Lawn mower starting to burn oil - repair or replace?

[ÜberFly]

Gang,

Our lawn mower is starting to burn oil (I presume the rings need to be done - but I am far from a mechanic). Is it worth getting it repaired (haven't researched the cost) or just buy new...

If the former and anyone on here has a small engine repair service in Calgary (in in the NW), please contact me direct.

Cheers,

Peter

[Dean2]

It completely depends on what mower you have. Make, push or ride, make of engine, one or two cylinders, how old and what did it cost new?

May be as simple as leaking valve seals or may need full rebuild. Get an estimate on repair and easy to decide it new mower makes sense. A mower that needs a new set of rings, piston etc has a LOT of hours on it, so other parts will be worn too. May fix the oil burn only to find other problems soon after. I do my own repairs but I would never spend more than 50% of the new cost to repair a mower more than 5 years old.

No suggestions for where to get it fixed in Calgary. When I lived there I couldn't even find a place with reasonable prices for parts, ordered everything online.

[Tungsten,]

Mines been burning oil for about 10 years. Top it up every once and awhile and away I go.

[Bigwoodsman]

Use it till it quits, then buy new.

BW

[ghostguy6]

I would start by running some Seafoam through the engine to clean all the carbon build up off the valves and out of the cylinder. Quite often this makes a world of difference in small engines. I would also do a compression test to see if the rings are worn. Lastly when was your last oil change? If it has been a long time the extra dirty oil could be burning dirty giving off a lot of blue smoke when really you are burning no more oil than usual. All engines burn a small amount of regardless of design, but most you wont notice as the regular oil changes make up for the minute amount of oil lost.

Generally I find its not worth it to take small engines in for repair anymore unless it is under warranty. The labor is expensive. Parts are plentiful, some basic tools and you can find how to videos on Youtube to save yourself some money. If you are burning oil because the rings are worn then likely the cylinder and piston are scored. The crankshaft bearing is usually worn by the time the cylinder starts to show wear. Around this time the seals are all dried and cracked as well. Trying to fix it can be opening up a whole can of worms, better to do it on your dime than paying someone $100 an hour.

[elkhunter11]

If it is a cheap mower, then run it until it dies, and buy a new one. If it is a high dollar mower, it could be worth repairing. I am using a high end John Deere that was made in the early 90s, and I just paid close to $200 to rebuild the carb, check the valve clearances, and give it a full service, and it will likely last me, as long as I have use for a mower.

[Ken07AOVette]

Ghost beat me to it. Seafoam. Try it first.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

Use it till it quits, then buy new.

BW

Yup, mine was a wedding present. 24 yrs and still works fine. Starting to blow blue until it warms up. Couple seafoam treatments a season and go until it seizes lol

[stuckincity]

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

Use it till it quits, then buy new.

BW

I agree. Then get a rechargeable from RONA or home depot. The prices are reasonable.
No more "fiddling" around with fuel, fuel/oil mixtures, or long extension cords that you WILL run over at least once.

[sns2]

Seafoam plus new plug. Use it until it craters. Buy a new one.

[CaberTosser]

As noted by many, I would seafoam both the fuel and the oil, then change the oil and perhaps add something with a stage higher viscosity. I've used an oil additive product from Liqui-Moly called Lubro-Moly before and I give it some credit for extending the engine life of my previous service van. The product is essentially a molybdenum disulfide additive, 'moly' is a product often added to differential oil as it has excellent performance in high shear applications. I'd toss a smidge of that additive into the oil to about a 5% ratio.

[Ennyindabenny]

As others have said, seafoam, bardahl, new plug, and spray off the air filter with compressed air. You’ll get at least another 10 years out of her.

[Weedy1]

Originally Posted by stuckincity

I agree. Then get a rechargeable from RONA or home depot. The prices are reasonable.
No more "fiddling" around with fuel, fuel/oil mixtures, or long extension cords that you WILL run over at least once.

No, but every three years you need to buy a battery that is either 80% of the cost of the mower or you can't get them anymore. Total BS, just another disposable product. I dd it, then bought a Honda...

[TimeOff]

If you need a new push mower, bite the bullet and buy a Honda. Can't believe how well the twin blade system they have works. Mulches very fine or cuts fine for bagging, easy to unload setup as well. Plenty of power for if you let it get too long.

[Mavrick]

Agree with all the rest. I ran mine for years with it puffing blue. Then tragedy hit, I broke the cup holder. It was replaced the next day.

[swift1]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

Agree with all the rest. I ran mine for years with it puffing blue. Then tragedy hit, I broke the cup holder. It was replaced the next day.

Haha 🤣 - good one!

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If it is a cheap mower, then run it until it dies, and buy a new one. If it is a high dollar mower, it could be worth repairing. I am using a high end John Deere that was made in the early 90s, and I just paid close to $200 to rebuild the carb, check the valve clearances, and give it a full service, and it will likely last me, as long as I have use for a mower.

Valve clearance wont make it burn oil

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Xbolt7mm

Valve clearance wont make it burn oil

It wasn't burning oil, it was hard starting, and running rough. The point is, some mowers are worth spending more money on.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

Agree with all the rest. I ran mine for years with it puffing blue. Then tragedy hit, I broke the cup holder. It was replaced the next day.

Horrors!!

[fishtank]

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

Use it till it quits, then buy new.

BW

Yup .. and Oil are cheap for a mower will last you for a while .

[ÜberFly]

Thanks guys

Push mower. Probably 8-10 years old. I do annual oil and plug changes myself, though this season I’m late, so it’s due.

Will try seafoam, oil change and a new plug.

Cheers,

Peter

[bubba300]

I used to have a john deere that smoked for probably 5 years,was great for mesquito's.

[CaberTosser]

My Honda mower is 20 or 21 years old and still works great, no smoke or such. The twin blade system works good, the only drawback being that sharpening the blades takes twice as long !

Keep those air filters changed so they’re not ingesting abrasive dust.

[Reeves1]

I have a roto tiller I have to fill with oil every time I fill with gas.
Still runs fine......till it doesn't.

Spare one ready to go ! LOL

[ESOXangler]

I find the blue smoke helps keep the bugs away!

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by ÜberFly

Thanks guys

Push mower. Probably 8-10 years old. I do annual oil and plug changes myself, though this season I’m late, so it’s due.

Will try seafoam, oil change and a new plug.

Cheers,

Peter

What engine is on it

[CaberTosser]

Originally Posted by ESOXangler

I find the blue smoke helps keep the bugs away!

Will a lawnmower run on citronella oil?

[Joe Black]

Sell it to me then buy another. I need an upgrade.

I'm still running a 72 Woolworth mow "n" trim

[huntinstuff]

Just drive it until autumn and the sales start

If it blows up, you dont have far to walk

[AndrewM]

If it blows and you need to borrow one, you are welcome to borrow mine. Suspect you will be safe for a while. And why buy new when you can buy a used one that has cut minimal grass!