Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > My old toro puked up oil.....?
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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faithfulFrank
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose....
Location: Batavia, N.Y.
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Points: 1067
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My old toro puked up oil.....?
Original Message Jul 1, 2005 3:08 pm |
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Hey Guys, I have an old, but mint looking 1987 front wheel drive Toro push mower, model 16775. It is a 21" mower that has I believe the original 3.5 hp engine on it. It seems to burn a bit of oil, so I always keep a close watch on it, adding some almost every time I use it........(30 wt is a cheap fix) I checked it today before I used it, and the oil was just above the full line. I just use this to trim around trees, etc. Today while mowing, I noticed it started making a faint tapping noise, not loud, but enough to be a bit concerned. When I was done trimming, I let it cool down, then tipped it on the opposite side of the spark plug, as I have done in the past. This time, oil started comming out of where the air cleaner is. I set it back down, cleaned up the now soaked foam thing and the plastic thing the foam sits in, and rechecked the oil level. To my suprise, the oil level is now much higher then before. I'll let it settle some more. Question is, do I have anything to be concerned about? I know that this is not concidered a high end mower, but I do like the front wheel drive for trimming around trees. The deck is new looking, although I wish the engine was a bit more powerful. Should I start thinking about getting another mower?? Frank D.
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
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faithfulFrank
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose....
Location: Batavia, N.Y.
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Points: 1067
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Re: My old toro puked up oil.....?
Reply #1 Jul 1, 2005 4:00 pm |
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Ok........I went back and checked it now, a few hours later, and the oil is down back to just above the full line, so appearently not too much leaked out. I think it is burning a bit of oil, you see blueish smoke sometimes, but not always.....it is not noticeable. I still do not know that the slight banging/tapping noise is, but it still seems to run ok.........it is not the blade or spindle I do not think........ Well, off to work...working a triple.....38 hours straight........get home Sunday morning.....See ya! Frank D.
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
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Dave___in___CT
Deliberate often... ...decide once...
Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159
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Re: My old toro puked up oil.....?
Reply #2 Jul 1, 2005 4:02 pm |
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Hi Frank... No technical knowledge or answer from me... In simple terms... Sounds like it " S T B " ... " Sh*# The Bed "... Dave...
Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.Henry Ford BCS Tractor & snowblower
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Termy
Location: Washington
Joined: Oct 24, 2004
Points: 960
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Re: My old toro puked up oil.....?
Reply #4 Jul 1, 2005 4:55 pm |
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I have a more technical analysis for you. I have a Murray RER with a B&S engine on it. It exibited the same symptoms because it was old and needed a valve and ring job done on it. This was never done, so, the engine started to really wear out. It started burning more oil than normal and eventualy, within a short time, started to have a knocking sound . From your statement, it sounds like your engine has already overheated some due to impropper lubercation and is now running on its last leg. The knocking sound you here, I have no doubt is the cause of the pisten rod hitting the cylinder wall. If you keep running that engine in its current condition, it will no doubt end up like My B&S engine on my Murray RER. Basically, I got a engine seisure, than when I unseised it, it ran for a couple more hours than the pisten rod broke in the cylinder. You want my advice? Buy yourself a new mower.
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faithfulFrank
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose....
Location: Batavia, N.Y.
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Points: 1067
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Re: My old toro puked up oil.....?
Reply #5 Jul 1, 2005 5:08 pm |
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Well, I gotta be to work by 5:30, so I have time for a quickie here......... Boy, that's doom and gloom......but I appreciate the honest help. It is running fine now, except for the not very loud at all noise......perhaps it is the "death rattle". Maybe I can put another engine on it.....I'll start looking around for some used mowers..... Ajace, it is a long shift, but we do much more then fires......we also run paramedic ambulances and do ALS transports. In fact, we are the busiest Dept per employee in the state......we avg 18 calls per day, about 8000 per year, with a minimum of 12 person on duty crews. I expect this weekend will be busy........ Have a blessed, safe weekend. Frank D. P.S....edited for typos......gotta go!
This message was modified Jul 1, 2005 by faithfulFrank
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
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Majorxlr8n
Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092
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Re: My old toro puked up oil.....?
Reply #7 Jul 1, 2005 7:19 pm |
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Thats a LOT of hours Frank - stay safe my friend! :) Actually, if this carb has a float bowl, I suspect that the float has sunk or something is keeping fuel flowing. This would explain your abnormally high oil level, as the fuel begins to enter the crankcase. Especially since you said that it uses oil, the level should get lower, not RISE! Pull the dipstick & smell it - if it smells like gas, then the carb needs a little attention. Marty 8}
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buttlint
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Points: 791
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Re: My old toro puked up oil.....?
Reply #8 Jul 1, 2005 8:52 pm |
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Frank, On that particular model, tipping it the way you did (the correct way in most cases) oil would be directed toward the breather assembly located on top of the engine. That breather has a hose that leads too the air filter box. The thin, warm oil flowed real easy through the breather and into the filter box. It is not a big deal.....and caused no harm, other than an oily mess. On those TVS engines...on that Toro model.... "the sprark plug up" law, really doesnt work that well because of the location of the breather. I tip them with the "carb down" rule. As far as oil consumption....it is a 20 year old machine...... But.....you could have a problem with that crankcase breather being bad.....whether replacing it would be worth the time and trouble is another question. And not seeing the machine....or knowing its history....that's a tough call too make. Burning oil can be a lot of diffent things.....breathers, loose head bolts, valve guides, seats, rings, cylinder wear, overfilling...etc. Some fixes are easy and cheap...some are difficult and expensive. Do you have anthing too be concerned about? No....as long as it starts and runs and does what you expect of it....I dont see a problem. HTH.
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