The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc.

Homeowners Guide
To Low Emission Engines

Why Are Today's Engines Cleaner?

New engines of 25 horsepower or less must be certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comply with federal emission standards.

The outdoor power equipment industry has developed new, improved technologies that significantly reduce engine emissions from gasoline powered lawn and garden products.

Not only do today's engines run cleaner, they are also generally more durable and fuel efficient.

Engine manufacturers have improved emission control techniques in the following engine component areas:

Carburetion, where carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) have been reduced. A key way to reduce small engine pollution is by properly mixing fuel and oxygen.
In the combustion chamber, surface areas have been minimized to help reduce HC emissions.
Oil control: some lubricating oil that gets into the combustion chamber does not burn completely. With cleaner running engines, oil control has been improved to reduce oil burning in the combustion chamber, resulting in reduced HC emissions.
Catalytic converter: catalysts burn off hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide exhaust by oxidizing them at high temperatures and reducing pollution levels.

Cleaner operation, coupled with greater fuel efficiency and horsepower, will result in providing the end user with maximum equipment up-time at minimum cost.

These new, redesigned engines more than fully comply with the US EPA's Phase 1 regulations for hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions.

The research and development leading to these technological improvements will increase prices to the consumer. However, because these new engines are used on a wide variety of outdoor power equipment, these cost increases will vary, and will be at least partially offset by improvements in fuel economy.

Owners can still perform manufacturer recommended maintenance and adjustments, and should refer to their owners' engine manual for specific guidelines.

For complex problems, contact a servicing dealer.