Bellview Small Engine Repair, Inc. Air Cooled Small Engines, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) 

EPA and CARB are two terms that you will hear about more and more in relation to air-cooled, small engines. When we speak of air-cooled, small engines, we mean both 2-cycle and 4-cycle air-cooled engines that do not use radiators.

2-cycle engines are those engines that run on a gas/oil mix. (That is that gas can you have to keep in your garage in which you have had to pour a special 2-cycle oil mix right into the gas.) 2-cycle engines are normally found on weedeaters, blowers, and chainsaws. 2-cycle engines can be found on some other types of equipment and lawnmowers, also. Many of the Lawnboy brand of lawnmowers, for example, have 2-cycle engines. More technically, 2-cycle engines take only two strokes of the piston (one stroke up and one stroke down) to complete the intake, compression, power, and exhaust phases in a combustion engine. The only lubrication the engine gets is THROUGH THE OIL mixed with the gas. However, this form of combustion causes a bit of smoking and the EPA and CARB do not like smoke! The future of 2-cycles is still uncertian but let's look at what is happening to 4-cycle engines.

4-cycle engines are found on most lawnmowers, generators, go-karts, lawn tractors, and a variety of units designed for commercial use. These engines run on straight, unleaded gas (87 octane) and have a separate reservoir for oil. It takes these engines 4 strokes of the piston to complete the intake, compression, power, and exhaust phases. As of September 1997 all 4-cycle engines produced in the US had to meet emission standards. These engines have labels on them that indicate they are CARB and EPA certified (EPA is a little stricter than CARB). The engines are designed to burn fuel more efficiently and produce C02 and H20 as the only emmissions. Remember that engine on that lawnmower your dad had when you were a kid? All you did was put gas in it and ran it forever. Never changed the oil, never cleancd the air filter, but it kept on running! Well, no more. To keep today's engines running, and running effectively and efficiently, more intense maintenance is required.

Please visit our service tip page to help keep your lawnmower running smoothly or email us with any questions.