🔧Appliance

EXCESSIVE SMOKE

John Deere · JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in.

John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. EXCESSIVE SMOKE Error Fix: Excessive Oil Smoke

Blue or white smoke from exhaust. Causes: overfilled crankcase oil, mower was tilted with carburetor side down (oil flows into cylinder — will smoke briefly then clear), worn piston rings, blown head gasket. If smoke clears after a few minutes, it was likely tilt-related.

Medium severity2 fixes available

Quick Answer

Error EXCESSIVE SMOKE on the John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. means: Excessive Oil Smoke. The top-ranked community fix is “Replace Worn Piston Rings or Repair Head Gasket” (hard difficulty, ~120 min, DIY cost: $15-$30). 2 community-ranked fixes available below.

Published February 2026 · 2 fixes · push mower

Content is based on manufacturer service documentation, community repair experience, and OEM technical bulletins. Always verify with your owner's manual.Learn about our editorial standards.

When to Call a Professional

While many push mower repairs can be done safely at home, consider hiring a qualified technician if:

The repair involves electrical wiring, gas lines, or refrigerant
You've tried the top-ranked fix and the error persists
You smell gas, see sparking, or notice water leaking
The repair requires specialized tools you don't have
Your appliance is still under manufacturer warranty

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $200-$350.

Other John Deere Models with Error EXCESSIVE SMOKE

E130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

JS46 Walk-Behind Mower 21 in.

push_mower · 2 fixes

S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

S130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

S240 Sport Lawn Tractor 21.5 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

X570 Multi-Terrain Tractor 24 HP 48 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

Other John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. Error Codes

BLADE WON'T STOP

Blade Won't Stop When Released

2 fixes

DECK CLOG

Grass Clumping Under Deck

2 fixes

DIES UNDER LOAD

Engine Stalls When Cutting

2 fixes

ENGINE SURGES

Engine Surges or Hunts

Fuel Leaking

Starter Cord Hard to Pull

Excessive Vibration

Oil Leaking

People Also Ask About John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. Error EXCESSIVE SMOKE

What does error code EXCESSIVE SMOKE mean on a John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in.?

Error code EXCESSIVE SMOKE on the John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. means: Excessive Oil Smoke. Blue or white smoke from exhaust. Causes: overfilled crankcase oil, mower was tilted with carburetor side down (oil flows into cylinder — will smoke briefly then clear), worn piston rings, blown head gasket. If smoke clears after a few minutes, it was likely tilt-related.

How do I fix error code EXCESSIVE SMOKE on my John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in.?

The most successful fix is "Replace Worn Piston Rings or Repair Head Gasket" (hard difficulty, ~120 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $15-$30. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

Is error code EXCESSIVE SMOKE on a John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. serious?

This error is rated medium severity. It should be addressed soon, but your appliance may still function in a limited capacity.

Can I fix John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. error EXCESSIVE SMOKE myself?

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Replace Worn Piston Rings or Repair Head Gasket") is rated hard difficulty and takes about 120 minutes. Tools needed: Socket wrench set, Torque wrench, Piston ring compressor, Screwdrivers, Feeler gauge.

How much does it cost to repair John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. error EXCESSIVE SMOKE?

DIY cost: $15-$30. Professional repair typically costs $200-$350. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

What other error codes does the John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. have?

The John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. has 8 other known error codes, including: BLADE WON'T STOP (Blade Won't Stop When Released), DECK CLOG (Grass Clumping Under Deck), DIES UNDER LOAD (Engine Stalls When Cutting), ENGINE SURGES (Engine Surges or Hunts), FUEL LEAK (Fuel Leaking), and 3 more.

Which other John Deere models have the EXCESSIVE SMOKE error?

Error code EXCESSIVE SMOKE also appears on 7 other John Deere models: E130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in., JS46 Walk-Behind Mower 21 in., S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in., S130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in., S240 Sport Lawn Tractor 21.5 HP 42 in., X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP 42 in., and 1 more. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.

What other error codes does the John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. have?

The John Deere JS26 Self-Propelled Mower 190cc 21 in. has 8 other known error codes:

BLADE WON'T STOP — Blade Won't Stop When Released (2 fixes)
DECK CLOG — Grass Clumping Under Deck (2 fixes)
DIES UNDER LOAD — Engine Stalls When Cutting (2 fixes)
ENGINE SURGES — Engine Surges or Hunts (2 fixes)
FUEL LEAK — Fuel Leaking (2 fixes)
HARD TO PULL — Starter Cord Hard to Pull (2 fixes)
HIGH VIBRATION — Excessive Vibration (2 fixes)
OIL LEAK — Oil Leaking (2 fixes)

Which other John Deere models have the EXCESSIVE SMOKE error?

Error code EXCESSIVE SMOKE also appears on 7 other John Deere models:

E130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
JS46 Walk-Behind Mower 21 in. (push mower) · 2 fixes
S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
S130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
S240 Sport Lawn Tractor 21.5 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
X570 Multi-Terrain Tractor 24 HP 48 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes

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