Why is there smoke in my crankcase?
Hi there: When the motor is running at operating temperature, and you remove the oil cap, it’s common for a small amount of smoke to come from the engine. This is usually caused by exhaust gases, heat or gasoline vapor that mixes with the air to create a small amount of smoke.
Do you need a crankcase breather?
As the engine runs, its pistons push gases into the crankcase. These gases cause a build-up of pressure that robs the engine of its operational power. The gases released may contain some debris, oil particles, and other contaminants, requiring the need for the crankcase breather filter.
Where is crankcase breather located?
The crankcase breather, located inside the engine, is a pipe which releases gasses trapped in the engine.
What happens when a crankcase breather goes bad?
If the filter becomes clogged and causes any vacuum leaks, this may cause a decrease in engine performance due to the disturbance in the air-fuel ratio. The vehicle may experience a decrease in power and acceleration, especially at low engine speeds.
What happens if crankcase breather is blocked?
If an engine’s breathing system should become blocked or restricted, the crankcase will pressurise causing any one or more of the following problems: Impurities such as water vapour and acids (by products of combustion) will build up and contaminate the oil causing sludging and increased engine wear.
How to tell if your crankcase breather is bad?
White or blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipe is a strong indicator that the crankcase breather is clogged. Thick black smoke usually indicates the problem is more advanced, and built-up pressure is forcing oil into the cylinder where it burns off and sends black smoke through the exhaust.
Where does the oil come from in a crankcase breather?
Low and behold, the leaking engine oil was coming from the lower part of the breather and was dripping on to the crankcase. The PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation valve) is a crucial part of the system as it controls the flow of crankcase gases entering the intake system.
What does black smoke from lawn mower breather mean?
Thick black smoke usually indicates the problem is more advanced, and built-up pressure is forcing oil into the cylinder where it burns off and sends black smoke through the exhaust. If your lawnmower is exhibiting this symptom, cleaning the breather to remove clogs or buildup usually corrects the problem.
Where is the crankcase breather on a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower?
Briggs & Stratton lawnmowers will typically have the breather mounted near the rear of the engine, but other makes may have the breather mounted on the right or left side or even at the front of the engine. Oil leaks are the most common symptom of a defective lawnmower crankcase breather.