Small Engine Repair
 

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.

Small Engine Repair
 

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.

Small Engine Repair
 

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.

Small Engine Repair
 

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.

Small Engine Repair
 

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.

--

Small Engine Repair
 

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.

Small Engine Repair
 

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.

And, you want hands on? Stay away from spindle bearings or axle
grease.

Small Engine Repair
 

On Jun 24, 2:22*pm, 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.

Gaskets maybe, but pins? Not many...you'll find more keys than pins
(unless you're talking decks and drives)

Small Engine Repair
 

On Jun 24, 3:09�pm, 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.

Like one poster said.......get a non-running engine and start there.
Once you find a fairly common engine (Briggs and Stratton), find the
model number and look at the parts diagrams online at no cost. Then
try to get it started. If you fail, come back and ask questions here.
Hell, many on here may take the time to guide you thru the diagnosis
procedures before you try to find the problem blindfolded on your own.

In reality, they are pretty easy to work on. All basic stuff.

Hank ~~~30 years with small engines, mostly dirtbikes and ATV's

Small Engine Repair
 

On Jun 24, 6:48*pm, "Hustlin' Hank" wrote:
On Jun 24, 3:09 pm, 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.

Like one poster said.......get a non-running engine and start there.
Once you find a fairly common engine (Briggs and Stratton), find the
model number and look at the parts diagrams online at no cost. Then
try to get it started. If you fail, come back and ask questions here.
Hell, many on here may take the time to guide you thru the diagnosis
procedures before you try to find the problem blindfolded on your own.

In reality, they are pretty easy to work on. All basic stuff.

Hank ~~~30 years with small engines, mostly dirtbikes and ATV's

Most libraries should have some good books. Check a few out and see
which ones you like then buy the ones you think are best. My brother
too a course in it. I rebuilt the family lawnmower when I was 13 from
reading his books. I dont think he ever did anything with it except in
class. I resurrected a few old engines for go carts but havent touched
one in 25 years. A lot of teenage kids I knew overhauled old engines
they found in the dump. Its not hard.


JImmie

Small Engine Repair
 

In article ,
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.

Step one: Learn the principles of a four-stroke internal combustion
engine. Building a "Visible V8" model is a good start.

Small Engine Repair
 

dpb wrote in :

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.

--

Google produced the trusted Chilton name on one. Check your library,
bookstore or online bookstore.

"Chilton's Guide to Small Engine Repair-Up to 20 Hp"

Small Engine Repair
 

"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.

Small Engine Repair
 

Ulysses wrote:

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.


We took the mower to the shop. Their diagnosis was they had to rebuild
the carburetor. Of course, that's always the diagnosis. I decided not to
tackle it after I took off the air cleaner. The primer was not working,
and I couldn't figure out how it was supposed to work. It's as if it
had no vacuum.

Maybe I'll find a junk engine and try tearing it apart. There are lots
of benefits to having a formalized instruction versus trying to
understand a picture or a description. We all learn best in different
ways, I guess.

Small Engine Repair
 

mcp6453 wrote:

We took the mower to the shop. Their diagnosis was they had to rebuild
the carburetor. Of course, that's always the diagnosis. I decided not
to tackle it after I took off the air cleaner. The primer was not
working, and I couldn't figure out how it was supposed to work. It's
as if it had no vacuum.

Maybe I'll find a junk engine and try tearing it apart. There are lots
of benefits to having a formalized instruction versus trying to
understand a picture or a description. We all learn best in different
ways, I guess.

Sometimes it is fun to learn by figuring it out yourself, too. More
frustrating, for sure, but the reward is worth it.

Jon