Small Equipment Repair: Tips and Guidelines

Small engines make our lives easy in many different ways. They supply power and enable snowblowers, lawn mowers, generators, pumps, and other equipment to work. But what if your snowblower doesn’t throw snow like it should or the lawn mower suddenly stops working? One of the best things about small engines is that repairing them isn’t as complex as they seem to be. To ensure optimum performance, it’s best to have the basic knowledge of small equipment repair, how these engines work, and what to do when they don’t. 

Read on and learn about the common problems you may encounter with your small engine and solutions to address them. 

Small Engine won’t Start

  • Inspect the spark plug. Check for signs of wear or damage. Replace the spark plug if an electrode is burnt or damaged, the porcelain insulator is cracked, or there is a buildup of carbon at the electrode. You can also try to check if the spark plug is defective by using a spark plug tester.
  • Check if the carburetor is clogged. If it is, clean it with a carburetor cleaner. But if this step doesn’t work, consider replacing or rebuilding the entire carburetor.
  • A defective ignition coil will not allow the small engine to start, so make sure it is working properly. Test it with an ignition coil tester and replace if necessary.
  • Take a look at the flywheel key and see if it’s broken. If it is, have it replaced immediately.
  • Your small equipment won’t start if the recoil starter assembly is defective. Inspect it to find out if it’s working properly. Otherwise, it needs to be replaced. 
  • Use a multimeter to check if the safety switch is defective.
  • Is the start switch working intermittently? Have it replaced. You can also use a multimeter to test it for continuity. The same thing can be done with the on and off switch. 

Small Engine Difficult to Start

  • Check the spark plug for damage. Use a spark plug tester to check if it is defective. A spark between the tester’s terminals should be visible. Otherwise, the spark plug needs to be replaced.
  • To keep fuel tank pressure under control, air is allowed to enter the gas tank through a small vent. However, the air won’t be able to enter the gas tank if the fuel cap vent is clogged. This will result in increased pressure in the gas tank which will make the engine more difficult to start. Try to loosen the gas cap. If it does the trick, it means that the gas cap vent is clogged. In this case, it needs a replacement. 

Battery keeps draining

  • To keep the engine’s battery charged, the voltage regulator sends voltage to the battery from the alternator while the engine is running. If there’s a problem with the voltage regulator, there won’t be enough voltage sent to the battery. As a result, you’ll find your battery draining more quickly than it should. 
  • Another important component you need to check for a quickly draining battery is the alternator. Use a multimeter to test the alternator output and find out if the alternator is defective. 

Small engine stops every few seconds

  • Check if the carburetor is clogged. If it is, clean it with a carburetor cleaner. But if this step doesn’t work, consider replacing or rebuilding the entire carburetor.
  • To keep fuel tank pressure under control, air is allowed to enter the gas tank through a small vent. However, the air won’t be able to enter the gas tank if the fuel cap vent is clogged. This will result in increased pressure in the gas tank which will make the engine more difficult to start. Try to loosen the gas cap. If it does the trick, it means that the gas cap vent is clogged. In this case, it needs a replacement.
  • Check the fuel filter and fuel line to ensure neither are clogged and that fuel is able to flow freely. 

It helps to have basic knowledge about small equipment repair so you can run your own diagnostics and get the issue addressed in no time. But if all else fails and you need an expert to help fix your small engine, please visit Greg’s Small Engine.