"AZ Nomad" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:47:54 -0500, dpb wrote:
AZ Nomad wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:22:45 -0400, mcp6453 wrote:
Oren wrote:
On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:09:16 -0400, mcp6453
wrote:

I'd love to learn how to fix small engines, but none of my local
tech
schools offers classes any longer. Are the only courses available
online? It's pretty hard to do a hands-on class online.
Find a free dead engine on Craigslist and resurrect it from the dead.



Too many gaskets and pins for the uninitiated.

That is only true if you're incapable of reading a book and following
instructions.

That would be my suggestion--go to local library and peruse their
collection to see what looks like what you might like for your own.

Or use amazon.com if you're not inclined to travel that far...

There are any number of books on the subject to choose from.

The steps are the same for any gas engine: check ignition, check
fuel, check compression. Any introductory book will start with how to
troubleshoot.


That's what I was gonna say. There's only three things that can go wrong
with them ;-)

I bought the Hayne's small engine repair manual. Several years ago I knew
almost nothing about small engines. I read the book a couple of times and
now I can tear one down, replace a piston, valve, governor gear, whatever in
a couple of hours. And they work when I'm done. Except some of the
carburators are still a mystery to me. You might be surprised how many
parts are interchangeable or substitutable between different manufacturers.