Thanks for the reply. There is no discernable oil consumption and the oil is clean with no gas.

and yes the smoke is from the exhaust.

If it is a CV model engine- you probably did have a headgasket failure. They were updated a couple times over the years. Many times you will start to see the smoke as you are working the engine, sometimes worsen as they warm. When the gasket finally loses a chunk- then the big cloud of white smoke happens. If you removed the spark plugs, likely you will note heavy carbon deposits on one cylinder. Let us know what you find and post the model/ spec of the engine so we know.

Right now we have snow and 20 degree weather so I will check the plugs and compression when the weather clears up. Will let you know then. Thanks for the help.

Finely got back to the mower. Pulled the plugs and no carbon. Checked the compression, 150 left and 150 right. drained and put in new gas, new plugs, new fuel filter, new oil filter, new air filter and still get white smoke when the engine first starts.

Forgot, it is a 2003 Craftsman 917.276021 with 250 hours.