How to Troubleshoot a Small Gas Engine That Won't Start
- Put on the safety glasses. Remove the gas cap and check that there is gas in the fuel tank. ...
- Look at the spark plug and check that the wire is securely plugged onto the plug. ...
- Remove the air filter by unsnapping its box-like cover or removing the wing nut that holds it onto the carburetor.
Full Answer
How to troubleshoot and repair any small gas engine?
Product details
- Publisher : Tab Books; 1st edition (September 1, 1985)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 262 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0830619674
- ISBN-13 : 978-0830619672
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 0.7 x 5.1 x 8.2 inches
Why is my small engine not getting gas?
- Gas level too low
- Gas tap off
- Blocked gas tank
- Blocked gas filter
- Blocked float needle
- Blocked carburetor jet
- Blocked gas lines
Why will a small engine not start?
The ignition coil not working properly may be another reason why a small engine won’t start. The ignition coil is what sends voltage to the spark plug and if it’s confirmed to be defective, you need to have it replaced. Sometimes, it’s not an internal problem with the small engine but rather it might be the switch.
How to repair small engines?
Mountain Top Small Engine Repair is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. For questions, call 681-404-6096. Reach me at [email protected] 304-367-2549. TRENDING
How do you troubleshoot a small engine?
0:132:03Small Engine Troubleshooting: Why Won't My Engine Start? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOver time your carburetor can become clogged especially if you leave fuel in your engine for longMoreOver time your carburetor can become clogged especially if you leave fuel in your engine for long periods of time use carburetor cleaner to clean it up and reinstall it onto your engine.
What is the first thing that needs to be identified when troubleshooting a small gas engine?
Most small engine problems are fuel related, so that's the first thing to check. Is there fuel in the tank and is the tank shutoff valve open? While this may seem obvious it is likely every owner of a small engine has, at one time or another, tried to start it with an empty tank.
What are the 5 systems in a small gas engine?
Small gas engines are made up of individual systems that work together to produce power. Each system has many components. Internal combustion gasoline-powered engines require six systems: fuel, exhaust, ignition, combustion, cooling, and lubrication.
How do you make a small engine run again?
3:4610:42Tips on Starting Small Engines that Haven't Ran for a While - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull your spark plugs out ground it out and crank it over and watch for spark when the plug. AndMorePull your spark plugs out ground it out and crank it over and watch for spark when the plug. And this one you're going to do that on both sides. If you got spark. You might have a stuck valve.
Can you use WD 40 as starting fluid?
0:001:05will WD 40 work instead of starting fluid? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut it works one of the most common fuel delivery problems are the jets in the carburetor. So youMoreBut it works one of the most common fuel delivery problems are the jets in the carburetor. So you could even use the wd-40 to clean up the carburetor.
How do you test a small engine carburetor?
0:5711:19HOW-TO Pressure Test A 2 Cycle Carburetor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you look at this carburetor here it's got two connectors one is for the impulse. And one isMoreSo if you look at this carburetor here it's got two connectors one is for the impulse. And one is for the intake of the fuel. So now grab your tester connect. The line.
What are the two main types of small gasoline engines?
Small engines are categorized by their engine process, which means there are two different types of small engines: 2-stroke and 4-stroke. Both types may be powered by gasoline or diesel fuel.
What are the main components of a small engine?
Basic Parts of a Small EngineThe Cylinder.The Cylinder Block.The Blower Housing.The Flywheel.The Cylinder Head.The Pistons.The Connecting Rod.The Head Gasket.More items...•
How do you clean small engine points?
0:092:54How To Clean the Points in an Older Model Briggs Engine. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut i'm just opening the points and sticking a piece of very fine sandpaper in between them. AndMoreBut i'm just opening the points and sticking a piece of very fine sandpaper in between them. And then you hold the points closed.
How do you start an engine that has been sitting for years?
4:1611:27How to Start a Car That's Been Sitting for Years - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i won't forget it now all we need to do is fill the engine with oil grab a funnel. And an awesomeMoreSo i won't forget it now all we need to do is fill the engine with oil grab a funnel. And an awesome tip is to pour the oil from the container.
What can I spray in my carburetor to start my engine?
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 start or fire with spray fuel, you probably have an ignition system problem, most likely a bad ignition coil.
What would cause a small engine not to start?
Disconnected, dirty or fouled spark plugs are common causes for engines that won't start. For small engines, spark plugs typically need to be replaced every season or after 25 hours of use. You should also check to make sure the spark plug gap is set correctly.
How do you start a small gas engine?
0:395:34Honda vs. Briggs and Stratton ; how to start a small gas engine ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipQuickly at the beginning the second thing every gasoline engine needs is a spark. And this is aMoreQuickly at the beginning the second thing every gasoline engine needs is a spark. And this is a spark plug with the boot attached to the internals of the engine.
How do you start a gas engine?
If the tank has fresh gas and you've primed the carburetor and set the choke but it still won't start, it's time 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 it for signs of carbon buildup or oil deposits.
What is the most popular of all small gas engine fuels?
GasolineGasoline is the most popular small engine fuel.
Which is the least likely cause of an engine to hunt and surge at top no load speeds?
Small Engine Certification Reveiw flash cardsAB(T/F) A lean air/fuel mixture can cause an engine to hunt & surge at top no-load speed.True(T/F) A blocked carburetor bowl vent can cause an engine to hunt & surge at top no-load speed.True99 more rows
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Top reviews from other countries
An excellent book on pre electronic ignition small engines . Some may consider this book to be of no use , but there are still a lot of old small engines being used because if they are maintained that tend to last a really long time .
Most Common Problems
The Repair Clinic troubleshooting system was designed to help you with small engine repair, starting with accurate diagnostics. Choose from our list of symptoms—maybe your lawn mower won’t start or when it does, it sputters or shoots out blues smoke—and we’ll sell you the parts that will fit your model.
The Right Parts for the Job
We carry more than 4 million parts from over 175 major brands, so chances are, we've got the part you need.
Is your fuel fresh?
Stale, untreated gas begins to break down after about a month. Drain the gas from your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment, and then replace with fresh gas and fuel stabilizer to extend the life of your fuel.
Is your Carburetor clean?
The carburetor regulates how air and fuel move through the engine. A dirty carburetor can cause poor engine performance or starting problems.
Is your Spark Plug faulty?
Disconnected, dirty or fouled spark plugs are common causes for engines that won’t start. For small engines, spark plugs typically need to be replaced every season or after 25 hours of use.
Are you having Ignition problems?
If your spark plugs look good, problems with your ignition system can also be preventing a spark.
Is your Engine's Exhaust smoking?
If the engine is emitting white or blue smoke, this means your engine is burning oil. Check our Engine emits white/blue smoke while running FAQ for assistance.
Why won't my small engine start?
Determine why your small engine won't start by checking your fuel levels, spark plug, carburetor, valve & compression levels and more. Follow along to troubleshoot and learn when it's best to service your engine.
What happens if you don't have proper valve clearance?
If there isn’t proper valve clearance or there’s a leak, this can cause compression problems that keep an engine from starting. You can perform a compression system with a leak down tester. If you don’t have one of these, we recommend visiting your Briggs & Stratton repair dealer.
Why do spark plugs fail?
Spark plugs can fracture internally after being dropped or during heavy vibrations, the electrode may be improperly gapped, or the ignition module/spark plug wire might be faulty.
What to do if your car won't start after replacing spark plugs?
If after you replace the spark plug the engine still won't start, check the ignition module.
What is a tune up for a carburetor?
For the most part, a tune-up is as simple as: washing down the machine, changing the spark plug, oil, fuel filter and air filter, and giving the carburetor a good cleaning.
How to tell if engine is flooded with gas?
The easiest way to tell if your engine is flooded with gas is to remove the spark plug.
What is the most important part of an engine?
Often overlooked, the mighty air filter is one of the most critical parts of the engine. If you think about all of the debris it will encounter from blades of grass to shards of wood, all it takes is an inconceivably small amount of dirt to become shrapnel in the engine to render it useless. If you want your engine to last, be sure to perform ...
How do engines work?
In order to easily diagnose problems, it helps to first understand how an engine actually works. Engines roar to life through a process called combustion. Combustion is nothing more than a controlled explosion that creates your engine's power, turning it into a usable mechanical force to get work done.
Why does my car smoke white?
White smoke coming out of the engine can be caused by incomplete combustion where un-burnt fuel is being exhausted. A more serious problem is oil leaking into the cylinder as a result of worn piston rings or, worse still, a cracked engine block. For this fix, we'll concentrate on tuning-up your equipment.
