Craftsman 917 Lawn Mower Leaking Oil, Smoking, Won't Start?

Question

Turned over the mower to inspect the blade and when I flipped it back and tried to start it, oil came out the muffler with a puff of blue smoke and now won't start. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Yes I have some ideas.  First if you have to tip the mower on it's side always tip it with the carburetor up.  Or tip it from the front.  Now what happened is, the oil from the crankcase ran through the crankcase vent tube to the carburetor air box.  Now you have oil in the airfilter.  Remove and replace the air filter, remove the spark plug and clean it.  check the oil level in the crankcase and add if necessary.  You may have to put a little gas in the sparkplug hole to get it to start and it will smoke a bit but should clear up.

Answer 2

You filled the cylinder with oil when it was tipped over. Let it sit for a bit for the oil to settle back in the pan. Remove the spark plug and clean or replace it. Turn the engine over a few times with the plug removed to force the oil out the head. Squirt a bit of WD40 into the cylinder before replacing the plug and then start the engine. Let it run until the smoke quits.

Answer 3

it will smoke after it was turned over or side ways. just let it settle for a while, 10 minutes, it should start . mine does that too. the gas an oil has to return to its place first.

Answer 4

The oil ran into the cylinder and fouled the plug. Take it out and clean it with a wire brush. If  you have some thinner wash it with that also. Pull the starter rope 5 or 6 times then put the plug back in and see if it starts. Check the oil in the engine because it might be low.