Kawasaki V-twin smoking at idle

[SimS]

You guys are right. I went back and dug out the manual. It needs to be screwed in. When I first checked the oil I thought wouldn't it be "easier" to have the oil level checked by just dropping the dipstick in, checking the level and then screw it on after you are finished. Anyway I hope it's just over filled and your smoking goes away. Good luck.

SimS

 

[GeneralEclectic]

I have a 15 HP Kawasaki on a DR Field & Brush Mower. It has 800 running hours and it uses no oil. The throttle has three positions: Choke, Idle, Run. It will smoke a little and run poorly if left in "Choke" for any length of time. It does not smoke at "Idle". "Run" is 3600 RPM. At "Run", I am ready to quit long before the mower is ready to quit.

What I'm saying is your choke may be working when your engine is at low RPM.

It's a separate manual choke. The cable and linkage are free to move and work as you would expect. In fact, I have not needed the choke to start the engine, and didn't use it that morning. It was definitely not choked because the engine won't run under normal operating conditions with the choke closed. Judging by the odor, it was oil, not unburned hydrocarbons.

It's too wet here to cut the grass today, but tomorrow is looking good. I think chances are that the problem is too much oil in the crankcase that's somehow finding its way out the breather. We'll see....

 

[GeneralEclectic]

Well, folks, how's this for confusion: The owner's manual says "screw it". The dipstick itself says "don't screw it". And the Kawa engine service manual says "don't screw it."

Who do you believe. Kawasaki, I guess since Husqvarna seems to be exceedingly sloppy with documentation.

The oil level is right up against the top if you "don't screw it", maybe even a little wet above the line. It's over the top if you screw it.

So after mowing today I deliberately let it run at low idle for several minutes and ....... nothing. It just sat there ticking over calmly and quietly.

I guess for the time being this smoking incident is going to be written off as nothing more than a one-time inexplicable event.

 

[MoKelly]

Well, folks, how's this for confusion: The owner's manual says "screw it". The dipstick itself says "don't screw it". And the Kawa engine service manual says "don't screw it."

Who do you believe. Kawasaki, I guess since Husqvarna seems to be exceedingly sloppy with documentation.

I agree. I'd go with the engine manufacturer vs. the mower manufacturer on this item.

MoKelly

 

[Logan]

Kawasaki V-twin smoking at idle:
I have had a Kawasaki v-twin for longer than 15 yrs. and it has smoked at start up since it was a year old. It would slowly stop smoking after burning off whatever oil was in the cylinders or muffler. Dealer checked it and said nothing wrong. It still runs great and has never used oil. It does not smoke after warming up. I'm sure it is a valve seal, but I have left well-enough alone. BUT, if It was new, I would contact the dealer just to have it on record, if nothing else.