John Deere D110 Smoking

[bakerg]

Was driving over to my son's place the other day when the 2014 John Deere D110 started to smoke. It has a 19hp Briggs and Stratton with regular maintenance. I had just changed the oil and thought maybe I had put too much oil in but it is burning oil as the oil keeps going down on dipstick. Any suggestions like an oil additive to loosen up a stuck ring before I have to tear it down and check the oil ring. Mower only has a 100hrs on it. Using conventional Pennzoil 10w30

 

[Leo Rabon]

Mower only has a 100hrs on it. Using conventional Pennzoil 10w30

Check your mower manual. Doesn't your engine call for Straight 30W oil? May be wrong but I believe it does. If so, that can very well be your problem.

 

[tomplum]

Dollars to donuts, you have a failing head gasket.

 

[jgayman]

Mower only has a 100hrs on it. Using conventional Pennzoil 10w30

Check your mower manual. Doesn't your engine call for Straight 30W oil? May be wrong but I believe it does. If so, that can very well be your problem.

Oddly, the D110 manual does not list straight 30W for the engine. It lists 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 and 15W-40.

 

[Leo Rabon]

Thanks jgayman,
Oddly, yes. I learn something new frequently from this forum. That is why I follow it on a regular basis.

 

[5030]

It's a Briggs, expect no less...

 

[bakerg]

Mower only has a 100hrs on it. Using conventional Pennzoil 10w30

Check your mower manual. Doesn't your engine call for Straight 30W oil? May be wrong but I believe it does. If so, that can very well be your problem.

The oil I’m using is recommended for it, been using it for 7 years

 

[bakerg]

It's a Briggs, expect no less...

Must be a new thing with them, got a Briggs that is in my replica project that is over 50 years old and still runs great

 

[Richard001]

The oil I’m using is recommended for it, been using it for 7 years

OK guess I don't understand. You have had the mower for 7 years but only have 100 hours on the engine?

I'll go with Tom, most likely a bad head gasket.

Richard

 

[tomplum]

There are certainly things to know and watch for while replacing these head gaskets. If you posses a good mechanical knowledge, can follow their instructions and own a decent torque wrench- it is with in your reach to do this successfully. Typically in addition to a dropping oil level, the oil turns dark from the combustion gasses entering the crankcase. If you are hiring it out, keep the oil level up in the safe zone and get it scheduled in. 30 weight oil is recommended by Briggs. They like to sell their 5W30 synthetic, 10W30 meets spec as well as SAE 30 plus 40 degrees.

 

[jgayman]

There are certainly things to know and watch for while replacing these head gaskets. If you posses a good mechanical knowledge, can follow their instructions and own a decent torque wrench- it is with in your reach to do this successfully. Typically in addition to a dropping oil level, the oil turns dark from the combustion gasses entering the crankcase. If you are hiring it out, keep the oil level up in the safe zone and get it scheduled in. 30 weight oil is recommended by Briggs. They like to sell their 5W30 synthetic, 10W30 meets spec as well as SAE 30 plus 40 degrees.

True, 30W is one of the oil types recommended in the OEM B&S Operator's Manual and Repair manual. It's odd that JD omits it in their manual. Below is the OEM oil chart.

 

[fried1765]

The oil I’m using is recommended for it, been using it for 7 years

I headed off any potential problems with my 120 hour JD 110 mower (with known POS K46 Tuff Torq transmission)
It still works fine, but I gave it to my son.
Bought myself a nice new SCAG Liberty Z with 21hp Kawasaki.
Kinda early to tell, but so far......Love my SCAG!

 

[tomplum]

It really isn't odd that Deere and the engine / transmission OEMs don't agree. But then again, it becomes Deere's world to the purchaser, right or wrong. Your chart seems to show 4) 30 weight oils. One of those potato /potatoe things....

 

[Wagtail]

Although of no direct help to the OP, the only time my D110 'smokes' is a wee bit of blue/grey on start-up. I back the throttle off of the choke/start position and it settles down within a few minutes. I have driven it certain distances to do odd jobs for neighbours; never had a problem.

I do, however, always use non-ethanol petrol. Fortunately, non-ethanol petrol is readily available to me and, as far as I know, Australia. On top of that the E10 petrol here in Aus is cane-sugar based, not corn.

 

[bakerg]

Seems like it is the head gasket, known problem with this style engine, a design problem with the lack of head bolts in one area. Cost of new gasket is about $25 and it is pretty easy to change

 

[bakerg]

Changed head gasket today

You can see where the gasket is damaged

And where is blew by on the head

Clean up head

And installed new gasket, notice the size difference of the new gasket.

Ready to mow again

 

[fried1765]

Changed head gasket today


View attachment 695654

You can see where the gasket is damaged
View attachment 695655

And where is blew by on the head
View attachment 695656

Clean up head
View attachment 695657

And installed new gasket, notice the size difference of the new gasket.
View attachment 695658

Ready to mow again
View attachment 695659

Obviously Briggs modified/improved the gasket design.
Looks good!

 

[fried1765]

OK guess I don't understand. You have had the mower for 7 years but only have 100 hours on the engine?

I'll go with Tom, most likely a bad head gasket.

Richard

I had my D110 for 12 years with only 120 hours, then gave it to my son.

 

[tomplum]

Obviously Briggs modified/improved the gasket design.
Looks good!

Not really. It is pretty much the same. The D110 came came w/ a 31" engine and the new gasket shown is a 33" gasket. Which certainly can be used. Briggs upped the torque specs from 220 to 250 rather than make a legitimate fire ring gasket. Rarely do they come back, but it happens.

 

[tomplum]