The smoke comes out the top like the recoil area if that helps. And the fire was mainly outside the motor, caught dry grass on the deck on fire, but I could hear and see unburnt fuel lighting off so I suspect the flame could have traveled back into the motor some.
This lawnmower has hit a good bit of stuff, if that makes a difference. It doesn't run the same as it used to after it hit a stump once. I got an idea why that is, but that's not my concern really. I'm just worried it's gonna blow up one day and blow my legs off (probably would look cool, but then the grass wouldn't get cut again).
