How to Maintain a Small Gas Engine

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By texasparky
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Maintain a Small Gas Engine

Here is a general maintenance schedule for most small gas engines found on lawn mowers, generators, air compressors, etc.

Be sure and read any and all literature that came with and/or applies to the specific needs of your particular small gas engine.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

After 5 hours of engine operation, check crankcase oil level and fill if necessary.
Step 2

After 8 operating hours, service the air cleaner.
Step 3

After 25 operating hours, change the engine oil. (This step is for small gas engines WITHOUT an oil filter!)
Step 4

After 50 hours of operation, change the oil and oil filter, clean and regap the spark plug, check battery electrolyte level and clean battery terminals (if applicable) and replace paper filter. Also torque mounting bolts and lubricate all controls and cables.
Step 5

After operating your small gas engine for 100 hours, tune it up. Clean the cyclinder head and cylinder barrel fins. Service the ignition and rebuild the carburetor. Adjust governor and control linkages. Clean two-cycle exhaust ports.
Step 6

At 200 hours of operation, you should clean the crankcase breather, decarbonize the combustion chamber and inspect valve seats and valve lash for needed maintenance.
Step 7

At the 1,000-hour mark, disassemble your small gas engine for overhaul or rebuild. It may be at this point, however, that you pull the trigger on replacing the engine altogether, particularly if it has given you trouble along the way.