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The mower has been running fine since I was last on here in August. This afternoon I was starting it after adding fuel. There was a lot of smoke and then it backfired. I smelled something unusual. I got off and upon inspection saw oil on the frame and the plastic valve cover with a hole in it. I pulled the valve cover off and found broken plastic inside. The valve mechanism didn't have any obvious damage and both rockers moved when I pushed on them.

What would've caused that? Is there a bigger problem that I need to be looking for, or was this just a freak issue?

I have a photo but I keep getting an error saying it's too large (in spite of my efforts to resize it).

Might check the engine oil for gas in it.

upload your images here and then paste the links here on the forum