How to Clean the Exhaust on a Tecumseh Lawn Mower

Turn off the lawn mower and let it cool for four hours. Place a cloth over the muffler and rotate the muffler in a counterclockwise direction to remove it.

Remove the cylinder head by turning the screws that connect the cylinder head to the lawn mower in a clockwise direction, using a screwdriver. Place the cylinder head in a safe place. It will be reinstalled after cleaning.

Insert a three-eighth-inch wooden dowel into the exhaust and exhaust ports. Scrape the inside of the exhaust with the dowel to remove carbon deposits located inside the exhaust. Carbon deposits are black tar-like liquids coating the inside of the exhaust. Carbon deposits clog the air flow from the combustion engine, which causes smoke and damage to the engine.

Soak a soft cloth with carburetor cleaner. Insert the soft cloth into the exhaust. Let the soft cloth absorb the carbon deposits for three minutes. Twist the soft cloth inside the exhaust to loosen the carbon deposits. Remove the soft cloth from the exhaust. Let the carburetor cleaner dry for 10 minutes.

Blow compressed air into the exhaust. Insert the tube onto the compressed air can. Aim the compressed air along the inside walls of the exhaust to loosen any additional dirt, dust and debris.

Remove the remaining carbon deposits with the wooden dowel. Place the cylinder head back onto the lawn mower and insert screws to secure it. Place the muffler back onto the lawn mower and turn it in a clockwise direction to secure it.