As the year progresses, it can be easy to overlook the little details when it comes to maintaining your small engines. While it might not seem like a big deal at first, neglecting these tasks can significantly reduce the lifespan of your engines and equipment over time. That’s why Small Engine Warehouse has prepared this guide to help you stay on top of everything your engines need in the coming year.

Maintenance

Proper engine maintenance is essential for extending both the life of your engine and the equipment it powers. While each engine may have specific requirements, here are the basic maintenance categories to follow:

• Oil: Change the oil at least once per season, or more frequently if the engine sees heavy use. Check the owner's manual to ensure you’re using the proper type of oil. Most engines are equipped with a dipstick, making it easy to check the engine's oil levels and quality regularly.
• Fuel: An engine needs fresh, clean fuel to run properly. If your engine isn’t run that often, consider adding a fuel stabilizer.
• Filters: A filter's main job is to protect various parts of your engine by keeping dirt, debris, and other contaminants out of crucial areas. The different types of filters include fuel, air, and oil.
• Spark Plugs: Often, engine issues arise due to a faulty spark plug. Replacing it is a quick, simple, and inexpensive fix, but neglecting it can lead to significant damage. To stay ahead of problems, change your spark plug at least once per season, and keep backups on hand for unexpected failures.

Seasons

As one season ends and another begins, it’s important to properly care for your engines both when storing in the off-season, and preparing them for the next. Perform pre-season maintenance on each piece of equipment a few weeks before it is needed. These are the things you should be thinking about each season:

• Winter: Perform in season maintenance on your snow blower. Use fuel stabilizer if you live in a climate where it’s unpredictable when you’ll need to use it. As winter comes to an end, make sure other equipment is ready to use when spring arrives, such as a tiller, pressure washer, or generator.
• Spring: Run your mower for about 5 minutes to perform a quick check, ensuring it's ready to go for the first mow. Properly store your snowblower until next winter.
• Summer: Regularly monitor your mower throughout the season; check the oil, keep the blades clean, clean the air filter, and so on. Prepare your leaf blower, leaf vacuum, lot blower, and other equipment needed for fall.
• Fall: After the last mow,make sure your mower is properly winterized and get your snow blower ready for winter use.

When is it Time for a New Engine?

Regular maintenance is the best way to increase the longevity of your engine, but eventually, your engine may need to be replaced. If you notice a decline in performance or fuel efficiency, unusual noises, and are constantly repairing your engine, it’s time to consider buying a new one. If your equipment is still in good condition, there’s no need to spend a fortune on a new machine when replacing the engine is more cost-effective. However, sometimes your equipment may have an engine that has been discontinued. To solve that issue, Small Engine Warehouse has designed repower kits. Each kit includes a brand new engine fitted to repower your equipment with a discontinued engine. We’ve designed kits for popular brands like John Deere, Bobcat, and Scag. Explore all of our repower kit options on our website.

How Small Engine Warehouse Can Help

Let us be your partner this year for all things small engines. Our engine specialists are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to answer your calls and help you get what you need. Whether it’s a new engine or a recommendation, they’re eager to help. We also offer a huge selection of parts and products for maintenance. Check out our channel on YouTube for how-to videos, tips, and industry insights to help you thrive this year.