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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQ's) that are asked by our new customers. If you do not see an answer to your question below, just give us a call and we will answer your questions. Your question may be added to the FAQ if we feel that a lot of customers will benefit from the answer.
Q: Approximately how many small engines have you repaired over the last 25 years?
A: I have been repairing small engines associated with lawn and garden equipment, chainsaws, and home generators for the last 40 years. I roughly average repairing about 50 systems a week. If you do the math that equates to over 100,000 small engine systems in my career. I have seen almost every conceivable type of damage and can assess the effort to repair your system with a high degree of accuracy and repair your small engine or associated mechanical system with optimal results.
Q: Does the cost of a repair increase if done at my home/business?
A: As a convenience to our customers, we have offered on-site repair
of your small engine and mechanical system. There is a
slight increase in cost to offset the cost of vehicle operation
(gas, insurance, wear and tear, etc.). The cost is small
compared to the convenience of having the repair done at your
home or business, and not having to load your equipment into a truck
or trailer to transport to Doc's Small Engine Repair.
Q: What determines the type of small engine you will work on?
A: Basically, we repair all lawn and garden equipment with
small engines. Additionally, we repair chainsaws, home
generators, and almost any small engine found around the home or
small business.
Q: What level of maintenance do you have the capability to do?
A: We perform routine preventative maintenance that meets or
exceeds manufacturers specifications. Additionally, we
can complete overhaul your system/engine as well. That includes
repairs such as crankshaft, piston, rings, and bearing replacements;
as well as, overhauling the fuel, ignition, and propulsion systems.
Structural repairs to riding lawn mowers, chainsaw mechanical
systems, or home generator electrical troubleshooting are services
we also provide.
Q: How long will the repair on my small engine take?
A: The time to repair your small engine will depend of the complexity of the repair and the current backlog of work which varies according the time of the year. For example, in the summer there is usually quite a backlog of lawn mowers to be serviced. You can accelerate your pick up time for preventative maintenance by getting your lawn mower to us before the lawn cutting season begins. Normally, you will be given an estimated time for pick-up when you drop your mower off. Small engines requiring substantial repairs or require hard to find parts will take longer to repair.
Q: Can my lawn mower crankshaft be straightened after the lawn mower hits a stump?
A: Yes, we are one of the very few small engine repair shops that have a specialized jig for straightening a small engine crankshaft. Most crankshafts can be straightened to within 2 degrees of being true. If the crankshaft has been seriously bent, straightening may not be a viable option.
Q: What type of parts do you use for repair?
A: We use factory OEM parts when available or secondary parts from suppliers that often supply better than original OEM parts. We have national resources to find parts for almost any domestic small engine and associated mechanical system. By mechanical system we mean the equipment that the small engine is propelling.