Earl's Yard Services
Affordably Priced
To suit your budget
541.292.9595
earlsyardservices@gmail.com
Earl's Yard ServicesBloghow to
13 Nov 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , , ,

Annual Tiller Tune-Up Checklist (5 Steps to Peak Power)

Is your garden demanding attention, but your tiller is giving you grief?

The tiller is arguably the hardest working machine in your entire garage. Unlike a lawnmower, it operates in a constant cloud of dirt, dust, and abrasive debris. This harsh environment means neglecting annual maintenance isn’t an option—it’s a guarantee of lost power, frustrating starts, and expensive repairs.

Don’t wait until you’re wrestling with a muddy field to find out your small engine is running on fumes and old oil. Following this Annual Tiller Tune-Up Checklist is the single best way to ensure your machine fires up on the first pull, tackles tough ground effortlessly, and remains a reliable workhorse for years. We’ll break down the maintenance into five simple phases that will restore your tiller to peak power, ready for the upcoming season.

READ MORE
03 Nov 2025
0 Comments By Earl Gibson Small Engines , ,

Carburetor Tuning 101: Adjusting High & Low Speed Screws 🔧

So, you’ve cleaned your air filter, installed fresh fuel, and put in a new spark plug—but your engine still runs rough. If it struggles to accelerate or idles poorly, you might need to adjust the carburetor mixture screws.

This guide is for small engines that feature adjustable fuel/air mixture screws (often found on two-stroke equipment like chainsaws, trimmers, and some older lawnmowers). Caution: Improper tuning can quickly lead to engine damage. Always prioritize your engine’s health over maximum power.

READ MORE
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!

READ MORE
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.

READ MORE
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.

READ MORE