Keep Your Machine Out of My Shop: Three Key Maintenance Must-Do’s
Written By: Ian Clayton- Owner and Principal Technician at IMC Small Engine and Trailer Repair
Equipment maintenance is extremely important, can save you hundreds of dollars in repairs, and can keep your equipment out of my shop. Here are three things you can do to help your equipment last longer and remain running.
Clean your equipment: you would be amazed at the amount of non-running pieces or equipment that come into the shop that just needs to be cleaned. Chainsaws get covered in a sawdusty/oily mix; a mix that will coat everything including the magneto and the air filter. Mower decks get grass clippings stuck to them that trap moisture and cause the mower deck to corrode at a faster rate. Pressure washers need to be fully drained at the end of every summer/fall season (in freezing weather) otherwise the slightest amount of residual water will expand and cause the aluminum fittings to crack. Ice frozen in the auger of your snow blower will cause it to throw or shred the auger belt.
Change your spark plugs: For whatever reason small engine spark plugs are good for about two running seasons or twenty-five running hours, unlike automotive spark plugs which will last about one hundred thousand miles. Check that the spark plugs are secured and tight, unlike in a car or truck the engine on most small engine equipment is subject to much more vibration. Mostly due to the fact that there are no engine mounts or rubber bushings to reduce the vibration of most small engine equipment. For this reason it is essential to properly torque your spark plugs.
Clean your carbs: and no, I don’t mean, make sure you’re eating nutritious bread and pasta. Clean your carburetor, a bulk of the no starts and rough running engines are a result of uncleaned or un-adjusted carburetors. This quick and easy fix is readily available on youtube for instruction and can be easily done with a basic set of hand tools.