Craftsman DYT4000 issue

[PK Fan]

Good evening folks,
I've just picked up a Craftsman DYT4000 riding lawnmower with an 18hp motor. Cant remember the manufacturer of the motor...sorry !! It runs great until I get to a hill, then it starts blowing smoke and making some noise. I m thinking this could be a carb issue? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks a lot

 

[bertsmobile1]

It sounds like a blown head gasket
Does it do the same when you first engage the blades ?

 

[PK Fan]

Hi bertsmobile1 !! It does not smoke when I engage the blades. Its white smoke when it goes up the hill. Thanks for the reply

 

[rodknock95]

Blown headgasket. Just had the same problem with mine. Went up a hill, started to turn right and the engine choked down until it almost died and you couldn't see because of the white smoke. Then it cleared out and went back to running ok. Took the spark plug out and it only had 30 minutes of run time and looked like 30 years. Changed the headgasket, adjusted the valves and now its like a new one.

 

[PK Fan]

Blown headgasket. Just had the same problem with mine. Went up a hill, started to turn right and the engine choked down until it almost died and you couldn't see because of the white smoke. Then it cleared out and went back to running ok. Took the spark plug out and it only had 30 minutes of run time and looked like 30 years. Changed the headgasket, adjusted the valves and now its like a new one.

Thanks Rodknock. I have never done a head gasket before. How difficult of a job is that? Where did you find the parts? Thanks again

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Thanks Rodknock. I have never done a head gasket before. How difficult of a job is that? Where did you find the parts? Thanks again

You have to be able to adjust valves, decarbon the valves, piston head, and cylinder head, remove all old head gasket material, and while in there, I lap the valves. Find head gasket and parts by model number on the engine. Not a typical DIY job.

 

[rodknock95]

Its not hard if you have any inkling of mechanical experience. There are youtube videos that show exactly how to do it. I like "Raley's small engines" on there. He has easy to follow hands on videos, that walk you through stuff and explain it. I watched it before I done mine and he even tells you what size the bolts are, LOL.