Synthetic oil will not cause it to break in any slower or faster than normal. Many new vehicles now come with synthetic oil right from the manufacturer.
Gatkins, if you drop the oil level closer to the "ADD" line on the dipstick, does is still smoke? Today's OHV horizontals are super sensitive to oil level. Some will belch a cloud of blue if even too close to the "FULL" line on the dipstick.
G/luck
Joel
You are not alone. My L130 may or may not smoke badly when started hot or cold. If John Deere/Kohler position is that it's normal or if a new engine does not solve it I won't bother pursuing the problem. By the way I don't buy the breakin thing as mine has over 110 hours and still does it. I use John Deere oil and filter when oil changes are due also.
slowrev, Just noticed your question , Been working a good bit of OT the last few weeks and it starting to show... I'm pretty certain my Dad uses castrol 10w-40 , But his mower isn't smoking anymore (must been the 12 step program) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Its been doing fine for sometime now ...so-far /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif