About Small Engine Manual

Small Engine Manual is for people who fix their own mowers, trimmers and blowers. Most push mowers use one of a handful of engines, so the guides are organized by engine model. Find the number on your engine and you get the plug, oil, filter and carburetor kit for it, the steps for each job, and the mowers that use the same engine.

Where the numbers come from

Part numbers, gaps, capacities and torque figures are taken from the makers' own owner's manuals, parts lists and spec pages, or from a parts dealer's listing where the maker doesn't publish one. Each engine page links to those documents. If we couldn't confirm a number, we left it out and told you to check your manual instead.

Who runs it

This is an independent site. It is not connected to Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Toro, STIHL, ECHO, Craftsman or any other maker, and they have not checked or approved it. Brand and model names only tell you which equipment a page fits. We don't sell parts and there are no affiliate links.

What we cover

• Spark plugs, ignition coil air gap, air filters, oil
• Fuel, fuel filters, primer bulbs and fuel lines
• Cleaning the carburetor float bowl and fitting overhaul kits
• Blade removal, sharpening and refitting (spark plug wire off first)
• Recoil starter ropes, line heads, end-of-season storage

What we don't cover, and why

• Bypassing or disabling safety parts: blade control bars, flywheel brakes, blade brake clutches, seat switches. These stop the blade when you let go. If one fails, the fix is a repair, not a bypass.
• Governor adjustment: turning up the governor makes the blade spin faster than it was designed to, and a blade that breaks at that speed is dangerous.
• Chainsaw chain brakes and anti-kickback parts: a mistake here can cause a severe injury. Have a dealer do it.
• Generator electrical work: voltage regulators, alternators, transfer switches and connecting a generator to a house. Also, never run a generator indoors or in a garage.
• Welding or repairing fuel tanks: replace a damaged tank.
• Dealer-only service manuals: some makers restrict their service manuals to dealers. We don't copy them.

Contact

General questions and model requests: [email protected]. Corrections: [email protected].