Engine smokes at start up

[Donzo 1]

My Simplicity Regent Hydro 12 has started spewing grey smoke at initial start-up. This lasts for about 15 secs and then stops. The engine runs fine other than that. It is a 12 year old Briggs I/C 12.5 HP. Obviously something isn't right. Any ideas?

[HubbardRA 19]

If that were a car engine, I would say it had bad valve seals. Is this an overhead valve engine? If so, then valveseals may be the problem. If it is a flathead engine, then it may need new rings. You may be getting some oil blowing by the rings till they heat up a little and expand. Either way, if you are not losing a large amount of oil, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have had several engines that did the same thing. I just kept using them and made sure they were not allowed to get low on oil.

[Donzo 1]

I'm pretty sure its a flathead. It doesn't seem to be using much oil. I'll keep using it and see what happens. A brand new replacement engine is only $400. Any idea what rebuilding would run?

[Donzo 1]

I'm pretty sure its a flathead. It doesn't seem to be using much oil. I'll keep using it and see what happens. A brand new replacement engine is only $400. Any idea what rebuilding would run?

[Guest]

Try this, it worked for me! NAPA, about $3 Rislone Ring Seal® reduces oil burning, exhaust smoke and exhaust emissions, quiets noisy engines and cushions worn parts. Rislone Ring Seal contains high-shear polymers which provide a seal for worn pistons and rings to help regain lost compression. One bottle of Rislone Ring Seal increases viscosity, helping to prevent blow-by gases from fouling the crankcase oil and oil from leaking past the rings into the combustion chamber. Oil pressure improves because the thicker oil cannot leak out of a worn engine as quickly. It provides an ideal protective coating for pistons, rings and bearings when assembling rebuilt engines and gear boxes because it clings to and protects all metal surfaces. Rislone Ring Seal retains excellent oil flow characteristics in cold weather. It has been proven for use in all internal combustion engines and may be used with all petroleum-based motor oils. A 15 fluid-ounce bottle of Rislone Ring Seal treats a normal crankcase of motor oil.

[Donzo 1]

Sounds like an ad for Rislone Ring Seal. I'll give it a shot-I've nothing to loose. Thanks

[goatfarmer 817]

I have a newer Broadmoor Hydro, with a Briggs Vanguard 14HP in it.It also smokes gray for about 10 seconds or so at startup. The engine was brand new about 3 years ago, has maybe 25 hrs on it.It hasn't gotten any worse, I just let it go.

[Guest]

Put 6 hours on it before passing judgement. I have no connection with Rislone Ring Seal®.

[Al 6]

Hi, This is not all that uncommon. Many new tractors do it and particularly if it is parked with the cylinder slightly downhill. It is commonly from a little oil laying on the bottom of the cylinder an seeping past the rings. Usually they get better with a few hours on them. Also if the engine is getting a little blow by and the breather tube carries a little oil to the air cleaner base, a little oil residue may get in the carb and will burn in the first few seconds of running. Al Eden

[jdm 0]

I have a Briggs 20 HP Intek Twin that when new did'nt smoke on start-up. It then went through a phase when sometimes it did and sometimes it did'nt. Quite a cloud. It rarely does it now and has less than 100 hrs. on it. I have stopped worrying about it because I have'nt had to add any oil between uses. I can't explain it.