Causes of Smoking Lawn Mower and How to Fix It
For any homeowner who mows their lawn regularly, subsequently, they’ll notice smoke coming from their lawnmower. Naturally, that is an alarming thing to word. But extra frequently than not, a smoking lawn mower isn’t serious and the trouble may be constant quite easily.

Smoking Lawn Mower
Of path, it’s critical to discover what’s causing your mower to smoke. Knowing the reason will help you decide if it’s nonetheless secure to apply. In today’s Gardening pool article, We’ll provide an explanation for the most common motives why garden mowers smoke. Then We’ll tell you how to repair the trouble of Smoking Lawn Mower.
Let’s get to it!
Is a Smoking Lawn Mower a Big Problem?
Usually, when a garden mower smokes the issue is minor and could go away on its very own.
However, if it doesn’t solve by way of itself, and takes place alongside engine trouble, it could be vital to take your mower in for restore.
So how do you already know in case your mower has a big problem or a minor one?
The coloration of the smoke is the maximum vital fact that permits you to research what the issue is with your mower (and how to repair the hassle).
What Should You Have Before You Start?

Smoking Lawn Mower
Before we dig into diagnosing the hassle, here are a few things you have to have in case you’re making plans to repair your mower yourself:
- Owner’s Manual
- Cool Mower (don’t burn yourself)
Remember – earlier than you start any repair on your mower, it’s essential to seek advice from the person guide to your precise lawn mower.
We understand – no one likes to study the instructions. If you’ve owned your mower for some time you could no longer be able to discover your user manual.
But significantly – take a minute to drag it up online. It’ll prevent a while, and make solving your mower tons faster (and more secure).
And eventually, earlier than you attempt to restore your mower’s engine, supply it some time to chill off so you don’t burn yourself.
Go have a lager and make a PB&J. It’ll make the complete manner go better in case you’re fed and nicely lubricated.
Lawn Mower with Blue or White Smoke
Whenever blue or white smoke billows out of your lawnmower. Generally manner the mower is burning oil that’s spilled onto the engine or into the combustion chamber.
What Causes Lawn Mower with Blue or White Smoke?
There are many reasons why this happens, and it is most typically because the oil has overflown.
Tilted the Mower for Maintenance – Some mowers can leak oil if tilted on their side for upkeep.
Mowed on Especially Hilly Terrain – If the mower turned into used on a fifteen-diploma incline or more, it is able to leak oil in an equal manner.
Recently Filled the Oil Reservoir – If an excessive amount of oil becomes introduced, more oil can leak and be burned.
Recently Filled the Gas Tank – If you delivered an excessive amount of gas whilst you filled your tank, some can also have spilled to your motor, so as to burn off.
Bought a New Mower – Sometimes there’s leftover oil residue in new mowers, so in case your ultra-modern mower is smoking a bit, this can be why.
Typically, those issues contend with themselves, and you’ll notice that your mower will forestall smoking in 16 minutes or less.
If you simply added oil and think you overfilled it, it’s clean to test. Once the mower has cooled, eliminate the oil dipstick, wipe it, and reinsert it to get an accurate level.
When Blue or White Smoke is a Bigger Issue
If the smoke persists after 16 minutes of strolling your mower, it’s possible which you have bigger trouble with the engine.
This may want to mean the seals on the combustion chamber have worn and oil is leaking into it.
My high-quality bet is that either there may be an air leak inside the crankcase or that the cylinder and earrings are worn.
It can also be a problem with the top gasket, which means it’s either blown or wishes to be wiped clean. These troubles will probably want professional renovation through a small engine restore carrier. Damage to the cylinder and piston jewelry also can create a leak.
If the troubles still continue beyond your repairs, it is able to suggest a serious mechanical difficulty with the mower.
What to Do Next
But earlier than you panic, test in case your mower remains underneath assurance to be repaired on the nearest servicing supplier. Any trouble relating to a manufacturing unit defect or bad workmanship would possibly have its maintenance covered without a value to you, and a number of the principal garden mower brands will make it right for you in a few manners.
If you don’t have luck with assurance declare, a good small engine restore organization might be greater than capable of making all the essential upkeep. If you have an amazing mower, this could be a less expensive and smarter use of money than buying a new mower.
Lawn Mower with Black Smoke
When there’s black smoke coming out of your mower, it’s because the gas and air combination is not balanced.
The combination is too wealthy, and the gasoline isn’t getting enough air to finish combustion. The unburnt gas in the combustion chamber turns to smoke because of the lack of air stream.
Quick Fix to Lawn Mower with Black Smoke
- Black smoke is maximum in all likelihood due to the fact the air filter out is dirty, that is an easy repair.
- With a push mower, your air filter is probably located at the side of the mower. It’s normally in a plastic box that’s screwed or clipped into place.
- If you have a foam filter out for your mower, it could be removed and wiped clean with soap and water. Paper filters can be wiped clean with a vacuum or compressed air.
Some filters are disposable and want to be replaced with a brand new filter. We update us annually as part of my spring mower protection routine.
- Make sure there are no obstructions inside the breather tube, which is placed in the back of the filter out. This and the muffler also can clog if the filter is grimy.
- After disposing of the clear out, use a wire brush to easily within the pipe. After cleansing and replacing the filter, start the mower returned up to and permit it to run.
If the Air Filter Isn’t Causing Black Smoke
If your mower starts off evolved again up, however black smoke persists, regulate the carburetor to make a leaner gas combination.
You could have this carried out at a small engine repair service. You can do it yourself by eliminating the carb and turning a screw (generally). Consult the proprietor’s manual for greater unique directions with your mower.
If Your Black Smoking Lawn Mower Won’t Start
If your mower smokes black after which isn’t beginning. There’s more occurring than an air filter out or carburetor problem.
When the engine doesn’t begin, test the spark plug. Either cleaning or replacing it will probably restore the issue. This is a job everyone can do with the proper wrench.
Use a socket wrench to unscrew the plug. If you take a look at thick deposits at the plug, that’s probably the source of the difficulty. Remove with the use of sandpaper or a report. Or simply update the spark plug (it’ll fee about $9 at your neighborhood box shop).
Why this Fix Works

lawn mower
A mower that produces a variety of black smoke has issues jogging at complete energy. The smoke creates a carbon building up in the engine. After a tremendous period of buildup, the carbon buildup prevents the spark plug from beginning the ignition. This is why you may get the engine jogging after cleansing or replacing the spark plug.
Now You Know How to Fix a Smoking Lawn Mower
It’s frightening on every occasion your mower starts off evolved to smoke. But more regularly than no longer, smoke will clear on its personal.
Usually, it’s due to an oil leak or spill, or dirty air clears out, though if the fixes detailed in this article don’t resolve the problem. You may have larger issues or greater continual troubles.
Hopefully, these answers help you get your mower to stop smoking, however, if the problem persists. There’s no disgrace in getting an opinion from an expert small engine to restore the carrier.
It’s normally plenty more low priced than shopping for a brand new mower.