I'll try to post the most common issues I run into here, along with some tips and tricks that have worked for me over the years. Please leave yours too!
Issue #1: Gas left in machine for an extended period. This seems to be the #1 cause of the problems most home owners are having. Small engines do not like ethanol. If left in the fuel line, the carburetor becomes clogged and can no longer function properly, resulting in a potentially costly repair. Problem is, ethanol is added to most gasoline available now. What to do? Use a fuel stabilizer like this one: Sta-Bil Marine Formula Ethanol Treatment . Also, even with a good stabilizer, it's a good practice to empty the fuel tank and burn any remaining gas out of the carburetor if your machine is going to be in storage for more than 6 months. Do these simple things, and more than likely your machine will start when you need it to.
Conclusion: If you don't use a good stabilizer in your small engine, you are looking for carb trouble.
Conclusion: If you don't use a good stabilizer in your small engine, you are looking for carb trouble.
Issue#2: Oil: lack of or too much of. Or simply adding, but never changing. Any of these things can and will wreck your machine. I repaired a push mower yesterday that was only 7 years old. The pull cord was all locked up, very hard to pull. I checked the oil level. There was a little oil in there, but it looked like tar and was about the same consistency. The sparked plug was covered with carbon. After stripping the machine down and exposing the head cylinder, piston and valves, I was amazed to see that it was completely caked with carbon buildup. Amazingly enough, the cylinder wasn't scored, so I was able to grind off the carbon deposits and save the machine. What had caused all of this? The owner never changed the oil. Yes, he checked the oil level regularly, but simply added oil instead of changing it.
Conclusion: Don't forget to check your oil level every time before running your machine. And change the oil, at least once a season, depending on how often you use it. Click here to see: How to change your lawn mower oil.
Issue #3: Air filter. In lawn mowers, blowers, and trimmers, this is a common issue I run into. The owner simply forgets or doesn't know how to check and clean the air filter. So dust, dirt and grass builds up until the machine can no longer breath. Then it won't start, or becomes very hard to start and will not idle properly. Fortunately, the solution is simple. Just remove the air filter cover, remove the filter and blow it out with compressed air.
IMPORTANT: When removing and cleaning the air filter, be very careful not to let any of the dirt and dust from the filter get inside the carburetor. So clean the filter well away from the carb, and cover the carb with a clean cloth while the filter is off.
Conclusion: If you are having trouble starting your machine or keeping it running, check the air filter. Click here to see: How to change your lawn mower air filter for a common push mower.
Conclusion: Don't forget to check your oil level every time before running your machine. And change the oil, at least once a season, depending on how often you use it. Click here to see: How to change your lawn mower oil.
Issue #3: Air filter. In lawn mowers, blowers, and trimmers, this is a common issue I run into. The owner simply forgets or doesn't know how to check and clean the air filter. So dust, dirt and grass builds up until the machine can no longer breath. Then it won't start, or becomes very hard to start and will not idle properly. Fortunately, the solution is simple. Just remove the air filter cover, remove the filter and blow it out with compressed air.
IMPORTANT: When removing and cleaning the air filter, be very careful not to let any of the dirt and dust from the filter get inside the carburetor. So clean the filter well away from the carb, and cover the carb with a clean cloth while the filter is off.
Conclusion: If you are having trouble starting your machine or keeping it running, check the air filter. Click here to see: How to change your lawn mower air filter for a common push mower.
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