Small engine repair basics

Let's start with the basics of small engine repair. 

1. Ratchet set

2. Vise grips

3. A propane or map gas torch (this is very useful on stuck and rusty bolts)

4. A clean worksurface

5. Rags 

6. A crescent wrench, which should be used sparingly as they tend to round off bolts 

7. A torque wrench, inch-LB and foot-LB

8. Open and closed face wrenches

9. Different types of screwdrivers

Now that you have the tools you need, let's discuss the basic parts.

The carburetor, also known as the carb, mixes fuel and air to power the engine.

The spark plug is the electrical device that ignites the fuel mix.

The air filter, the air filter is responsible for filtering the air to increase the life of your engine

 And the valves are part of the system that allows fuel and air into the cylinder for combustion.

Let's talk about common small engine issues. 

1. Carburetor problems:  New ethanol fuels tend to clog carburetors when they sit. So, if you've had an engine that has been sitting for awhile, you're probably going to have a clogged carburetor. An easy way to fix this is to hop on Amazon, pick up a carb, spark plug, and air filter kit.

2. Fouled spark plug:  If your spark plug gets fouled, then your engine might not run corectly, and that could be a sign that there are other engine problems.

3. Air filter:  If your air filter gets clogged, your engine will run rich because it doesn't have enough air and that will kill it. Go ahead and replace it.

4. Bad crank seals:  This is kind of a rare; it's where the rubber seal that seals the crank gets torn up or brittle, and for some reason, it makes the engine run like poopy.

5. Bad fuel pump:  This is more common; it's where the pulse pump on the engine, which uses a pulse of positive-negative pressure from the engine to help pump fuel, there's a diaphragm that can dry up, and your engine won't have fuel; sometimes that happens in older vehicles with mechanical pumps that run off the engine. Those diaphragms would get crusty.

Let's discuss some of the experiences I've had.

1. Engine revving to the Moon:  I have a Cub XT2 riding mower with a Kohler KT725, and I like that engine OK, but I’ve had some problems with it. One day it revved to the moon, and all I could find online was to check the governor, but I had a throttle return spring, so it couldn't have been the governor. Finally, I took the carb and airbox off and put them back on. That fixed it, so if that happens to you, do what I did.