Small engine repair programs prepare people to repair and maintain small engines. Students learn to work on engines in lawnmowers and motorcycles. They also learn to work on snowmobiles, chain saws, and rotary tillers.

Small engines often take a big beating. That's partly because they tend to be used in rugged conditions. They may power a chain saw, a go-kart, a leaf blower, or a dirt bike. So they may be exposed to dirt that clogs their air filters and moisture that corrodes their parts. They may be subjected to sudden accelerations or may be kept running at peak power for longer periods than they were designed. Homeowners in particular often fail to maintain them conscientiously. All of these reasons keep small engine mechanics in business.

Are you thinking of making small engine repair your business? If so, the ideal preparation is to get formal training in this field, followed by on-the-job training in a business that does repairs. A number of vocational schools, proprietary schools, and colleges offer programs in small engine repair. They take from six months to two years. Some of them lead to a certificate. A two-year program at a college may earn you an associate degree. Very few colleges offer a small engine repair program of some kind.

Because such specialized programs are hard to find, you may find it easier to enroll in a related program that covers some of the same skills. For example, in an automotive technology program you also study how engines work. You learn how to do some of the same service tasks that small engines require.

Regardless of your previous education, your employer will need to train you further. You can expect to need a few years of on-the-job training to become good at all aspects of small engine repair. This is especially true if you want to be able to service a variety of engines. Some shops specialize in one kind, such as motorcycles. Others service a variety, from snowmobile motors to motorboat engines. (Usually it makes good business sense to avoid specializing in motors that are used in only one season of the year.)

As you learn the trade, you learn about the somewhat different needs of two- and four-stroke engines. You learn the routine maintenance tasks and the most common causes of problems. You learn which parts wear out quickly and which tend to endure. You learn troubleshooting techniques and how to use diagnostic equipment. Since motors (especially on motorcycles) are using more electronics, you study how these instruments and controls work.