I've got a 96 Troy Bilt lawnmower with a 13.5 hp Briggs and Strattton that started using a little oil last year. Only time I notice it smoking is if I increase the throttle sharply and when I shut it off. I know it should most likely be rebuilt but wondered if running a thicker oil might help some or has anyone had any luck adding products like Restore or Seafoam or Marvel to the oil? I've been running straight 30W oil per manufacturer's specifications. Was hoping to just get by with a band-aide/cheap fix this year and buy a new mower for next year. Thanks
Briggs Burning Some Oil
- Thread starter wolfehunter
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Ive also had good luck with high mileage oils slow the burning in lawn equipment.
However I think that a 15w40 or 20w50 is the way to go as the High Mileage oils are typically a thicker version of what is on their labels.
However I think that a 15w40 or 20w50 is the way to go as the High Mileage oils are typically a thicker version of what is on their labels.
I am not a big fan of Briggs engines, but in the past have solved this problem by replacing rings only. If you are getting a new machine next year, then I don't know that any action other than going to higher weight oil is advised.
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JTK
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Yep. A 15w40 HDEO or 20w50 should help. You also might want to check/clean the breather element if so equipped.
Joel
Joel
Aside from the smoke, how much oil is this engine actually using?
You can try a 20-50, a 15-40 or a straight 40.
However, I am sure that this engine will live for a long time to come with a little consumption.
I wouldn't get too concerned about a little smoke.
I also doubt that you'll really need to replace it next year, or even in the next five years, unless you really want to.
You can try a 20-50, a 15-40 or a straight 40.
However, I am sure that this engine will live for a long time to come with a little consumption.
I wouldn't get too concerned about a little smoke.
I also doubt that you'll really need to replace it next year, or even in the next five years, unless you really want to.
Typical Briggs. Will probably last another 14 years
The smoke, is it black, white or blue? My briggs belches a little black smoke on choke or going from idle to full throttle.
Is typical for B$S motors.
Dave
Is typical for B$S motors.
Dave
I wouldn't call that "typical." There is something out of adjustment or range if black smoke comes out.
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
I wouldn't call that "typical." There is something out of adjustment or range if black smoke comes out.
On my Briggs, it has always puffed a little black smoke when choked/startup. Going from Idle to Full, it is probably due the carb going from very lean (idle) to a touch rich at full. It clears in less than a second. Blue smoke would indicate oil getting past the rings. A little black is carbon or a rich condition, IIRC. If black smoke was constant, that would be a rich carb or choke stuck.
Dave
I wouldn't call that "typical." There is something out of adjustment or range if black smoke comes out.
On my Briggs, it has always puffed a little black smoke when choked/startup. Going from Idle to Full, it is probably due the carb going from very lean (idle) to a touch rich at full. It clears in less than a second. Blue smoke would indicate oil getting past the rings. A little black is carbon or a rich condition, IIRC. If black smoke was constant, that would be a rich carb or choke stuck.
Dave
To me it looks like a black smoke but it could be blue. The crankcase holds 1 1/2 quarts and I had to add almost 1/2 a quart after mowing the yard twice thus far this year. It takes about 90 minutes to mow our yard therefore it used almost 1/2 a quart in 3 hours of use. This was with straight 30 weight oil.
I would pull the spark plug and see if it has oil residue on it. If it is an OHV, check the rocker covers, as the bolts work loose and will leak.
Try a good HDEO (Rotella, Delvac 1300, Delo), 15w40. I am running it in my briggs. It was using about 1/2 quart every 3-4 hours, but the right rocker cover was leaking. I tightened it up last month. So far after 12 hours on delvac 1300, has not used any. This past weekend, I replaced the rocker cover gaskets to be sure the leak is stopped.
Dave
Try a good HDEO (Rotella, Delvac 1300, Delo), 15w40. I am running it in my briggs. It was using about 1/2 quart every 3-4 hours, but the right rocker cover was leaking. I tightened it up last month. So far after 12 hours on delvac 1300, has not used any. This past weekend, I replaced the rocker cover gaskets to be sure the leak is stopped.
Dave
I had an old 10 hp B&S on a Murray riding mower that started using oil after 6-7 years of hard use & abuse. Switched to Rotella 15w40 (or any 20W-50 I could get that was cheaper) and started adding 3-4 oz of STP oil treatment at every oil change. Didn't take long & the oil burning stopped, and the engine was still running strong & oil consumption-free 3 years later when I sold the mower...
Thanks for all the replies and great information. Definitely plan to use the thicker oil and just might have to add a little Marvel Mystery Oil or STP oil treatment to the mix. Maybe I'll get a few more years out of it.
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