Small Gas Engine Repair :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review

SAVE MONEY BY HANDLING YOUR OWN SMALL GAS ENGINE MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR JOBS

The Third Edition of Small Gas Engine Repair shows you how to troubleshoot and repair virtually any type of small gas engine used in garden equipment, chain saws, pumps, and standby generators. Completely revised and updated and offering a step-by-step approach, this bestseller covers all you need to know to repair and maintain a small gas engine and get professional results while saving money.

This in-depth guide by master mechanic Paul Dempsey includes the latest in small engine technology and gives you up-to-date information on overhead valve and overhead cam engines, carburetion advances, digital ignition systems, and more. Dempsey explains how to troubleshoot and repair both two- and four-cycle engines. The author also reveals the shortcuts, field fixes, and other tricks of the trade that only working mechanics know. In this Third Edition you'll find:

New information on float-type and diaphragm carburetors
The latest ignition systems, together with advances in pollution-control devices
More than 50% new material added

INSIDE THIS GAS ENGINE REPAIR GUIDE:

Basics • Troubleshooting • Ignition Systems • Fuel System • Rewind Starters • Electrical System • Engine Mechanical[not a major section; addressed only briefly in this book]
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Customer Reviews

Great for Troubleshooting

2008-06-05
This is the best book for troubleshooting that I have seen. There are nice flow charts that really help you to decide where to look. The text is well written and the drawings are clear. You don't even have to read between the lines to understand that an experienced mechanic has written this one. It doesn't just say "remove the flywheel", it tells you how to remove the flywheel. Recommended.

Excellent book for someone with aptitude and some experience

2008-02-14
This is an excellent book all the way through. Great diagrams and explanations on how to repair most small engines. Well written and very useful to the DIY repairman.

However,

If you're looking for a book that shows you how to change a spark plug, this is not the book for you. There are much better books out there for beginners and light tinkerers.

This book assumes that not only are you mechanically proficient and have the tools to repair it yourself but also posess a basic understanding of how small engine mechanisms work already or can figure it out without too much effort.

Not to say the average homeowner won't find it useful, but the author doesn't go in-depth or hold your hand through what should be moderately simple procedures for someone with basic experience in mechanical repair.

That's what makes this either a good book or a bad book. If you know or can stumble your way around engines, this is a great book that gives you the information you need to properly repair many different models and makes.

If you're someone whose lawnmower broke down last weekend and you thought it might be fun to fix it yourself but you don't have a lot of tools or experience on repairing engines then there are probably some better books out there.

I like this book simply because the author doesn't waste any time (or paper) explaining things that you should already know. Think of it like Small Engine Repair 201 instead of Small Engine Repair 101.

I'll probably hang onto this book for as long as I have small gas engines I may need to repair since it makes such a great reference book.

--James

Small Gas Engine Repair

2000-07-05
This book is very in-depth. From beginning to end it describes types of engines, troubleshooting,and individual engine components or systems. The book is certainly not a book for someone that does not already have a working knowledge of engines. The tech information and drawings are very confusing. There is little doubt that Mr. Dempsey knows all about engine repair. It is not a book for the average person that wants to learn to repair a lawn mower. If the author's intention was to provide a teaching text--in my opinion, he missed the mark.