Smokes when cold and using the choke!

[slomo]

Smoke is white,

White smoke normally is coolant. Blue is oil burning.

I also noticed when doing my spring oil change, I'm getting gas into my oil!

Do NOT run the engine until you fix the carb needle and seat. Gas will thin the oil to a water like viscosity. Once carb is fixed, do oil dumps after every mow for 3 mows. Oil is cheap. Engines are not.

and I've pulled the carb to clean it.
I'm picking up a new float valve today, along with gaskets and o-ring for the bowl.

Remember you must pressure test the carb needle at 7psi for 30+ minutes. Many videos on youtube how to do this.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Smoke is white, I also noticed when doing my spring oil change, I'm getting gas into my oil!
I picked up an ultra sonic cleaner after reading more on this forum and I've pulled the carb to clean it.
I'm picking up a new float valve today, along with gaskets and o-ring for the bowl. I hope I can do this, I'm concerned about getting back together. The springs and wires going to the governor! What a pain.

Yep, White smoke on an air-cooled engine typically means fuel thinned oil. Sounds like you are on the right path to a repair.

Once you have confirmed the carburetor is not weeping fuel into the engine while off, change the oil a second time to get as much residual fuel has you can out of the oil. Also use a regular SAE 30 oil for the time being, just give the engine a little extra warm up time before working it hard.

As an addition, I recommend you put a manual shutoff valve in the fuel line that is easy to see and shut the fuel off each time you stop the engine.

 

[john in ohio]

Hello J.,

Is it prolonged cranking with black smoke? That usually means the choke is sticking on, or a dirty air cleaner issue. A little simple linkage cleaning will usually resolve the issue or an air cleaner replacement.

Is it blue smoke? Possibly needs the oil checked for excessive level or raw fuel thinning it out. Maybe the carburetors need a simple cleaning. I do not suggest ordering any aftermarket carburetors because they typically create other problems because they do not come calibrated to your specific engine design. (Just because it fits, does not mean it works)

A cold start of blue smoke then it clears up is possibly failing valve guide seals. They do get brittle and stiff with age. There are videos of how to replace them in online videos, but it takes some intermediate mechanical skills and the correct tools.

If it where a serious wear issue like stuck piston rings or cylinder scoring smoke would continue at all speeds, especially under load.

Only white smoke and only when the choke is on.

 

[john in ohio]

I just talked with a mechanic, he asked about my air filter!! And explained, if blocked, it still wants to move air flow and if there is no air it pulls more gas!!
I just did a lot of earth moving this past year, putting in drainage pipes. I had a lot of dust, and never thought about it.

I'm learning, I hope it all works out.
I just picked up a coil and gaskets from a local Husqvarna dealer $160. !!!! WOW!!!

 

[john in ohio]

White smoke normally is coolant. Blue is oil burning.

Do NOT run the engine until you fix the carb needle and seat. Gas will thin the oil to a water like viscosity. Once carb is fixed, do oil dumps after every mow for 3 mows. Oil is cheap. Engines are not.

Remember you must pressure test the carb needle at 7psi for 30+ minutes. Many videos on youtube how to do this.

Thanks, great advice
Will do

 

[john in ohio]

Yep, White smoke on an air-cooled engine typically means fuel thinned oil. Sounds like you are on the right path to a repair.

Once you have confirmed the carburetor is not weeping fuel into the engine while off, change the oil a second time to get as much residual fuel has you can out of the oil. Also use a regular SAE 30 oil for the time being, just give the engine a little extra warm up time before working it hard.

As an addition, I recommend you put a manual shutoff valve in the fuel line that is easy to see and shut the fuel off each time you stop the engine.

I found a shut off down under the battery area, I never would have known about it, until I took the cover off the engine. It was so well hidden.!!

 

[john in ohio]

Between a dirty air filter and a mouse house under the cover, wow I could have over heated the engine and dropped a valve!!!

Forums are very helpful

I'm very thankful for all the good advice

 

[john in ohio]

Now, can I get it all back together, and have it all run good again

As scary as this is for me, it is also rewarding to learn and accomplish it.

 

[john in ohio]

To my surprise, it is now 5 years old this month. I cleaned the engine, and I checked the valves.
Question
Kawasaki service manual shows the valve settings for .002 to .0039!!
Googled it and most internet info shows it .004 to .006
I'm setting them To .004 if I can tighten it and keep the setting.

I ordered a fiber optic camera to look inside, it should be in by the weekend. I'll be able to check for carbon build up.
I'm trying to go slow and learn as I go, but grass is growing.

Moved from The city during covid, to care for elderly ( cancer) had to sell a house, move, and deal with the world shutting down. now I'm retired and living in the country and learning about country living. I didn't see this coming. I sure do enjoy it.
I'm learning

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello J.,

You will learn the satisfaction and the headaches that come with living in the country and being more self-reliant.

A little prayer that helps me to say to myself is:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference. (Written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930s-1940's.) It was also adapted as a prayer for AA meetings.