Small engine repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What small engine repair is

Small engine repair services gas-powered equipment such as trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, generators and tillers. A pro cleans fuel systems, replaces ignition parts and wear items, and tunes the engine. People usually call when equipment will not start after a season in storage, runs rough, or loses power under load.

Signs you need it

  • The engine cranks but will not start, often after sitting over the winter
  • The engine starts and then dies, or idles roughly and hunts up and down
  • The pull cord is hard to pull, or the recoil spring has broken
  • The engine surges, runs hot, or smokes blue or black
  • Fuel leaks from the tank, the primer bulb or the carburetor
  • The chainsaw chain stops, or the blower loses air flow

What the pro does

  • Check the fuel, the air filter, the spark plug and the fuel lines for age and cracking
  • Drain and clean the fuel tank and the carburetor, including the jets and the float bowl
  • Test the ignition system, including the spark plug and the ignition coil, for spark
  • Inspect the recoil starter, its spring and rope, and replace worn parts
  • Replace the spark plug, the air filter, the fuel filter and the primer bulb as needed
  • Tune the carburetor and run the engine under load to check its performance

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Type of equipment, since a trimmer and a generator have different systems
  • Whether the carburetor needs cleaning or full replacement
  • Ignition parts such as the coil or the module, which can change the repair
  • Age of the equipment and whether replacement is the better choice
  • Brand and model, and whether parts are stocked
  • Whether the fuel system is cracked or the tank must be replaced

What a written quote should spell out

  • Equipment make, model and engine serial number
  • Each service item by name, such as carburetor cleaning, spark plug, air filter and fuel line
  • Which ignition or starter parts are replaced, and the part numbers
  • Whether fuel system cleaning or fuel stabilizer is included
  • Warranty on the parts and the labor, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Did you clean the carburetor and check the fuel lines before ordering parts?
  • What fuel do you recommend, and will the tank be drained for storage?
  • Is the ignition coil or the module the likely fault, and how did you check it?
  • Do you replace the recoil spring and rope, or only the rope?
  • Does the warranty cover the carburetor and the labor?
  • Will you run the engine under load before I pick it up?
  • Is the equipment worth repairing at its age?

Red flags

  • A carburetor replaced without any cleaning or fuel system check
  • No check of the fuel lines for cracks before the unit goes back to you
  • Fuel left in the tank and the carburetor after a repair
  • A quote with a general engine repair line and no part names
  • No test run before the equipment is handed back

What you can do yourself

You can drain old fuel into an approved container, replace the air filter and spark plug, clean the outside of the engine and the cooling fins, and check the spark plug gap. Disconnect the spark plug wire before you work near the blade, chain or cutting head. Do not run the engine indoors or near an open flame, and do not refill fuel while the engine is hot; call a pro for carburetor rebuilds, ignition faults or fuel system repairs.

Licenses and permits

Small engine repair is generally not a licensed trade. Check with your state or local licensing agency or business office for any business license that applies, and electrical work on electric-start equipment may need a licensed electrician.

Small engine repair questions

Why won't my trimmer start after winter?

Old fuel that has gone stale is the most common cause. Varnish in the carburetor and a clogged fuel filter stop the engine from starting. A pro drains the tank and cleans the carburetor.

Should I add fuel stabilizer?

Adding a fuel stabilizer to stored fuel helps prevent the varnish that clogs carburetors. Follow the product's directions and the equipment manual.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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