Small Engine How-To:
Top 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions

The most common reason why lawnmowers won’t start is because of bad fuel that has gummed up the carburetor. In some cases replacing the spark plug will fix this problem.

The most common reason why lawn tractors won’t start is because of bad fuel that has gummed up the carburetor. Also make sure to check the battery and spark plug!

The most common issue with weedwhackers that won’t start is bad fuel that has gummed up the carburetor. Often the small 2-cycle carburetors on them will require having new diaphragms and new fuel lines installed on the machine.

The most common reason why rototillers won’t start is because of bad fuel that has gummed up the carburetor. Most people only use their rototiller once or twice a year. If left sitting with fuel in them, a rototiller’s carburetor will quickly get plugged up!

The most common issue with snowblowers that won’t start is bad fuel that has gummed up the carburetor. Snowblowers are only used for a few months out of the year and are often left sitting with fuel in them. It doesn’t take long to make the carburetor dirty and plugged!

There can be many reasons why a chainsaw won’t start. The most common issue I see on chainsaws that come into my shop is that they have been sitting with old gas! Similar to grass trimmers, the carburetors on chainsaws will often need a new carb kit as these parts can become hardened with time!

I always recommend premium fuel with no ethanol for all small engine equipment. You can also use premixed fuel in a can for longer shelf life, but it will cost extra.

You will need many tools like wrenches and ratchets, pliers, etc. Make sure to watch all my tool reviews because I personally use those tools everyday in my shop!

The best way to prepare your snowblower for a few months of no use is to completely empty your machine of fuel, if you have a plastic tank. If you have a metal tank, I suggest you leave it full of fuel with stabilizer to prevent the tank from rusting. Watch my video on how to properly summerize your snowblower for full details!

The best way is to completely empty your machine of fuel, if you have a plastic tank. If you have a metal tank, I suggest to leave it full of fuel with stabilizer to prevent the tank from rusting. Watch my video on how to properly winterize your summer equipment for full details!

This is usually because fuel has been sitting in the generator for a long time. Since generators aren’t used that much the fuel will go bad and gum up the carburetor!

The most common reason for this is that most generators need to be “flashed.” Another common reason is that the capacitor may need to be replaced.

Watch my video on how to flash a generator for full details on this procedure.

The most common reason for this is a worn out auger belt. Other factors may be that the auger cable and auger belt idler pulley need to be adjusted.

When people bring their lawnmowers to my shop with this issue, the most common reason for it is that the blade has been installed incorrectly. Also make sure to get your blade sharpened regularly!

As with lawnmowers, the most common reason for this is that people have installed the blade incorrectly. Also make sure to get your blade sharpened regularly!

Other factors can include worn out belts and the deck belt tension cable.

No, it is not necessary, but using them may prolong the fuel life in your equipment and also prevent expensive carburetor problems.

This is usually caused by a bad bar and chain. If the groove in the bar is getting wider, this in itself can cause your chainsaw to not cut properly. Also a chain that is not sharpened properly will cut poorly and crooked!

The most common reason for this is a plugged bar oiler hole. The second most common reason is a bad oil pump.

This problem can usually be fixed by cleaning and sometimes replacing the carburetor with a new one.

The most common cause of this problem is a bad spark plug! Second is a bad ignition module, and sometimes re-gapping the spark plug or ignition module (coil) may solve the problem.