newbie question, smoking engine

Was it ran with no or too little oil in it? I assume it wasn't smoking before. The real question is was that because it was so low on oil that there was none to burn, or because you added dino' oil and it previously hadn't been smoking because synthetic oil was in it?

The old 500 engines are known to be virtually bullet proof with little maintenance and, although 1700 hours is a lot, I've seen engines with double that amount of hours. I'd probably start with a compression test to help determine the problem.

Sorry to deliver the bad news but.....
White smoke is most likely antifreeze, not an oil issue (blue smoke is oil).
If the engine overheated it may have warped the head, or blown the head gasket (or both for that matter) and now you have antifreeze entering places it is not supposed to be (AKA the combustion chamber).
Sometime if you pop the oil filler cap you can see the oil sort of has a brownish milky look - that is the antifreeze, also has a smell to it (you mentioned that)
Do not run the engine as more damage can result. If you are not comfortable with motor work this will be something you need a professional to look at.

Engine has never been overheated. Runs fine, just smokes. Yes it started after I added oil. Always run Polaris syn oil in it. Will try compression test on it soon. What is wet sumping and how do I ck that? Thanks, Papalote.

Wet sumping is when you have too much oil in the sump (not returning to the tank correctly)
You will often get the oil blowing out the breather - thus how a lot of people find out it is happening.
I don't have a Ranger like yours or know a ton about them specifically but generally speaking this is can be caused by the valve not working and not allowing the oil to return. Can make a big mess as oil will be leaking out on you.

The thing is you said you had white smoke - if it is "white" you are not burning the oil - oil smoke is going to be blue.

Check your compression (if you have a compression tester) it will give you an idea if you have a blown head gasket. If it is a head gasket it is not the end of the world, just a little bit of work.
Good luck

"oil smoke is going to be blue." Synthetic oil burns clean>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Checked compression. 88 psi. What should it be?

closer to 150

papalote said:

Checked compression. 88 psi. What should it be?

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Tom, did you have the engine hot with the throttle wide open for that compression test ?

papalote said:

Checked compression. 88 psi. What should it be?

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Since the initial reading is essentially 1/2 of expected there are preliminary reasons to be concerned. If I were doing this, I would recommend the engine be warm and be sure you are using a high quality tester. At this point, I would do a leak down test as well. The leak down might give you additional information valve sealing and head gasket.

OK Motor was cold. Had already drained the oil so I just turned it over with starter. Also had over a pint of oil in crankcase. Is there any way to flush the old oil out of motor. Yes I let it go way to long. Thanks for all the help. Keep it coming and I will keep ya'll updated.

papalote said:

OK Motor was cold. Had already drained the oil so I just turned it over with starter. Also had over a pint of oil in crankcase. Is there any way to flush the old oil out of motor. Yes I let it go way to long. Thanks for all the help. Keep it coming and I will keep ya'll updated.

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What are you wanting to accomplish above and beyond draining the oil? Is the the oil milky or have signs of metal shavings?

Allout, the motor began smoking after adding oil. Trying to find out why.

papalote said:

OK Motor was cold. Had already drained the oil so I just turned it over with starter. Also had over a pint of oil in crankcase. Is there any way to flush the old oil out of motor. Yes I let it go way to long. Thanks for all the help. Keep it coming and I will keep ya'll updated.

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Ok........... so the motor was cold, did you hold the throttle wide open while you turned the motor over ?

No, will try that this afternoon if I get time. Will post later. Thanks

papalote said:

No, will try that this afternoon if I get time. Will post later. Thanks

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If you are wanting to get the oil out of the block then you have options and opinions. 1) mix 1/2 marvel mystery oil and 1/2 motor oil, run a bit and drain, can be repeated a time or two usually done so when water entered the engine or 2) diesel (don't run, turn over) and drain blow out with air or 3) X (commercially available products for this purpose). As mentioned, you will see many different options available to accomplish a engine clean out procedure.

OK I have not had time to mess with my ranger lately. I checked the oil today and none showed on the dipstick. I have only run it about 5 min since changing it and putting the two qts in. Where can it go. None on the ground. I know it needs a ring job but don't think it would burn 2 qts. Thanks in advance.

If the unit used 2 quarts in 5 min then you have real issues I assume it is smoking worst now than previously?

Put new piston and rings and fixed problem. Thanks for help.