Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): J. Deere 68, crankcase oil, rain one

Question
I too was having a problem of the same nature (I think). My  mower was running  fine. I started to  notice some white exhaust, but  nothing  too serious. It needed to  be in first to  cut the  grass (which was high), The blade was bent ; so  I  took  if off and attempted to  bend it out. I  replaces the blade, the  fuel filter, the plug. I  drained the  bowl  below  and a lot  of sludge came out. (how is that  needle set 1 1/4 out?)The sludge came from rain (?) one night. I  pulled the cover and sanded (w/ 320) the magneto and flywheel. ( where is that  jumper?) It had a history  of backfire on shut  down and the  previous plug was burning lean. Here's the deal....I was told a bent blade
can ruin the  motor so  now  I'm afraid the  rings are shot  and teh  Deere has no  compression. I  saw your reply to the  last  guy w/ a 68 and dont know what an Addy is or  I  would have found the diagram ...My  grass is getting high  and I looking raggedy out there....please help

thanks and regards,

Mark Grenier Sr.


Answer
Hello Mark:

Copy the Following; http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.H... , Paste this in the Address Window of your IE Page. This Addy will Take you to the JD Web Site that will have the Breakdown (Pictures, Diagrams and ect) for your Mower. Enter the Model Numbers 68 and Click Find. Then Select your Model from the Search Results Area. Then Select the Sectional File. Then Select the Section of the Mower you Wish to View Online. A Bent Blade will Cause All Sorts of Problems, but Usually will Not Harm the Engine. The White Smoke is Usually a Sign that the Crankcase Oil is Contaminated with Gas. Check the Crankcase Oil. The Following is an Instruction File I Made for this Repair. Any Input Concerning the File is Appreciated. Depending on the Engine Model, Usually the Gas in the Crankcase Oil or White Smoke is Caused by the Carburetor Float Needle Valve Not Seating Properly and Allowing the Gas to Flood the Carburetor and Engine. Then the Gas Seeps by the Rings and Enters the Crankcase and Contaminates the Crankcase Oil, a Bad Diaphragm in the Fuel Pump, a Blown Head Gasket between the Cylinder and Push Tube Galley, the Crankcase Vent Stuck/Frozen/Broken or the Carburetor Flooding the Engine. 1- Clean the Carburetor and Replace the Float Needle Valve (and Seat if this Model has One). A-  **Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl (if Applicable), Float Pin (if Applicable), Float (if Applicable)  and Needle Valve and Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. Then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air. Install New Parts if Required.** If the Carburetor Float Needle is Good, then; 2- Block the Outlet Port and Pull a Vacuum on the Fuel Pump. If it Holds Vacuum, then it is Good. If Not, then the Diaphragm is Busted and the Pump Requires Replacing.  If the Fuel Pump is Good, then Check the Crankcase Oil for Gas Contamination. If the Crankcase Oil is Contaminated, then Drain and Refill the Crankcase Oil with Fresh Oil. 3- **If the Mower has a Manual Gas Shut Off Valve:  Check the Manual Cut Off Valve and Make Sure it is Cutting Off the Gas Flow to the Carburetor. A- If Not Stopping the Gas Flow, then Replace the Valve. B- If the Mower Does Not have a Manual Cut Off Valve: Install a Manual Cut Off Valve and Turn Off the Gas Flow when the Engine is Not in Use.** 4- If the Valve is Good or has Been Installed, then Remove the Cylinder Head. On the OHV Engines the Head gasket will Blow Between the Cylinder and the Push Tube Galley. This Allow Oil to be Sucked Into the Cylinder from the Crankcase and the Extra Oil is Just Enough to Cause the White Smoke. 5- Check the Crankcase Breather and Make Sure it is Clean and Operating Properly. 6- If the Crankcase Breather Sticks, then Oil is Pulled from the Crankcase into the Carburetor Throat and this Causes the White Smoke. 7- If the Crankcase Oil is Good, then Check the Gas Tank Cap and Ensure it is Venting the Tank. 8- Some of these Mowers have a Pickup Tube. Remove the Pickup Tube and Ensure the Tube Screen/Filter is Clean and the Tank Does Not have Trash in it. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John