I have a ~16 year old Murray tractor with 12.5 hp B&S engine. When I tried to start it this season, it started rough, smoked badly and died. Found oil leaking near muffler and on the floor. Pulled the spark plug and it also had oil on it. Battery still cranking starter, but engine won't start.

Any ideas? Catastrophic failure? Worth fixing engine or time for a new one?

Thanks for your help, 1PatS

Is there oil in the air cleaner?

Is the oil at the proper level?

If the first and second are true, replace the oil breather. The hose that goes to nowhere, probably near your muffler. It's attached to the block and replaced from the outside.

First check engine oil.make sure it is full.then,leave the plug out, spin the engine over until all the oil stops coming out of where the plug goes. Clean the oil off the plug, reinstall the plug. Check the oil again just to be sure. Then try to start. Post back with the results.

I found gas in the crankcase and emptied all out. Took off bowl to carb and cleaned. Took out spark plug and turned over a few times. Refilled oil and started. Now runs great. Thanks for the tips.

Glad you got it going!