1982 Lawnboy smokes. Correct fuel oil mixrture 32-1. Exhuast ports clean. New plug and air filter. Could it be carb problems or worn rings. Thanks Roger
Worn crankshaft seals (look for black goo around the upper seal under the flywheel and lower shaft seal). Bottom seal is common and easy to fix... cheap, too!
Stuck/saturated carburetor float or bad float needle
Faulty primer bulb circuit (try disconnecting the small tube to se if the smoke stops)
Weak spark (should be a fat white spark that you can hear) or incorrect gap
Partially sheared flywheel key from insufficient flywheel nut torque (rare, but it happens, especially after do-it-yourselfer tune-ups)
Answers & Comments
Worn crankshaft seals (look for black goo around the upper seal under the flywheel and lower shaft seal). Bottom seal is common and easy to fix... cheap, too!
Stuck/saturated carburetor float or bad float needle
Faulty primer bulb circuit (try disconnecting the small tube to se if the smoke stops)
Weak spark (should be a fat white spark that you can hear) or incorrect gap
Partially sheared flywheel key from insufficient flywheel nut torque (rare, but it happens, especially after do-it-yourselfer tune-ups)
Re-read the question... yes, worn rings can do this but usually will also exhibit hard starting and loss of power when mowing tall/thick grass.
If the new air filter seems to be constantly wet with fuel, it may be the reed valves.
White smoke or grey smoke ?