How to Tune up a Small Engine
When you tune a small engine you help to extend the life of the engine and increase its performance level. Taking your small engine to a local repair shop to have the job performed can take weeks to complete and is often times quite expensive. Completing the job yourself can save you a decent amount of time and money.
What You'll Need:
- Hammer
- Screwdrivers
- Open-end wrench
- Feeler gauges
- Needle-nose pliers
- Sockets
- Starter clutch-removal tool
- SAE 10W 30 motor oil
- Oil drain pan
- Funnel
- Nut driver
- Spark-plug wrench
- Engine tune-up kit
- You'll first need to unplug the spark-plug wire from the spark plug. Completing this ensures that the engine will not start while you are working and cause any injuries.
- Now you can begin the process of changing the oil. Position a drain plug just below the plug then completely remove the drain plug. Allow time for the oil to completely drain before replacing the plug. Typically, small engines hold about 20 oz. of oil in them.
- Using the start clutch removal tool, remove the starter clutch. Once it has been removed you should clearly see the flywheel.
- Next, remove the flywheel by placing the wheel puller onto the two holes and screwing the shaft until it connects to the crankshaft. Using a wrench, continue turning the shaft until the flywheel becomes loose. Once the flywheel has been removed, remove it from the crankshaft and take out the shear pin inside.
- Remove the cover from the points and the condenser using a screwdriver. Use your hand to turn the crankshaft until the points and the condenser both move apart as far as possible. Take out the screw from the spacer that is holding it in place followed by the spring.
- Using the spring compressor found within the small engine tune-up kit, compress the spring and remove all the wires within. Take out the compressor and install the new points and condenser by following the previous steps backwards.
- Remove the spark plug using a spark-plug wrench and replace it with a new spark plug. However, don't connect the wire until you are finished with the project completely. Follow the manufacture's directions to correctly gap the new spark plug.
- Remove both the screw on the top as well as the carburetor, once removed you'll see the air filter. Replace the filter with a new one and replace the top of the carburetor.
- Replace all the parts that were removed from the small engine per the manufacture's directions to test it. If for some reason the engine does not start up, re-check your steps to ensure you have followed them correctly.