445 blowing smoke.

[xrjohndeere]

Any of you guys have any suggestions. I have a 445 aws with about 385 hours on it. I think it might be a 2000 or newer, not for sure. Anyway the last two times I mowed grass the mower would be mowing and running fine and then start bellowing white smoke. This happened intermitently it seemed to happen under load. It did it a few times yesterday and when it started to do it I shut the deck off and it quit. It would only do it for a few seconds but it was definetly not normal.. I do not think it it actually burning oil, I think it is loading up on fuel. Do this engines needs valve adjustments or something that could be causing this? Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

Seems if loading up on fuel, you would detect a change in the sound of the engine or a change in the rpm. Either of those happen at the same time you see "smoke"?

Is the smoke for sure coming from the exhaust pipe? Is there any smell (odor) connected with the "smoke"?

Might check the compression on each cylinder, and check for anything loose on the engine or carburetor.
Check both plugs, and wiring to the plugs.

 

[xrjohndeere]

Smoke is coming from the exhaust. It sure acts like it is loading up on fuel. I thought it might be bad gas but I put in fresh and it still does it.

 

[nmu98]

Seems if loading up on fuel, you would detect a change in the sound of the engine or a change in the rpm. Either of those happen at the same time you see "smoke"?

Is the smoke for sure coming from the exhaust pipe? Is there any smell (odor) connected with the "smoke"?

Might check the compression on each cylinder, and check for anything loose on the engine or carburetor.
Check both plugs, and wiring to the plugs.

445 are Fuel injected.......

Try running some fuel injector cleaner through it. Many people swear by seafoam. I would make sure the connections are clean on the battery and on the computer board. Check your air cleaner and make sure there is not a film of oil in the intake, if there is, wipe it clean.

 

[beenthere]

No loss of power? No change in rpm? Hmmm?

Right, these are fuel injected.

 

[xrjohndeere]

When it start to blow the smoke it does bogg down like you just kicked the mower deck on but it doesn't do it but about 2-3 seconds. NO smoking on idle or higher rpms. I well try the fuel injector cleaner.

 

[xrjohndeere]

Has anyone ever had any problems with head gaskets on these mowers? How would I determine head gasket? Low coolant, compression check, water in oil? Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[nmu98]

A head gasket leak could have water in the oil, oil in the water, neither, it could reduce compression, or many other things.

I do not know the exact date, but sometime 2000 and prior, these engines were built with nylon teeth on the camshaft. Those were known to go bad and skip teeth or strip. If your engine does this all the time, I bet thats your issue. If it does it on and off, it might be a stuck injector or......

 

[beenthere]

What is the serial number of the 445 (xxx out the last three digits for security if you'd like).

 

[OLD FARMER]

I had a similar thing happen to me with a scotts rider, I had motor oil in the carb from too much oil in the engine and blow by tube sucking it into the carb on rough ground, probably not it but a thought.