How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter. Lawn mower exhaust pipe

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter

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I live in a suburban area where there are no big multi-story buildings – everyone is living in a nice, comfy two-story house with big yards, which means nearly everyone has a nice lawn that requires occasional mowing.

My closest neighbors are some genuinely nice and tolerant people – I have a teenage son who is going through a punk phase right now and is playing drums, a toddler – need I say more? – and I have never had any trouble with what people would consider being quite a noisy family.

I should not be the one to complain about noise, considering my own situation, but, remember my previous post where I said I had lost my job as a home-based teacher due to too much outside noise?

That included occasional lawn mowing and hedge trimming during my classes.

Since then I have done a lot of noise insulation and sound-proofing on my home.

However, the issue of being outside and trying to communicate with someone while half the neighborhood is using lawnmowers at the same time on Saturdays around noon still stands.

For some time I’ve considered convening a neighborhood council and setting up a schedule of lawn mowing for each street, but that seemed like too much to ask of people.

Having understood my concern, my husband has been tinkering with our lawnmower and trying to figure out how to make it quieter and, since I myself love trying out and experimenting with such stuff, I joined him and we have since found out multiple ways of muffling its noise.

If you’re interested in getting a quiet lawn mower, see our reviews of the best in the market here.

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter

Aside from the obvious solution of just getting a bunch of earmuffs for everyone, here are some other ways to solve this problem:

Check the muffler for any signs of damage

Most of the noise lawn mowers make comes either from the blades or the engine itself, so there is not much you can do about it (aside from buying a new engine), but sometimes, there are other issues that cause the incessant roaring.

We have to start from the most basic and the easiest steps: checking the muffler.

My husband was helping a neighbor fix their lawn mower and they came across a muffler that was cracked at the pinch seam.

This problem has a pretty easy and quick fix (depending on how big the crack is): the only thing you need to do is weld it.

Optionally, you can also cover it with some high-temperature spray paint, like the ones you can get from eBay or Amazon for around 20-30.

Although it still can’t make your engine purr like a kitten, it will definitely make some difference.

If the damage is too big, sometimes it might be easier and better to just replace the muffler with a new one.

They also don’t seem to be too expensive and can be bought anywhere in the range from 10 to 40, depending on your lawn mower’s model.

You can also try making your own custom muffler using a tin can of some sort and some screws, but I would not bother with that, seeing as they probably will not last too long and you will end up needing to replace them again.

Speaking of mufflers, it seems like it’s possible to install an additional muffler onto your lawn mower, and it also seems to be very cheap – under 30.

Installing a New Muffle

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process: you attach one to the current position of your muffler and the other one on the air inlet, so you have both ends covered.

Despite not having many options in silencing the deck where the blades are, you can still muffle it a little by sticking some sort of sound deadening mats (albeit you might find them a little too expensive, compared to the other methods) onto it and sealing with a bed liner, similar to what we used in soundproofing the truck cabin.

You might also want to consider using Dynamat, but it is not necessary, as the bed liner can accomplish most of the muffling by itself.

However, keep in mind that sticking anything onto the deck can block the correct airflow and cause damage, so I recommend being careful with this particular method.

Check your exhaust pipe for any signs of damage

Now, if it’s your exhaust pipe that’s causing the noise, you can deal with it the same way you deal with your car’s broken exhaust pipe or, in other words, if the damage is too big – replace it.

If it’s not, you can work around and try with some other fixing methods. Keep in mind that replacing the exhaust pipe might call for a professional’s help.

There are a couple of different types of damage your exhaust pipe could be suffering from: rust is one of the most common reasons metal parts get holes in them, and holes in an exhaust pipe equal a lot of noise.

If the rust has managed to eat its way all the way through the pipe, depending on the size of the hole, you might have to call for a professional to cut out and replace a part of your exhaust.

Easy fix methods for the exhaust pipe

If the hole is still fairly big, but not big enough to require cutting out of parts, you can fix it fairly easily by sealing a piece of aluminum over it with some epoxy – soda or beer cans can do the trick just fine.

Smaller holes can easily be fixed only by using some repair putty or exhaust tape, both of which are fairly cheap – 5 for putty and around 10 for the tape.

Before applying these, make sure you’ve scrubbed out all the dirt, rust, mud and everything with a steel-toothed brush; also make sure you are wearing safety goggles of some sort in order to avoid getting debris into your eyes.

Next up, you will want to use sandpaper to smooth out the surface of the pipe and acetone to wipe it, so you can ensure creating a better bond between the pipe and the patch.

If you are using the tape, you will need to clean the surface all the way around, so it can stick more firmly.

Keep in mind that, depending on the type of the tape you are using, you might need to warm up the pipe a bit – let the engine run for a couple of minutes – or keep the tape wet so it can stick to the surface.

If the hole is fairly small and you are only using epoxy to patch it up, you will need a wooden dowel (popsicle sticks can also do the trick, although they tend to break more easily) to mix it up and apply it to the hole.

Remember, the epoxy cures pretty fast, so you have to be quick with the applying.

Also, make sure the layer on and around the hole is quite thick.

For the bigger holes that need some patching up: there are exhaust repair kits that can be bought, but cutting a piece out of a soda or beer can can do the trick just as well.

Apply epoxy before putting on the patch (you can also apply it over the patch in order to make it stronger).

Alternatively, you might want to wrap the can all the way around the pipe, in which case, aside from sticking it to the pipe with epoxy, you will want to tighten it further with some hose clamps.

For the DIY freaks: you can also make your own exhaust pipes using hex bushings, nipples, elbows, pipes, a drill and some cloth or fiberglass for additional sound muffling effect.

Although I would not recommend it for cars or other bigger vehicles, it can work just fine on a lawnmower.

On Fixing a Noisy Lawn Mower

I’ve presented you with a few ways to make your lawn mower a little quieter.

Aside from all of these suggestions, I would like to point out that, if you are outside – especially if you are the one using the lawn mower – you should definitely put on some earmuffs, as the mower is still going to be loud and losing your hearing over time is an actual problem that happens to people who like it “loud and proud”.

If the noise still bothers your kids or the people inside, aside from these fixes, you should probably consider getting some white noise machines for naptimes (remember to be considerate about the mowing during the siesta!) or just straight out blasting some good music to counter the buzzing.

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter

Noisy lawn mowers disrupting your conversations? Need to fix a noisy lawn mowers? Click here to learn how to make a lawn mower quieter. SIMPLE.

Instructions

• Check The Muffler For Any Signs Of Damage
• Check Your Exhaust Pipe For Any Signs Of Damage

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

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

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.