Small Engine Repair was created for the Something Awful Gamedev Challenge 8, the theme being subversive edutainment. It was meant to be an equipment simulator where you need to troubleshoot and fix a chainsaw to then use.

The intent being that you would have to flip through an incomplete or damaged manual and end up fixing the chainsaw while under duress. None of that guidance actually came through, but the core functionality is there. Clicking and holding on a part will attempt to remove it. And similarly picking up a part by holding the mouse on it will let you try to put parts back together.

While it is definitely a prototype, it can be completed, and I'm fairly happy with some of the mechanics I implemented. These were at the time advanced features missing from other simulators on the market.

Warren Ashton made the Chainsaw model.
Greg Burgess did the soundtrack and effects.

Interchangeable Parts

Bolts of the same size/type can be removed and put back into any slot that fits them. This allows replacement parts to function, and to allow the player to experiment with what fits.

Plus they can keep a pile of parts without keeping track of what specific item goes where.

Automatic Orientation

When moving parts towards where they should go if they are within range they will automatically orient themselves to install correctly. This allows them to “magnet” into place.

An unfixed bug visible is that there may be some jitter if moving the part over the full model.

Constraint Dependencies

When attempting to remove a panel or casing it will not be interactable until the requirements for it to be removed are met. Such as removing the connector for the spark plug, or all the screws holding down the outer casing.

Overall

Going back most things I would add would be for usability sake. Better visual representation of parts being defective, what parts held that part in place, a functioning manual, and better methods to find parts you needed.