Extend the life of small engines

Small engines power your everyday equipment like lawn mowers and generators. These essential engines deliver high performance in a compact and portable size. Regular maintenance is necessary if you want to extend the life and performance of your small engine.

How to maintain a small engine to extend its life? Maintenance varies for different types of equipment, but a few basics cover all small engine maintenance. Let's look at the best ways to extend the life of your small engine.

Reasons for Early Engine Failure

• Poor Maintenance: Lack of regular maintenance can lead to engine failure. This includes not changing the oil regularly, not cleaning air filters, or ignoring minor issues that can escalate into serious problems.

• Improper Use: Overloading the engine, running it at high speeds for extended periods, or using incorrect fuel mixtures can cause early failure.

• Poor Storage: If an engine is stored improperly, particularly during off-seasons, it may suffer from issues like corrosion, stale fuel, or battery drain.

Strategies for Extending Small Engine Life

Check your oil

Fuel

Always use premium fuel. Higher grades of gas contain less ethanol, and the fundamental problem with ethanol is that it is hygroscopic, means it draws moisture from the air. This is not good for the carburetor and other engine parts, including seals, as water and ethanol are corrosive and can cause engine damage.

Oil change

You can get into the habit of checking your crankcase oil in a four-stroke engine every time you refuel. The oil can be easily changed after the engine has been running until it is warm. Then, disconnect the spark plug and shut off the engine. The oil drain plug is usually located near the bottom of the crankcase.

Before you use any equipment, ensure your oil and fuel are fresh and at the proper levels. It only takes a few seconds and saves you time and hassle. It's much easier to do a quick check than costly repairs or replacements later.

Keep clean

Dirt, grass, and other debris can quickly build up on and in garden equipment, and other implements. One of the best ways to keep your small engine running season after season is to keep it clean. Remove debris, remove grass, and inspect equipment for damage after each use. 

If the cooling fins of an air-cooled engine are clogged with dirt, you should clean its cooling fins. Cleaning methods may vary. The hood should be removed. Compressed air and solvents can all be used for cleaning, but compressed air should be used cautiously when directing the air.

Spark plug also should be removed periodically for inspection and cleaning or replaced. Also, depending on the type of equipment and manufacturer's recommendations, you may need to inspect and service your muffler, air filter, crankcase breather assembly, and etc.

Regular cleaning of your small engine can prevent the buildup of harmful substances. Continuous cleaning can also help you spot potential problems early on. Lubricate the components well before placing the engine in a dry location.

Proper Operation

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of your engine is vital to ensuring its longevity. Here's how you can operate your engine properly:

• Avoid Overloading: Pushing your engine beyond its recommended capacity can lead to unnecessary stress and overheating, which may cause damage over time. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines for the maximum load capacity and adhere to it.

• Warm Up the Engine: Just like a human body, an engine performs better after a proper warm-up. Before pushing your engine to work at full capacity, let it run at a lower speed for a few minutes. This allows the oil to circulate and lubricate the moving parts effectively.

• Cool Down the Engine: Similarly, allow your engine to cool down before turning it off, especially after heavy use. Abruptly stopping a hot engine can cause thermal shock due to rapid cooling, which can lead to internal damage.

• Regular Breaks During Prolonged Use: If you're using the engine for extended periods, give it regular breaks to prevent overheating. A simple 15-minute break every couple of hours can significantly improve the lifespan of your engine.

Store properly

Proper storage is critical to extending the life of small engines. If you're ready to put your lawn equipment away for the winter, take the appropriate steps to prepare your equipment for long-term storage. 

Fuel starts to deteriorate within 30 days. This is important to understand because you want to avoid leaving fuel in the device. One solution is to use fuel stabilizers, which minimize the oxidation process. It's usually best to put the stabilizer in the oil tank when it's nearly empty, then top it up. Then, by filling the tank, any remaining harmful gasses are diluted, reducing the potential for corrosion.

Perhaps the easiest way to avoid the adverse effects of seasonal maintenance tasks is to "work out" your engine. Instead of blowing all the gas out of the engine, keep the tank topped off in the off-season and run the engine for about 10 minutes once a month.

If you don't want to use fuel stabilizer or run out of fuel this season, be sure to drain the carburetor. There will be some fuel left in the carburetor's float, which you will need to drain completely. Many carburetors have a small drain plug at the bottom of the float for this purpose. Otherwise, you will have to remove the carburetor to clean it.

Read the manual

Reading the owner's or operator's manual for small engine equipment may seem like a waste of time, but it's a step many owners should take more seriously. 

Owner manuals will often provide maintenance recommendations tailored to your equipment so you can find the best way to extend the life of your small engine.

Choose the correct replacement part

If you want to extend the life of your small engine, use BISON correct replacement parts. Investing in proper replacement parts or repairs will save time and money and prevent deterioration in the long run.

Extend Your Engine Life with BISON

At BISON, we understand the value of your investment in power tools, lawn mowers, and recreational vehicles. We know that you want to keep BISON engine running smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide on how to extend the life of small engines.

Our team of seasoned mechanics and engineers have identified the common reasons for early engine failure and devised tactics to avoid them. From regular maintenance to proper operation, from efficient storage methods to identifying early warning signs, we've got you covered.

In summary, taking steps to extend the life of small engines can yield significant benefits in terms of cost savings, increased efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. By following the maintenance tips and best practices discussed in this blog post, you can ensure your BISON small engine continues to run at its best for years.