Engine Knocking, Leaking and Burning Oil

This lawn mower engine had black oil, was leaking and burning oil, with some engine knocking. It would run, but very rough, and would bog down easily. I was surprised that it was running at all.
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[@user-tz3yl7qo2e]

Had one just like that. Previous owner over filled it with oil for so long that the top of the piston had about 1/16 inch of burned oil on it. Cleaned it up and she was back running again. Good video!

[@billyjackson5799]

You should always show it running to help describe and demonstrate what its doing

[@jamesyancey4879]

"Carbon knock" was common in car engines. Nice job. Cool dog!

[@johnabalos1455]

Some people who own a lawnmower think because they are made of metal that they will run forever with out ever checking the oil,replace or clean air filter ,dump old gasoline out .The mower’s sold these days have to be maintained more with maintenance if you really need them to perform for a good length of time an it’s so simple or easy to do those minor services so they won’t turn into major problems! I have seen people cutting lawns with lawn mower’s around 25 to 30 yrs old because they did a small percentage of regular maintenance during the use of it an manufacture’s just don’t build them like they use to!! I have a 20in Murray 4hp B&S from Walmart still runs good going on 23

[@danielebrparish4271]

That much carbon has to be coming from the PCV system. You can tell because the air filter had oil on it. Under the flywheel there is a oil separator reservoir that has a tube connected to the air intake housing for the purpose of venting the crankcase through the engine to burn off crankcase gases. In the reservoir their is a tiny drain hole to allow excess oil back into the crankcase. The drain hole is either plugged or the reed valve is bent and not closing like it should.

[@tonysargent3218]

You are exactly right!

[@wecutgrasslawncompany9445]

Hello, I believe this my problem on Honda 180cc how do you repair this issue

[@steveb.6267]

It’s owners like that that should go electric, but I’m sure they’ll find a way to mess that up as well. Enjoyed watching this video. Greetings from 🇨🇦 it’s getting hot up here too but it doesn’t last very long.

[@steveb.6267]

Hank Bridges been through Georgia many times, it’s beautiful country and I envy the extended summertime.

[@Narutosefu]

Hey, thanks for the information and lesson,vI am currently going through this process and needed some sound advice on how to....fix knocking noise. Exactly sounds the same as my 150cc Briggs and Stratton engine Lawn Master mower is bottoming out. 4th November 2023 in NZ

[@user-tz3yl7qo2e]

I was wondering how long it was going to take to figure out that the reason it was still knocking after cleanup was because he didn’t have the head gasket on there to take up the space where the top of the piston was touching the head. We learn from doing though.

[@Oak690]

"Hopefully its not going to blow up on us" lol thanks for the laugh! Nice repair.

[@zeke112964]

You didn't account for the head gasket that would make up the difference of the piston sticking out. And definitely all that carbon build up didn't help!

[@user-tz3yl7qo2e]

I was talking to him during the video “put the head gasket on!!”. Still a great video because a lot of people junk mowers with knocks just like this because they think a rod is bad.

[@timberc5936]

I only put about 35 hours on my Honda mower every mowing season but change the oil with a premium full synthetic after every 20-25 hours of use, then change the spark plug and air filter every 3 seasons..Never have any issues with mine.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

They will last if you take care of them. 👍👍

[@b286guy]

My god. I bet this was the first oil change since the guy bought the mower 😯

[@Anthony071177]

Very informative video. I have the same mower I’ve been trying to get running again. Definitely will be getting rid of the mower when I get it running.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Good luck! 👍

[@marshallborder9089]

People just don't take care of them , even to check the oil . Let alone change the oil , this one mower probably never had the oil changed before - the way it looked . Oil's not that expensive to buy to change oil , some people are either lazy or just too stupid to take care of a simple push mower . Let me get off my soap box , and I've never seen that much build up of carbon on one either . Good job .....thanks for for sharing ...

[@thomasfx3190]

Well done! I thought it might have bad rings too, but I couldn't explain the TDC knock, glad you fixed it!

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Thanks! I still think it will need new piston rings fairly soon, but at least it is running and found the cause.

[@James-p6f]

My craftsman was making a banging noise then just stopped but I have free pull on the starting cable it's not like zero compression but it is real free also the oil is crazy low I borrowed it from my friend and would like to fix it if I can. HELP!!

[@waktosha7378]

Your dog was telling you screw the lawnmower and throw him the stick!

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

I usually see this if people burn old gas , it does not even smell like gas it is so old . I always tell the costumer only fresh gas goes in the lawn mower . At the end of the season pour any left over gas into the car .

[@ToyotaKTM]

I was cringing when he pried off the valve cover, it's no wonder it got damaged.

[@eugenecrabs3954]

He could've used a rubber or plastic mallet to lightly tap it off. I hate when people pry or force something loose, that's how you break stuff.

[@russelljohnson9116]

Yea hammers and mallets never broke anything at all. What the fuck was this guy thinking

[@rickbroerman9267]

Wow the thing people do or should I say don't do. 🤔

[@ahmedm6041]

Chances are at one point or another the owner used a cheap synthetic motor oil which caused carbon build up in pistons and on the spark plug..

[@billkrause4585]

At first I'm thinking he tipped the mower over on the carburetor side and the crankcase oil leaked out thru the carb and air filter.... thus the oil on the deck. A guess, I don't know. Yeah the carb was full of oil and he managed to start the mower and pass that oil into the combustion chamber (via the filter air port to the intake valve) and out the exhaust. I would bet a fin on it is why you have a low oil level..

[@D-train69]

What do you mean by FIN ??? What is that???

[@bevjane7245]

I think it means five dollars@@D-train69

[@jw2par]

Was hoping to see how you cleaned the carbon off. What did you use ? The steel brush? Didnt know if using a steel brush was bad?

[@SmallEngineDIY]

I used the steel brush then sanded it down. I usually use brass, but it was so thick and heavy I had to go to extremes.

[@marshmower]

That's the GX? Needs a thicker head gasket. . . . 😅 Can excessive heat smoosh the gasket? Causing clearance issues?

[@D-train69]

How do you set the valves?¿?

[@moisesnegrete282]

excellent work thanks

[@D-train69]

How o you set the valves???

[@eazyrider6122]

A piston moving like that could be a conrod bushing/ bishings worn out.

[@jarhead9690]

I see you have a problem with Goosegrass invading your lawn like I do. I haven’t found a product that actually kills it off yet.

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

My back was hurting just watching 👀 you.. perhaps get a work bench. L 🤔 L. Great video

[@logman6656]

Good video just shows you what can happen from not changing the oil. PS was that a rattle snake in the background noise lol

[@anthonyoty7123]

Cicada that come out every summer

[@leslieseerattan4546]

im hearing snakes lol,good video bro thanks

[@funbricknj]

I will bet he had the mower turned on its side where the car. is and lost a lot of oil and got some into the head. then running it for a long time without adding more oil to top it off, the engine overheated and burned all the oil

[@josephguerra979]

Do you sale any of the riding lawn mowers, and how can I get a hold of you.

[@Anto-kz5hk]

My lawn mower runs out of oíl after 3 uses. Smokes all the time. Clean air filter, change oíl in the begining of season. I dont know what to do. It has no oíl leaks at all.

[@marshmower]

Rings not doing the job well. Ever try removing the spark plug and filling the cylinder with motor honey. Replace plug. Then turn the blade by hand to listen for the hissing sounds. That's blow-by. It should at least fight you and I believe that you could unstick a ring in some cases.... What's to lose?

[@berardia4]

So did it have an oil leak somewhere.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Looks like it was leaking at the bottom corner of the head. I would bet it was running so hot, it might have warped the head cover.

[@billyjackson5799]

It's called a cylinder head not a head cover but there a valve cover

[@Doodle-dm6qf]

Bad head gasket

[@knighthawk86855]

On the side of the block, am I seeing a crack?

[@conner5611]

I see it to right behind the cylinder next to the dirt

[@billyjackson5799]

At one mine twenty three there is a crack in the block right where the the sleeve meets and block meet

[@alanlevine3984]

How did it do after the power wash and yard work test?

[@SmallEngineDIY]

It is running, but I think it will need new piston rings very soon.

[@gregorypierce6703]

so do you think the carbon buildup was the knocking issue

[@SmallEngineDIY]

I think so. The valve issue caused the build up, blow back, and knocking. He must have been running like that for a long long time. I think it will need piston rings very soon.

[@garofalo1707]

I don't understand how people let equipment get this bad.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

It happens all the time

[@joebrock9784]

Do you know people by Mower’s? He say that was never change oil stickers on them I have already let myself I just turned the oil upside down in the bucket because I don’t believe that I turn it upside down Carberater’s facing up and dump it all out of it and refill it because you know why I was gonna last a lifetime of the more that’s so great love you bye Morse thinking that’s the case may be and this fella that I will be the last forever cut the dead never change that oil on instructions he got with the mower.

[@russelljohnson9116]

How do you say you're born in the hills without saying you're born in the hills😊

[@user-gy3yi1yu6e]

I fucking hate lawnmower engines they constantly break. I bought a brand new Honda ethanol free gas from day one. Changed the oil made sure the air filter was clean kept in garage after use. After 5 months went to start it runs for 5 mins then dies. Pulled the bowl cleaned it cleaned the jet bolt still runs an stalls. Shit has happened with every lawn mower I've owned it's annoying as fuck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated bro.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Do the basic troubleshooting. Make sure it is getting gas through the fuel lines and the carb, make sure it is getting spark, then make sure it is has compression.

[@marlogarage]

Get any mower with a brigs engine 😎

[@russelljohnson9116]

Dude, gonna try not to come off to rough here but if it's every single one then it's gonna be something you're doing man. When it's brand new, you shouldn't need to do anything to it at all. Make sure it's got oil in it then filler up and go. I've had hundreds of small engine tools with being push mowers and never had one go bad other than after years of neglect on my part, never within the first few years ever. I'm terrible about routine maintenance on em and still never have any issues. My chain saw and weed eater stayed in the back of my truck all last winter with gas in em and all. Never did a damn thing to em when I needed them. Prime em and run like a champ. Yes I understand these are 2 stroke but I'm just using as an example. Same with my mowers. I'm trying to be better about maintenance in the spring but again, never any issues. I am really curious as to why your having so many issues with every one you bought. Like the other guy said to, buy anything with Briggs and Stratton motor. 30 years ago damn near every brand had the same damn motor in them lol, the price difference was the name in the deck and that's all it was. Murray and yard machines were the only ones I bought, not because cheap but because the engine.

[@andyhamilton8940]

The Honda mower have a tendency to let grass debris build up under the fuel cap, every time you refuel some debris can drop into the fuel tank. The debris eventually clogged the filter in the bottom of the tank. This ha s happened to me several times. Try pulling the filter out of the bottom of the tank.

[@Kmn6666]

Very interesting thx for your opinion peace…. TTYs 🐽🇺🇸☮️🤣

[@danielebrparish4271]

Nope. The crankcase ventilation chamber is allowing oil into the air filter housing. That's why the air filter and the inside of the housing is covered in engine oil and why the cylinder is covered in carbon buildup. He didn't show the sparkplug but it has to be carboned up as well. Stop the oil from reaching the air filter and the engine and the build up will stop.