Craftsman riding mower LT1000 15.5 HP. keeps smoking no matter what I've tried

Okay...The reason I am posting on a topic that has been answered quite a few times is because I have done everything that has been recommended and the mower still smokes. I have:
1. Rebuilt the carburetor. A new seat, a new needle, new gaskets and o-rings
2. Inserted a gas on/off switch into the fuel line. I did this because gas was saturating the oil
3. emptied the oil reservoir then refilled with new oil. Poured in 48oz per mower specifications.
4. replaced the air filter.
5. replaced the gas filter
6. Installed a new deck belt
7. sharpened the blades

I am at my whits end. I do not know what else I could possibly do. I am willing to take any suggestions you might have. In the meantime, I will check the oil dipstick to see if the 48 oz is too much. Thank you all and anyone.

 

If... the original smoking problem produced black smoke and the current smoking problem is black smoke and you have the fuel shutoff because the carb was flooding the engine and crankcase with gas (which overfilled the crankcase = oil pushed up into the combustion chamber=black smoke), then, I would say the carb is still leaking fuel and flooding the engine = black smoke.

If that is the case, then you'll have to take a closer look at the carb work and get that leakage figured out. There was another member working on the same thing if you take a look at recent posts. I believe Cheese got that one taken care with an 'O' ring replacement.

** Gas saturating the oil - typical carb leak past the piston into the crankcase oil

 

What do you mean "gas was saturating with oil"? Did you install a valve in the fuel line because fuel kept draining into the engine and was diluting the engine oil?

 

Oh,,,,,, Never give up

 

What color is the smoke? I think marbobj might be on the right track with the flooding, or maybe the choke is stuck, or if it's white or bluish smoke, it could be another problem. Does it smoke all the time, periodically, heavily and then lighter, how long has it done it, did it develop progressively or just start one day, etc..?

 

Also, the 48 oz of oil is probably the crankcase capacity. I find that when I drain the oil it never re-takes that amount. My capacity is 1.5 litres and about 1.1litres puts the oil in the middle of full and add on the dipstick, after I drain the old stuff out. I believe this is because you never get all the oil out of the mower when you drain the oil.

Anyway, check your dipstick to ensure that you didn't overfill the mower. If the smoke is blue, it is an indicated of burning oil. If it is black, you are running too rich, probably from your earlier problem of gas getting past your inlet needle on your carb and eventually getting into your oil. If that needle is leaking, the gas gets into the oil when it is not running. When the mower is running it is burning very rich and will make black smoke.

 

Hello all,
WOW! What an awesome thing to see. So many of you out there eager to help! Thank you again!

First, the smoke was pure white and thick. But I have an update! I went back out after I posted and cranked the mower up again. It smoked but then stopped. I ran it around my yard, engaged the blades and revved the engine to its max. She runs beautifully and without smoke!

I look forward to one day helping another out the way ya'll have helped me!
Thank you!

 

It may have just had to have time to burn off the residual oil in the cylinder and exhaust.