Don’t Let a Sputtering Engine Ruin Your Spring Cleanup

Spring is here, and that means homeowners are pulling their lawnmowers, weed whackers, and pressure washers out of storage. But before you fire up that engine, a little maintenance can go a long way in preventing costly repairs down the road.

The KP News spoke with three experts to help yard-care enthusiasts take better care of their small engine equipment: Ivan Jarvis, owner of Lonning Saw & Repair in Wauna; Paul Schenkel, an automotive technology instructor at West Sound Skill Center in Bremerton; and Jon Aflatooni, co-founder of Blacklotus Landscaping, which relies on its equipment being in tip-top shape year-round.

The Basics: Fuel, Oil, and Storage Matter

One of the biggest mistakes people make is forgetting that gasoline goes bad. Jarvis said it will start affecting your engine within two months, and Schenkel mentioned that gas sitting in a can starts losing potency after six months and can go stale in a year. When you buy gas also matters.

“Fuel purchased at different times has different properties because of temperature changes,” Schenkel said. “Gas is formulated differently for summer and winter to adjust how well it vaporizes.”

At the end of the summer season, let the engine run until it’s out of gas to prevent fuel-related issues over the winter.

Oil is another critical component. “Check the oil at least every second tank of gas,” Jarvis advised. “Most people don’t check it, and some lawnmowers don’t have a low-oil pressure sensor, so you can run them dry without knowing it. These engines burn a little oil all the time, and if they run out, they’re done.”

Moisture is another enemy of small engines. “If it’s just sitting in a damp environment and not running, moisture can cause metal components to rust,” Schenkel said. “A shed is better than leaving it outside, but even in a shed, a tarp helps keep moisture off.”

Why Won’t This Thing Start?

If a lawnmower or chainsaw won’t start, Jarvis suggests checking three things first: oil, gas, and the spark plug. At his small engine repair shop near 92nd and KP Highway, he diagnosed and fixed a 20-year-old Honda generator in less than 15 minutes — a customer had brought it in because it wouldn’t keep running. The problem? It needed a new spark plug.

Carburetors are another common source of trouble, but unless you have experience with them, you wouldn’t know it. When in doubt, take your equipment to a small engine repair shop for help.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Aflatooni, whose landscaping company uses a mix of gas and electric equipment, suggests investing in brands with good local support. “What’s the point of having an amazing piece of equipment that you cannot fix?” he said. Aflatooni’s company has invested in Milwaukee, Skag, and Husqvarna, claiming they have been excellent products for his business.

Schenkel also recommends buying yard equipment from a distributor rather than a big-box store. “Companies like Stihl make an effort to show customers how the equipment works,” he said. “Sometimes Lowe’s or Home Depot don’t have the resources or the skills to do that.”

When to Repair vs. Replace

“Really, it comes down to cost,” Schenkel said. “If repairs approach the price of a new piece of equipment, replacement might be the better option. It’s similar to cars — if a vehicle is only worth $3,000 but needs a $4,000 transmission, you have to weigh whether it’s worth fixing.”

Jarvis also cautioned against buying Chinese knockoff engines. “There are no parts for them in the U.S., so if something breaks, you’ve wasted your money.”

Jarvis said he can quickly tell customers whether or not it’s worth repairing their equipment and can usually tell by listening to their engine.

Professional vs. DIY Maintenance

Annual servicing is a good rule of thumb, according to Jarvis. “Once a year is a good rule of thumb unless the equipment is barely used. If you don’t have the tools or aren’t comfortable doing the work, take it to a shop. Many offer spring tune-ups at discounted rates.”

For those who want to handle their own maintenance, Aflatooni emphasizes the importance of reading the user manual. “Every piece of equipment usually comes with a user manual and recommended timings for doing a particular type of maintenance,” he said. “Follow the recommended timings to avoid major issues or excessive wear and tear.”