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All Repair Guides

Browse our complete library of 197 troubleshooting guides for outdoor power equipment.

ATVs

Honda ATV Cranks But Won't Start — Timing Chain & Mechanical Timing Diagnosis Suzuki KingQuad 750 Cranks But Won't Start — EFI & Spark Diagnosis ATV Won't Crank — Starter Circuit Diagnosis Honda ATV Smoking Out Exhaust — Diagnostic & Repair Guide

Chainsaws

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Chainsaw Chain Is Dull And Won't Cut Stihl MS 170 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Poulan Pro Chainsaw Starts Then Dies Husqvarna 455 Rancher Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Chainsaw Starts Then Dies Echo CS-400 Bogs Down Under Load — Fuel & Exhaust Diagnosis Poulan Chainsaw Chain Won't Move — Mechanical / Drive System Diagnosis Stihl Chainsaw Blade Keeps Coming Off Stihl Chainsaw Just Will Not Start Chainsaw Bogs Down Under Load Poulan Chainsaw Chain Won't Spin — Mechanical Clutch & Brake Diagnosis Chainsaw Bogs Down Under Load — Fuel & Exhaust Diagnosis Chainsaw Chain Won't Move — Mechanical Drive & Brake Diagnosis Chainsaw Cranks But Won't Fire — Fuel, Spark, and Compression Diagnosis Stihl Chainsaw Starts Then Dies Chainsaw Chain Won't Turn Poulan Pro Chainsaw Won't Start

Generators

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Inverter Generator Won't Idle Down Portable Generator Bogs Down Under Load Generator Battery Keeps Dying Generac Generator Runs But No Power Output — Electrical Diagnosis Generac Generator Surging Generator Surging Generac Generator Runs but Produces No Power — AVR and Brush Diagnosis Generator Won't Stay Running Generator Runs But No Power Output Generac Generator Won't Start After Sitting Champion 7500 Watt Generator Won't Start Westinghouse Generator Won't Start Champion 3500 Watt Generator Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Predator 3500 Inverter Generator Starts Then Stalls — Fuel System & Carburetor Diagnosis Generator Surges and Dies — Fuel System & Governor Diagnosis Generator Runs But Produces No Power — AVR & Brush Diagnosis Portable Generator Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis

Leaf Blowers

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Stihl BR 800 Backpack Blower Won't Start Echo PB-580 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Stihl BR 600 Backpack Blower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Craftsman Snow Blower Auger Won't Turn — Mechanical Drive Repair Leaf Blower Turns Over But Won't Fire — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Leaf Blower Loses Power Under Load — 2-Stroke Performance Diagnosis Toro Leaf Blower Loses Power — Bogging and Stalling Under Load Snow Blower Auger Won't Turn — Mechanical Drive & Shear Bolt Diagnosis Toro Power Max Snow Blower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Echo PB 580T Leaf Blower Won't Start Toro Snow Blower Won't Start After Summer Leaf Blower Starts Then Dies

Pressure Washers

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Pressure Washer Pump Leaking Oil Pressure Washer Surging Ryobi Pressure Washer No Pressure — Pump and Unloader Valve Diagnosis Ryobi Pressure Washer Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Pressure Washer Loses Pressure — Pump & Unloader Diagnosis Pressure Washer Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Karcher Pressure Washer Loses Pressure — Pump & Unloader Diagnosis Ryobi Pressure Washer Won't Start Dewalt Pressure Washer Won't Start Honda GX200 Pressure Washer Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Pressure Washer Has No Pressure Simpson Pressure Washer Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis

Push Mowers

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Craftsman Push Mower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Push Mower Pull Cord Stuck Lawn Mower Cuts Uneven Or Scalps Lawn Craftsman Push Mower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Lawn Mower Leaking Oil Lawn Mower Smoking Black Smoke Change Oil In Kawasaki 730 Mower Engine Troy-Bilt Push Mower Won't Start After Winter John Deere Mower Deck Has a Hole in It Push Mower Won't Start Honda GCV160 Lawn Mower Won't Start Push Mower Starts Then Dies Kawasaki Mower Engine Won't Stay Running Lawn Mower Surging Up And Down

Riding Mowers

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Husqvarna YTH24V48 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Riding Mower Won't Start And Has No Clicking Sound MTD Riding Mower Won't Move Forward or Reverse Riding Mower Safety Switch Troubleshooting John Deere Riding Mower Blades Won't Engage Riding Mower Won't Start Due To PTO Switch Simplicity Riding Mower Won't Crank — Starter Circuit Diagnosis Gravely ZT HD Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Riding Mower Ignition Switch Troubleshooting Craftsman T110 Riding Mower Dead — No Response Diagnosis Riding Mower Starter Solenoid Troubleshooting Cub Cadet XT1 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Riding Mower Won't Start or Click When Turning Key Husqvarna Z254 Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Riding Mower Clicks Once But Won't Crank Mower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Mower Cranks But Won't Start — Ignition Coil Replacement & No Spark Diagnosis John Deere L120 Won't Crank — Starter Circuit Diagnosis Craftsman Riding Mower Starts Then Stalls — Fuel & Intake System Diagnosis John Deere X570 Surges at Idle — Kawasaki FS730V Fuel & Governor Fix John Deere X350 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Husqvarna Riding Mower Dead — No Crank / No Click Starting Circuit Diagnosis Toro Recycler 22-inch Turns Over But Won't Fire — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis MTD Riding Mower Won't Start Mower Blade Won't Engage — PTO and Belt Mechanical Diagnosis Riding Mower Won't Crank — Electrical & Starter Circuit Diagnosis Lawn Mower Bogs Down Under Load — Fuel Starvation & Mechanical Drag Diagnosis Lawn Mower Starts Then Stalls — Fuel System & Carburetor Diagnosis Riding Mower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Riding Mower Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Turn Over Riding Mower Cranks But Won't Start — Ignition Coil & Spark Diagnosis Riding Mower Blades Won't Engage Riding Mower Battery Keeps Dying Riding Mower Surges at Idle John Deere Gator XUV Won't Crank — Electrical & Starting Circuit Diagnosis Riding Mower Won't Go Uphill Riding Mower Loses Power Under Load Riding Mower Dies When Blades Are Engaged

Side-by-Sides

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Side by Side Won't Crank — Dead / No Response Starting Circuit Diagnosis Polaris Sportsman 570 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel, Spark, & EFI Diagnosis Polaris Ranger 570 Won't Crank — Starter Circuit & Brake Switch Diagnosis Can-Am Outlander 570 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Polaris RZR 900 Cranks But Won't Start — EFI & Ignition Diagnosis

Small Engines

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Troy-Bilt 13WX78BS011 Won't Crank — Starter Circuit Diagnosis Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT CVT Belt Squeal — Drive System Diagnosis 2017 Yamaha Motorcycle Won't Crank — Starter Circuit & Battery Diagnosis Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Ignition Diagnosis Arctic Cat Alterra 700 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis 2016 Exmark Quest Weak Crank — Starter and Compression Release Diagnosis Honda Pioneer 700 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Troy-Bilt 13WX78BS011 Starts Then Stalls — Fuel System Diagnosis Kohler Courage Engine Surging Briggs And Stratton Engine Won't Start 2016 Exmark Quest Won't Crank — Starter Solenoid Clicking and Cable Arcing Diagnosis Honda GX200 Engine Runs Then Dies 2021 Honda Foreman 520 Cranks But Won't Start — EFI & Ignition Diagnosis Chainsaw Sprocket Cover Won't Fit — Chain Brake Reset & Installation Fix Predator 212 Engine Won't Start Briggs & Stratton Intek Engine Blowing Oil Briggs & Stratton 675 Series Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Newer Bad Boy Maverick HD Won't Start Honda Foreman 520 Stuck In 4wd Honda Foreman 520 Turns Over But Doesn't Start Polaris Ranger 570 Belt Squealing — Mechanical Diagnosis Honda Foreman 500 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis ATV Rattling and Jumping in Gear — Mechanical Drivetrain Diagnosis Craftsman YT3000 Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Troy-Bilt Bronco Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Honda HRX217 Pulls But Won't Fire — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Yamaha Grizzly 700 Won't Crank — Starter Circuit Diagnosis Kohler Command 20hp Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Honda GCV160 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Generac GP3500iO Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Honda EU2200i Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Fix Westinghouse WGen7500 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Stihl MS 250 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis 2020-2024 Honda Foreman 520 Won't Crank — Starter Circuit Diagnosis Honda Rancher 420 Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Briggs And Stratton Engine Backfires On Startup Kohler Courage Engine Surging At Idle Briggs And Stratton Engine Surging Kohler 7000 Series Engine Surging UTV Drive Belt Squealing and Slipping ATV Battery Keeps Dying Briggs & Stratton Engine Surges — Carburetor and Governor Diagnosis ATV Won't Start, Clicks But Won't Crank Honda Foreman 520 Display Stays On — Electrical System Diagnosis

Snow Blowers

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Snow Blower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Ariens Snow Blower Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis

Weed Eaters

View all Weed Eaters

Trimmer Line Won't Feed — Mechanical Head Diagnosis & Repair Weed Eater Bogs Down Under Load String Trimmer Line Keeps Breaking Weed Eater Starts Then Dies Stihl FS 56 RC Weed Eater Won't Start Stihl FS 91 Trimmer Cranks But Won't Start — 4-MIX Engine Diagnosis Echo Weed Eater Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel, Spark, and Exhaust Diagnosis Ryobi String Trimmer Line Won't Feed — Bump Head Mechanical Fix Craftsman Weed Eater Cranks But Won't Fire — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis String Trimmer Engine Running But Spool Isn't Spinning Weed Eater Primer Bulb Won't Hold Gas Weed Eater String Won't Auto Dispense Shindaiwa Weed Eater Won't Stay Running Husqvarna String Trimmer Won't Stay Running Echo String Trimmer Head Won't Spin — Mechanical Drive Diagnosis Stihl Weed Eater Won't Stay Running Weed Eater Turns Over But Won't Fire — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis

Zero-Turn Mowers

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Zero Turn Mower Belt Keeps Coming Off Zero Turn Mower Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis John Deere Zero Turn Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Zero Turn Mower Won't Move Scag Zero Turn Mower Won't Start Toro Zero Turn One Side Not Pulling — Hydrostatic Drive Diagnosis Toro TimeCutter Zero Turn Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Cub Cadet Zero Turn Won't Crank — Dead Starting Circuit Diagnosis Ariens Zero Turn Cranks But Won't Start — Fuel & Spark Diagnosis Zero Turn Mower Bolts Too Tight Zero Turn Engine Doesn't Start Zero Turn Engine Will Turn Over But Not Start Kohler Mower Engine Won't Stay Running Zero Turn Mower One Side Won't Move

Small Engine Troubleshooting Made Simple

Search your problem and get quick repair steps for mowers, generators, chainsaws, pressure washers, weed eaters, leaf blowers, snow blowers, ATVs, and more.

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How It Works

Describe Your Problem — Type what your equipment is doing (or not doing) in plain English, including the year, make, and model.
Get an Instant Guide — We match it to a saved guide or generate a new step-by-step fix on the spot.
Fix It Yourself — Follow the clear steps, see visuals, watch videos, and grab the right parts.

Free Small Engine Repair Guides for Every Homeowner

Lil Engine is a free troubleshooting resource built for homeowners, DIYers, and anyone who owns outdoor power equipment. Instead of digging through scattered forum threads or paying for a repair shop diagnosis, you can search your exact problem — including the year, make, and model of your equipment — and get a detailed, step-by-step repair guide in seconds. Every guide is grounded in real-world repair data from manufacturer service manuals, verified community forums, and hands-on experience, so you get practical answers you can trust.

We cover the full range of outdoor power equipment: riding mowers and zero-turn mowers from brands like John Deere, Husqvarna, Toro, and Cub Cadet; push mowers powered by Briggs & Stratton, Honda, and Kohler engines; portable and standby generators from Generac, Champion, and Honda; chainsaws by Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo; plus pressure washers, weed eaters, leaf blowers, snow blowers, ATVs, and side-by-sides. Whether your engine won't start, surges at idle, bogs under load, or won't crank at all, our guides walk you through the diagnosis and fix.

What makes Lil Engine different is specificity. Generic repair advice rarely matches your exact situation. When you include your equipment's make and model, our guides are tailored to that engine series — pointing you to the right carburetor, the correct spark plug gap, and the specific safety switches that commonly fail on that platform. Each guide includes a quick answer, a quick-fix checklist, detailed causes, step-by-step repair instructions with safety notes, community tips from real repair forums, video references, and exact-fit product recommendations so you can get the right parts the first time.

Lil Engine was founded by Derick Dearmon, a professionally licensed engineer with over 20 years of troubleshooting experience across naval, electrical, and power generation systems, and a lifelong small engine hobbyist. The systematic diagnostic approach that drives every guide is the same method used to track down faults in complex industrial equipment — applied to the mower in your garage. Learn more about our story and editorial process .

Not Sure What's Wrong?

Our interactive diagnostic flowchart walks you through your symptoms to pinpoint the exact cause — no guessing, no wasted parts. You can also browse all repair guides or read our small engine maintenance blog .