Car Sounds Like A Lawn Mower (Solutions)

Driving a car that sounds like a lawn mower is irritating, particularly as you can’t wear air protection headphones. Hearing loud noises can make the driver and passenger panic as well.

So, if you want to discover the underlying source of loud noise and reduce this embarrassing sound, read on.

I have listed the most potential reasons a car sounds like a lawn mower, along with simple solutions and approximate repair costs. We have also discussed some tricks to help you make car driving peaceful.

Why Does My Car Sound Like A Lawn Mower?

If your car sounds like a lawn mower, there can be lots of things gone wrong including the exhaust and tires, bearings and transmission. Each problem has a unique way to diagnose and solution.

1. Car Exhaust Leak

Exhaust carries very hot chemicals that put stress on them. As a result, the exhaust expands and shrinks and can produce a sound like a lawn mower.

If this is the reason, you’ll frequently hear the lawn mower-like sound when starting or accelerating the car.

To determine the leak, you have to check the exhaust system physically. If the exhaust leaks, you’ll feel harmful gases in the air and fumes in the cabin.

Exhaust Leak can increase car sound

Another way to determine the exhaust leak is to walk around the car, keeping it parked with the engine running and brake on. Try to find out the location of the noise. You may also need to crawl down around the car.

Pro tips: an exhaust pipe runs the engine to the tail pipe at the car’s backside. You can check this pipe at the first step. Another pipe you can check is the flex pipe placed under the engine. You can also check the catalytic converter, but be careful as it gets extremely hot.

While you can fix the flex pipe at a relatively costlier price, the catalytic converter may cost you the most.

2. Timing Belt

If your car’s timing belt gets loose or worn out, it can produce a loud sound like the lawn mower. To fix this problem, simply tighten the belt or replace it if it becomes unusable. Otherwise, it can cause damage to the other components of the engine and cost expensive repair.

3. MAF Failure

If your car’s engine sounds like a lawn mower and the check engine light comes on at a time, the MAF failure can be responsible. The light can be solid at first and may start blinking and shudder.

Mass Air Flow (MAF) failure

It can also throw up a solid CEL, making your car rough. To determine the problem, check the ignition coils. You can use an OBD 2 scanner to check the source of the blinking.

To fix the problem, you can run codes or flatbed to repair if you can’t diagnose. It can happen due to a misfire on the cylinder.

4. Blown Head Gasket 

The head gasket keeps engine oil and coolant from leaking into the cylinders and other parts. The engine can boil and break the head gasket if it becomes extremely hot. As a result, the blown head gasket can produce a very irritating loud sound like a lawn mower.

It can also let harmful gas into the vehicle. The car can slow down, and the engine can get damaged, which costs expensive repair.

To solve this problem, take your car to an expert mechanic, as it may need to replace the gaskets. Ensure the engine has the right amount of coolant to keep the head gasket in good condition.

5. Failed Wheel Bearing

Wheel bearings reduce friction while the car is moving. However, wheel bearings are prone to rust, particularly if you don’t grease them regularly. Hence, when turning and making heavy movements, your car may sound like a lawnmower.

Failed car Wheel Bearing

Wobbly steering wheel, rough tire wear, and the car pulling to one side during driving are the common signs of damaged wheel bearing.

A broken wheel bearing can block the car’s axle and make mobility impossible. It can end up causing harsh accidents.

To solve this problem, replace bad wheel bearings. Lift the car from one side and turn the opposite wheel slowly to hear a cracking metallic or squeaking noise. If you hear any noise, the wheel bearing gets damaged and requires replacement.

6. Worn-out Car Tires

Older tires wear out and can’t withstand friction like the new ones. As a result, it can make a growling sound like a lawn mower. Damaged tires can also reduce road grip and damage the brake system.

Apart from hearing sounds like lawnmowers, you can have difficulty controlling the steering, particularly on slippery roads. To fix this issue, check your car’s tire functionality. Replace the tire if it wears out.

7. Old Differential Fluid

Differential fluid reduces friction in the gearbox and needs to change every 30,000 miles depending on the car’s manual.

The aged differential fluid can also produce noise like a lawnmower and overheat the gearbox. Hence, the gearbox can break down and prevent you from making turns when driving.

Old Differential Fluid

To solve this problem, first, determine whether your vehicle uses front or back differential fluid. Then, change the gear to the location of the fluid and listen carefully. If the fluid aged, replace it. You can also prevent this problem by changing the fluid regularly and on time.

8. Car Engine Misfire

Your car’s engine can misfire if its cylinders fail to create power. The cylinder can be damaged for many reasons, including a faulty oxygen sensor, blocked spark plug, and clogged fuel injector. Hearing sounds like lawnmowers is also a sign of an engine misfire.

Driving with an engine misfire can stop your vehicle suddenly and cause catastrophes. To diagnose the engine misfire, listen to your vehicle’s sound.

If you hear an unfamiliar sound, it’s the engine misfire. Since an engine can cause a misfire for plenty of reasons, you should get the aid of an expert to solve the issue successfully.

9. Spark Plug Issues

A spark plug ignites the fuel and mixture in the engine. If it gets damaged, your vehicle can sound like a lawnmower.

The common signs of a faulty spark plug are the rough running of the car and hearing unusual noises. If your car spark plug gets damaged, you must replace it with an expert mechanic.

10. Damaged Catalytic Converter

If the catalytic converter is blocked or damaged, it can make noises and restrict exhaust flow.

11. Loose or Broken Exhaust Components

Noise also rises as shaking loosens parts that cause extra noise, like detached heat shields to rattle.

Effective Ways To Reduce Loud Car Noises

If your car’s engine is in optimum condition and other components are okay, it shouldn’t produce unusual noise.

Luxury cars can effectively reduce the number of decibels to make driving smooth and quiet. However, you won’t have to run a fancy car to enjoy comfortable riding.

Along with troubleshooting for those potential reasons, making some simple changes can turn your noisy car into a peaceful one.

Make Sure the Major System Functioning Properly

If you want to reduce the noise inside of the car’s cabin, direct work on the source. If you hear clunking, grinding, squealing, scraping, or rattling noise when idle or running the car, one of your car’s parts isn’t functioning properly.

The engine, exhaust system, and suspension system can be responsible. In addition, make sure the car has enough oil and you have changed the fluid regularly.

Check the Car’s Sound Reducing Parts

Most cars use sound reduction devices to keep the noise level as low as possible. Make sure your car’s device is functioning properly. The car’s manufacturer installs flame-retardant pads under the hood to reduce engine heat and noise.

These thick pads absorb sound before entering the cabin. In the auto repair shop, sometimes mechanics remove the damaged pad instead of repairing or replacing it. So, it’s worth ensuring your car’s pad is in place and working properly.

Other components are rubber windows and door seals. If these weather strips are damaged or misaligned, they can leak water, air, and noise. So check these rubber components and repair them if required.

Lubricate Suspension Parts

Oiling joints and other moving parts can dampen loud suspension members regularly.

Maintain Your Tires

Tires with uneven or worn treads can cause too much road noise. Proper maintenance, which includes checking pressure and rotating tires regularly, can minimize noise.

Install Sound Deadening Insulation

Sound-deadening insulation is one of the key differences between luxury cars and baseline economy cars. However, you won’t have to be stuck with loud noise even if you have an economy car. B-quiet and Dynamat supply sound-reducing materials, particularly for cars.

Install Sound Deadening Insulation

So you can buy and install sound wave absorbing pads in the firewall, floor, and door cavities to greatly improve decibel reduction.

Use Soundproofing Materials

Add sound-deadening mats or insulation wherever you can on the floor, doors, and trunk to eliminate the engine’s rumbling and noise that comes from outside the car.

You can also install sound mats to the headliner and trunk to get extra results. However, you may require do-it-yourself skills and effort to access these areas and quiet your ride.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Ticking Engine?

The noise reduction cost of a car varies depending on the source of the problem, the locality, diagnosis, and labor charges.

The charge also depends on the auto repair shop you go to repair the car. In Repairpal, you may spend around $88 and $144 for diagnosing the noise problem.

Below is a table of the approximate cost of repairing various components of the vehicle:

Components NameApproximate Cost
Oil change$50 to $150
Synthetic oil filter$65 to $125
Conventional oil filter$35 to $75
Timing belt$400 to $1000
Spark plug$115 to $200
Bearings$900 to $1500
Loud exhaust$150 to $400
Bearing issuesabout $350
Worn Out Tires$110 to $750
Faulty Head Gasket$1,000 to $2,000
Loose Belts$150 to $200
Engine Misfiring$100 to $1000

How To Prevent Car Sounds Like A Lawn Mower?

Here are some tips to prevent your car from sounding like a lawnmower:

Inspect the Muffler: The sound can be loud if the muffler is damaged or rusted. You should repair or replace it if it is needed.

Check For Exhaust: Check for holes or cracks in the exhaust system. Seal or replace any damaged parts.

Maintain the Engine: Regular oil changes and tune-ups keep the engine running smoothly, reducing unusual sounds.

Replace Worn-out Components: Worn engine mounts or components can cause excessive vibration. Inspect and replace where possible.

Upgrade Your Muffler: Consider installing a performance muffler to minimize noise while maintaining engine efficiency.

Monitor Tire Condition: Tires unevenly worn or otherwise defective in tread or construction can make the vehicle sound noisy. Ensure that your tires have the correct amount of air and that the tread and other components are properly maintained.

Inspect the Air Filter: As with any machine, if the engine struggles with airflow due to a dirty air filter, it will make more noise. Replace the air filter regularly for cleaner air.

Lubricate Moving Parts: Ensure that suspension and engine components are well-lubricated to reduce noise from friction.

Implementing these steps will help keep your car running quietly and smoothly.

FAQs on Car Sounds Like A Lawn Mower

Why Does My Car Sound Like A Lawn Mower when I Accelerate?

If your car sounds like a lawn mower when accelerating, the exhaust system may get a leak. Worn or loose pistons may also cause this noise. Whatever the reason is, take the car to the mechanic to diagnose and fix the problem. 

Why Does a Car Sound Like a Lawn Mower when Idling?

It sounds like a lawn mower, and rough idling at a time indicates a damaged spark plug. In addition, you can also experience engine jerks or rough runs while driving.

Car Sounds Like a Lawn Mower and Stops

If your car sounds like a lawn mower and dies, the cylinders may not fire. It can happen due to faulty ignition coils, bad spark plugs, or the car getting older.

What Should I Check If My Car is Making Loud Noises?

Search for leaks in your exhaust and any busted mufflers, and check the engine. Look at your tires and any parts that might be worn down, adding noise.

Can I Fix the Lawn Mower Sound in My Car Myself?

Some issues, such as filter replacement or checking the tire pressure, can be solved for home use, but other problems, such as an exhaust system repair, for example, will need to be handed over to professionals.

Final Words

Hope you understand why your car sounds like a lawn mower and how to reduce the irritating noise. But after hearing the loud sound, don’t panic and bring the worst scenario.

Instead, try to diagnose the underlying source at your home garage or take the car to the nearest auto repair shop. Don’t overlook this sound like a lawn mower. Remember, the more you delay solving the problem, the more expensive the repair will be.

My name is Henry Roberts and I am an experienced car mechanic with over 15 years of expertise in the automotive industry. I am currently running a Auto Repair Shop in Denver, Colorado. I have been servicing and repairing vehicles at my shop, where i have built a solid reputation for my skill and knowledge. I am passionate about sharing my automotive knowledge through blogging and my goal is to provide accurate and helpful information to car owners to keep their vehicles in perfect condition.

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