Lawnmower smoke is a common problem that can be caused by anything from leaking gas in the muffler to overflowing engine oil. It can be frightening and harmful to your mower’s health, and you may be wondering what’s causing it.
Engine problems, regardless of mower model, are common. If you’ve been there, don’t worry because if your lawn mower is emitting smoke, we have steps for you to take.
The intensity and color of the smoke, on the other hand, will determine whether or not the problem is serious. If there is blue smoke, the gauge indicates that the oil was not properly burned or that the fuel is rancid.
However, black smoke is more serious because it indicates that your mower needs to be refueled.
No matter what color it is, a lawn mower that is giving off smoke is not something you can ignore and let the mower fix itself.
When Does the Mower Start Smoking?
When you turn on the lawn mower, it will usually begin to emit smoke. This means that any engine problems will eventually affect the lawn mower’s health and will require immediate attention.
However, if not addressed immediately, this minor issue can escalate into a more serious one, resulting in permanent damage.
Let’s delve deeper into the most common causes of smoke from your lawn mower.
Causes of Smoke from Lawnmowers
1. Black Smoke
Black smoke is a clear indication of a mower engine fault that is causing the lawn tractor engine to stall.
This is usually caused by an unexpected or unplanned mixture of fuel and air, which causes the mower to catch fire.
As a result, combustion will occur in the engine, producing smoke that may be of concern to you. You may have noticed smoke coming from the lawn mower in such cases.
This phenomenon is similar to burning a pile of leaves and placing them in a tight-fitting compost bin. This combustion of oxygen results in fire and heavy smoke is produced.
2. Dirty Air Filter
Another cause of smoke coming from your mower could be a dirty or damaged spark plug.
If you’re wondering what an air filter does, it filters dirt and debris from the gasoline air before it enters the engine.
Most air filters are made of paper or mold and become dirty or damaged quickly.
Unfiltered air will eventually cause the engine to smoke if the air filter is not doing its job properly.
In this case, all you need to do is clean the dirty air filter and replace it. However, if the filter becomes damaged or badly burnt, it is best to replace it with a new one.
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After you’ve resolved this issue, you’ll know why your mower is smoking.
3. Dirty Carburetor
A dirty carburetor can cause problems with the proper functioning of a gasoline engine. The carburetor is responsible for mixing air and fuel in the correct ratio to ensure efficient combustion.
Dirt and debris can clog the carburetor’s jets and passages, preventing the proper amount of fuel from entering the engine. Symptoms of a dirty carburetor include rough idle, hard starting, and reduced engine performance.
Regular maintenance of the carburetor, such as cleaning or rebuilding, can help prevent these issues and ensure the engine runs smoothly. If left untreated, a dirty carburetor can lead to engine damage and costly repairs.
4. Oil Combustion
Oil lubricates the engine and provides it with fuel. As a result, another common cause of lawn mowers blowing white smoke is an overfilled engine.
If your mower starts smoking, it is not moving; This is probably due to the oil that you have left to burn. Either accidentally or intentionally, you may have spilled some oil while refilling the tank or while servicing the mower.
Whatever the cause, that lawn mower oil is the real culprit behind the white oil smoke from your lawn mower.
When you start the mower, the oil enters the combustion chamber and burns there, causing white smoke to come out of the mower.
Replace the damaged head gasket to soak up all of the excess oil in the air cleaner.
Furthermore, it keeps oil from entering the combustion chamber, which causes most lawn tractor engines to stutter.
5. Tripping on the Mower
Tripping on the mower can be a dangerous situation that can result in serious injury or even death. Mowers are powerful machines that can easily cause harm if not used properly. There are several factors that can contribute to tripping on the mower, including uneven terrain, loose clothing or debris, and operator error.
It is important to always wear appropriate clothing and safety gear when operating a mower, such as sturdy shoes, long pants, eye and ear protection, and gloves. Loose clothing or jewelry should be avoided, as they can easily become entangled in the mower’s moving parts.
Mower operators should also be familiar with the terrain they will be mowing and take precautions to avoid uneven areas or obstacles. Mowers should never be operated on steep slopes or wet grass, as this can increase the risk of slipping or losing control of the machine.
Proper mower maintenance is also important to prevent accidents. Blades should be sharpened regularly and replaced when necessary, and all safety features such as guards and shields should be in place and functioning properly.
In the event that a tripping incident does occur, it is important to immediately turn off the mower and seek medical attention if necessary. Safety should always be the top priority when operating a mower, and taking precautions and being aware of potential hazards can help prevent accidents and injuries.
6. Gas in Oil
With smoke emission laws, gasoline-powered lawn mowers are also common. If the rush of white smoke from the engine oil isn’t a problem, it’s most likely a gas leak in the muffler of the lawn mower.
This usually happens when oil combines with gasoline and clogs the carburetor. If you notice this problem, change the oil in the mower and replace it with high-quality unfiltered oil.
Simply replace or replace the faulty carburetor to resolve this issue.
How Do I Clean my Lawnmower’s Carburetor?
Our experts recommend this 5-step formula for cleaning a carburetor to get rid of my lawn mower’s smoking problem.
- Removed
- Stripes
- Clean
- To rebuild
- Retrofitting
Pro Tip
Replace the float needle, fill in new oil, close the carburetor, and tighten the fuel tap to change the oil.
Head Gasket Failure
Head gasket failure occurs when the gasket that seals the cylinder head to the engine block fails. The head gasket is a crucial component in the engine’s combustion process, as it prevents coolant and oil from mixing with the engine’s combustion chamber and also seals the engine’s cylinders.
When a head gasket fails, it can cause a number of problems, including loss of engine compression, oil leaks, coolant leaks, overheating, and engine misfires. This can lead to a significant decrease in engine performance and can potentially cause serious engine damage if not addressed promptly.
Head gasket failure can be caused by a variety of factors, including overheating, engine wear and tear, coolant contamination, and poor maintenance practices. If you suspect that your vehicle may have a head gasket issue, it is important to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible.
What Does the Color of Smoke Say?
The color of the smoke coming from your lawnmower indicates how serious the problem is. The issue is the same whether the lawn mower runs and then stops or stalls and smokes after starting.
Smoke is classified into three colors: white, blue, and black. When you know what color the smoke is, it’s easier to troubleshoot lawn mowers that emit white smoke.
Colors of the smoke are caused by different lawnmower models as well as your lawnmower maintenance schedule.
If you are unsure of the smoke color, consult the owner’s manual to identify the source of the problem. Here’s a list of solutions to treat the underlying cause of the lawn mower emitting white oil smoke.
12 Quick Solutions for Lawnmower Fume
1. Mow at no more than a 15-degree slope to avoid oil spills if you tilt the mower to one side.
2. Restart the mower and wait a few minutes for all of the oil to burn off.
3. Maintain your lawn mower on a regular basis and seal any worn areas to prevent oil leaks that could lead to free running.
4. To prevent spillage or excess oil leakage, seal the lubrication system in your mower.
5. Replace dirty, clogged, damaged, or burnt air filters.
6. On the mower, clean the carburetor and properly adjust it.
7. Check the oil level, type, and type of oil on a regular basis, and top up as needed.
8. Allow the mower to run for at least 5 minutes to burn off the oil that has accumulated on the surface.
9. Avoid putting oil in the crankcase.
10. Repair an air leak in the crankcase.
11. Replace or repair a blown head gasket.
12. Always tilt the mower so that the spark plug is facing up when changing the oil.
What is Causing my Electric Lawnmower to Smoke?
Electric lawn mowers are prone to smoke bubble issues due to their heavy batteries and powerful motors.
Before you figure out what’s causing the problem, unplug the mower, inspect it, and try one of the solutions listed above.
Smoke from the mower is frequently caused by a burned-out engine or a damaged belt that is not driving the blades.
A dirty air filter, a faulty head gasket, a leaking carburetor, an overfilled engine, or the incorrect type of oil are all possible causes.
Why is my Lawnmower Blowing White Smoke?
White smoke from lawn mowers is more common than blue or black smoke, which is a serious problem. White smoke, on the other hand, indicates that burning oil has entered the combustion chamber.
The most common cause of this issue is excessive engine oil consumption. If this occurs, simply run the mower for 10-15 minutes until all of the oil burns out and emits white smoke from combustion.
After that, restart the mower and you’re ready to mow.
What Happens If You Fill the Mower With Too Much Oil?
Most homeowners are unaware of the harmful effects of adding too much oil to their mower. This not only interferes with the mower engine, but also causes white smoke from overfilled engine oil.
A good rule of thumb is to fill the tank high enough that you can easily secure the oil cap.
Over-filling with oil will also cause seal failure, blowout, or hydrolocking. Whatever be the reason, the excess oil is burnt and this is the main reason why white smoke is coming out of the mower.
Why Was my Lawnmower Smoking When I Turned It On?
Most lawn mowers smoke because too much oil is burned in the engine. When the engine is started, it first removes the excess oil that accumulated as a result of the engine oil being overfilled with white smoke.
If this occurs, leave the mower running for 5-10 minutes to burn off any excess oil before returning to normal operation.
What Does Black Lawn Mower Smoke Indicate?
A damaged carburetor is most likely to blame for your lawn mower’s black smoke.
The carburetor in a lawn mower is responsible for regulating the ratio of gasoline to air mixture. If not, unfiltered gasoline enters the engine and is routed through a dirty or clogged air filter.
As a result, your lawn mower will begin to emit smoke, which can be remedied using the suggestions provided here.
How Do You Get Oil Out Of A Lawnmower Exhaust?
An over-filled engine, a dirty air filter, a clogged carburetor, or worn crevices are common causes of oil leakage into the mower exhaust. As a result, draining excess oil from the engine is the simplest way to remove oil from lawnmower exhaust.
Because this is caused by engine oil overflow, it is best to seal worn valves when servicing the mower.
Here’s a quick overview of the causes of lawnmower smoking and the best solutions for lawnmower clippings and smoking after start-up.
OverView Of All The Reasons That Make A Lawn Mower Smoke!
| Color Of Smoke | Cause Of The Problem | Solutions |
| Black Smoke | Disturbance in carburetors and fuel systems | Check the oil level. Fill with the right oil level |
| Dirty or Damaged Air Filter | Clean or Replace the air filter | |
| Problem in Carburetor | Secure the carburetor and adjust a little | |
| White Smoke | Overfill Oil Reservoir | Run the mower for 5-10 minutes |
| Oil Spillage | Secure oil caps | |
| Malfunction of the Head Gasket | Change with a new gasket | |
| Blue Smoke | Faulty Crankcase Breather | Mow on a 15-degree incline |
| Oil Spillage | Clean the oil after filling | |
| Mower tipped over incorrectly | Mow on a 15-degree incline |
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve attempted to cover every possible explanation for why your lawn mower is blowing white smoke, from avoiding the burning smell of riding lawnmowers to starting smoke from the mower.
If none of the above suggestions work, contact a local lawn mower repair service. Have fun while mowing!