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Small engines are all around you. They are used to mow your grass, fell trees, prune hedges, glide across water, zip down the snowmobile trail, and drive off the beaten path. Discover the history and theories of why these engines are powerful. Dissect components, take specific measurements, and make recommendations for repair.  Safely operate and maintain equipment owned by the department.

UNIT 1 - Getting Started

Essential Question: How do you stay safe? How do small engines impact human life?
Focus Class Procedures and Expectations
40-year Learning Organization and Safety are fundamentals for life
​LEVEL 1: Developing a community of engaged learners
  • TASK 1:  Team building activity
LEVEL 2: Pre-Test
  • TASK: Complete this small engines pre-test
LEVEL 3: Course Logistics
Course Syllabus Discussion
  • Syllabus download (signatures due asap)
  • Setting up groups (go to shared folder)
  • Creating your Binder Cover Page, open the shared Google Folder and start a new document in the "Cover Page" folder. Have your instructor print your cover page in color.
Procedures and Protocols
  • Shop Cleaning Schedule (go to shared folder)
Small Engines Lab Orientation
  • Complete the Scavenger Hunt Activity
Course online materials orientation
  • The instructor will show you around PHS-Agzone
Lab Note Book Handout and Storage location
  • Download Note Book
LEVEL 4: Shop Safety
  • Accident Reporting
  • Fire Extinguisher Location
  • Safety Glasses
  • Shop Coats
  • Ventilation System
  • Starting of engines
Presentation
Shop Safety Reading

Safety Exam
LEVEL 5: The Right Tool for the Job
Understanding what the tool's name is and its function is essential for your knowledge base when working efficiently on an engine or machine it powers.
LEVEL 6: Careers in Small Engine Repair

PART 1: Finding a Career
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PART 2: Employ-ability Skills
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Graded Assessments
​Multi-part Assessments
  • ​Syllabus Signature
  • Shop Safety Exam
  • Shop Cleanliness points
  • Tool Exam

UNIT 2 - Engine Theory

Essential Question How does an engine function?
Focus How an engine works.
40-year Learning How an engine works.
LEVEL 1: How engines and machines influence society
By studying history, we can create a better tomorrow. Form small groups and write your answers on the small white boards. Your instructor will then call on your group to give responses.
  • TASK: What equipment do humans use that are powered by a small engine?
  • TASK: Who are the engine companies?
Locally, Wisconsin is home to amazing companies that manufacture quality engines. Here are their stories and profiles:Other historical information and engine companies
TASK: Create a historical timeline of your engine/machine/company. Share that information in this SHARED PRESENTATION
​LEVEL 2: How does the machine and engine that powers it work?
Check out these videos to gain an overview understanding of how these machines and engines work. ​Getting to know your engine, read these passages and complete the activities
  1. Read "Using Small Engines"
  2. Read "Understanding Principles of Operation of Internal Combustion Engines"
  3. Read "Identifying Engine Systems and Their Components"

Let's look at simulations of how these engine work.​
LEVEL 3: Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is the best medicine to keep your machine and engine operating efficiently. Here are some tips to think about.
Every repair shop has a way to trace customer machines and engine repair. Let's create our own form for tracking this data. Your instructor will combine the ideas from each student's work to develop a master copy.
  • TASK: Create a form that can be used to track the maintenance on an engine/machine. UPLOAD HERE

Before you start determining the problem and/or ordering parts, you must find the engine and/or machine's owner and service manuals.
  • TASK: Find and record your engine/machines make, model, and serial numbers.
  • Engine Look-up Pages: (Where to look video),  Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, Honda
  • Use the below videos to help you find the necessary make, model, and serial numbers on your machine.
VIDEO: 
​Measuring
Taking engine measurements to gain data to determine if a repair or replacement is needed.

TASK: Read the passage "Measuring Engine Components and Specifications
SKILL: How to use a dial caliper
SKILL: How to use a micrometer (Standard, Metric) Virtual Practice,  SKILL: Using a feeler gauge
SKILL: Using a spark plug gauge
SKILL: Magneto/Flywheel gauge
SKILL: Measuring the cylinder bore
LEVEL 4: Basic Repair
To get a grasp on the various repairs you may have to complete, each of these simple texts will aid your journey of learning how to fix an engine. (Courtesy of our Briggs & Stratton textbook)
  • ​Part 1A Basic Maintenance
  • Part 1B Basic Repair and Troubleshooting
  • Part 2 Checking and Changing Oil
  • Part 3 Servicing Spark Plugs
  • Part 4 Servicing Air Filters
  • Part 5 Additional Maintenance
  • Part 6 Inspecting and Changing the Muffler
  • Part 7 Removing Debris
  • Part 8 Servicing the Fuel Tank
  • Part 9 Servicing the Fuel Filter
  • Part 10 Servicing the Fuel Pump
  • Part 11 Adjusting the Carburetor
  • Part 12 Adjusting the Governor
  • Part 13 Replacing the Rewind
  • Part 14 Advanced Repair
  • Part 15 Overhauling the Carburetor
  • Part 16 Inspecting the Flywheel and Key
  • Part 17 Replacing the Ignition
  • Part 18 Testing the Electrical System
  • Part 19 Removing Carbon Deposits
  • Part 20 Servicing the Valves
  • Part 21 Servicing the Brake
Fixing the Fuel System
What are the common issues with the fuel system?
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Click on this image to browse Donyboy73's YouTube playlists of common repairs and how-to videos.

UNIT 3 - Disassembly and Assembly

Essential Question How do you disassemble and reassemble an engine
Focus How to take apart and put a small engine back together
40-year Learning How the engine components work and operate.
TASK 1: Obtain this Unit handout from your instructor.
TASK 2: For this task you will be completing a completely disassemble and rebuild of a Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, and a Honda engines.
Lesson 3: Small Engine Disassembly From: Repairclinic.com 
Outdoor Power Equipment landing pageKohler Engine GuideBriggs and Stratton
Honda Engine Guides
 Toro EquipmentAriensTroy-Bilt EquipmentOther Equipment
Lesson 4: Trouble Shooting and Maintenance
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UNIT 4 - Troubleshooting

Essential Question Why does this engine not work?
Focus How to problem solve and issue.
40-year Learning Engines can fail to run and there are common issues that need to be solved or prevented.
​LEVEL 1: How do humans solve problems?
TASK A: Obtain this handout from your instructor. [DOWNLOAD]

TASK 1: Using the sticky notes in your tote, provide THREE thoughts on how humans (or you) solve problems. 
TASK 2: Stick them to the big postie note on the board.

LEVEL 2: Common issues with small engines and the machines they power.
TASK 1: Reflect on the machines you have worked with thus far. What are the common issues that occurred? Your instructor will write them on the big postie note on the board.
TASK 2: How did you remedy the situation? (open forum discussion)


LEVEL 3: Preventative maintenance for small engines and the machines they power.
  • Just like in human health, preventative medicine is practiced. How can you relate this to a small engine and the machine they power?

TASK 1: What is step number 1???? Talk among your table group members to figure this question out. The instructor will ask for a response shortly.
TASK 2: What are the major preventative actions and protocols that a person must do for their small engine and machine it powers? 
​Summative Assessment
​You need to make a difference in today's society. So many consumers have no idea how to maintain their engines and machines they power. Buying new machines and time spent at the repair shop are expensive on a person's budget. Before the problem gets to the point that the engine is not longer salvageable or machine is totally broken, how do you communicate these simple fact-based solutions from this unit?​

Assume the Role of:
  • Act as a salesperson selling a new machine to a customer
  • Act as a repair person returning a fixed machine to a customer
  • Act as a blogger for the local newspaper
Take into consideration this Unit's: Focus, 40-year learning, essential question, and learning targets to help you formulate a response for your role-playing scenario. You will be having this conversation or written conversation with only your instructor. Use this rubric as a guide.

UNIT 5 - Special Projects in Small Engine Repair

Essential Question How do you fix a small engine?
Focus How to repair a small engine and/or machine
40-year Learning I can preform the basic maintenance and repair of my engines and machines,
​Since you have learned a lot about small engines so far, it is time for you to bring in your own projects to fix and work on. Make sure to keep your work space organized, practice safety protocols, and be prompt with ordering parts if needed. If you do not have items to work on, our program has options for you, just ask an instructor. Coordinate delivery and pick-up times for your machines/engines. Space is limited in our shop.
LEVEL 1: Compete an independent engine project.
TASK 1: Achieve approval to work on a project in a space designated for you.​
TASK 2: Complete the necessary shop paperwork for your project
  • Work space agreement and checklist (25pts)
  • Tagging your machine/engine (25pts)
  • Foreman's Repair Report (25pts)
  • Project Reflection (25pts)
*All paperwork must be turned in on time and completed to your fullest potential. Points can be deducted for miss information and cleanliness of your work space.

LEVEL 2: Repeat Level 1 if their is ample shop space and time.