Engines. Anyone?

[Moshe Gariani]

Anyone know anything about engines?

My lawn mower has decided to start blowing out thick plumes of white smoke through a rusty hole in the side of a little metal box.

I think it may not be coincidence that I just filled it up with oil.

Is it buggered or should I just reap and mow until the smoke stops?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

I think Lord Bracknell is the font of all knowledge concerning lawn mowers.

 

[tedebear]

Which hole did you put the oil in?

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Which hole did you put the oil in?

I put it down the hole with the oil dipper thing in. It did consume a rather alarming quantity and there has been leakage - I don't know if this is due to overfilling or another problem. Is it related to the smoke?

 

[Bry Nylon]

What type of oil did you put in?

 

[Moshe Gariani]

What type of oil did you put in?

Engine oil from the garage - said it was "multipurpose" or suchlike...

Do you know a bit? Is the rusted hole a problem or do you think it is the oil?

 

[The Brighton Bear]

Have you tried switching it off and then back on again?

 

[Bry Nylon]

What type of mower is it?

 

[Moshe Gariani]

What type of mower is it?

Hayter Harrier (or similar - roller on the back)

 

[Bry Nylon]

Overfilling the oil will produce white smoke from the exhaust. Check the level on the dipstick - is it above the maximum mark?

 

[generation x]

If the white smoke looks a little blue it could be too much oil. If it's pure white smoke it normally means water - condensation if first use of the year, cracked head, bust block, blown gaskets... buy a Flymo.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

Years ago, I filled up a Rover 2600 with oil, unaware a colleague had also put nearly a gallon in

Cue white smoke aplenty from the exhaust when we fired it up, until we drained out the excess, and let it tick over for a while to burn off any oil that was where it shouldn't be...

So, check you haven't overfilled it. If you have, drain it to the correct level, then let it run for a while to burn off any excess

 

[skipper734]

You have overfilled it.Empty some out!

 

[Moshe Gariani]

relieved that it might be a simple overfilling situation - what is the best way to empty some out?

 

[skipper734]

Tip it on its side. The only problem is that the petrol will come out as well. Once you have done this you will give yourself a heart attack trying to start it, as there is now oil on the plug down the exhaust and every orifice, clean the plug and pull away to clear the pipes, put the plug back in and it might start before you die. I'm all right at this as I have a pacemaker and was bought up with 2stroke outboard engines.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Is the rusty hole where the smoke is coming out a problem in itself...? It looks like there might be meant to be a hole there for air to come out but I'm not sure - it has definitely rusted...

 

[tedebear]

relieved that it might be a simple overfilling situation - what is the best way to empty some out?

There'll be a sump plug somewhere I'd think...

 

[skipper734]

Probably the exhaust or what's left of it.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Tip it on its side. The only problem is that the petrol will come out as well. Once you have done this you will give yourself a heart attack trying to start it, as there is now oil on the plug down the exhaust and every orifice, clean the plug and pull away to clear the pipes, put the plug back in and it might start before you die. I'm all right at this as I have a pacemaker and was bought up with 2stroke outboard engines.

this all sounds a bit tricky... what does "the plug" look like and is it easy to remove...? when you say "pull away" do you mean the starter cord and with the plug deliberately left out...?

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Probably the exhaust or what's left of it.

I thought it could be "the exhaust" - does it matter that it is rusted through a bit...?