Prove That You Can Repair a Small Engine by Getting More Than 30 Right on This Quiz!

By: Dave Davis
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Prove That You Can Repair a Small Engine by Getting More Than 30 Right on This Quiz!
Image: Pexels by Skitterphoto

About This Quiz

There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who have to call someone when the lawnmower doesn't start and those who roll up their sleeves and are about to get up to their elbows in lawnmower parts. Small engines are simpler than their automotive cousins, but it doesn't mean that they're simple. Do you have what it takes to avoid trips to the repair shop when something goes sideways with your lawn and garden equipment? This quiz separates the weekend tinkerers from the hardcore doers

It can take more than a green thumb to get the best out of your landscaping; sometimes, you need to get your hands black with oil and grease. Mowers, tillers, chain saws, gas trimmers and other power equipment get exposed to the elements, are often handled roughly and are put down into the grass and dirt regularly — it's their job, after all. They occasionally need more than just regular maintenance. Are you up to the task of keeping multiple engines running smoothly?

If you can get more than 30 of these 35 questions correct, you'll prove that you know your way around the two-stroke engine of your lawn equipment or the small four-stroke engine of your lawnmower. You'll also get calls from your friends when their equipment isn't running right, but that's OK; you probably enjoy working on the engines more than you like digging in the dirt anyway. Hop off the riding mower (or put down the snowblower, depending on the season), and test your knowledge of the small engines that make your life easier!

Lawn mower side
Pixabay by Alexas Fotos
Which of these problems is often overlooked, easy to fix and can drastically improve engine performance when corrected?
Dirty air filter
Clogged fuel injector
Fractured head gasket
Broken push rod
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The air filter is a critical piece of your small engine — all air coming in for combustion passes through it — and if it's dirty, your engine can't breathe right. Take a few moments to regularly check to see if it needs cleaning or replacement. Your engine will thank you!

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Flooded engine
donyboy73 via YouTube
What is usually the easiest way to tell if your small engine has "flooded"?
Keep pulling the start cord
See if priming it again helps
Shake it
Remove the spark plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When the engine is over-primed, the choke is improperly set or another problem puts too much fuel in the system, the engine becomes "flooded" and won't start. If you remove the spark plug and find that it's wet, that's your problem. Let the cylinder dry out and try it again.

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Tools
Pixabay by Chris Reading
Mechanics know that the acronym "F.A.S.T." is the guide for troubleshooting a troublesome engine. What does the "S" stand for?
Spark
Siphon
Speed
Situation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Internal combustion engines need four things to operate: Fuel, Air, Spark and Timing. By remembering the acronym "F.A.S.T.," you can narrow down the problem quicker, arrive at the correct fix and become the hero!

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Primer bulb
Jeff's Little Engine Service via YouTube
You go to prime your engine and notice that the primer bulb is cracked. What should you do?
Glue it back together
Tape it back together
Replace it
Ignore it
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rubber bulb you use to prime the engine when you get ready to start it can crack or be torn over time, causing it to leak fuel and unable to do its job. It's best to replace it; otherwise, it won't be able to form the seal it needs to draw gas from the tank.

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puddle
Pexels by blabla
You notice there's some fuel leaking from the area under the carburetor. What might be causing this?
Old, oxidized gasoline
Cracked carburetor bowl gasket
Cracked cylinder
Blown head gasket
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Over time, the carburetor bowl gasket might dry out and crack — or in some cases, fall off completely. Check this gasket and others around the carburetor and you'll probably find the missing or damaged piece of the puzzle.

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Gasoline Container
WhisperToMe via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these is a common fuel-to-oil ratio when it comes to two-stroke engines?
160:1
120:1
80:1
40:1
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Two-stroke engines — the kind used in smaller engines — require the user to mix oil in with the gasoline, typically at a 40:1 or 50:1 ratio of gas to oil. This means that, for each gallon of gas, about 3.2 ounces of two-cycle engine oil needs to be mixed in.

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Multimeter
Pixabay by Kritsada Jaiyen
Which piece of equipment is invaluable for mechanics who need to see if electricity is flowing when it should be?
Wire stripper
Multimeter
Fuse repair kit
ODBII scanner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A multimeter looks intimidating to those who aren't familiar with the tool, but in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, it can save a lot of time and struggle. By finding dead or undercharged circuits, a multimeter is one of the best diagnostic tools of a mechanic.

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Rewind starter
motoprof1441 via YouTube
You pull the cord to start the lawnmower and, snap; you're left holding a broken cord. What's the first step in repairing this?
Remove the starter spring
Remove the rewind assembly
Close the clutch
Call your dad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The FIRST first step, of course, is to cool off before making the repair (that's a very frustrating thing that's just happened!). Putting a new starter cord on is actually pretty simple, and the first step is to remove the rewind assembly, which is where the cord attaches.

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Tune up
Pixabay by Radosław Kulupa
Which of these is NOT part of a regular "tune up" maintenance routine?
Changing the spark plug
Changing the air filter
Changing the oil
Adjusting the valve lifter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just as regular maintenance is necessary for your car, your small engines need some TLC as well. The oil needs to be changed, filters need to be cleaned and the spark plug needs to be kept in good working order. There's no worse feeling than pulling the start cord and ... nothing.

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Frustration
Pixabay by Gerd Altmann
You pull the cord and nothing happens. Pull it again; same thing. After a few tries, what's the first thing to check?
Check the fuel filter
Check the carburetor
Check the starter cord
See if there's gas in the tank
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It might sound like dumb advice, but you'll save yourself a lot of headaches if you start out chasing horses and not zebras. The engine won't run without gas in the tank, and that's the easiest thing to check when there's a problem. If there's fuel, then move along down the troubleshooting line.

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Two-stroke engine
Gérard Delafond via Wikimedia Commons
What is the functional difference between a two-stroke and four-stroke engine?
The combustion process
The length of the connecting rod
The number of cylinders
The need for more than one carburetor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Two- and four-stroke engines are similar (they are both internal combustion motors), but they achieve this by slightly different means. The combustion process consists of the intake of air and fuel, compressing that mix, igniting that mix and doing away with exhaust gases. Four-stroke engines perform this process in four independent stages; two-stroke engines just use the upward and downward strokes.

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Tiller
Tim Douglass via YouTube
When using a tiller or lawnmower, which of these steps should be part of basic maintenance each season?
Clean dirt and debris from the housing
Change the oil
Check the sharpness of the blades
All the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you take care of your tools now, they'll take care of you down the road (thanks, Dad!). The oil is vital to the engine's well-being, the machine should be kept clean to avoid dirt getting into the engine, and the blades should be sharpened for better results and an easier load on the engine.

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Lawn mower blade
Atomicdragon136 via Wikimedia Commons
When checking the condition of a lawnmower blade, what's the first thing to do?
Pull out the starter rope
Make sure there's no fuel in the tank
Take the wire off the spark plug
Close the throttle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Without a spark, the lawnmower's engine will not run, and you do not want the engine even capable of running when you're dealing with the blade. Unplugging the spark plug from the spark plug wire is the easiest, surest way of keeping all your fingers where they belong.

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Masport Iron Horse Mower
Stug.stug via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these problems can result from leaving gas in the engine without running it for too long?
Air in the tank
Corroded gas line
Gunky carburetor
Fouled spark plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you leave gas — especially untreated gas — in the system over the off-season, you might have trouble starting it when it comes time to mow the lawn or blow snow off the driveway. Time to get your hands dirty to clean the carburetor!

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Carburetor
Bin im Garten via Wikimedia Commons
This part is designed to mix fuel and air into a combustible form for the engine. Can you name the part?
Carburetor
Cylinder
Flywheel
Air intake valve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While they've fallen out of favor in automobiles thanks to the fuel injector, most small engines still use a carburetor to combine fuel and air into a mixture that can be used by the internal combustion engine. If your engine isn't getting enough fuel, this is one of the first things to check.

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White smoke
Hoffman Handyman Service via YouTube
Your engine is producing white or white-blue smoke when it's running. What's the deal?
It's not burning fuel properly.
It's burning oil.
The spark plug's gone bad.
The piston is misaligned.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

White or white-blue smoke means that oil is being burned within your engine. This could mean something simple (the crankcase is overfilled with oil or the engine was on its side during storage) or something more complex (the head gasket is blown). The smoke is a clue to point you in the right direction.

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Mechanic
Pixabay by Ulrike Mai
Which of these is a good diagnostic activity to see if there's a fuel problem with an engine that won't start?
Spray petroleum-based lubricant into the carburetor
Take a multimeter reading on the battery
Top off the fuel tank
Repeatedly push the primer bulb twice for every failed pull of the start cord
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you suspect your small engine isn't getting enough (or any) fuel, take an aerosol petroleum-based lubricant ("petroleum-based" is the key here), take off the air filter and spray into the carburetor throat. If it starts (it'll die soon after), it's a fuel problem.

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Spark plug
Pixabay by Josch13
Which of these is the proper spark plug gap for small engines?
.005"
.010"
.1"
It varies from engine to engine.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gap between the electrodes of a spark plug (the gap the spark travels) varies depending on the engine, but if it's not gapped correctly, the engine will run rough if it runs at all. Check the manual to see what the proper gap should be.

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battery
Frettie via Wikimedia Commons
For small engines with batteries, what might be the cause of a battery that keeps draining?
A short in the throttle
A worn ignition coll
Bad voltage regulator
A frayed spark plug wire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The voltage regulator is responsible for sending the correct amount of energy to the battery from the alternator to keep it charged. If this part doesn't function properly, the battery will be drained faster than recharged.

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Chainsaw
Pixabay by Willfried Wende
Which of the following statements is true about two-stroke and four-stroke engines?
Two-stroke engines are more fuel-efficient.
Two-stroke engines are more complex.
Four-stroke engines are quieter.
Both engines require mixing oil into the fuel.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Four-stroke engines are more complex and heavier than their two-stroke cousins, but they are also more fuel-efficient and quieter. The two-stroke is often found in simpler lawn and garden equipment, while four-stroke engines are the more heavy-duty players.

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Head gasket
Honda CB77 Restoration via Wikimedia Commons
When repairing a gasket, which of the following is true?
Not all engines have gaskets.
It's impossible to tell which gasket is blown without dismantling the engine.
Gaskets can be salvaged if you catch it quickly enough.
You should use a gasket scraper when replacing one.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gaskets will show signs of wear through leaks, burn marks and other telltale signs. When replacing a gasket (they can't be salvaged), it's important to get ALL the old gasket off the mounting surface before putting the new one on. Take your time and use a gasket scraper so you'll get a clean seal with the new one.

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Black smoke
Ilya Plekhanov via Wikimedia Commons
What does it mean when your engine is producing black smoke while running?
It's burning oil.
It's a fuel issue.
You put diesel fuel in the tank.
The humidity is too high for proper functionality.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When your engine is producing black smoke while running, there's a problem with the fuel system. Causes could be a dirty air filter (resulting in too much fuel in the air/fuel mix), bad fuel, a flooded or dirty carburetor, or something else in the system.

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fist
Pexels by Pixabay
The darned thing won't start. It's got gas and you've changed out the spark plug and still ... nothing. What's the next step?
Check the oil level
Check the ignition coil
Change the air filter
Swap out the fuel filter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If the engine isn't even threatening to start, you've checked that there's gas in the tank and the spark plug is in good condition, the culprit might be the ignition coil (it sends voltage to the plug for the spark). An ignition coil tester will let you know if you've found the problem.

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Lawn mower
Pixabay by Photo Mix
If your lawnmower suddenly loses power or speed but keeps running, what could this be a sign of?
A problem with the drive belt
A bad fuel/oil mix
A clogged fuel injector
A cracked piston head
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If the engine keeps running, but the lawnmower loses power or cutting ability, the answer could lie with the drive belt. Once the mower is off (and the spark plug wire is detached), check to see if the belt is dislocated or broken.

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Gas can
Pixabay by bpcraddock
How fast does untreated gas go bad?
Three to six months
Six months to a year
One to two years
It never goes bad.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because of oxygenation, gasoline will degrade over time, and the longer it's been sitting in its can, the more combustibility it loses. When stored in a tightly sealed container, gasoline stays viable from three to six months.

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Starting lawnmower
LLeyDavis via Wikimedia Commons
When you pull the cord to start your lawnmower, there's no resistance and you land on your rear. What's the problem?
The "deadman's" switch wasn't engaged.
The recoil starter is broken.
The starter line is too long.
The flywheel is disengaged.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you pull the starter line, you're activating the recoil starter, and if there's a problem with it, there will either be no resistance on the line or too much of it. Either way, that engine isn't starting until you repair or replace the recoil starter. Good luck!

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Spark Plug
Pixabay by Ronald Plett
How often should you replace the spark plug on your small engine?
Only when there's a problem
Every 300 hours of operation
Every five years
Every year
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spark plugs are cheap, usually easy to replace and can take a lot of abuse during the operation of a small engine. During annual maintenance (you DO perform annual maintenance, correct?), go ahead and swap out the old for new — it'll be one less thing to worry about.

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Vapor
Pixabay via hbieser
Which of these devices can cause "vapor lock" in a small engine?
Gas cap
Carburator
Flywheel
Intake valve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The gas cap has a small air vent that refills the volume in the tank when fuel leaves it, avoiding a vacuum in the container. If this vent gets clogged, the gas won't be able to leave the tank and will starve the engine of fuel, which is known as "vapor locking." If slightly loosening the cap allows the engine to run again, the vent is stopped up.

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Trimmer
Pixabay by Alexas Fotos
Which of these parts often causes no end of problems for people unfamiliar with a two-stroke engine when starting it?
Pull cord
Choke
Carburetor
Primer bulb
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The choke has caused a lot of damage to engines over the years thanks to their frustrated owners slamming the tool down because they can't get it started. When starting a cold two-stroke engine, the choke should be closed to limit the air being sent to the engine for a more fuel-rich mix. Once it's running and warmed up, open the choke to balance the mix and get to work.

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Stop bar
Pixabay by Pexels
You release the stop cable bar (or the "deadman's" bar) and the lawnmower doesn't stop. What's the most likely culprit?
The fuel/air mix is too rich.
The stop cable is disconnected.
The stop cable is set too tightly.
The stop cable has become stretched.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The stop bar is designed only to allow the engine to start when the bar is pressed against the main handle, and to stop the engine when released. If the engine doesn't stop, it probably means the stop cable has become stretched over time. It needs to be readjusted or replaced.

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chainsaw
Pixabay by René Schindler
The engine starts, but it backfires, vibrates, puts out heavy exhaust fumes and is generally very rude. What gives?
Bent connecting rod
Dirty carburetor
Worn or damaged valves
Bad gasoline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If the engine is idling roughly, putting out a lot of exhaust, vibrating, or popping and is generally a pain in the rear to use, the problem could be worn, burnt or bent valves. Replacing valves is a tricky repair for DIYers, but you'll at least know what you're dealing with.

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Piston
Pixabay by Alexas Fotos
Which of these tests will tell you if you're losing compression in the cylinder?
Overhead compression test
Smell test
Leak down test
Injector sensitivity test
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If your cylinder isn't getting good compression in the combustion chamber, your engine won't run well (or, if it's bad, at all). A leak down test will tell you if your engine is getting proper compression in the cylinder.

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Straight line grass
Pixabay by Pexels
Which of these systems is usually the most reliable part of the engine?
Airflow filter
Lubrication system
Fuel pump
Ignition module
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The ignition module on most small engines is electric and doesn't have moving parts — therefore, it's the least likely to cause problems when the engine doesn't operate properly. That's not to say that it can never go bad; it just usually not the first place to start when there's a problem getting a spark.

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Flywheel
Raimond Spekking via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these parts is designed to protect the engine in case of a sudden stop?
"Deadman's" switch
Clutch release
Flywheel key
Choke assembly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flywheel key is a piece of metal that connects the crankshaft to the flywheel. If the engine comes to a sudden stop, this piece will break, protecting the engine. The engine won't run without this brave, self-sacrificing piece of machinery.

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Emergency room
Pexels by Pixabay
It's worth keeping in mind! About how many people are injured each year in lawn mower accidents?
500
10,000
75,000
250,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 250,000 people are injured by lawnmower each year, and in 2014, 100 people were killed. Not all these people were hurt repairing their equipment, but it's worth noting that, when you're working on or with small engines, a lapse in attention can be costly.

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You Got:
/35
Pexels by Skitterphoto