Toro dies going downhill

[Fritzz]

I recently changed oil and filter on a zero turn with a 18hp Briggs & Stratton. I used 10w30.
Since then when I go down a steep hill it will blow a ton of white smoke, stutter, and sometimes die.

I thought I had overfilled the oil so I drained it until it was in the lower range of “safe”. No change.
Any ideas?

 

[mechanic mark]

Post model xxxxxx, type xxxx, trim xx, code xxxxxxxx numbers from engine.

Results

www.briggsandstratton.com

See page 6 in Operators Manual above. You should be using Full Synthetic Oil, either 5w-30 or 10w-30, read Caution boxes.
I would adjust valves, specs. on page 5. Check air filter for replacement also.

 

[Fritzz]

 

[Rivets]

With that tank/carb setup, the first thing I would check is debris in the tank.

 

[Fritzz]

These are all the numbers I can find.

 

[slomo]

Head gasket? Brothers mower did the same thing. He has a Briggs 17.5hp Intek single cylinder engine. Inteks are known for head gasket issues. Yours looks like an Intek.

slomo

 

[Fish]

Water/dirt in the carb and tank.

 

[slomo]

Here's your engine manual and parts list.

Results | Briggs and Stratton Europe

www.briggsandstratton.com

Slomo

 

[slomo]

That is an Intek engine as suspected. I would order a couple head gaskets for that if I were you. Briggs part number 796584.

 

[slomo]

Per your Briggs engine manual, use of normal 10w-30 oil is only good up to 40F. A full synthetic 10w-30 is fine per Briggs but they caution multi-grade oils will cause higher than normal oil consumption. Briggs and myself recommend plain old 30w oil especially in summer temperatures. A 10w-30 oil will shear down quickly in an air cooled engine like these. I would dump that 10w-30 and put 30w in if it were mine. Walmart sells a gallon of SuperTech 30w for $8.95. Can't go wrong with it. I've been using it for years with no issues. Actually it runs very clean too.

slomo