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VSM-104 Starters, Engine Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Course Description: This course is designed to provide the student knowledge in engine disassembly and reassembly; engine specifications and tolerances; diagnosing major engine failure.

  •  This course also meets PLO#(s) 1-5 of Small Engine, Equipment and Outboard Motor Repair
  • Prerequisite Course(s): By admission and Program Instructor’s approval.

A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
     The student will be able to:

  1. Practice proper safety procedures to ensure healthy work environment;
  2. Use small engine tools and equipment;
  3. Perform small engine preventative maintenance;
  4. Demonstrate basic troubleshooting and repair of small engines; and
  5. Overhaul two and four-stroke small engines.

B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs): GENERAL 
    The student will be able to:

  1. Explain the theory and operation of both manual and electrical starters used in small engines;
  2. Explain preventive maintenance and enumerate Planned Maintenance (PM) schedules.
  3. Describe the procedures for off season storage; and
  4. Demonstrate a systematic check sequence and discuss engine performance problems and remedies.

SLO

PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

1

IDM

IDM

IDM

IDM

IDM

2

IDM

IDM

IDM,

IDM

ID

3

IDM

IDM

IDM

IDM

ID

4

IDM

IDM

IDM

ID

ID

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs):  SPECIFIC

General SLO 1. Explain the theory and operation of both manual and electrical starters used in small engines.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

1.1 Explain the difference between manual and electrical starters and describe their functions;

 

Written test or short answer questions, practical exercises / tests

1.2 Demonstrate how to check a manual starter; and

1.3 Explain or demonstrate how to check the electrical starting circuit.

General SLO 2. Explain preventive maintenance and enumerate Planned Maintenance (PM) schedules.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

2.1 Explain preventative maintenance and its importance;

 

Short answer questions

2.2 Enumerate PM schedules and the checkpoints for each; and

2.3 Describe a PM schedule.

General SLO 3. Describe the procedures for off season storage.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

3.1 Define why storage procedures are required; and

Multiple choice questions / short answer questions

3.2 Explain or demonstrate how to prepare engine for off season storage.

General SLO 4. Demonstrate a systematic check sequence and discuss engine performance problems and remedies.


Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment Strategies

4.1 Discuss the process of systematic approach to troubleshooting

 

Practical exercises / tests, short answer questions

4.2 Demonstrate proper procedures in troubleshooting.

4.3 Discuss engine performance problems and explain their remedies.

D. COURSE CONTENT

  1. Starters
    1.1 Manual
    1.2 Electrical
    1.3 Troubleshooting the electrical starting circuit
  2. Engine maintenance
    2.1 Preventive maintenance
    2.2 Off season storage
  3. Troubleshooting
    3.1 Problem solving
    3.2 Systematic check sequence
    3.3 Performance problems

F.  REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS

  1. Instructor:
    • Classroom with whiteboard
    • Laboratory equipment with tools of the trade
    • Text, Teacher’s Resource Guide, workbook
    • Computer, LCD projector
  2. Student:
    • Textbook - Schuster, William A. Small Engine Technology. 2nd ed. Albany: Delmar Publishers, c1999 (or most recent edition).
    • Ring binder
    • College ruled note sheet, pencil or pen
    • Calculator
    • Toolkit

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS
London, Daniel. Small Engine Care & Repair : a Step-by-Step Guide to Maintaining Your Small Engine. Chanhassen, Minn. : Creative Pub. International, c2003 (or latest edition).
Stagner, Eugene W. Small Engines : Fundamentals and Service.  Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice Hall, c1998 ( or latest edition).
How Stuff Works, www.howstuffworks.com
Manufacturer's Service Manuals
Selected Films and Charts from Various Sources

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None 

I.   EVALUATION
None

J.   CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None

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