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Small engine repair

Big-shop care for your small engines.

Mowers that won’t start, generators that surge, pressure washers that sat all winter: we find the cause, explain it and fix only what you approve, the same way we treat your car.

Book small engine service (555) 555-0123
Mowers & tractors Generators & washers Saws, trimmers & more

Warning signs

Hard starts, surging and smoke all mean something.

Small engines give plenty of warning before they quit for good. Catch these early and the fix is usually simpler.

Safety first: before you check under the deck or touch a blade, disconnect the spark plug wire, and remove the key on riding mowers. A blade can turn if the engine kicks over.

  • It takes pull after pull to start, or won’t start at all after sitting
  • Surging: the engine revs up and down on its own
  • It starts, then dies as soon as the choke is off
  • Blue or black smoke, or oil leaking from the engine
  • Loses power in thick grass or under load
  • Heavy vibration or a ragged cut, often a dull, bent or unbalanced blade
  • The pull rope won’t rewind, is frayed or the starter slips
  • A riding mower clicks but won’t crank

What we work on

From the garage to the tool shed.

Push mowers to zero-turns, generators to chainsaws. If it has a small gas engine, ask us about it.

  • Push mowers

    Self-propelled, mulching & bagging

  • Riding mowers & lawn tractors

    Engines, belts, decks & batteries

  • Zero-turn mowers

    Homeowner & commercial models

  • Generators

    Hard starts, surging or no power

  • Pressure washers

    Engine and pump problems

  • Chainsaws

    Starting, oiling & chain issues

  • String trimmers

    Two-stroke & four-stroke

  • Leaf blowers

    Handheld & backpack

  • Hedge trimmers

    Gas-powered models

  • Snow blowers

    Single-stage & two-stage

  • Tillers

    Front-tine & rear-tine

  • Something else?Call and tell us what you have. Call us

Brands we service

Brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Listing them doesn’t imply an affiliation.

  • Briggs & Stratton
  • Kohler
  • Honda
  • Kawasaki
  • Tecumseh
  • Toro
  • Craftsman
  • Cub Cadet
  • John Deere
  • Husqvarna
  • Stihl
  • Echo
  • Generac
  • Ryobi

Small engine services

Tune-ups to rebuilds, and everything between.

Tune-ups

New spark plug, air filter and oil, plus a look at the fuel system, blade or chain, and a test run.

Carburetor cleaning & rebuild

Varnish from old fuel clogs tiny jets. We clean, rebuild or replace the carburetor so it starts and idles right.

Fuel system & stale fuel

Old fuel drained, cracked lines and filters replaced, and ethanol gum and water cleared out.

Recoil starter repair

Broken or frayed ropes, weak rewind springs and slipping starters, fixed so it pulls smooth and rewinds.

Blade sharpening & balancing

A sharp, balanced blade cuts cleanly, is easier on the engine and keeps vibration down.

Belt & deck service

Drive and deck belts, pulleys, spindles and deck cleaning for riding and zero-turn mowers.

Batteries & charging

Riding mower batteries tested and replaced, plus charging system, starter and safety switch checks.

Generator service

Starting, surging and output problems, plus oil, plug and fuel service so it’s ready when the power goes out.

Seasonal prep & winterizing

Spring start-up service for mowers, fall winterizing to store them right, and snow blowers readied for the first storm.

Fuel & seasons

Keep it starting, season after season.

A lot of small engine trouble starts in the gas can. A few habits and good timing go a long way.

Use fuel within about 30 days

Gas can start to go stale in as little as a month. Buy what you’ll use in that time, or treat it with stabilizer.

Stabilize fresh fuel

Add stabilizer when you fill the can, not when the season ends, then run the engine a few minutes so treated fuel reaches the carburetor.

Skip E15 and higher

Most small engines are built for gas with up to 10% ethanol (E10). Higher blends aren’t approved for them and can cause damage. Ethanol-free fuel is a good pick for equipment that sits.

Mix two-stroke fuel right

Many trimmers, blowers and chainsaws need oil mixed into the gas. Use the ratio in your owner’s manual and mix small batches.

Your small engine year

What to do, and when, for equipment that starts every time you need it.

  • Winter

    Best time to book

    Spring is peak season for mower repair, so winter is usually the easiest time to get a tune-up or repair done. Keep the snow blower ready too.

  • Spring

    Fresh fuel, a new plug, a clean air filter, an oil change and a sharp blade before the first cut.

  • Summer

    Clean the air filter more often when it’s dry and dusty, keep the deck clear and test the generator before storm season.

  • Fall

    Winterize mowers and trimmers: stabilize or drain the fuel, change the oil and clean the deck. Tune up the snow blower.

Beat the spring rush. Bring your mower in over the winter and it’ll be ready before the grass is. Book a winter tune-up

Our small engine process

From first pull to final test run.

  1. Tell us the story

    What it’s doing and when it last ran well. Bring the key for riding mowers.

  2. Spark, fuel & air

    We test the basics every engine needs, plus compression when it matters, to find the real cause.

  3. Straight quote

    You approve the price first. If a repair doesn’t make sense for an older machine, we’ll say so.

  4. Test run & pickup

    We run it under load, check the cut or output, and let you know it’s ready.

Small engine FAQ

Small engine questions, answered.

Not sure it’s worth fixing? Call us with the make and model and what it’s doing. We’ll give you a straight answer.

Good to know: a clean air filter, fresh oil and a sharp blade make a real difference in how an engine runs, how much fuel it uses and how your lawn looks. Your owner’s manual lists service intervals.

Why won’t my mower start after sitting all winter?

Stale fuel is the most common cause. Gas breaks down over time and can leave gummy varnish in the carburetor’s tiny passages. A worn spark plug, a clogged air filter or low oil can also keep an engine from starting, and some engines have a low-oil shutoff. If fresh fuel and a new plug don’t do it, bring it in and we’ll find the cause.

How often should mower blades be sharpened?

Commonly once or twice a season, depending on how much you mow and what the blade hits. Sandy soil, sticks and rocks dull it faster. If the grass tips look torn or turn brown a day after mowing, the blade probably needs attention. We sharpen and balance blades so they cut cleanly without shaking the mower.

Is ethanol fuel bad for small engines?

Regular E10 gas, with up to 10% ethanol, is fine for most small engines when it’s fresh. The trouble is that ethanol attracts moisture and the fuel goes stale faster, which can gum up carburetors. Use fresh fuel, add stabilizer if it will sit, and never use E15 or higher in small engines. Ethanol-free fuel is a good choice for equipment that sits for long stretches.

Do you work with landscaping crews?

Yes. We can keep your mowers, trimmers and blowers, and the trucks that haul them, on one maintenance schedule. See our fleet page or give us a call to talk through your equipment.

What should I do before bringing my equipment in?

Note the make and model, plus the engine model if you can find it on the engine’s label. Jot down what it’s doing and when it last ran well. Bring the key for riding mowers, and haul equipment upright with the fuel cap tight.

All services

Auto services

Brakes, diagnostics, A/C and more for the car in the driveway.

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Fleet & business

Landscaping trucks and equipment on one schedule.

Fleet services

Car care guides

Seasonal checklists and tips to keep everything running.

Read the guides

Ready when you are

Let’s get you back on the road.

Request an appointment in about a minute, or give us a call. We’ll confirm a time and take it from there.

Book a service (555) 555-0123

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