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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...

27 Oct 2025
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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...

26 Oct 2025
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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...

25 Oct 2025
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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...

23 Oct 2025
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💨 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. READ MORE