Basic Small Engine Maintenance and Repair Projects

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Chapter 6

• Basic Small Engine Maintenance and Repair Projects

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• Engine oil used in small engines should be
  changed every 25 hours of operation or once per
  season.

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• Used oil and soiled rags should be disposed of in
  accordance to local environmental statutes.

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• Several different steps are required to properly
  remove debris from a small engine.

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• Accumulated grease can be removed from OPE by
  using a degreasing agent and a pressurized water
  hose.

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• A spark plug gauge is used to adjust and measure
  the gap between two electrodes at the tip of a
  spark plug.

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• A spark tester is used to test the ignition
  system of a small engine.

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• A visible spark is present in the window of the
  tester when the ignition system is functioning
  properly.

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• A spark plug is tested for spark miss after the
  ignition system proves to function properly.

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• Dual-element air cleaners are available in a
  variety of designs.

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• An attachment screw must be loosened to remove
  the air cleaner assembly cover on most small
  engines.

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• Foam air-cleaner elements must be saturated with
  engine oil prior to installation.

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• Dual-element air cleaners contain foam precleaner
  and a pleated paper element.

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• Many precleaners have installation instructions
  printed directly on the surface.

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• Air-cleaner cartridge housings should be cleaned
  with a clean, dry cloth instead of solvents or
  compressed air.

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• A muffler that is attached to an engine with
  bolts can be removed by loosening the bolts with
  a socket wrench.

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• A muffler that is screwed directly into an
  exhaust port should have penetrating oil applied
  to the screw threads prior to removal.

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• A threaded muffler can be removed by grasping
  with slip-joint pliers and rotating
  counterclockwise.

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• Hard soot accumulation in a muffler can be
  removed by tapping the muffler body with a rubber
  mallet or on a hard surface.

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• Some lawn and garden tractors are equipped with
  mower decks that can be easily removed or
  installed using a quick-disconnect mechanism.

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• Shear pins are designed to reduce component
  damage by fracturing when the driven member of a
  rigid system requires more power than a disc or
  coupling is able to provide.

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• Two-stage snow throwers typically have skid shoes
  to help provide smooth movement of the snow
  thrower along uneven surfaces.

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• Testing engine compression verifies the maximum
  power output of each piston stroke.

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• Testing a crankcase breather ensures that
  crankcase gases are properly vented.

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• When preparing a lawn mower engine for long-term
  storage, the moving components should be
  lubricated lightly with spray lubricant. Each
  lubricated component should then be actuated to
  spread the lubricant evenly into the moving parts.

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• Prior to long-term storage, the belt drive
  systems of mower deck blades should be examined
  for worn, scorched, or misaligned belts.

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• There is often an idler pulley connected with
  linkage to the clutch pedal of ride-on lawn
  mowers.