15 votes
Accepted

Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?

This engine is equipped with a voltage regulator. Depending on the exact construction of the regulator a reverse current would be disastrous, especially the high current from a starter battery
Martin's user avatar
  • 8,448
12 votes
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Scraping sound in new small engine

I actually decided to go ahead and just tear into it no matter the answer and can make the following statements: Bore and piston rings were absolutely immaculate and there was no scraping whatsoever ...
Yanick Salzmann's user avatar
10 votes

Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?

Why not just put a wrench on the crankshaft? Ignoring the electrical repercussions, I fear damage to the starter, too. Besides, if the starter on this tractor uses a sprag clutch (and probably most ...
justinm410's user avatar
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10 votes
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Why does my lawnmower air filter have a metal wire mesh?

The purpose of it is to support the paper element. If the paper element were to get wet or get too much junk in it, it would run the risk of getting sucked into the engine, which might cause damage ......
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
8 votes

Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?

Looks like the starter drive is the typical spring loaded drive gear that engages when the starter motor turns in the "forward" direction, then disengages if the engine starts running and overdrives ...
Johnny's user avatar
  • 452
7 votes

How many minutes to wait after turning off small air-cooled engine before oil change?

I personally don't think you need to worry about the temperature of the oil too much. Let it sit for plenty of time to cool to a safe 'warm' temperature. No need to risk a nasty skin burn. By then, ...
HandyHowie's user avatar
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7 votes

Stihl fs 55 string trimmer not idling and blowing out white smoke

Too much oil tends to make blue smoke, not white. Use fuel that you've purchased within the past 30 days. Seriously, do this before anything else. Stabilizer or not, some 2-strokes simply won't run ...
MTA's user avatar
  • 5,510
6 votes
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any downsides to early spark plug changes?

No. Other than the hole in your pocketbook. On a separate note, though ... if you are going out of your way to purchase all of those spark plugs, you'd be better off just getting the platinum or ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
6 votes
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Lawn tractor, difficulty starting in cold weather

This does not sound like an electrical problem to me. Let me break down the issue a bit and see if we can come to some conclusions. The engine starts fine with starter fluid. This tells me that it ...
anonymous2's user avatar
  • 5,245
6 votes

Can I use a gasket maker instead of a gasket for a lawn mower engine?

I made a gasket for a small single cylinder engine from a copper sheet. Annealing and making it fit are obvious... But it worked perfectly. Would I use "goop" - no. Making a paper template is handy,...
Solar Mike's user avatar
  • 34.6k
5 votes

Is it ok to plug in battery backward to do compression test?

Even if there are no polarity-sensitive electronics to damage and the starter motor was able to engage, it is unlikely that the motor would rotate backwards anyway. Most car starter motors (in fact ...
nnxen's user avatar
  • 51
5 votes
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How to install muffler gasket on chainsaw?

It looks like the gasket fried because it developed a leak and over time the hot exhaust gasses degraded the gasket even further. You should ensure that both surfaces are flat and free of any bumps, ...
DucatiKiller's user avatar
5 votes
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Adjust carburettor without hi-speed adjustment

Yes, you can bend the tab The metering diaphragm enriches the entire range on every circuit. If the fuel level is higher it will require less vacuum under Venturi's Law to pull the fuel from the '...
DucatiKiller's user avatar
5 votes

Supercharger calculations

There is no formula or calculations that you could run. Adding an aftermarket supercharger is more of a trial and error versus scientific calculation. The reason there is no formula or calculation ...
vini_i's user avatar
  • 16k
5 votes

Craftsman snowblower: sudden death

I probably have the same engine, is it the 9HP Tecumseh Snow King? There are several possibilities. Here is what you can do to debug the problem when it happens. Water intrusion to the ignition area. ...
kmarsh's user avatar
  • 2,159
5 votes
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How do I find a replacement clutch and brake assembly for my chainsaw?

It appears the clutch for this is very generic. There's two main factors which are listed for the clutch in the adverts I see. One is the size of the center bore. The second is the pitch for the chain....
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
5 votes
Accepted

Small engine air return to gas tank

Not sure about your generator, but my Champion 92001i has a lever in the gas cap. You are supposed to open the lever before starting the generator. After the generator is stopped, you are supposed to ...
juhist's user avatar
  • 14.5k
4 votes

How do I find out what the Series number is on my Briggs and Stratton Engine?

I was able to do it by doing a model and type search for manuals on the Briggs & Stratton site: http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/manuals/engine On that page, enter the model and ...
cdunn's user avatar
  • 9,326
4 votes

any downsides to early spark plug changes?

You dont need to change them that often as 5k that would just be useless. what @ᴘᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 said about the aluminum heads is perfectly right. Change them along with your timing chain or water pump. ...
kasey's user avatar
  • 1,100
4 votes
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how to boost petrol engine of a small hatchback

Since the volume of your engine is fixed and your air pressure is fixed as well your only way of getting more power output is by playing with air temperature, fuel type and controller. Cold air intake ...
PaulB's user avatar
  • 1,373
4 votes

Is my Honda push mower dead cause of too much oil

I'd drain the extra few ounces out and keep running it. Doubt you hurt anything permanently. You didn't say exactly which model you bought, but assuming it is the $399 HRR 21 there is no oil pump. ...
texasranger's user avatar
4 votes
Accepted

Float carburetor leaking gas

More than likely the float is saturated or non-existent, allowing the bowl to be over filled constantly (not stopping the flow of fuel into the carb). It could also be the needle valve not seating ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
4 votes
Accepted

Why is there a power loss in my small engine motorcycle at a certain RPM range?

Possible causes: Worn clutch plate. Clogged air filter. Clogged carb/fuel delivery system. loose chain/issue with chain sprocket. As for your gear slipping, tighten the clutch , it happened to me ...
Shobin P's user avatar
  • 8,956
4 votes
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Keep control cables from freezing on snowblower

I would apply a silicone grease or silicone spray lubricant into the opening regardless of your freezing issue, this will definitely help with displacing and preventing moisture build-up. Plus, it ...
DizzyFool's user avatar
  • 1,571
4 votes
Accepted

If I start a previously unfueled small engine, do I keep choke on for first pull only or until it starts?

I think you're overthinking it a bit. Just follow the directions. As far as fuel in the float bowl, if the fuel tank is above the carb (which I believe is the case ... especially if it doesn't have a ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
4 votes

How many minutes to wait after turning off small air-cooled engine before oil change?

If the engine is too hot to touch then the oil is too hot to safely handle no matter what the container is rated for. Once the engine is cool enough to touch but still warm the oil will still be warm ...
GdD's user avatar
  • 16.2k
4 votes

How many minutes to wait after turning off small air-cooled engine before oil change?

I changed the oil now. Because there were some contradictory advice (one advice: wait 10min, another advice: wait for long to cool to a safe 'warm' temperature) I decided ultimately on 20 minutes. It ...
juhist's user avatar
  • 14.5k
4 votes
Accepted

How to inspect and clean a small engine stored for year without oil cap?

I think the best you can do is change the oil. I think your engine is most likely a splash oiling system which does not have a real oil pump or filter (I couldn't find the model you have listed to ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
3 votes

Overfilled my B&S 725ex self propelled lawmower

Pull the spark and make sure it's not wet with oil. If it is, clean it. Validate there's not oil in the cylinder. If there is, you can squirt carb cleaner into it and pull the string a few times ...
DucatiKiller's user avatar

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