Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [small-engine]

Engines used in applications such as lawn mowers, go carts, chain saws, compressors, small pumps, generators, garden tractors, and string trimmers. Frequently hand (pull) started and without an electrical system beyond the spark plug. Technically there is an overlap with motorcycle / scooter engines, but for questions related to motor cycles or scooters those tags are preferred.

159 questions
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How to install muffler gasket on chainsaw?

How to install muffler gasket on chainsaw? Do I simply put the gasket on? Do I need to apply gasket sealant/sealer, oil, or grease? I have a Husqvarna 450 Rancher chainsaw. The old gasket between the muffler and the heat deflector plate melted, so I…
XP1
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Weed eater doesn't cut weeds anymore

I have a curved shaft 25cc 2 stroke Troy-bilt weed eater model #Tb32ec. I was using it to cut down some tall grass and it just quit cutting. It never bogged down or stalled out. I made sure that the string or grass did not get tangled up in the head…
joey
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Small engine air return to gas tank

I've got a gasoline powered generator - it was dying after running for a while, and I've finally figured out it's because the engine is starving itself of gas. If I slightly open the fuel cap, I can see the fuel bowl refilling through the lines, and…
Brydon Gibson
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Most appropriate small engine to rebuild for learning purposes?

I'd like to rebuild a small motor to 1) refresh my memory of how four-stroke motors work, and 2) teach my sons how they work. Which engine is: relatively inexpensive (< $200 used) requires only common tools (e.g. wrenches, socket set, screwdriver,…
Eric R. Rath
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Recommended maximum amount of time to allow a small engine to sit without being run

I recently ordered a small 2 stage snow blower. I live in the midwest US and some winters we don't get a lot of snow, so it's possible that I could go a whole winter without running the snowblower. I have heard that it's bad for an engine to just…
Frank Henard
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TO hone, or NOT to hone,,, That is the question

I have one of those motorized bikes. I got it as a gift and it was used. I went to torque the head bolts one day and found out the studs were glued in with that weld stuff(brand withheld), and one had broke loose. I decided to rebuild the engine and…
skintech
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Power from magneto (for LED)

I've got a lawnmower engine on a hovercraft and I'd like to power the headlight on it without a battery. I understand there isn't an "alternator" per se in these engines, but there's a magneto that provides power to the ignition coil so that the…
Brydon Gibson
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Electric motor replaced with Gas engine

I have a vacuum that that currently powered by a 3 phase 5 HP electric motor. Currently I cannot power this vacuum with a generator, I would like to convert this vacuum to a gas engine instead. I know that I need to match RPM, shaft diameter,…
Travis Pettry
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My like-new chainsaw is stalling-out in a very weird way, hoping to know if I should try adjusting Idle or L-adjustment first?

It's stalling-out when idled, it'll let me use it pretty indefinitely it seems. I've got other 2-strokes that bog-down and stall-out when idling (opening the choke a little usually keeps them going, doesn't seem to help my chainsaw though), however…
user50109
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Small Gas Engine Throttle

I have a small gas engine without a (human usable) throttle control system. I want to fix this oversight. I have located the throttle system on the engine, and figured out if I push it one way it revs up and the other it revs down. Now, these…
Jonathon
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Weed eater dies when idling or not at full throttle, but is near catching fire at full throttle

As the title says, my weed eater dies unless I run it wide open. If I release the throttle, it will die flat out without hesitation. Running it wide open causes it get red hot. It melted part of the inside of the plastic engine cover during my last…
JLDN Admin
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True/False - For small 2-stroke powertool engines (chainsaws etc), the muffler is inherently restricting power

Title should be clear but I cannot get a straight answer so hoping you guys&gals can help, I am talking about the "standard" type of small 40-100cc handheld internal combustion 2-stroke engines that power everything from handheld blowers to…
echo590fan
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My Coleman CT200U, has white smoke and what seems to be oil coming out of the exhaust ,

My Coleman CT200U, has white smoke and what seems to be oil coming out of the exhaust , would this be a piston ring issue ?
DERRICK J MACNEIL
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Briggs & Stratton 7.5 hp wood chipper loses power after an hour of runtime

My Sears woodchipper with a 7.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine cranks up great even after sitting for months (I use gas stabilizer). Then it works fine for about an hour...then starts losing power/rpm (sound of engine changes). If I move the choke…
Organic Marble
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I have a small 196cc 6.5 horse power engine

I am using this motor in a small pit bike. And was wondering why there was 2 oil spots. I was told on is for the motor oil and one is a white merky fluid but dont know what to look for. Please help.
Josh
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