Looks like I just got ripped off ( Craigslist )

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I " almost " went yesterday evening to buy a brand new push mower when I saw a nice looking side discharge on Craigslist for $65.00 ( the new one was going to run me around $180.00 out the door ). I hate lawn mowers and hate a mulching mower even more so. Gave the guy a call and agreed to meet him in a Food City parking lot about 20 miles to buy the mower today. I can understand why someone would meet you in a public place to exchange money as I've done it myself when selling something on CL. Anyway long story short this old man showed up with a very nice clean good looking mower and fired it up just a minute before I paid him. Got it home and since its pouring the rain and I can't ride I made the call to do some trim cutting. About the forth pass around some trees it started smokin' and pouring oil out behind the muffler     Soon as I saw it I shut it off and got to looking and I could see where it had been wiped down.I've called the old man four times in the last few hours and get no answer.

Looks like that $180.00 lawn mower just turned into a $245.00 lawn mower 

[Patrick]

What do you mean by pouring oil out behind the muffler ? Is the oil coming from between the head and muffler ? Is the oil coming from the breather ? Sometimes if they throw oil its just because they are over-filled.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Had several that I worked on that the air cleaner was so dirty that it was pulling oil from the crankcase vent into the carb and smoked like hell. Remove the air filter and start it up see if smoking stops. You might get lucky

[carl1up]

yup sounds like its overfilled . I have gotten a lot of newer mowers because people don't check the oil level.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

yup sounds like its overfilled . I have gotten a lot of newer mowers because people don't check the oil level.

First thing I did was check the gas and oil level... I had to add just a touch to get it on the mark.... I'm pretty sure the block is cracked . The old guy I bought it from finally called and said he would return my money tomorrow ( I'm cool with that if he comes through like he claims ).

[YoungPUP]

That would be a new one for me.  Ive worked on small engines since Middle school for fun and as a way to make some extra $$. I've even had the enteratinment of trying some destructive testing (ever seen a 5hp Briggs on Nitrous?)  IF he screws you on the return check the breather for the motor, as well as the o ring for the dipstick tube if its got a dipstick.  Wish you were closer.  I could go through that thing in about an hour.

[cookiedough]

yup sounds like its overfilled . I have gotten a lot of newer mowers because people don't check the oil level.

First thing I did was check the gas and oil level... I had to add just a touch to get it on the mark.... I'm pretty sure the block is cracked . The old guy I bought it from finally called and said he would return my money tomorrow ( I'm cool with that if he comes through like he claims ).

You might get lucky on that one Joe,  wish you the best but don't hold your breath.  Most would take the money and run since no warranty of course.

I just got done last week changing my neighbors john deere riding mower and lawn boy push mower for the first time.  It amazes me the 2 qt. capacity of the rider which I filled up 2 qts. was over the full mark by about 6 ounces ONLY after I got it on the level surface since was perfectly fine on dipstick at ONLY, and I do mean ONLY, a slight 3-5 degree pitch away from the oil dipstick side.  Also,  both my older mowers suppose to screw the dipstick in all the way to check oil level but these 2 newer john deere rider and lawn boy push mower suppose to check oil level NOT screwing dipstick in at all just resting on top of threads.  It does make a difference of checking by about 1 cm. almost.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

That would be a new one for me.  Ive worked on small engines since Middle school for fun and as a way to make some extra $$. I've even had the enteratinment of trying some destructive testing (ever seen a 5hp Briggs on Nitrous?)  IF he screws you on the return check the breather for the motor, as well as the o ring for the dipstick tube if its got a dipstick.  Wish you were closer.  I could go through that thing in about an hour.

Yeah that would be nice to get someone who know's what to look at it on the " Buddy Plan "     I'm going to load it up and see if he show's up at 11:00 like he claims... The mower is in great condition and you can tell it has " low miles " but once it gets hot its pouring oil faster than you can pour it in.

[YoungPUP]

If the return goes sideways let me know what type of motor it is Briggs, kohler etc. and shoot me some pics. These things are pretty under engineered, and a LOT easier to work on than the Valk.  Fixing a mower via laptop can't be any harder than fixing a Valk the same way...