Hi,

Recently, my JD L110's exhaust became very load, started backfiring when shut down, has a strange odor, and when I lifted the hood I noticed that the muffler and exhaust was glowing red... any ideas?

Thanks!

Your engine is over heating. Check the fan on the top for debris and pressure wash the engine block when it is totally cooled. Spray with a engine degreaser prior to the pressure wash. Have you done any recent work and is oil consumption normal?

I haven't done any work on it. I changed the oil last year, but did not check it this year yet. I was towing a heavy trailer at the time... could that be the culprit?

It could certainly have a affect on the engine. See how well your engine operates with no load, just idling and then during normal operation. If it stays cool I'd skip that heavy trailer. The L110 is a lawn tractor not a garden tractor so it isn't designed for anything much heavier than lawn work.

Well, I started it up today, and it was still very loud, and backfiring... something is definitely wrong. The oil is clean and full, air filter is clean... any other ideas?

Where is the fan on this?

When you raise the hood you should be looking down at a round shroud, the fan is under the screen in the center, clean the screen. How many hours are on this engine? I'm starting to wonder if you haven't blown your head gasket. Do you know how to do a compressuion test? If so do one and come back.

The fan is running. I did a compression test this morning, it was 40, 50, 60, 80 (with each crank), and topped out and held at 80. What does that tell us? I also took a pic of the glowing exhaust, and I'll try to email it to you.. it's too big to post here. Thanks for all your help!

Here's a pic of the glowing exhaust... it ran for about 30 seconds at this point.

Here's another one from further away. This tractor is 3 years old.

Hi,

Recently, my JD L110's exhaust became very load, started backfiring when shut down, has a strange odor, and when I lifted the hood I noticed that the muffler and exhaust was glowing red...any ideas?

Thanks!
Check for intake leaks which lean the mixture out and cause overheating. Check for debris in and around engine. If engine is equipped with an anti-afterfire solenoid, is it connected, and if so, is it working. Muffler could have disintegrated internally and is blocking exhaust, causing the red glow.

I haven't done any work on it. I changed the oil last year, but did not check it this year yet. I was towing a heavy trailer at the time...could that be the culprit?
Best thing to do with a small engine is check the engine oil BEFORE each use. Think about it this way, it only holds approx. 48 oz. that is 1 1/2 quarts, if you are 1/2 quart low, that is really bad because you do not have much oil to begin with.

Just curious, what ended up being the cause for the glowing exhaust pipe?

Did you check your spark plug if the gap is too wide the engine can miss fire. Also check the muffler and see if the clamp is tighten and the bolts are secure if the muffler is loud that means too much air is entering into the chamber, also what grade oil are us using? The oil makes a difference on the engine will become sluggish. If your lawn mower is gear driven it should be able to handle some heavy weight, but not advised. The transmission should be able to handle the load if the engine is working properly. If it's belt driven not advised at all. The belts will undo off the pulley.

Did you find out the problem on your lawn mower?