re: Small engine repair - Can you do it?

Yes

Plus I can take apart any engine, put it in a tub, replace and repair any part , then put it back together. Gasoline or diesel. I’ve repaired cars, trucks, boats ,tractors , generators and everything that goes with country life all of my life.

Im working on a tractor come daylight today.


When we were kids we always carried tools and food in case we broke down somewhere.

quote:

---

You work at a plant?

---

Yup

quote:

---

day to day things in high-school FFA

---

this has been one of the best classes i ever took. had to tear down and rebuild the briggs and straton

quote:

---

My mower was $750 brand new 15 years ago. No way I’m getting another one because it was stalling and running badly.
A lot of GenZ’s and Millennials would probably throw it away and just buy a new one.

---

i mean i know how and am xeniall at 41 but i mean is there something wrong with just buying a new mower after 15 years

i mean jesus should we make it last 25...50...at some point just buy one.

this obsession with the older crowd of banging on the younger crowd for not fixing things and just buying new ones or not being able to drive a standard and plenty of other things. The lack of perception by boomers in realizing these skills are not really needed anymore is laughable.

now i will say, i do think young boys should learn to how to do small engine repair because it teaches them about engines and overall mechanical aptitude but it isn't some common skill that people need to know or will use often.

quote:

---

When we were kids we always carried tools and food in case we broke down somewhere.

---

I learned to fix the mower because I was the 10 year old who usually broke it so I could go to the ballpark instead of mowing yards all day.

quote:

---

My dad and grandad gave me a free Phd course in small engines

---

My pop didnt teach me anything. He would rather fix it himself than train me, he didnt have much of a temper but it came out when he was repairing shite.

I learned the hard way, breaking it first then fixing it.

I had 4 stroke dirt bikes growing up, the ole man worked so if they broke down we had to fix them.

Or wait until he got home and felt like helping.

I could fix nearly anything, then took small engine repair as a waste of time in high school

So yes I can fix stuff

quote:

---

i mean i know how and am xeniall at 41 but i mean is there something wrong with just buying a new mower after 15 years

---

Why? I fixed the carburetor for $12, and did a couple other maintenance items for another $20. This is all the money I’ve ever put into it in 15 years.
Spend 45 mins and $30, or drop $200 for a piece of shite one, that may last 5 years.
I have a Gravely, probably the best mower made (Honda owners may argue with me). After 15 years, it still looks brand new.
It is multi-speed, multi- usage (bag, side discharge, or mulcher), and will probably last me another 15 years.

It’s my second favorite lawn tool, second to my McLane edger, another one that cranks on the first pull.

I can do small engines especially generators because I'm usually remiss with maintenance until we're in the cone with 3 days until landfall. That's a real motivator to learn how to do shite and fast.

quote:

---

i mean i know how and am xeniall at 41 but i mean is there something wrong with just buying a new mower after 15 years

---

No, but there is something satisfying about being able to repair things yourself. Some things that I've kept going are now like pets to me. I'm going to keep them going as long as possible.