Your Favorite Small Gas Engine Tools!

[Farmall450]

I'll start off with mine...

Inline Spark Checker

Saves the PITA of taking off and then putting back in the spark plug. I also have a similar one that grounds to the engine vs the plug.

Hook and Pick Set

Invaluable for many things.

Points File

And of course, don't forget about Sea Foam, that's a tool in my book!

 

[joel63]

I'll start off with mine...




And of course, don't forget about Sea Foam, that's a tool in my book!

How do you use Sea Foam in your small engine work?

Just trying to learn something here.

 

[Farmall450]

How do you use Sea Foam in your small engine work?

Just trying to learn something here.

Well, ethanol tends to mess stuff up...so often if an engine is running rough and you don't necessarily want/need to rebuild the carburetor, a shot of sea foam and some time idling will clean it up. It's especially good for the first time you fire something up in the spring, mower/weedeater/chainsaw/etc.

 

[chrismenke]

The right flywheel pullers:

 

[Wakefield]

Super Jet Spray Gumcutter(!)-although I don't think it is safe around plastic(like the nozzle inside of later model Tecumseh carburetors might eat gaskets and paint?
vibratach if not something more sophisticated flywheel tools B&S starter clutch tool
flywheel nut or starter clutch needs to be torqued! piece of plastic air gap gauge for setting distance for "magnetron" or whatever from the flywheel (instead of the business card that everybody uses
Good 1/4" drive stuff and a good little torque wrench/screwdriver
Is the Tecumseh screwdriver still available? (Helps set the float height and pull/install seats "Viton" for the fuel inlet needle)
Jet screws still available? (the "nut" that holds the bowl on the carburetor has a fuel metering hole in it in some designs) Forbidden to poke tiny drill bits in those holes?
Extra o-rings and gaskets for carb bowls and bowl nuts? Extra fuel hose (for making replacement) and little inline filters and shut off valves to add to your mowers?
Low strength Loctite help stop sheet metal screws from coming out?
I have a Briggs spark tester that I understand if it will show spark then the spark is strong enough for the engine to run! (Harder to fire it than the old spare spark plug out of the engine trick)

 

[Farmall450]

Super Jet Spray Gumcutter(!)-although I don't think it is safe around plastic(like the nozzle inside of later model Tecumseh carburetors might eat gaskets and paint?
vibratach if not something more sophisticated flywheel tools B&S starter clutch tool
flywheel nut or starter clutch needs to be torqued! piece of plastic air gap gauge for setting distance for "magnetron" or whatever from the flywheel (instead of the business card that everybody uses
Good 1/4" drive stuff and a good little torque wrench/screwdriver
Is the Tecumseh screwdriver still available? (Helps set the float height and pull/install seats "Viton" for the fuel inlet needle)
Jet screws still available? (the "nut" that holds the bowl on the carburetor has a fuel metering hole in it in some designs) Forbidden to poke tiny drill bits in those holes?
Extra o-rings and gaskets for carb bowls and bowl nuts? Extra fuel hose (for making replacement) and little inline filters and shut off valves to add to your mowers?
Low strength Loctite help stop sheet metal screws from coming out?
I have a Briggs spark tester that I understand if it will show spark then the spark is strong enough for the engine to run! (Harder to fire it than the old spare spark plug out of the engine trick)

I wouldn't say hose, o rings, and filters are tools, but indeed very handy. I have a few spools and assortments of such parts.

I figured more specialty tools, like flywheel holders, and the plastic gap gauge, very handy, as are long flexible feeler gauges.

SO ratcheting screwdriver is super useful IMO, about all you need, and everyone should have a good 1/4" drive set!

 

[1foxracing]

Husqvarna part # 530035560 Splined Carb Adjusting Tool
I own a lot of Husqvarna 2-stroke outdoor power equipment and only run LL100 Av Gas & Klotz R50 oil. The carbs always need re-tuning and this is the tool to use.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K6NEODA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jakemac]

Marvel Mystery Oil and Marine grade Sta-Bil (the blue stuff, not red).




Ohhh ........... and a really big hammer !

 

[SnowDrifter]

....A power drill to crank it so I don't have to keep fussing with the pull start?

 

[Farmall450]

....A power drill to crank it so I don't have to keep fussing with the pull start?

Not a bad idea

 

[bobcatdan]

The correct socket for removing starter clutches is very handy. The brass knocker for popping flywheels is a real time saver.

 

[chipper]

Husqvarna part # 530035560 Splined Carb Adjusting Tool
I own a lot of Husqvarna 2-stroke outdoor power equipment and only run LL100 Av Gas & Klotz R50 oil. The carbs always need re-tuning and this is the tool to use.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K6NEODA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I need to get one of these...someone on here told me it was illegal to own one though...pretty funny to me

 

[littletoes]

1/4" drive tools in EVERYTHING! Torx, philips, standard, metric, sae....long extensions, top quality ratchets and adaptors-they all make the job easier.

Easy outs-4 corner square ones. The spiral types make getting out broken bolts harder!

Bottoming taps to clean out rusted holes.
Spark plug taps to chase bad threads.
Not a tool, but copper anti-seize for various jobs.

hmmmm......what else?

 

[DekeT]

I use those same Masterforce picks all the time when digging around inside my small engines. It is my first choice for useful small engine tools.

Second is my valve spring tool. Third is a tie between my ring expander and squeezer.

 

[southalabama]

Sea foam and stabil are your friends for small engines.

I've got a lot of husqvarna equipment and the manuals describe a specialty tool. The local dealer and I graduated hs together. In a small town that means we went to school 12 years together. I was looking at his shop one day and asked him about specialty tools. He didn't have any other than those he made. His life would be so much simpler if he bought the husqvarna tools. Then again. He does it for a living and I was just looking for a cool new tool to buy.

 

[cheechi]

I need to get one of these...someone on here told me it was illegal to own one though...pretty funny to me

I own one. Not sure how it could be illegal, unless it's only certain states or county emissions rule.

 

[joel63]

Well, ethanol tends to mess stuff up...so often if an engine is running rough and you don't necessarily want/need to rebuild the carburetor, a shot of sea foam and some time idling will clean it up. It's especially good for the first time you fire something up in the spring, mower/weedeater/chainsaw/etc.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Farmall 1066]

When I worked on power equipment, the Snap-On CT-30 cordless impact just came out. Within month, everyone in the shop had one!
Another favorite is this slotted cast iron disc, used to back up stamped pulleys so you can use a gear puller without damaging things. Think I got it from Stens.

 

[humber2]

My go for tools for Bugs & Scrapiron

1/4 and 5/16 Nutdrivers
1/4 ratchet, extension and 7/16 & 1/2 sockets
15/16 boxend wrench for flywheel nut
9/16 6 point wrench for mower blade bolt
Tapping stick
Zim #131 valve spring compressor.
Spark plug wrench

Quite happy to store a bust engine with broken con-rod or seized as there's proof both carby and ignition were working to do that.

 

[theoldwizard1]

How do you use Sea Foam in your small engine work?

A partially clogged carburetor can frequently be cleared be a heavy does of SeaFoam (about 10 times what the can says).

 

[theoldwizard1]

One of the best "tools" can not be purchased ! Well at least not directly. The best thing for cleaning a carburetor is a fine, stiff wire.

Take a hand held wire brush and pull out a single strand. (Likely more than one will come out because they are placed into holes in clumps using a small staple.)

Use that single strand to probe/"ream" out passages/jets. Then hit them with some spray carb cleaner.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Seafoam....Nectar of the Gods. I had to eat crow on this one...for a while my dad was telling me how good it was, my buddy at work and i would laugh all the time when my dad would tell me about it, now my buddy and I are "True Believers".

You couldnt PAY me any amount to use Sta-Bil anything.

 

[bob_the_builder]

Does anyone have a model or part number of the in line tester that will ground the plug to the engine block? I already have the standard in line tester but the other would be great.

Bob

 

[msgtsmithret]

I don't have a picture to share, but my favorite small engine tool is the pull start winding tool. You can purchase one, but they are simple to make. An 8" long piece of 3/4" ( approx.) Square stock with a drilled passage to accept a dowel near the top. Put the dowel in the square stock and insert it into the underside of the rewind mechanism on most pull start engines. Just twist it several times to rewind the clock spring when replacing the pull cord.

 

[Coach James]

Seafoam....Nectar of the Gods. I had to eat crow on this one...for a while my dad was telling me how good it was, my buddy at work and i would laugh all the time when my dad would tell me about it, now my buddy and I are "True Believers".

You couldnt PAY me any amount to use Sta-Bil anything.

Ok. There must be a story here.

Coach

 

[Wakefield]

Ok. There must be a story here.

Coach

I think if you put in more StaBil than what the instructions say to a jell might form in the fuel system

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Ok. There must be a story here.

Coach

There is...

So one fall as part of my "winterizing" I Stabil'ed all my OPE...luckily I hate gas powered anything to begin with so it only consisted of my shiny new Mantis Tiller and an older String Trimmer (I've never seen a diesel weedwacker, but I'd love one )
Well fast foward 4 months...spring is upon us and what do I have to deal with...a Mantis which is completely gummed up with Red Gunk, and the weedwacker was no better...luckily I got the mantis running with the help of some SeaFoam.

Since then, i've stayed away from Stabil and used nothing but sea-foam. Spring times are now a time of enjoyment...2 pulls and my equipment is running. No more cleaning red goop. Since then, between my buddy and I, we've drug home some basket cases which ran like **** when bought...2 tanks of Seafoam treated fuel later they are running like new. So I for one, completely agree with the OP when he says Seafoam is a tool for Small Engines. Its no cure for mechanical failures, but IMHO most small engine problems are "Gunk" Related..just arent used nearly enough. Combined with a disposable society, means that there are tons of small engines at recycling centers or garage sales which can be back in running shape for the cost of a spark plug and a bottle of SeaFoam.

 

[msgtsmithret]

Does anyone have a model or part number of the in line tester that will ground the plug to the engine block? I already have the standard in line tester but the other would be great.

Bob

19368 Briggs and Stratton

 

[bob_the_builder]

What is the ratio of sea foam to fuel you use.

Bob

 

[bob_the_builder]

Thanks for the part number. Looks like you can get it on Amazon.

Bob

 

[Farmall450]

1/4" drive tools in EVERYTHING! Torx, philips, standard, metric, sae....long extensions, top quality ratchets and adaptors-they all make the job easier.

Easy outs-4 corner square ones. The spiral types make getting out broken bolts harder!

Bottoming taps to clean out rusted holes.
Spark plug taps to chase bad threads.
Not a tool, but copper anti-seize for various jobs.

hmmmm......what else?

Definetly the square ones...I have williams myself.

I use those same Masterforce picks all the time when digging around inside my small engines. It is my first choice for useful small engine tools.

Second is my valve spring tool. Third is a tie between my ring expander and squeezer.

The picks rock and they're economical, US made pratt reads.

A partially clogged carburetor can frequently be cleared be a heavy does of SeaFoam (about 10 times what the can says).

At least 10x

One of the best "tools" can not be purchased ! Well at least not directly. The best thing for cleaning a carburetor is a fine, stiff wire.

Take a hand held wire brush and pull out a single strand. (Likely more than one will come out because they are placed into holes in clumps using a small staple.)

Use that single strand to probe/"ream" out passages/jets. Then hit them with some spray carb cleaner.

I use torch tip cleaners!

Does anyone have a model or part number of the in line tester that will ground the plug to the engine block? I already have the standard in line tester but the other would be great.

Bob

I believe HF makes one too, but it is pretty rare you come across a bad plug that won't ground.

There is...

So one fall as part of my "winterizing" I Stabil'ed all my OPE...luckily I hate gas powered anything to begin with so it only consisted of my shiny new Mantis Tiller and an older String Trimmer (I've never seen a diesel weedwacker, but I'd love one )
Well fast foward 4 months...spring is upon us and what do I have to deal with...a Mantis which is completely gummed up with Red Gunk, and the weedwacker was no better...luckily I got the mantis running with the help of some SeaFoam.

Since then, i've stayed away from Stabil and used nothing but sea-foam. Spring times are now a time of enjoyment...2 pulls and my equipment is running. No more cleaning red goop. Since then, between my buddy and I, we've drug home some basket cases which ran like **** when bought...2 tanks of Seafoam treated fuel later they are running like new. So I for one, completely agree with the OP when he says Seafoam is a tool for Small Engines. Its no cure for mechanical failures, but IMHO most small engine problems are "Gunk" Related..just arent used nearly enough. Combined with a disposable society, means that there are tons of small engines at recycling centers or garage sales which can be back in running shape for the cost of a spark plug and a bottle of SeaFoam.

It's good stuff; I too dislike Sta Bil...sea foam is worth the money.

What is the ratio of sea foam to fuel you use.

Bob

It says it on the can; I typically give it an overdose though.

 

[Farmall450]

Where do you guys buy these?

I can't seem to beat about $4 shipped from eBay. Maybe keen edge stocks them...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Where do you guys buy these?

I can't seem to beat about $4 shipped from eBay. Maybe keen edge stocks them...

eBay. You might have to buy 10, but they are cheap !

 

[theoldwizard1]

What is the ratio of sea foam to fuel you use.

Bob

If you are trying to cure the very common "engine revs up and down" or "will only run with choke (partially) on", I have been known to put a half of a can into the tank of a typical 5 hp small engine.

10+ hp garden tractor, the whole can.


If these problems keep coming back, remove the gas tank and dump the fuel through a clean rag. See anything ? Well, you should NOT !

For a small tank pour a small amount of denatured alcohol or fresh gas in into and swish it around. If you had any rust flakes, add some small nuts and bolts and agitate. Drain through a clean rag again looking for debris. Repeat until it is clean.

NOW clean the carb !

 

[joel63]

A partially clogged carburetor can frequently be cleared be a heavy does of SeaFoam (about 10 times what the can says).

Thanks for the tip.

I will start to use it in my repairs.

 

[joel63]

One of the best "tools" can not be purchased ! Well at least not directly. The best thing for cleaning a carburetor is a fine, stiff wire.

Take a hand held wire brush and pull out a single strand. (Likely more than one will come out because they are placed into holes in clumps using a small staple.)

Use that single strand to probe/"ream" out passages/jets. Then hit them with some spray carb cleaner.

I must say be very extra careful using that "fine stiff wire" when repairing diaphragm carburetors.

I had a good friend ruin many carburetors with that "fine stiff wire."

I never could cure him of doing that, but then he was an excellent Diesel mechanic.

Bottom line, know what you're doing when doing carburetor repairs.

 

[gungatim]

Where do you guys buy these?

I can't seem to beat about $4 shipped from eBay. Maybe keen edge stocks them...

They stock those at pretty much every farm store, parts store, and box store with a lawnmower section. Surprised you can't find them. I buy a lot of my small engine stuff from MFG Supply, and they also stock that style as well as about 10 others.

http://www.mfgsupply.com/smallengine/smengfuel/smengfuelvalves.html

 

[Farmall450]

They stock those at pretty much every farm store, parts store, and box store with a lawnmower section. Surprised you can't find them. I buy a lot of my small engine stuff from MFG Supply, and they also stock that style as well as about 10 others.

http://www.mfgsupply.com/smallengine/smengfuel/smengfuelvalves.html

I can, i'm just trying to get the price down from $4/each!

eBay. You might have to buy 10, but they are cheap !

Cheapest I can find
http://www.ebay.com/itm/In-Line-Fue...406?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c30796526

 

[Farmall450]

They stock those at pretty much every farm store, parts store, and box store with a lawnmower section. Surprised you can't find them. I buy a lot of my small engine stuff from MFG Supply, and they also stock that style as well as about 10 others.

http://www.mfgsupply.com/smallengine/smengfuel/smengfuelvalves.html

That would cost me $11.70 after two clamps and shipping from them.

 

[G_P]

S/O ratcheting screwdriver with a hex to 1/4" drive adapter so I can put sockets on it.

....A power drill to crank it so I don't have to keep fussing with the pull start?

This works great, but make sure the socket is secured to the drive tool!! Had one horizontal shaft engine fire up and when I went to pull the drill away the socket stayed on the flywheel Before I could get the engine shut down that socket took off like a chrome meteor and it took me 20 minutes to find it. Had it hit me in the head I would have been in the ER!