Reading between the lines here, I sense that you you may be leaving out some key details of events (those boring details?) that preceded your overfilling the crankcase. Was the engine already using oil and smoking prior to you over adding oil? Did you possibly run the engine oil low before you overfilled it. If any (or all) of these questions can be answered "yes", your engine could have damage other than a failed head gasket. I feel certain you will remove the heads and you need to roll the pistons to BDC and inspect the cylinder walls for scratches and signs of galling. If you find any damage to the cylinder walls from galling, you will need to have the damage assessed by a competent small engine shop. Otherwise, proceed with the suspicions of a failed head gasket.

Thanks for the reply.

The engine was running flawlessly before it was overfilled. Sounds like spraying oil/vapor is more than likely failed head gaskets. I guess normal operation is little or no leakage?

"Was in a hurry and overfilled the crankcase" that's a 1200 to 1700 dollar engine in your mower, more than a Vintage SBC or SBF. I hope this is an eye opener to others how costly it can be when dealing with oil levels, changes, and properly checking?????? that is why I don't get rid of my 20 year old LT4000, 300 dollar LT with a 1000 dollar engine. I won't give that engine up.

I once ran a Briggs Vanguard hard after overfilling with oil and the gasket failed in rather spectacular fashion. Loud pop; large plum of smoke. The engine overheats when you do this. I had a similar experience with removing the valve covers; sprays oil all over. I changed the head gasket and it ran flawlessly again.

wheely boy I thought you were smarter than that!!!!!!!!!! hee, hee. Nothing like bringing some skeletons out of the closet! I bet your more observant now when you change or check the oil???

specking of oil changes, if anybody has there oil changed at the quick service stations (jiffy lub, Quacker state ect...) I would check the oil before I leave. Some think every car holes 5 quarts and they are so quick they don't check it. As me how I know this????

Practically zero vapor is the normal condition?

Here's a pic of one cylinder. It was spraying oil, but there's not an obvious break in the gasket. I guess it can be a pin hole breach?

http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab316/prooney/

I looked at the gasket closely with a bright light and on the underside on the top right a thin layer could be missing. Was expecting something more dramatic...

***"underside on the top right a thin layer could be missing"***
Would that be looking at the photo as it is shown here? If so, that would allow compression to leak over into oil drain-back hole (the hole in head where the long straight slot in the gasket is) and thus into the crankcase and valve cover compartment. Was it around this hole in the head where you were observing the mist/vapor?

{{gwi:356773}}

Mownie,

Your expertise is always appreciated, thanks for the reply. It was difficult to tell exactly where the spray originated, but there was a lot of it. I expected to see more damage near the bottom of the photo because it might have been spewing from that area. I'm cleaning up this one with a skotchbrite pad, etc. tonight and tomorrow. Don't want to disassemble the other cylinder until I have the manual.

Well, it would be nice if you could offer up a couple more pics of the situation before you get the head and cylinder deck cleaned off. Sometimes there is visual trace evidence on the head or cylinder surfaces to verify a failed head gasket even if the gasket itself appears to be "intact".

Thought I'd follow-up and let everyone know all is well. Just finished blasting around for awhile in the dark on the Cub Cadet 3185 and it runs fine. The big challenge was adjusting the valves, but tons of info on this site from Walt Conner and Mownie help immensely. Many thanks!

was it the head gaskets?