There’s nothing more frustrating than getting ready to use your leaf blower, only to find out that it won’t start. The reality is that it will break down just like anything else because it has a lot of moving parts that need to be maintained. Gas leaf blowers are more prone to having issues over electric blowers, simply because there is more that can go wrong. Just because your leaf blower won’t start doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced completely. In most cases, it just requires a little maintenance and it will be back to running like new.
When your Gas Leaf Blower Quits Working
Getting Your Gas Leaf Blower to Start Again
When your gas blower won’t start after several tries, you will need to check on a few things. Luckily, some of the potential issues can be fixed on your own. Here is a rundown of things that may need to be repaired or replaced:
- Spark plug
- Carburetor
- Rewind spring
- Recoil starter
- Fuel filter
- Air filter
- Ignition coil
The first thing you should check is the spark plug. This is the most common piece of equipment that goes out and may need to be replaced. Take out the spark plug and inspect it for cracks or other damages. If anything doesn’t look normal, then just replace it. In fact, spark plugs are so inexpensive that you should just replace it anyway if you are repairing your blower. The spark plug may not look bad, but it may be the cause of the issue.
Another potential cause is a clogged carburetor. This usually happens when old fuel is left in the tank from season to season. The mixture can get thick and plug up the small holes in the carburetor that will prevent it from starting. Fixing this issue can be as simple as spraying some carburetor cleaner, but you may have to replace the carburetor in extreme cases.
Replacing the spark plug and cleaning the carburetor are cheap and easy, but that may not get you completely out of the woods. Check the other parts in the list above if you are still having problems. In the worst-case scenario, you can take it to a professional to look at and diagnose the issue.
How to Prevent Issues in Your Gas Leaf Blower
Preventative maintenance could go a long way in extending the life of your leaf blower. Here are a few things you can do:
- Empty the gas and oil after every season
- Replace the spark plug periodically
- Clean the air filter
- Store in a dry place
Mechanical issues will happen when you have a gas leaf blower, but taking these steps should reduce the problems that you have with it.
Troubleshooting for Electric Leaf Blowers
What to do if Your Electric Leaf Blower Won’t Turn On
Electric leaf blowers do not require as much maintenance as gas blowers because they are much more straightforward. They have fewer moving parts, so any potential issue is fairly simple to diagnose and to fix. Common issues include:
- Faulty power supply
- Defective plug and/or cable
- Defective terminals
- Motor is damaged
- Fan is jammed
The most common reason why your electric blower won’t run is because there is something wrong in the cord or the plugs. Not getting power to the machine makes it a pretty useless piece of equipment. Check these pieces of equipment to make sure that nothing is cut, worn, torn, bent or otherwise damaged.
Most of the time, you will be able to see the issue right away. In worst-case scenarios, you may have to run a circuit tester to see if the switch is working properly or use a mains tester to make sure that power is arriving at the appropriate places. Once the problem is diagnosed, you can determine whether you can order the part to replace it, or if it would be cheaper just to get a new blower all together.
These are the same issues that can be checked for cordless leaf blowers as well, with the only addition being to check the battery. Replacing and recharging the battery is the most common issue with cordless blowers, but if it still doesn’t work after it is recharged or replaced, then look for the other issues above and you should be able to find out the problem.
How to Prevent Issues in Your Electric Leaf Blower
The preventative measures for electric leaf blowers are fairly simple. Store the blower in a safe dry area where it won’t get dropped or banged around. Also check your cord and other power supplies frequently to make sure nothing is getting worn or damaged.