think to turn off the gas supply and the natural gas only made it worse! So be careful about not refueling engines, or storing gasoline in the basement of your house!!

Crikey!:eek: Having electric utilities up here, I hadn't thought about that, but it could obviously have BIG ramifications. I do let my outdoor equipment cool off for a bit before I refuel, and I do my refueling outdoors.


#13

D

DaveTN

Crikey!:eek: Having electric utilities up here, I hadn't thought about that, but it could obviously have BIG ramifications. I do let my outdoor equipment cool off for a bit before I refuel, and I do my refueling outdoors.

My neighbor probably got by with refueling an engine in the basement many times until that one time when the fumes ignited. Even an electric motor starting up could ignite the ~~~~fumes~~~~ doesn't take just a gas pilot light or open flame to do it. Something electrical switching off and on would be all it takes!


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