If you’ve never owned a gas leaf blower before, there is one thing that is critical that you need to understand. You must fill up your blower with the proper oil to gas ratio. You could experience a devastating result if you accidentally forget to mix oil in with the gas. In those cases, you will likely be buying a new blower since the engine could lock up within seconds.
What’s the Industry Standard?
Gas leaf blowers typically use a gas to oil mixture of 40:1. So that would translate to about 3.2 ounces of 2-cycle engine oil to one gallon of gas.
Most gas blowers have a 2-cycle engine, which requires the gas/oil mixture in order for the engine to stay lubricated. It’s important to not mix regular engine oil in the mixture, because it is too think and can cause additional problems.
How to Mix the Gas and Oil
When you’ve got the ratios figured out, you can take your gas can to the station to fill up. Always use fresh gas when you refill your blower. When you’ve got a gallon of gas in your can, then just pour in the oil and mix it around good. There’s no proper technique to mixing it, just close the cap and give it a good shake for a few seconds and you will be good to go.
It’s always better to overestimate the amount of oil you use in the mixture rather than not have enough. Be diligent in your efforts to get the proper ratio, but the engine will run better with more oil mixed in rather than less.
If you’re unsure as to exactly what the ratio is for your blower, check the owner’s manual for more information.
You can use regular unleaded gasoline for the mixture, but it won’t hurt if you upgrade to the premium grade. In fact, the more expensive gas will probably help your engine run a little more smoothly.
What Happens if I Don’t Mix the Gas with Oil?
You will very quickly realize that there is a problem with your blower. It will only take a matter of seconds before the blower makes a horrendous noise and then shuts down all together. At that point, you will need to take it to a professional, but the repair fees may be so much that it’s just worth buying a brand new blower.
Other Things You Should Know
If you are done using your blower, and you know you won’t be using it for a while, then be sure to empty the gas tank and seal it tightly. Leaving the gas/oil mixture in the tank can make it gummy and cause additional issues.
Also, be sure to shake your gas/oil mixture right before you put it in your blower. The oil will separate from the gas when it sits for a period of time, so you need to make sure it is mixed well.
If you are coming to a point in the year where you won’t need the oil/gas mixture for a while, then it’s best if you dispose of the unused mixture. In order to keep your blower running properly over time, it needs to have fresh gas and oil.