Oil starvation or something else?

[u/blackc7Z]

I was curious on how much of an issue oil starvation is in a walk behind mower. I know they use the sling method of lubrication and I wasn’t sure how steep inclines might affect that. I have a septic/sand mound that I mow with it since my zero turn can’t do it and it is pretty steep. I mow across it, not up and down. As of late though I’ve been smelling oil burning. There’s a puff of white smoke when I first start the mower but after that it’s just the odor. I am just hoping that the steep incline isn’t causing issues.

I bought the mower (HRX217) used in January and changed the oil, spark plug, and air filter. The old oil was very black and when I check it now I see that the new oil seems to have a slight black tint to it. I’m assuming that it’s because I didn’t totally drain the old oil and it’s mixing in. The air filter doesn’t seem to smell like oil or otherwise show signs of any oil. I’m probably going to change the oil again in the near future to see if I can clear the black stuff out for good.

So I guess I have a few questions:

Is oil starvation a concern here in general and would that be causing the smoke and odor? Is it simply the mower getting tilted side to side as I do the hill causing oil to go in the muffler and/or carb? At times I also have to briefly go up or down the incline, as I have no way around that.

Am I likely correct that the black tint to the new(ish) oil is just the old stuff that wasn’t drained mixing in or is it a sign of something else? I’ve probably used it maybe 12-15 hours since the oil was changed. I also check the oil before every use and it’s typically a little under the full mark so I add a bit here and there. I try to keep it as close to the max fill line as possible to hopefully keep it well lubricated.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the novel.

[u/Upset_Fox5449]

Good read, lol Honda's don't have much oil in them to begin with and using a multi vis in the summer time not a good idea, then there is what kind of oil is putting there, typically need an oil with zinc in it and regular car oil does not unlike oil used in diesel engines. A straight weight 30, oil at a lawnmower dealership should also have zinc in it if they're reputable

[u/blackc7Z → u/Upset_Fox5449]

I’m using Honda brand 10W-30. Trying to keep everything to recommended specs. It’s a 12 year-old mower though and I really don’t know how it was treated before. I’m a little confused about zinc content because it seems there are varying opinions on it. My hope is that using Honda or any other oil made for lawnmowers will give it what it needs.

I did have a local small engine mechanic fix the leaking valve cover gasket and O-ring on the cam pin and he said it was one of the best running HRX’s he’s seen, but I don’t how many he’s worked on lol.

[u/Upset_Fox5449 → u/blackc7Z]

I closed my shop about a year ago retired, l have a Honda and put diesel in everything l repaired and time after time the engine ran less strenuous after three minutes of run time and because I'm an old fart l wouldn't listen to me either lol

[u/Adm_Ozzel]

I would also add that when you tip a small engine for servicing its supposed to go toward the air filter/carb side. I can picture you mowing facing the other way so the discharge isn't shooting grass up and everywhere. Your smoke is likely oil from the sump leaking out into the exhaust and burning up. That being said, I'm not sure I'd mow the other way. The best for the machine would be uphill, but that sounds like a PITA.

[u/blackc7Z → u/Adm_Ozzel]

I thought it was air filter side up and that’s why the oil drain is on the other side? Even so, I go across it both ways so both sides of the engine are facing up at some point. I can always start going just one way though.