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

The Definitive Checklist for 100-Hour Mower Service

As a small engine repair pro, you know the drill: your clients rely on their lawn mowers—whether push, zero-turn, or tractor—to keep their yards pristine. A well-maintained mower doesn’t just cut better; it lasts longer and breaks down less.

While the owner’s manual has the basics, we’re going beyond. A 100-hour service is more than an oil change; it’s a deep-dive that prevents costly breakdowns during the peak season.

Here is the definitive, pro-level checklist for your clients or your own shop, designed to keep those engines humming past the 100-hour mark.

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25 Oct 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Reviews , ,

2-Stroke vs. 4-Stroke: The Simple Truth About Engine Maintenance

For the small engine mechanic, the air is thick with the buzz of two-strokes and the low rumble of four-strokes. They may both be combustion engines, but when it comes to keeping them running, they demand two entirely different approaches—and two different toolboxes.

If you service everything from leaf blowers and chainsaws (often 2-stroke) to lawnmowers and portable generators (often 4-stroke), understanding these maintenance disparities isn’t just helpful—it’s crucial for efficiency, cost management, and customer satisfaction.

Here’s a breakdown of the key maintenance differences between 2-stroke and 4-stroke small engines.

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

🥶 Winterizing Your Blower: A Step-by-Step for Long-Term Storage

The leaves are finally gone, the weather is turning cold, and your faithful leaf blower is ready for a long winter’s nap. Don’t just toss it in the shed! Improper storage is the number one killer of small engines, leading to gummed-up carburetors, rusted pistons, and frustrating spring startups.

Whether you run a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke model, proper winterization is essential for a seamless start next season. Here is the definitive, step-by-step checklist for putting your blower into safe, long-term storage.

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

💨 Blue Smoke vs. White Smoke: An Exhaust-Based Diagnostic Guide for Small Engines

When you fire up your lawn mower, snow blower, or trimmer, the exhaust pipe tells a story.1 While a puff of vapor on a cold morning is normal, persistent, colored smoke is your engine sending a distress signal.

For small engines, the color of the smoke can quickly diagnose a problem, saving you from a costly guessing game. This is your essential guide to decoding what those plumes mean for your 2-stroke and 4-stroke equipment.

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