B&S 8hp engine smokes -- help

[Jerryb]

I have a 19 year old Craftsman snow blower with 8hp B&S engine. It started blowing blue smoke thru the breather tube. The muffler is glowing red. It's always been maintained. I changed oil and spark plug last month when I noticed smoke for the first time. Muffler is clear and there is no mouse nest anywhere. I see it's getting oily near the starter button. Any suggestions?

 

[Rand]

check the head bolts?

 

[Warstud]

Sounds like you overfilled it to me.

 

[c502cid]

Originally Posted By: Warstud
Sounds like you overfilled it to me.


this.

 

[FFeng7]

I have always been told that a glowing muffler could be related to a burnt exhaust valve or a carburetor that is running to lean.

 

[JTK]

You don't see to many old snowblowers with Briggs engines. I've seen some old Toros with B&S, that's about it.

Like said, it's possibly got too much oil in it or the engine is worn to the point of excessive blow-by.

I'd start by lowering the oil level to no higher than right between the full and add marks- then again, this on may not have a dipstick?!?

Joel

 

[Pop_Rivit]

It's either running very lean or the timing is late. Both will cause the muffler to heat up to the point that it's glowing red.

At 19 years old it's probably worn to the point that it's either time to rebuild or replace it.

 

[HerrStig]

Sounds like a lean problem. A gummed up carb will do it but so will timing. I've had a Briggs L head with a gummed carb run so lean the choke had to be half on under load and the muffler didn't glow.

 

[Jerryb]

Thanks for your help. It is probably a Tecumseh engine. The oil is not over full. It may be a bad head gasket. I may need a rebuild in the spring. Lets hope for little snow. Thanks all.