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Earl's Yard ServicesBlog2025October
31 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , ,

Oil Change Rule: Match SAE Viscosity to the Weather

If you own a small engine—be it a trusty lawnmower, a powerful pressure washer, or a reliable generator—you know the key to longevity is proper maintenance. While keeping the fuel fresh is important, the lifeblood of your engine is the motor oil.

Walk into any hardware or auto parts store, and the wall of oil bottles can be overwhelming. The most crucial decision you’ll face is choosing the correct SAE viscosity. Getting this right is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your machine.

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30 Oct 2025
Stihl FS130 brush cutter 1
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , ,

Fuel System Fix: Renewing Your Weed Trimmer’s Lines and Filter 🌿

Your string trimmer, or “weed whacker,” is a workhorse, but its tiny two-stroke engine is extremely sensitive to fuel delivery issues. Over time, the clear lines inside and outside the fuel tank become brittle, crack, or—most commonly—get stiffened and dissolved by ethanol in modern gasoline.

If your trimmer runs for a few seconds and then dies, bogs down under load, or if you see cracked lines near the primer bulb, it’s time for a vital, budget-friendly repair: replacing the fuel line and filter. This simple fix often revives a seemingly dead trimmer!

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29 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines ,

🔥 Understanding & Preventing Carbon Buildup in 2-Stroke Engines

That powerful, high-pitched whine of a 2-stroke engine—whether it’s on a chainsaw, trimmer, or leaf blower—is unmistakable. But that unique engine design, which burns oil mixed with fuel, has a primary enemy: carbon buildup.

Carbon deposits are the black, sooty, sticky residue left over from the incomplete combustion of fuel and oil. Over time, these deposits choke off vital parts of your engine, leading to frustrating performance issues.

Here is a deep dive into what causes carbon buildup and, more importantly, how you can prevent it and keep your 2-stroke running at peak power.

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28 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines ,

Ethanol vs. Non-Ethanol: The True Impact on Small Engine Gaskets

The debate over Ethanol-blended fuel (E10) is one of the most persistent topics in the small engine repair world. While much of the discussion focuses on water absorption and carburetor clogging, there’s one component that quietly takes the brunt of ethanol’s chemical power: the gasket.

For mechanics and informed equipment owners, understanding how E10 fuel interacts with sealing materials is key to preventing costly fuel system failures and engine downtime.

Here is the definitive look at the true impact of ethanol on small engine gaskets and seals.

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27 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , , ,

How to Clear a Flooded Engine in Under 60 Seconds

It’s a frustratingly common scenario: you go to start your lawn mower, pressure washer, or generator, and it just cranks and cranks, refusing to catch. You might even smell gas. Chances are, you’ve got a flooded engine.

A flooded engine means there’s too much fuel in the combustion chamber, making it impossible for the spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture. The good news? For most small engines, you can often clear a flooded engine in under 60 seconds and get back to work.

Here’s your quick-fire guide to resolving a flooded engine.

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