Riding lawn mower exhaust. How to Make Lawn Mower Quieter

How to Make Lawn Mower Quieter?

David Ogbonyomi. 11 Jun 2020

I love mowing my lawn because nothing beats a home that has a beautiful and well-trimmed lawn. However, I was always reluctant to mow my lawn whenever I remember the noise produced by my lawn mower and also the complaints I received from my neighbors about my mower disturbing the entire environment. I had to find solutions and ways to make my lawn mower quieter.

Most lawnmowers are generally loud, and some produce noise as loud as 90dB, which is above the recommended level of noise for the ear. As much as it is possible to purchase a mower that produces less noise, not everybody can afford this luxury.

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Here are some of the methods I use to achieve this:

Start with the Muffler

Most mowers have a muffler that is usually installed on the exhaust. This muffler helps in channeling sound that is produced by the engine through a noise-canceling chamber. A crack in the gasket seal between the muffler and the exhaust can lead to poor or no cancellation of the noise produced. It is, therefore, important to check the muffler when you notice your mower is noisy. This can be done by;

• Locating and removing the muffler from the exhaust to check for cracks and debris on the gasket.
• Peeling of the debris from the gasket or replacing the gasket if there are cracks on it.
• Pay attention to the dimension of the muffler you buy—shorter mufflers and generally noisier than longer mufflers.

Install an Engine Silencer

This is very helpful, especially with combustion engines. Engine silencers help in reducing the noise produced during combustion. There are two different types of engine silencer you can make use of; the reactive silencer, which is connected to the engine exhaust and helps in reducing low to mid-level noise, and the absorptive silencer which has fiberglass insulation that makes it a perfect option for reducing the noise of very high frequency. There is also an upgrade of these two, and that is known as the combination silencer. As the name implies, it is perfect for the noise of any level.

Check the Deck

Making use of soundproofing materials can help in producing a quiet deck and also in reducing the noise that comes from the rock pings, blades, and also from vibrations.

These are the methods I made use of and this is because of the complaints I received from my neighbors. There are other ways to achieve this, especially if you are trying to make the mower quieter for your reasons. You can make use of hearing protection gears when mowing. There are several ear muffs with great soundproofing qualities you can make use of. Another option is to buy a quieter mower. This is the best option, especially if you are unable to go through all the processes I’ve listed above. They are methods I used, and I’ve gotten the results I needed

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Lawn Mower Muffler is Clogged: How to Tell What to Do

The muffler is one part of a gas mower that no one really pays attention to or appreciates until something goes wrong with it. You see, a muffler’s primary job is to reduce the amount of sound that your lawn mower produces. Whenever anyone asks “how can I make my lawn mower run quieter?” the #1 suggestion I would give is to check whether the muffler is damaged. If it is, replace it. If not, can you upgrade the current one to a better one? The muffler also has a second (and very important) role, which is to prevent exhaust sparks that could potentially ignite any dry debris that has made its way into the engine.

Some of the most common signs that a lawn mower muffler is clogged are a sudden increase in the amount of sound your mower produces, leaking exhaust fumes, a sputtering engine, and increased fuel usage.

Symptoms of a Clogged Lawn Mower Muffler

Before I get to explaining what you should do if your mower’s muffler is clogged or damaged, you first need to determine that it is in fact clogged or damaged. Here are the main signs to look out for.

Sudden Increase in Noise Output

As mentioned, the muffler’s primary role is to filter out a lot of the noise that is produced on each exhaust stroke of the engine. The hot gasses that are pushed out of the cylinder on this stroke can make quite a racket.

If you’ve been out mowing recently and suddenly noticed that the sound your mower was making jumped by a few levels, there’s a very good chance that the muffler could be clogged or otherwise damaged. This is not that uncommon after 2-3 seasons of regular use.

Engine Sputters and Stalls

The exhaust fumes are pushed out of your mower via the muffler. If the muffler is clogged, these fumes are not removed as effectively, and if they build up as the mower is running, it can make life very difficult for your engine. It’s not uncommon to see it running a lot rougher than normal and it may even stall.

This kind of symptom could also indicate a problem with your carburetor being dirty/blocked too, so if you clean the muffler out and still see this issue, that’d be the next thing to check.

Mower Using Fuel

Honestly, the increase in sound is the main thing to watch out for, as it’s something you will notice instantly. But another symptom of a clogged muffler that you’ll see over a longer period is that your mower starts to use more and more fuel to do the same amount of work.

This is because with the build-up of exhaust fumes, the engine is forced to work harder and harder, and that requires more fuel. So fixing a clogged lawn mower muffler is not only good for your hearing and the health of your mower, it’ll save you money on fuel costs too.

How to Fix a Clogged Lawn Mower Muffler

You definitely don’t want to continue to run your mower with a clogged muffler, as things will likely go from bad to worse. Running your mower without a muffler is also not an option (without it, exhaust sparks are possible….). That means you’re left with just two options; you clean the muffler or you replace it.

Cleaning a Lawn Mower Muffler

You need to take all of the usual safety precautions before you attempt to inspect and clean your muffler. Let the engine cool down completely and disconnect the spark plug before you do anything else.

Next, you want to remove the muffler from your mower. What this entails will depend on the mower you have, as mufflers can vary quite a bit. On my mower, there are two bolts that have to be removed and then it can be detached.

When a lawn mower muffler becomes clogged, it’s usually the spark arrestor that is coated in soot that has built up through normal use. That part needs to be cleaned or replaced, and to do so you’ll need to disassemble the muffler to get at it. Once you’ve removed the spark arrestor, you can either clean it with a solvent (make sure you submerge it and fully soak it) or take a propane torch, heat it up and you’ll be able to simply knock the soot off afterward.

I have to say that this is not the most straightforward mower maintenance job, and if you’re not confident in what you’re doing, you might want to take it to a pro to handle instead.

Replacing a Lawn Mower Muffler

Once you’ve detached the muffler as per the instructions above, it’s worth taking a minute or two to inspect it to see if it’s actually worth cleaning, or whether a replacement would be a better option.

First thing first. Shake the muffler and see if you hear anything rattling around. If you do hear something, it’s likely that this is an internal baffle that has broken off and is now blocking the muffler’s airways. This needs to be removed. Sometimes it can be removed using a set of pliers, carefully and patiently extracting it through either the inlet or the outlet. If this is not possible, the only option might be to cut the muffler along the seam, remove the loose baffle and then weld the muffler shut again.

As well as the “rattle test”, watch out for signs of the following things in the outer casing of the muffler:

If you spot one or more of these things, and it looks as though your muffler has seen better days, it may be a better idea to retire it and source a new one. Just make sure it’s compatible with your mower and install it carefully. The difference will be immediately noticeable once you fire up your mower.

About Tom Greene

I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the lawn mower guru (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!

Комментарии и мнения владельцев

I just bought a used 2015 42-in cut yard machine with a power more 420cc motor and it runs good but is loud as hell should I replace the muffler and how hard is it to do

Hi Butch! I can’t find a lot of specific information about that model online but given the style of mower it is, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to the muffler to inspect it. Is there any obvious outside damage? As mentioned in the article above, any cracks or rusted-out sections usually indicate that the muffler needs to be replaced. If the outside appears fine, the next step would be to disconnect the muffler so you can inspect it thoroughly. Taking a moment to give it a cursory clean, using the steps mentioned above, can help highlight any “hidden” damage. If there are any “loose” or “rattling” sounds, that’s an additional red flag. If you do decide to go ahead and replace the muffler, replacing it shouldn’t take more effort than getting the original muffler off of your mower. In many cases, there are a few parts that slot together and two or four bolts holding everything in place. In rare cases, there may be a weld, especially if the muffler had been repaired or modified in the past. My mower, for example, only has two bolts. Replacing the muffler, even on a slow day, will only take 30 to 40 minutes. If you do intend to DIY this task, always make sure to disconnect the battery before you start work and ensure that your mower is completely cool and on a solid surface. I hope this helps!

A neighbor gave me a used mower, a Honda push mower 5.5 engine, that he said runs well. But he tried to remove the muffler for some reason and sheared the bolts off. So it was free to me to fix. Project has not gone according to plan and likely won’t accept new bolts now. But, mower does run, and there’s a muffler shield box that covers the muffler. Is there an alternative I could place in that shield box that could act like a muffler that would be safe? Any ideas? Thanks.

Hi Robert, There isn’t much you can do with the shield box, as this will likely disrupt the exhaust flow from the cylinder head and potentially cause issues. The best option would be to use a bolt extractor tool (around 10 from Amazon). This tool will get the old bolt out that has a broken head. Then if the threads are damaged and the hole won’t take a new bolt, you can use a tap and die set (around 20 from Amazon). A tap-and-die set will recut the threads. I’ve used this method a few times on older equipment, and it works perfectly. Best of Luck! Tom.

Oil Coming Out of Exhaust Lawn Mower: Causes and Cures

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you know that exhaust from lawn mowers can be a major health hazard. Not only is the oil smelly and potentially dangerous, but it can also contain harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory problems. If you want to avoid any nasty surprises, it’s important to take note of the warning signs that your lawn mower is emitting oil in excessive quantities.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the different types of oil that come out of lawnmowers, and what you can do to avoid being affected by them.

Oil Coming Out of Exhaust Lawn Mower – Fix Issues

It’s a well-known fact that oil is bad for the environment. We use cleaners to clean up oil spills, and why doctors suggest we stay away from fried foods at good restaurants. But even though we’ve been warned of the dangers, I’ve never seen anyone take it seriously before.

If your lawn mower is smoking and leaking oil from the exhaust, don’t panic. There are several things you can do to troubleshoot the issue. This article provides information on what to do when your lawn mower is smoking and leaking oil from the exhaust and transmission on Briggs and Stratton blowing oil out of the exhaust. By understanding the potential causes of this issue, you can take the necessary steps to fix your issues.

Potential Causes

When you notice oil coming out of your lawn mower’s exhaust, it cannot be easy to diagnose the cause. First, you have to do is check your oil level. If you need more oil, make sure you have a funnel handy and fill up the tank before starting the engine.

If this isn’t the problem, take a look at the following potential causes:

Your air filter may be dirty or clogged

The air filter for your lawn mower is located inside the engine compartment and filters out dirt and debris before it reaches the engine itself.

If you haven’t changed your air filter in a while or if it’s full of dirt and dust, you could have an oil leak from it when you’re mowing your lawns. To fix this problem, change out your old air filter for a new one every month or so and clean off any excess debris that may have accumulated on top of it before installing it again.

A spark plug may be loose or damaged

Your belt may be slipping on your motor housing (this will cause a squealing noise)

Oil Leak From the Engine

If you’ve recently changed the oil on your mower, check to ensure there isn’t a leak on the engine itself. The oil filter housing may have come loose, or an O-ring might have been damaged. You’ll need to tighten the housing or replace the O-ring, but it’s an easy fix.

Worn Bearing

When a bearing wears down, the engine will make more noise than usual. This is usually because the engine can no longer move smoothly due to worn-out parts inside the engine housing.

As a result, you may notice an increase in smoke coming from your lawnmower and an increase in oil leakage from your exhaust pipe.

If you think this might be happening with your lawnmower, check the oil level first and then see if there is any excess oil around any bearings inside the engine housing. If so, this may indicate that one or more parts are worn out and need replacing immediately.

Faulty Oil Filter

Another potential cause of oil leaking from your exhaust pipe could be a faulty oil filter! An old or damaged filter can cause many different problems with how your engine runs and performs over time – including leaking oil into other machine parts.

Air Filter

The air filter cleans the air that comes into your engine, so it shouldn’t cover in oil. If it is, the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. If you’ve recently changed the oil in your lawn mower, the oil may have gotten on the filter and contaminated it. Cleaning or changing the filter should solve this problem.

Briggs and Stratton Blowing Oil Out Exhaust

• If none of these steps work, then it may be time to take your mower into a repair shop for service, as they can diagnose and fix problems like this quickly and easily if they are willing to look at small engines like yours (usually free).

Lawn Mower Smoking and Leaking Oil from Exhaust

A lawn mower is smoking and leaking oil from the exhaust.

The most common problem with a lawn mower is smoking and leaking oil is a worn out or damaged piston ring.

The piston rings are made of rubber so that they will wear down over time. As they wear down, they start to leak oil into the engine’s combustion chamber.

This causes excess smoke that comes out of your exhaust pipe. The other possible cause is that you have a bad valve stem seal or a bad valve cover gasket leaking oil onto your spark plug wires or into their boots.

To fix this problem, you will need to remove the spark plug wires from both sides of your engine by removing their boots from their spark plugs and pulling them off.

Next, locate the leaky piston ring by looking at the bottom side of your engine, where it connects to its crankcase cover (which contains its crankcase).

You should see an oily spot on one side or both sides of this connection if you have worn out piston rings on this part of your lawn mower’s engine.

Final words

If you notice oil coming out of your lawn mower’s exhaust, you can do a few things. First, make sure that the oil comes from the exhaust and not somewhere else on the mower. If it comes from the exhaust, you may need to take your lawn mower in for repairs.This article is meant to be about something completely different. Hope you find the article useful.

A smoking lawn mower is never a good sign. Whether the smoke is blue, white, or black, here’s how to identity and address the issue without the help of a professional.

By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila | Updated Sep 24, 2020 1:40 PM

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Q: Recently, my mower started billowing smoke when I powered it up, so I shut it off immediately. Why is my lawn mower smoking? And is it a fire hazard? I want to know how to proceed so I don’t harm the machine.

A: Your lawn mower can emit smoke for numerous reasons—many of which don’t require the services of an expert. A homeowner can usually identify the reason for a smoking lawn mower by gauging the color of the Cloud coming around the engine, then fix it accordingly before lasting damage occurs. Keep in mind that all mowers with internal combustion engines contain the same basic parts, but the configuration of those parts varies widely, depending on manufacturer and model. Consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure how to access a specific part of your lawn mower’s engine.

White or blue smoke may indicate an oil spill on the engine.

If you’ve recently changed the oil in your mower and the engine is emitting white or blue smoke, it’s possible that some of the oil spilled onto the engine. Similarly, you could’ve spilled oil on the engine by mowing on a slope greater than 15 degrees or tipping the mower on its side. The smoke may look disconcerting, but it’s completely harmless. Solve the problem by restarting the mower and allowing the spilled oil to burn off. If you tip the mower often for cleaning or maintenance, check your owner’s manual to determine the best way to reduce the risk of oil leaks.

An overfull oil reservoir may also cause white or blue smoke.

Ensure you didn’t overfill the mower by checking the oil level with the dipstick located on the reservoir. To do this, remove the dipstick cap, wipe off the stick with a rag, and reinsert it into the reservoir. Then remove the dipstick once again and determine the oil level in comparison to the recommended “fill” line on the stick. If the level is too high, drain the oil (consult your owner’s manual for instructions), then refill the reservoir with it. Start checking the oil level with the dipstick after you’ve added about ¾ of the amount recommended in the manual. Continue to add small amounts of oil until the level matches the recommended “fill” line. Also note that using the wrong grade of engine oil may cause blue or white smoke. Consult the owner’s manual for the exact type of oil recommended for your mower.

Black smoke may indicate that the mower is “running rich,” or burning too much gasoline.

Your lawn mower’s carburetor regulates the ratio of gasoline to air mixture. If the carburetor isn’t getting enough air, the mixture has a higher percentage of gasoline, which can create black exhaust smoke. It’s possible that a dirty or clogged air filter is preventing sufficient airflow into the carburetor. Try replacing the air filter. (Note: air filters vary by mower model; view example air filter on Amazon.) Next, run your lawn mower for a few minutes. If the black smoke still appears, the carburetor might need to be adjusted in order to increase airflow. Either take the mower to a professional or adjust the carburetor yourself with instructions in your owner’s manual.

Take your mower to a repair shop if necessary.

If the previous steps don’t correct blue or white smoke, your mower could have a more serious problem, such as an air leak in the crankshaft (the cast iron or cast aluminum case that protects the moving parts of a mower’s engine). Continuing blue or white smoke could also indicate that some of the engine’s components or seals are worn out and need replacement. Similarly, if black smoking still persists after you’ve replaced the air filter and adjusted the carburetor, you could be facing a more serious mechanical issue. All of these problems require the help of a professional. If your mower is still under warranty, check with the manufacturer for the location of the nearest servicing dealer; problems stemming from a factory defect or poor workmanship may garner free repairs. If your mower is not covered under warranty, a reputable small-engine repair shop should also be sufficient to get the job done.