How To Repair Your Engine

Won't start

Reported 23% of the time

If your engine does not start, check the carburetor, ignition module, carb, switch, primer bulb, starter, tubes, gears, fuel pump, and valve. Follow our repair and troubleshooting guide to help you replace the appropriate part causing this problem. If you need specific repair instructions related to your model, refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer.

Leaks gas

Reported 15% of the time

If your engine is leaking gas, check the following parts: the needle, valve, fuel lines, tubes, cap, fuel tank, O-ring, and primer bulb. Refer to our symptom and repair guide to help you replace the appropriate part causing this problem. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.

Leaks oil

Reported 10% of the time

If your engine is leaking oil, check the seals, tubes, cap, ring, O-ring, oil seals, and gasket. Refer to our symptom and repair guide to fix this problem accurately. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owner's manual.

Hard to start

Reported 9% of the time

Check the primer bulb, springs, carburetor, and gasket if your engine is difficult to start. Our repair and troubleshooting guide can help you with the repair process to have the engine working in no time. This is a general guide for your repair; for more detailed information on your model, refer to the owner's manual.

Engine lacks power

Reported 6% of the time

Our repair and troubleshooting guide can help repair your engine if it is lacking power. Some of the parts you might need to replace are the spark plug, rod, springs, gasket, and valve. This is a general guide for your repair; for more detailed information on your model, refer to the owner's manual.

Engine RPM's surge up and down

Reported 6% of the time

If your engine RPMs surge up and down, check the following parts: diaphragm, air filter, springs, and gaskets. Our repair guide can help you identify the problem and how to install the damaged part. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owner's manual.

Runs for a while then dies

Reported 4% of the time

If your engine is running then dies, our repair and troubleshooting guide will help you identify your problem and how to fix it. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owner's manual.

Only runs with the choke on

Reported 3% of the time

If your engine only runs with the choke on, check the springs, gasket, air filter, diaphragm, and carb. Our repair and troubleshooting guide will help you understand the cause of your problem and how to best repair it. Note: this is a general repair guide. Check the manual provided by your owner for more specific repair information related to your model.

Starter rope won't retract

Reported 3% of the time

If your engine starter rope pulls freely with no tension, check our repair and symptom guide to find the best solution to this problem. Some of the parts you need to check are the plate, rope, springs, pulley, and clutch. This is a general guide for your repair; for more detailed information on your model, refer to the owner's manual.

Starts but immediately dies

Reported 3% of the time

If your engine starts, then dies, refer to our repair and symptom guide to identify the cause of this problem and how to fix it. Some of the parts that you might need to replace are the springs, air filter, carb, and gasket. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.

Engine misfires

Reported 3% of the time

If your engine misfires, refer to our repair and symptom guide to help identify the problem with the engine and how to best fix it. You might need to replace the rod, key, spark plug, or more. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.

Blows black smoke from exhaust

Reported 3% of the time

Check the ring, spark plug, oil seals, valve, gasket, and air filter if your engine is blowing blue or black smoke from the exhaust. Although this is a rare symptom, following our repair guide will help you find the most appropriate part to replace. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owner's manual.

Blows white smoke from exhaust

Reported 2% of the time

If your engine blows white smoke from the exhaust, refer to our repair and symptom guide to help you identify which part is causing this problem and how to best replace it accurately. Note: this is a general repair guide. Check the manual provided by your owner for more specific repair information related to your model.

Engine RPM's too high

Reported 2% of the time

If the engine RPMs are too high, check the following parts: springs, gasket, shaft, rod, and gears. Our troubleshooting and repair guide will help you fix your problem. Note: this is a general repair guide. Check the manual provided by your owner for more specific repair information related to your model.

Engine will idle but dies at full throttle

Reported 2% of the time

If your engine will idle, but stops at full throttle, check the following parts for damage: the fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter, springs, and carburetor. Follow our repair and symptom guide to help you fix this problem. If you need specific repair instructions related to your model, refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer.

Vibrates excessively

Reported 2% of the time

If your engine is vibrating too much, refer to our repair guide to help you replace the appropriate part. Some of the parts you might need to replace are the shaft, rod, housing, fan, bearings, and guard. Note: this is a general repair guide. Check the manual provided by your owner for more specific repair information related to your model.

Starter rope pulls freely / little resistance

Reported 1% of the time

If the starter rope in your engine pulls with little resistance, check the plate, pawls, springs and more parts listed in our repair guide to help you fix this problem. If you need specific repair instructions related to your model, refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer.

Can't turn engine off

Reported 1% of the time

If your engine will not allow you to turn it off, check the switch. Our symptom and repair guide can help you identify your problem and how to solve it. If you need specific repair instructions related to your model, refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer.