Got a Sears riding mower from son-in-law that had been sitting up for over a year. He couldn't get to start. Has a Briggs 18.5 HP single cylinder engine, model No.31P777 type No.0348-E1. Engine and mower only has 27 hours on it!!! Drained all old fuel, had to replace carb. and put in a new battery. Starts right up and runs good but after about a minute starts smoking like crazy. White oil smoke and lots of it.
I figured it had to be ring blow by to smoke that bad. Did a compression check and get 110-115 psi every time. Is this low for this engine??
I later found out that he had been using starting fluid to try to get it running. I know thats a no no on these small engines!!!! Any ideas on what I should look at next (assuming compression in within range)? Thanks 'MO :confused:

how about the oil level?if it over full that can sometimes cause them to smoke