Curriculum

Small Engine Repair Courses

Learn the key foundational mechanic concepts in our robust syllabus including cooling, electrical, and fuel systems, servicing lawnmowers, tractors, and outboard engines, and more. Penn Foster's Small Engine Repair courses will help you take the first steps toward being able to maintain your own equipment or toward launching a rewarding career you enjoy.

Small Engine Repair

Career Diploma 4 months As low as $59/mo

Full Program Overview

1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Small Engine Repair Courses

8 courses
36 continuing education units (CEUs)
25 exams

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 4 months
Average time = 7 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework.

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand how to use your Student Portal.
- Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
- Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
Learn about the expanding field of small-engine servicing.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe small engine uses in equipment for commercial, residential, and industrial applications.
- Understand technical terms, tools, and safe work methods associated with small engines.
- Identify career opportunities and the professional qualifications you’ll need to succeed
Learn about basic engine operation and components of two-stroke, four-stroke, and diesel engines.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe how fuel is used to create energy to make an engine operate.
- Visually identify the external components and internal components of a small engine.
- Describe the operation of carburetors, ignition systems, and starting systems, and explain how a transmission can be used to increase the output horsepower and torque of an engine.
In this course, you’ll learn how lubricants reduce friction and help cool an engine.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify types of small-engine lubrication and cooling systems.
- Properly service and maintain these systems.
This course will provide detail about how an engine’s ignition system operates.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the difference between voltage, current, and resistance.
- Describe how a spark plug operates.
- Troubleshoot various ignition systems.
In this lesson, you’ll learn about the types of electrical systems used on outdoor power equipment.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand how the starting, charging, and accessory electric systems operate.
- Troubleshoot and repair electrical systems for small engines
In this course, you’ll learn how the carburetor delivers air and fuel to the engine in the proper ratio and volume.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify different types of carburetors used by small engines.
- Understand how a carburetor operates.
Engine disassembly is a process in which all the parts of an engine are removed from the engine block.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Disassemble small gasoline engines.
- List and describe the basic steps that can be used to disassemble any engine, including two-stroke and four-stroke engines
Learn the procedure of rebuilding an engine.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the process to inspect, measure, and recondition an engine’s “lower-end” components, which include the crankshaft and the cylinder.
- Examine the measuring instruments and tools involved in typical rebuilds.
Continue your investigation of the engine rebuilding process by examining the procedures used to rebuild the “upper end” of the engine.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the procedure to inspect, measure, and recondition pistons, valves, and cylinder heads.
Once properly reassembled, a rebuilt engine should perform as though it were new.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Reassemble engine components.
- Understand general reassembly procedures.
- Apply these procedures to four-stroke and two-stroke engines.
- Competently troubleshoot small engine problems.
The power train is designed to transfer power from the engine to the machine’s work point, which is the part of the machine that’s driven by the engine - the driving wheels, blades, tines, auger, and so on.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand different types of drivetrains that are found in outdoor power equipment systems.
- Explain the power flows through the system.
- Systematically test, observe, evaluate, and repair transmission systems.
Learn the basic operation of rotary lawn mowers and riding mowers.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Know and operate various components of rotary lawn mowers.
- Apply routine maintenance procedures that are used to keep rotary lawn mowers in good running condition.
- Troubleshoot problems in lawn mowers and riding mowers.
Riding mowers and garden tractors contain many of the same components.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the construction and operation of riding mowers and garden tractors.
- Maintain and troubleshoot riding mowers and garden tractors.
See how to keep gasoline and diesel engines - and the equipment they power - running smoothly.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Develop a schedule of preventative maintenance based on a machine’s hours of operation, the seasonal changes, and the performance record for that type of equipment.
- Advocate preventive maintenance by informing customers of the cost benefits of periodic service.
As a technician, you’ll need to constantly apply the information you learn in this unit to the machinery you want to repair.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Select the right nuts and bolts for a specific repair situation.
- Describe the working components of a wide selection of outdoor power equipment.
- Explain how to avoid many repairs through better care and service of equipment.
An outboard engine is a special type of small engine that’s used to drive a boat. If you live in an area where watersports and fishing are common recreational activities, you may be called on to repair outboard engines.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the components of the outboard engine.
- Describe the basic operation of outboard engines.
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair outboard engines.
If you’re interested in opening small engine repair businesses, this course provides information about how to get started.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the steps necessary to start your own small engine repair business.
- Efficiently manage a small engine business.

Graduation Next Steps

When you graduate, you'll receive:

Four-Cycle Service and Repair Manual (Briggs and Stratton)
OPE Certification Exam Prep Book

(Sent to you when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met.)

Note: We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.