i just bought an 11hp craftsman, the tractor is in real go shape but it smokes. what i want to know is if there is stuff(oil/gas) leaking out of the bottom of the head does this mean the gasket is gone. The mower was never obused so i dont think is rings cause it runs nice. thanks

If it were me I would retorque the head bolts first, if the engine is running ok.

alright then, thats what i will do, can u tell me (in foot pounds) what the torque requirement is,, thanks

Need engine numbers to be sure of torque specs.

model-252707,,,,type-0632-01,,,,code-83012011

Head torque spec is 165 inch lbs.

the head bolts were all quite loose so there tighten but the problem remains,,, the problem is that when its just alittle up off of idle it blows a faint white smoke constantly, and when i go from idle to fast it really blows out the smoke, i put a new carb kit in it and it runs perfect, except that constant faint white smoke, any ideas?,,it doesn't burn hardly any oil,, thanks

Are you getting any oil up in the air filter housing.

Check the oil fill cap oring and the oring at the bottom of filler tube to be sure they are ok.

i'll check both things and just for the time being i'll just get rid of the dipstick tube and put a normal screw in plug, but im leaving for the weekend so i'll try it sometime on sunday and let you know how it goes,, thanks

everything is alright,, BUT would having the oil about a 1/4 inch over full on the dipstick matter, could this casue the problem?,, thanks

It sure will. When you check your oil do you screw cap all the way down.
On Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh engines screw oil cap down, then remove and check oil level.
On Honda engines remove cap clean stick and rest on top of oil tube, lift and check oil level. If it is over filled it will smoke, white smoke.

Your engine holds 48 ounces of oil.

drained oil out so that its in the middle of the x's and it runs awsome,, thanks

everything is alright,, BUT would having the oil about a 1/4 inch over full on the dipstick matter, could this casue the problem?,, thanks

i would not think that a 1/4 inch over full on the stick would cause it to smoke , i've seen crankcases almost half full of fuel mixed with oil run and not puff a drop of smoke , unless you ran the engine in total darkness and hit the emissions with a flash light . ? ? something going on up in here ?

" On American engines screw oil cap down " i hope kohler engines are made in usa cause i love them , please someone tell me kohler is american

also all the head bolt were really loose, not finger loose, but i easily got a good half turn or more on them with a small rachet.

Kohler is American made for now. Briggs VanGuard engines are made in japan, and I hear they are moving some of their US production engines to China. Lets hope Kohler does'nt do the same. I prefer Kohler engines over all other brands myself.

Roperman glad to hear it's running OK again.

By the way to check oil in a Kohler engine remove dip stick clean and rest on tube remove and read oil level. I changed the reference to American engines.