Top 11 Small Engine Tools to Extend the Life of Your Equipment!

Looking for essential tools to keep your small engine-powered equipment in top shape? Discover the top small engine tools in our guide. Find out how these tools can extend the life of your equipment.

If you own or operate small engine-powered equipment, then you know how important small engine tools are. Small engine repair tools allow you to diagnose and fix issues with your small engines, as well as perform routine maintenance tasks that keep your equipment running smoothly for ages. In this article, we'll explore the world of small engine tools and highlight some of the essential tools every small engine owner should have in their toolkit. So let's get started.

Table Of Contents

1. Carburetor Cleaner

Over time, dirt, debris, and varnish often build up inside the carburetor, leading to poor engine performance, stalling, and difficulty starting. To prevent this from happening, your mower's carburetor requires regular cleaning and maintenance. This is where a carburetor cleaner comes in. A perfect carburetor cleaner will not only remove material deposits and rust but will also restore the carburetor to its optimal condition.

In addition to the carburetor cleaner, you also need to have carburetor cleaning brushes. These brushes will come in handy when you need to clean stubborn debris from hard-to-reach areas of the carburetor. Pro Tip! Before using the carburetor cleaner, you should have proper safety equipment, including eyewear and protective gloves.

2. Oil Extractor

Removing oil from your lawn mower can be:

Messy
Time-consuming

However, with an oil extractor, you can say goodbye to those headaches. An oil extractor pumps out old oil through the thin tube that is inserted into the dipstick opening, making the process easy, quick, and mess-free.

3. Spark Tester

A spark tester is a simple yet essential tool for small engine equipment owners and mechanics as well. The tool is used to diagnose ignition problems by testing the strength of the spark that the ignition system produces. Even though you can check the spark without the spark tester, using this tool provides a more accurate and reliable diagnosis. So add a spark tester to your kit and make the ignition system diagnosis easy and safe.

4. Compression Tester

In case you are suspecting that your small engine is not running at its best, a compression tester is the tool for you. The tool identifies various engine problems, such as damaged valves, worn piston rings, and more. To use the compression tester, remove the spark plug from the engine. You should then thread the compression tester gauge into the spark plug hole.

Crack the engine a few times, approximately 5 to 10 times, to get an accurate reading. Repeat the test on all cylinders. If you notice that the compression levels match the manufacturer's specifications, then you can rest assured that your engine is functioning properly. However, a low reading may indicate that there is an issue with the lawn mower engine.

5. Flywheel Puller

We know that you often remove your flywheel when it's time for a replacement or when you want to inspect the flywheel keys for breaks, cracks, and damage. And that's why we've included the flywheel puller on our list of small engine repair tools. The flywheel puller is designed to safely and effectively remove the flywheel from the engine crankshaft.

6. Fuel Stabilizer

Did you know that gas can go stale when stored for long periods of time? That's right. Unfortunately, spoilt gas can cause major issues such as carburetor problems and decreased engine performance, and that's why you need to preserve gas with fuel stabilizers. Fuel stabilizers work by preventing gas evaporation and the build-up of harmful deposits, thus keeping your fuel system clean and clear. Fuel stabilizers are essential for those who do not use their small engine equipment on a regular basis.

7. Oil Treatment

The more you use your lawn mower, the engine will obviously experience wear and tear. Sadly, as the engine components wear down, they may create gaps and spaces that allow oil to leak out or burn off faster. This is definitely not good, as it can lead to engine damage in the long run. However, if you want your equipment to last for years and years, then oil treatment is a must. Oil treatment is specifically designed to prevent engine wear and reduce oil consumption and engine noise.

8. Leak-down Tester

A leak-down tester is used to determine the condition of your lawn mower engine's valves, piston rings, and head gaskets. It measures the amount of air lost through the engine's cylinders, helping you identify any potential issues that may cause problems later on.

Basically, after you've done a compression test and have identified cylinders with low readings, you need to do a leak-down test to figure out the root cause of the problem. This test will let you know whether the loss of compression is due to a leaking head gasket, a worn ring, or a burned valve.

9. Smart Charger

In modern times, we've witnessed the influx of modern technology in almost all aspects of our lives. The world of small engine tools is not left behind. Through the invention of smart chargers, the process of charging small engine batteries is now more efficient than ever. A smart charger comes with advanced features that regulate the charging process. This ensures that the battery is charged to the optimal level without overcharging.

10. Jumper Cables

Can you imagine getting ready to mow your lawn only to find out that your lawn mower won't start? That's why you need jumper cables. Jumper cables can save you a lot of frustration and time wasted trying to get your mower started.

11. Digital Multimeter

A digital multimeter is an important tool when it comes to identifying and resolving electrical issues in your small engine equipment. With a digital multimeter, you can perform various electrical tests, including:

Voltage
Resistance
Continuity tests

In recent years, digital multimeters have largely replaced analog multimeters due to their:

Great accuracy
Reliability
Ease of use

Summing Up

The above small engine repair tools are essential when it comes to increasing the life of your small engine-powered equipment. Whether you are a novice mechanic or a seasoned one, get yourself equipped with these tools and learn how to use them properly to keep your small engine running smoothly. This will not only save you money on costly repairs but also ensure that your equipment is always ready when you need it.