Tricks to Get a Small Engine Running Again
How to Get-go a Small Engine
Updated: February. 03, 2022
Give your starter-cord arm a rest while you run these basic diagnostic tests
When a small engine won't start, the usual suspects are bad gasoline, a corroded or plugged carburetor, or a bad ignition whorl.
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Introduction
You can fix any of these problems yourself hands, cheaply and rapidly. Yous'll not only salve lots of money but too skip the hassle of hauling your backyard mower, snow blower, pressure washer or whatever to a service eye and home once again.
Typical professional person repairs start at near $100. But if you do the work yourself and gild the replacement parts online, you tin can commonly save enough to justify replacing parts even if you're not certain they're bad. (Psep.biz is one source of discount small-engine parts.) We'll cover a few bones tests, explain how to social club parts and show y'all how to replace a carburetor, an ignition gyre and a recoil starter. You can supersede any defective parts in just a few hours with bones paw tools.
Bank check the basics outset
Photo one: Give information technology a blast of fuel
Remove the air filter and shoot a one-second burst of an aerosol petroleum-based lubricant (not starting fluid, silicone or Teflon spray) directly into the carburetor pharynx. Try starting. If the engine starts and then dies, that confirms you've got a fuel problem.
Engine problems may have their root in something very uncomplicated. If your machine has a shutoff valve, check that starting time to make sure it's in the On position. Next, make sure the engine has fresh gas. If the gas is more than 30 days old, replace it with fresh, stabilized gas. Next, cheque the air filter to make sure it'due south non clogged.
If the tank has fresh gas and y'all've primed the carburetor and set up the choke just information technology still won't outset, it'due south fourth dimension to remove the spark plug. If the spark plug is wet with gas, it proves the engine is getting fuel. Dry off the plug with compressed air and examine information technology for signs of carbon buildup or oil deposits. Check the gap to brand sure it's within specs.
If you accept any doubts about the plug'south condition, replace it—they're inexpensive. If the plug is dry, it's a sign of a fuel problem and near likely a messed-up carburetor. Shoot a substitute fuel (WD-40 or Pb Blaster Lawn Mower Tune-Up) into the carburetor throat and then try starting the engine (Photo 1). If it won't first or fire with spray fuel, y'all probably take an ignition system problem, most likely a bad ignition coil. Notwithstanding, if it starts and dies, that proves the ignition is working and the problem is fuel starvation.
Check the fuel filter first by disconnecting the fuel line from the filter to the carb. Gas should run out. If information technology doesn't, supervene upon the filter. If gas flows freely through the filter, then the problem is within the carburetor.
Testing an ignition coil is a bit trickier. To practice information technology correct, you demand a modest-engine spark tester. Holding the spark plug boot close to the engine to bank check for spark isn't a reliable exam because a bad coil tin can produce a spark in open air but neglect when the cylinder is nether pinch. If you lot own several small engines, it may pay to purchase a tester To learn how to utilise it, read How to Test an Ignition Ringlet. However, since the tester costs almost every bit much every bit a new scroll, replacing the coil without testing may exist the way to go.
Discover the right parts
Photo 2: Shoot the model and serial numbers
Shoot a digital photo of the engine model and serial numbers and date of manufacture, besides as any other engine data on the characterization. You'll need that info to order parts.
Lawn and garden tool manufacturers often use several unlike engine brands for a certain model, so you lot can't buy parts based on the model number of the mower or snow blower. Instead, you need the engine model and series number and the date of manufacture to find the parts. This Toro backyard mower, for example, was congenital with a Tecumseh engine, while a different Toro mower may exist congenital with a Briggs & Stratton engine. Nosotros found the Tecumseh engine information on a label (Photo two). Just other brands may postage stamp the numbers into the engine block, valve embrace or engine shield.
Once you have the engine information, locate a parts list and exploded diagram by entering the make and model number into a search engine. Notice the engine manufacturer'due south part number and enter that into a search engine to find the lowest cost or nearest seller.
Carb rebuild vs. new carb
Photograph 3: Supervene upon the carb
Tighten a C-clench on the gas line or turn the shutoff valve to Off. And so remove the fuel line and two carburetor concord-down bolts. Rotate the carburetor to disconnect the throttle linkage. Reverse the procedure to install the new carburetor.
These days we don't recommend rebuilding a carburetor. Showtime, a make new carburetor from a discount online seller normally costs less than a rebuild kit and a saucepan of carburetor soaking solution. Plus, rebuilding a carburetor is time consuming and doesn't ever work, especially if the internal parts are corroded.
Once y'all have the new carburetor in manus, remove the old ane and bandy in the new unit (Photo iii). After y'all reinstall the fuel line and prime the engine, it should start right up.
Replace an ignition coil
Photograph four: Remove the former scroll
Remove the ii coil retaining screws. The instant they're loose, the coil will snap confronting the magnet on the top of the crankshaft. Catch the scroll and yank it off the magnet.
Photo five: Install the new coil
Set the new coil in place and snug the retaining screws, but don't tighten them all the way. Marshal the crankshaft magnet to the center of the coil. Gear up the air gap using a business card as a gauge. Move the coil in and out until you feel a slight drag on the card. Then tighten the coil screws. Check the gap once more. If it'south right, reinstall the engine shield and cover.
If you've determined that you have a weak spark or no spark, become alee and buy and install a new coil. Start by removing the plastic engine cover and setting information technology aside. So lift off the gas tank and remove any engine shields to admission the ignition coil. Remove the sometime roll (Photo 4). Then install the new coil and set the air gap (Photo five).
Supersede a recoil starter
Photo 6: Supplant the recoil starter associates
Remove the engine encompass retaining screws and lift the cover off the engine. Adjacent, remove the recoil assembly hex-head screws. Then lift off the former unit and drop in the new one. Reverse the procedure to reinstall.
If the starter rope is broken, you tin can buy a recoil rebuild kit for about $15. The kit contains a new rope, dogs and dog springs. Setting the proper spring tension can be tricky, and if you get it wrong, y'all'll intermission the spring and have to replace the entire unit. Frankly, we recommend skipping the rebuild and simply replacing the unabridged recoil assembly (Photo half-dozen). It'south much faster, and the complete assembly includes a new housing and bound (set to the proper tension).
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before yous start—you'll save time and frustration.
Y'all'll also demand a blower zipper for the compressor (or canned air) and a newspaper clip.
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials fix ahead of time. Here'southward a list.
Originally Published: Nov 27, 2018
Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/two-cycle-small-engine-start-up-tips/
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