It’s never a welcome sight when you notice a lawn mower leaking oil and smoking exhaust pipe on your lawn mower. Not only is it concerning, but it often indicates that something isn’t quite right with your machine. So if you’re seeing smoke and signs of oil leakage from your lawn mower’s exhaust, this blog post can help!
Here we’ll cover what could be causing these problems and how to diagnose and fix them so that your lawn mower continues functioning optimally for years to come.
Oil Coming Out of Exhaust Lawn Mower – Issues & Solution
Lawn mower troubles can often cause a pesky oil leak from the exhaust, but luckily several simple causes could be to blame. From tilting it incorrectly or adding too much oil, to clogged air filters and carburettor imbalances – these problems might require some sleuthing skills and detective work on your part to find if they’re at fault. Still, thankfully, all of them have easy solutions.
Potential Causes
If you’re seeing oil coming out of the exhaust pipe on your lawn mower, this is likely indicating an issue with your engine. The most common cause of oil leakage from the exhaust are the following;
An air filter may be dirty or clogged.
The lawn mower’s air filter is located inside the engine compartment and filters the air drawn in for combustion. If this filter becomes clogged or dirty, it can restrict airflow and cause pressure to build up within the engine. This can push oil out through the exhaust pipe and leak oil from your lawn mower’s exhaust.
How To fix it.
To fix this problem, change your old air filter with a new one and ensure it is properly installed. It’s also important to clean or replace your air filter regularly to prevent this issue from happening again.
The oil level may be too high.
Another possible cause of oil leakage from the exhaust on your lawn mower could be an overfilled oil reservoir. If the oil level is too high, this can lead to pressure building up in the engine and forcing oil out through the exhaust pipe.
How To fix it.
To rectify this issue, drain excess oil from your lawn mower’s reservoir until it reaches a safe level. Ensure you refer to your owner’s manual for the proper oil capacity.
Oil Leak From the Engine
If you notice oil leaking from your lawn mower’s engine, then this is likely an indication that one of your gaskets or seals within the engine has worn out. The most frequent cause of this issue is wear and tear over time. The filter housing may have come loose, or an O-ring might have been damaged.
How To fix it.
To solve this issue, you must replace the worn-out gasket or seal with a new one. It’s also essential to ensure that any other seals or gaskets are in good condition and not leaking before using your lawn mower again.
Worn Bearing
If you notice smoke coming from the exhaust pipe of your lawn mower, then this is likely an indication that your engine bearing has worn out. The bearings support the crankshaft and connecting rods within the engine and can become damaged over time due to wear and tear. The engine will make a noise, and smoke will come from the exhaust pipe when the bearing has worn out.
How To fix it.
The only way to fix this problem is to replace the worn engine bearing with a new one. Make sure you use an original manufacturer’s part to ensure that your lawn mower continues functioning optimally for years to come. You can also check the engine oil level to ensure it is at the correct level and not too low.
Faulty Oil Filter
Another potential cause of oil leaking from the exhaust of your lawn mower is a faulty oil filter. The oil filter filters out any debris or contaminants that could damage the engine. If the filter has become clogged or damaged, then this can lead to oil leakage from the exhaust pipe and cause issues with your lawn mower.
How To fix it.
To fix this issue, replace the old oil filter with a new one and ensure it is correctly installed. It’s also essential to inspect your oil filter periodically and ensure it is in good condition and not clogged. If you’ve newly changed the oil in your lawn mower, checking the filter and providing the old oil has been completely drained is essential.
Carburetor Imbalance
The carburetor on your lawn mower provides the engine with the correct fuel/air mixture. If the carburettor becomes out of balance or is not adjusted correctly, then this can lead to oil leakage from the exhaust pipe. Also, This leads to increased fuel consumption as the fuel gets wasted if it is not burned correctly.
How To fix it.
To rectify this issue, you must adjust the carburettor settings according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s also essential to ensure that you use the proper grade of oil in your lawn mower and that it is changed regularly. Regularly cleaning the carburettor can also help to prevent this issue from occurring.
Engine Damage Also Cause Oil to come out of the exhaust lawn mower.
If you find lawnmowers smoking and leaking oil from the exhaust, it could be a sign of more significant problems. If you have an older mower, engine damage is the likely culprit underlying this leakage. Worn valves, damaged piston rings, blown head gaskets, and cracks in the engine block can all allow oil to escape outside its normal channels. If your mower is no longer running as well as it used to, these issues may need to be the first inspection area to determine the cause and find a resolution quickly.
How To fix it.
If engine damage is the cause of the oil leakage from your mower’s exhaust, then you will need to do a complete overhaul of the engine. This requires removing the entire engine and replacing damaged parts, such as pistons, rings, valves, and gaskets. You can also opt to replace the whole engine depending on the extent of the damage. It is essential to hire a professional if you are not experienced with these types of repairs to ensure the job is done correctly and safely.
In addition, it’s essential to regularly inspect your mower and check for any signs of wear or damage to prevent oil leakage from becoming an issue. Maintaining your lawn mower regularly will ensure that it continues to run efficiently for years to come.
White or blue smoke may sign an oil spill on the mower’s engine.
White or blue smoke coming from your mower usually signifies burning oil, which can be caused by:
- Overfilling the crankcase with oil
- Incorrect oil grades
- Operating engine at more significant than a 15-degree angle
- Inoperative crankcase breather
- Crankcase air leak
- Blown head gasket
- Worn cylinder and rings
- Turning/tilting the mower engine on its side for storage, oil change or any other cause.
Note: If the mower’s engine has to be tilted, confirm that the spark plug should be facing upwards or the muffler side is facing downwards to help stop oil from escaping the crankcase.
Other bases for blue or white smoke from engines include:
- Exceeding the engine’s oil capacity shown on the dipstick
- A blocked or crimped breather tube (positioned behind the air filter)
- Damages to the engine cylinder/piston rings
Lawn mower blowing white smoke and leaking oil because of an oil spill is a common problem. It usually happens when the engine has been overworked and needs to be given more time to cool down after use.
Solution
Restart the mower and allow the spilt oil to burn off. As the engine warms up, the oil and any other particles spilt on or near the engine will burn off. It is also essential to check for clogged fuel line connections and replace them if necessary. Also, ensure that there is enough oil in the crankcase and that all seals are intact to prevent additional oil from leaking. Finally, check the air filter and clean it regularly to keep the engine running optimally.
If the problem lawn mower spitting oil out the exhaust persists, take your mower to a qualified technician or service centre for further diagnosis and repair. The technician will be able to identify the root cause of the issue and advise you on an appropriate solution.
An overfull oil reservoir may also cause white or blue smoke.
The lawn mower leak oil from the exhaust and the oil reservoir is overfilled. Too much oil in the crankcase can lead to white or blue smoke, which indicates that it has been forced out of the crankcase and is spilling outside.
Solution
You will need to drain the excess oil from the crankcase to solve this problem. Start by turning off the mower and disconnecting the spark plug wire to prevent accidental ignition of fuel or oil. Then, using a wrench, loosen the drain plug and allow the excess oil to flow out. Once all the extra oil has been removed, replace and tighten the drain plug and refill the motor with the recommended amount of oil.
It’s essential to pay attention to the oil level of your mower to prevent overfilling. Checking the level is a quick and easy task that anyone can do. Remove the dipstick cap, wipe off the stick, reinsert into the reservoir, and then pull it out again to compare the oil level with the “fill” line on the stick. If it’s too high, consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to drain and refill the oil correctly. Doing this periodically will help keep your mower in top condition for a long time.
Solution
Checking the oil level of your mower is an essential preventive maintenance task. To get an exact reading on the dipstick, add about 3/4 of the recommended amount of oil, then check with the dipstick before adding more. You know you’ve added just the right amount when the oil level matches the “fill” line indicated on the dipstick. With improper engine oil, it is possible to experience white or blue smoke coming from your mower while in use – so be sure to consult your owner’s manual for advice on which engine oil to use!
Black smoke may indicate the mower is “running rich” or burning too much gasoline.
Black smoke from your lawn mower’s exhaust is a sign that something is wrong – it could mean your engine is “running rich” or burning too much gasoline. This can happen for a few reasons, such as the carburettor needing to be adjusted due to age, wear, an obstruction in the fuel line, or the tank being overfilled.
Overfilling the tank can cause liquid fuel to be drawn into the carburetor and discharged in large amounts. To prevent running rich issues, ensure your carburetor is adjusted correctly and pay attention when refueling so you don’t overfill the tank.
Final Words:
In conclusion, there are a few reasons why your lawn mower may be spitting oil out of the exhaust. To prevent this from happening, take the time to check the oil level and replace it when needed. Also, pay attention to fuel line connections and replace them if necessary. Additionally, ensure that there is enough oil in the crankcase and that all seals are intact to prevent additional oil from leaking. Finally, regularly clean or replace your air filter for extra protection. These steps will help ensure your mower runs smoothly and efficiently for years.
If you still have issues with your lawn mower leaking oil from the exhaust, take your mower to a qualified technician or service centre for further diagnosis and repair. The technician will be able to identify the root cause of the issue and make any necessary repairs. With proper maintenance and care, your mower will be back up and running quickly.
Thank you for reading this article on how to fix a lawn mower spitting oil out of the exhaust. We hope you have found it helpful and informative. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help!
Douglas Mackalie is a Founder of Mackalies Garden. He is one of the most exciting people you’ll ever meet. He has 25 years of experience in horticulture and gardening, most of which he’s spent outdoors getting his hands dirty.