Small engine and ATV servicing
Hello DN folks,
With us all being technicians and mechanics we are often asked to check out some smaller items like Mowers, ATV's and dirt bikes. I for one do not find it beneath my skills, so I try not turn them away unless they are highly neglected and/or abused. I started my career back in the early 70's as a small engine technician, so this stuff is second nature to me.
The most common issue with most of this equipment is being left sitting for months at a time due to weather or often not being needed. Of course, most of this comes from people taking this stuff for granted until it is needed. In the meantime, the fuel goes bad. As we all know much of this equipment has gotten much more expensive. Some mowers and ATV's now cost the price of a new small used car.
Annually I go through this cycle with much of my own equipment and for many of my regular customers.
First of all, Winterizing all of this equipment is vital. What does that mean? Park it and forget it? NO! It means drain the fuel or run it empty and then pull the plug(s) and put a shot of oil in the cylinder(s), then crank the engine over. Remove the battery and put it in a warm shop on a maintainer while not in use.
Once they are pulled out of storage or uncovered and you or your customer wants to put it back in service, use new non-Ethanol fuel, change the oil and filter has needed. Install the battery and it most cases it should fire up like normal.
But! What if it does not? It is likely residual fuel in the carburetor has turned bad and formed a resin. What then? I suggest using a spray can of Blaster small engine tune up (BlasterCorp.com) and follow the instructions. This stuff works wonders.
Special Notes: Adding new fuel to old does not “renew” the old fuel.
There are other additives out there like Sea Foam and they work well, but they do not renew fuel. Bad fuel is bad fuel! so don't fool yourself.
I have probably tested every fuel stabilizer on the market and have had my best luck with one called Starlink. Most of the others crystallize in a few months' time especially in high temp areas like where I am located here in TX.
If you or your techs are good with small engines, this is great “fill in”, quick turn work, but be careful of heavily neglected or abused units. If you have more than enough vehicle work, then disregard this posting, but I hope it helps at least with your own small engine equipment.
If you work on weed eaters and chain saws keep in mind to remove the mufflers and burn them out with a propane torch to remove excess coking and carbon deposits, it works. I have revived hundreds of them with choked mufflers over the years.
Hope this helps some of you out there.
Correct on all points, Glenn. It's my impression that modern gasoline has a short shelf life. Due to the Pandemic, I never moved my collector cars for nearly two years. Even with stabilizer, my 400+ horsepower engines would barely start and run after 1 ½ to 2 years on the current blends of gas. I have a friend who fails to drain the gas tanks on his lawn equipment, so each spring, I end up…
Hi Gary, Depending on people's location and weather, these problems can be ongoing throughout the year. My area has had very little rain so far this year, so there has been a lot of small engine equipment sitting well over a year. Many have not even had to cut their grass yet. “Zero Scaping” is becoming regular saying. Of course, the politicians are all on the ‘climate change bandwagon’, but we…
Indeed, Glenn. When we were racing, we always covered our fuel jugs and kept them in the shade if possible. Sunlight and heat tends to boil off all the “light-end” components in gasoline, leaving something that's closer to kerosene and far less in octane rating, which can be sudden death on a 14:1 compression engine. A few years ago, I was racing with a champ car team running methanol, which is…
You may believe that Gary, but the fact is, a non-emissions rated, full-size gas powered leaf blower emits more pollution, in one hour of use, than a 2017 Toyota Camry driving from NY to FL, as far as volatile compounds and Nox! There are literally 1 mower for every two people in the country, so, they are a substantial source of pollution. While I agree that they are not a big source of some…
You may believe that Gary, but the fact is, a non-emissions rated, full-size gas powered leaf blower emits more pollution, in one hour of use, than a 2017 Toyota Camry driving from NY to FL, as far as volatile compounds and Nox! Actually, Timothy, I used to cover the technology beat for Parts & People Automotive Newspaper during the 1990s. During that time, I became very well acquainted…
I do know some of your background, and followed you for years, since I joined iatn in 96, under a different username. You, as well as some other log-forgotten and gone others, have helped my education in a lot of ways. My knowledge of chemistry, is confined to just the most basic stuff, and is no way near your technical level. I do have a degree in Electronics, you couldn't get an electronics…
Hello, Timothy. Obviously, small engines without emissions controls are going to produce far more exhaust emissions per gallon of gas than a modern automobile, which was the original intent of the statement. I've read this statement in several different publications and questioned the literal message it provided. I do know from my own experience that modern 2-stroke and 4-stroke small gasoline…
Hi Timothy, The intended subject of this posting is about maintaining small engine equipment so they can actually run more efficiently. Properly maintained and tuned equipment runs more efficient than neglected equipment. Until a fuel source is created that has little or no emissions or environmental waste, this is the world we live in. The best that many can do better at is maintaining their…
Realistically, I am a proponent of propane powered equipment because they have extremely low emissions. Indeed, Glenn. I used to cover Continental Oil Company's (Conoco's) efforts at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. For several years they raced propane-powered vehicles for promotional and research purposes. I forget the specific numbers, but propane emissions are very low and the engines last much…
Hi Gary, I know for certain propane was and still is popular with tree Grove and Citrus operators, but the risk came/comes with untrained people trying to refuel them. Many suffered freeze burns from the propane from not using the proper procedures to connect and disconnect the service line. Even Butane was used for a short time, but they had similar issues and leaks were way too common with…
When I was 12 back in 1975 there was an old man who lived in a small house right behind where I lived at the time. His name was Charlie. Charlie was always tinkering with small engines-Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh, and the occasional Clinton or Wisconsin. Charlie took an interest in me and began to show me how to diagnose and repair these engines. A couple of years go by and I am going to…
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