Mowing X 300 John Deere

[bmg88201]

I have a 2010 X300 that I bought new, I changed the oil after the first 25 hours and then every year with 10-30 Valvoline. It now has 480 hours on it and I have noticed that in between mows, which is about 10 days, when I start the mower it smokes for about 5 minutes then quits. The oil level is on the full mark and I check it every time I mow. The plugs look good. This does not seem normal, it starts and runs fine and can't detect any oil consumption. Is 480 hours considered a lot of hours. Why does it now smoke when it sets for a week or so. Should I be concerned ?

Just wondering, any advice or information would be helpful.

 

[tomplum]

I don't think that it indicates trouble ahead. At 480 hours, you have lots of life left in it, but undoubtedly some wear. Whiteish / blueish smoke rather than black would indicate oil. Blackish fuel. If you pop the air filter before starting, is the airbox or venturi wet and if so- fuel or oil?

 

[bmg88201]

It's whitish to blue smoke and stops after I start mowing for a minute or two. I suppose I have some wear on the rings. I'll check the air filter case for residue anyway. My old STX 38 didn't smoke even after 22 years, that's why I posted cause it didn't seem right. But I am wondering what would be considered a lot of hours. Oh well, I have taken excellent care of this mower and that is all I can do.

Thanks for your input,

 

[bmg88201]

Oh, bye the way, my air filter housing is clean and dry. I cleaned my plugs and looked good but have about 100 hours on them. Will put new plugs in it next week. Rechecked the oil level and is right on the full mark, as always.

 

[PHPaul]

Has to do with the horizontal piston layout I think. The Kawasaki in my LX178 has done that on startup since new, never have detected any oil loss.