Smokin'

[Gregor 4,846]

A friend has a 16HP Kohler on a tractor. I think it's yellow. In one day it went to running perfectly, to smoking like a forest fire. It does still run. There is so much pressure in the crankcase, it blew out the dipstick. I told him the only thing I could think of to cause that, would be a broken ring. Am I overlooking something? Any other ideas? Thanks   Greg

Edited March 14, 2023 by Gregor

[Ed Kennell 38,163]

9 minutes ago, Gregor said:

Any other ideas?

 

Clogged breather filter.

[953 nut 55,212]

Leaky diaphragm in the fuel pump allowing gas to dilute the oil and overfill the crank case? I bought a parts tractor that was sold because it smoked heavily, oil was very thin and way above full. Changed the oil and bypassed the fuel pump using an electric pump and the smoke went away.     

[Pullstart 62,846]

Wrong state?  It would be much happier in MI 

[peter lena 8,622]

@Gregor agree with others above , think its a combination of clogged breather and fuel pump diaphram . typically neglected engines , and erratic or non existent service adds up to smoking engines , not saying it could not be a broken ring , if it were me , would try a separate  gallon of heavily treated fresh fuel , and just get some easy run time on it , testing / trying / improving run function as it goes . did that on a few engines , also did the multi weight oil / added zink , as a cleaning flushing agent as the chemical fuel cleaning takes effect . would bet that engine has seen terrific neglect / abuse . engines I  did that to , came back , with hours of runtime and oil flushing / color / debris removal , carb bowl was also loaded with crud , regularly check out my stuff for feedback , they talk to you with  issues , just my experience , pete

[lynnmor 7,305]

If it is a OHV Kohler, a blown head gasket can cause such a problem.

[peter lena 8,622]

@lynnmor  the overall condition of this , that gasket would not surprise me . probably a collection of  issues / failures . pete