Have a cv16slawn tractor. Engine starts, runs for a few seconds lot of white smoke. Stalls. there is a rush of fluid, gas/oil mix? into the carb bowl. Absolutely did not use mixed gas. Any idea's.

SOURCE: White smoke from my Craftmans tractor,

Use the lawnmower's oil dipstick to determine whether the oil level is correct. Maintain the correct level of oil. If you've overfilled the oil, open the drain plug, and drain some of the oil into a waste container.

Dispose of any excess oil properly. Burning off excess oil is undesirable. It can foul the mower's spark plug, piston rings, and other engine components and contributes to air pollution.

If your mower's engine has not been overfilled with oil, but still is smoking, it may have stuck or worn piston rings or another maintenance problem.
If it has sat over the winter, and didnt have stabilizer in it - it may be bad gas too. Drain it out, and put in fresh.

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SOURCE: Kolher 17hp motor blowing oil/gas mix out of breather tube

I had the same problem! I found that the needle valve in the carb was not shutting off the fuel flow when not running. Either replace needle valve or put a shut off valve in the fule line. Should take care of the problem

SOURCE: my hedge trimmer will not start... Put in new gas

It's not getting gas, due to being gummed up with old gas. Remove all of the old gas and mix up a batch of fresh gas&oil. Also get some carb cleaner. Put just a little of the gas&oil mix plus an equal part carb cleaner. Try to start it just to work the new mixture through the carb. You might use the spray start to help pull the new gas through. If it fires up on the new gas&oil&carbcleaner mix, shut it off and let it sit for an hour or two. Drain it out and try just a little gas&oiil without the carb cleaner. If all is well fill the tank. If not, repeat the whole process. If you can't clear the gum this way you may have to remove the carb to clean it. Good luck.

SOURCE: float adjustment

probably not adjustment but something under the needle that is not letting it seal off properly
take the carby off , remove the bowl, tip upside down , pull the pivot pin out and remove the float carefully
there should be a tab which is slotted onto the end of the needle ( possible a small spring in the end of the needle as well)
remove the needle and check the rubber tip for damage /wear
unscrew the seat and remove and dirt , hair, grass that is preventing the needle from sealing off properly
at this point you can either replace the needle and seat or go to the mower shop and get a new assembly if it looks faulty
float levels seldom need adjusting as they are set correctly from new unless the float itself is failed

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