Honda 5.5hp Mower engine smoking on start-up

[thooks]

I've got a ~3 year old S**** Crafts*** walk-behind mower with a 5.5 Honda engine on it. I haven't taken the best of care with it. Seems as if Sears builds these things to last 18 months. The engine could probably run longer without oil than the rest of the mower will last before completely falling apart.

Anyway...


I'm getting a little puff of black smoke on start-up with the mower. EVERYTIME, whether hot or cold.

The engine runs strong.

What could I do to maybe remove that smoking? It doesn't smoke while running or stink.

I'm thinking of dumping the oil and refiling with Mobil 1 5W30. Good idea?

 

[80caprice]

Black smoke is gas. whitish/bluish smoke being oil, if its a epa carb.... really nothing can be done, short of trying a rebuild or a new one for adjusting it.

 

[burnout]

My honda does that too, though usually when its warm it isn't as much.

From what I've read, all hondas do this. The level on my dipstick hasn't changed a bit, so I'm 99% sure it isn't oil. Last thing I need is a mower I expect to last 30 years burning oil at 5yrs!

 

[tom slick]

I have also read that it is normal for them to smoke on start up.

 

[GoldenRod]

thooks: If you pour brand X1 5w30 into that Honda engine, I will personally come out to Alabama and piston slap you!

Honda small engines run best on 10w40 conventional oil.

 

[Locomotive]

Black smoke usually means it is running rich. Most often the culprit is a dirty air filter or overprime at a cold start up. Adjust the carb and see if any service bulletins are out for this engine. I dont think the oil is the issue here but if you want to change to syn go for it. If Goldenrod comes to see you just remember these words thooks, "Southern man dont you loose your head, Dont forget what your good book says."

 

[Quest]

perform a tuneup with air filter check/replacement and also check the condition of the gas/gas tank and carburettor adjustments.

Honda engines tend to run a bit too rich during cold starts but once it's started properly, it runs like a champ!

p.s. I have a GX engine on my Be pressure washer which I clock roughly 35hrs per year, and then winterise it at the end of the season. Diesel oil 10W40 and SAE 30 weight with SA ratings in the pump and a little bit of LC60 in the motor oil keeps this baby working forever...

 

[thooks]

Thanks for the replies, folks. I'm pretty sure it's the (original) air filter. I'll get that thrown away and new one installed. I used to be GOOD about throwing a new filter in every 3 months.

GoldenRod, Hehehehehehe.... I may or may not throw the Mobil 1 in. Got some other things in the works that will determine that.

I'll get a new plug put in also.

The propulsion is broken. I'm pushing the sucker now. I intend on getting it all fixed up, because the engine is worth it.

 

[1999nick]

quote:

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Originally posted by GoldenRod:
thooks: If you pour brand X1 5w30 into that Honda engine, I will personally come out to Alabama and piston slap you!

Honda small engines run best on 10w40 conventional oil.

---

I have a Craftsman mower with that 5.5 Honda OHC engine that I purchased in 2000. I put between 60 and 70 hours a year on it. At the 5 hour oil change, I put in Mobil 1 5w30, and have changed it at one year intervals. Never had a drop of oil consumption. Last year, in March, I used Mobil 1 0w30 for the annual change. I use this mower year 'round, cleaning up leaves thru the winter. Now, that change has a little over 64 hours on it, and has burned off maybe 1/16 inch of oil off the dipstick.(I have an hour meter on this mower). It is now time to change it again, and I will go back to Mobil 1 5w30, as that is all I have in stock. It is my opinion that you should use the lightest weight synthetic oil that does not result in consumption. This gives more power, less fuel consumption,and less drag on the oil slinger used in most of these simple air-cooled engines.

Now, the original poster of this thread is absolutely right about the rest of the Craftsman mower this engine is on. I have replaced all 4 wheels - the rears split apart , and the fronts wore down so smooth that they had little traction. Also, the transmission wore out last year, and I replaced it myself. The new one cost $75 plus shipping. You know, in times past I would have simply replaced a mower that required new wheels and a transmission, but I am now old and retired, plenty of time on my hands, and I want to see just how long this consumer grade Honda engine will last.