How To Become a Small-Engine Mechanic

Do you love working with your hands? Do smaller engines and equipment fascinate you? If so, and you enjoy diagnosing problems, using tools and fixing equipment so it runs as it was designed to, a career as a small-engine mechanic may be for you.

What is a small-engine mechanic? A small-engine mechanic specializes in diagnosing and repairing small two- and four-stroke gasoline engines, which are essential to various industries, including powersports and landscaping equipment.

Common devices powered by these engines include snowmobiles, marine outboard engines, mowers, and chainsaws.

Small-engine mechanics can work in diverse settings, from powersports dealerships to equipment repair shops, and often travel to customer locations for on-site repairs, especially for lawn care and landscaping equipment that requires immediate attention to prevent business losses.

After gaining years of experience in the field, some small-engine mechanics may choose to become small-business owners. This is because of the relatively low initial startup costs compared to other repair shops. Many start their businesses in personal garages, leveraging their mechanical skills and entrepreneurial spirit.

Essential skills for a successful small-engine mechanic include advanced knowledge of engine operation, fuel systems, ignition systems and diagnostic work. While formal training isn't mandatory, attending a program like those offered at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI), a small-engine repair school, can provide a solid foundation and valuable knowledge for the career.^1.1

Keep reading to learn more about what a small-engine mechanic does, common tools they use, their typical salary and more!

What Is a Small-Engine Mechanic?

Small gasoline engines supply power to countless products across various industries. However, small engines generally fall into one of two categories:

Small engines in powersports

• Snowmobiles
• Small watercraft/marine outboards
• Go-karts
• Minibikes
• Dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles

Small engines in landscaping equipment

• Mowers (powered push and ride-on)
• Chainsaws
• Blowers
• Weed trimmers/edgers
• Woodchippers

Small gasoline engines also power small generators and water/utility/sump pumps. When you start to look, it’s amazing how many small engines are in use today!

What does a small-engine mechanic do?

A small-engine mechanic specializes in the repair, maintenance and troubleshooting of small engines typically found in equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, generators and other similar machinery.

These skilled professionals diagnose issues, perform necessary repairs or replacements on engine components, conduct routine maintenance tasks like oil changes and tune-ups, and ensure that small engines operate efficiently and safely.

Small-engine mechanics possess expertise in engine mechanics, electrical systems and fuel systems specific to smaller-scale machinery, providing valuable services that keep these engines running smoothly and reliably for their users.

What do small-engine mechanics work on?

Small-engine mechanics specialize in servicing a variety of small engines commonly found in equipment such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, generators, weed eaters, snow blowers and other similar machinery.

These skilled professionals work on diagnosing and repairing issues related to the engines' components, electrical systems, fuel systems and overall functionality. They handle tasks like troubleshooting engine performance problems, conducting routine maintenance checks, performing tune-ups, replacing worn-out parts and ensuring that small engines operate efficiently and safely.

Small-engine mechanics’ expertise extends to a diverse range of small-scale machinery, making them valuable assets for maintaining and optimizing the performance of these essential equipment pieces for both residential and commercial users.

Where Does a Small-Engine Mechanic Work?

With such widespread use, the need for a mechanic to service and repair this equipment is inevitable. A small-engine mechanic may work anywhere from a powersports dealership or an equipment repair shop, to a municipality where they troubleshoot, service, maintain and repair small gasoline engines.

Small-engine mechanics often travel to a customer’s location to complete their work. For example, the equipment used in lawn care and landscaping sees very hard use, and when it breaks down the company owner loses money by the hour. It isn’t uncommon for small-engine mechanics who specialize in lawn equipment to receive calls from business owners when they need help quickly!

In situations like this, a repair shop may dispatch a small-engine mechanic to the customer’s location to complete the work as quickly as possible.

Small-business owner

Small-engine mechanics and small-business owners go hand-in-hand. If you’re looking for an opportunity to combine an entrepreneurial spirit with your love for hands-on work, a small-engine repair business could be a good fit.

Opening a small-engine repair shop does not have the excessive initial startup costs that many other repair shops have, such as lifts, tire machines, brake lathes, etc. Many small-engine mechanics start their business out of their personal garages!

Skills and Knowledge Needed

A successful small-engine mechanic will have advanced knowledge of:

• Two- and four-stroke engine operation
• Fuel systems and ignition systems
• Testing and diagnostic work
• Drivetrain components (lawn tractors)

Small-engine mechanics may attend a formal training program, or they may gain experience working under an existing mechanic. Mechanical and diagnostic skills develop over time with experience; however, an educational program at a small-engine mechanic school can give an aspiring small-engine mechanic a solid foundation upon which to build.

Common Tasks of a Small-Engine Mechanic

Since small-engine mechanics work on a variety of equipment and products, their day-to-day tasks are rarely the same. From putting a new top end on a two-stroke chainsaw to cleaning a carburetor on a riding mower, small-engine mechanics mainly work on engines and their components. Common tasks include:

• Adjusting valves
• Rebuilding carburetors
• Tune-up/oil change maintenance
• Diagnosing no-start/no-run conditions
• Cleaning/repairing fuel systems

Tool List for a Small-Engine Mechanic

Whether employed at a shop or self-employed, a small-engine mechanic needs basic hand tools. Wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, etc., are all required for success, but what else? Here is a list of common tools of the trade:

• Compressor
• Chain sharpener
• Battery charger/jump-starter/load tester
• Spark tester
• Compression tester
• Leakdown tester
• Valve spring compressor
• Endoscope
• Impact gun/wrench
• Broken-bolt extractor
• Pullers/remover tools
• Multimeter
• Carburetor cleaning equipment
• Torque wrench

Small-Engine Mechanic Salary Opportunities

Some small-engine mechanics become motorcycle mechanics or technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median wage for motorcycle mechanics in the United States was $46,270 in May 2023.³⁰ That means half of motorcycle mechanics earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.

How MMI Training Can Help You Become a Small-Engine Mechanic^1.1

As stated earlier, formal training isn’t required to pursue a career as a small-engine mechanic. But for those who know exactly what they want to do with their career, an instructor-led, hands-on course can be very valuable.¹⁸

Some of the coursework offered at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) won’t apply to a small-engine mechanic, but a lot of it will. Two- and four-stroke engine operation, fuel systems, diagnostic work, etc., will all prove to be very valuable after graduation. There are no set-in-stone career paths for MMI graduates, but many go on to exciting and varied careers after completion of the program.

Train for a Career in Less Than a Year

In MMI’s 48-week Motorcycle Technician Training program, you’ll be taught the foundations of motorcycle, ATV, side-by-side and personal watercraft technology to prepare for a career as a motorcycle technician.⁷ To learn more, visit our program page and request information to talk with an Admissions Representative today.