Leaf blowers are very useful tools for your lawn and garden. They can help you clean up your yard in an easy and quick manner. However, when it is the first time you will use a gas leaf blower, things can be a little bit tricky. You need to know how to start a gas leaf blower and use it safely.
2-stroke Gas-powered Blowers
If you’re looking to get started with gas leaf blowers, you’ll need to get familiar with the two different types. 2-stroke gas blowers are easy to start, but they produce more noise and pollution than their 4-stroke counterparts.
4-stroke gas-powered blowers are typically more expensive, but they are much quieter and more efficient. We’ll start with 2-stroke models.
Step 1: Prepare for startup
The first step to starting a leaf blower with two-stroke engine is to prepare for a startup. The first thing you need to do is check the fuel level. Make sure you have enough gas to complete your job. Next, check the oil level.
Make sure you have the right fuel mix in the tank. Your operator’s manual should explain the correct ratio of gas to oil, but it typically is in the neighborhood of 50:1. Remember, this ratio may change depending on the fuel used, so always check your manual.
Step 2: Check it
Prepare to start the blower by turning the fuel gas on and checking the spark plug to make sure it’s installed correctly.
Step 3: Start the blower
Fully depress the primer bulb a few times, then pull the starter rope a few times until the motor starts. Don’t pull the starter rope too fast or the engine will flood with gas and oil. This is a common problem for new users.
Step 4: Readjust the throttle
The throttle is a lever on the handle of the leaf blower. It controls the speed and power of the blower and is set to the widest setting at the beginning of the season. If you want to adjust the throttle, you can do so by turning the adjustment screw on the side of the lever.
Step 5: Enjoy your new blower
Now that you know how to start a gas leaf blower, you can use it to clean leaves and debris from your property. Keep in mind that 2-stroke models are more powerful and louder than their 4-stroke counterparts, however.
4-stroke Gas-powered Blowers
If you’re in the market for a new blower and want something quieter and more environmentally friendly, consider a 4-stroke model. A 4-stroke blower is more expensive because it has more parts that are more complicated, thus making it more difficult to manufacture.
There is only one thing about starting a 4-stroke gas-powered machine that differs from a 2-stroke machine. You fill it with pure gas, not gas/oil mix. The 4-stroke blower will run on straight gas. It is not recommended to use gas with a low octane rating.
Reasons for Failures to Start and Fixing Them
For a new leaf blower with a new battery, a few things can go wrong, here are a few of them.
- The spark plug is not connected. Make sure that the spark plug is connected correctly. You will have to adjust the gap in the spark plug connected to the carburetor.
- The choke is not open. The choke is the lever on the right side of the machine. Pull the choke all the way back, and then start the engine.
- Fuel is not reaching the carburetor. If the fuel tank is not full, fuel may not reach the carburetor. Make sure the tank is full. If the tank is not full, the machine will not start.
- The fuel line is not connected. Check to make sure the fuel line is connected to the carburetor correctly.
- Engine is flooded with gas. If you have just filled up gas, don’t start up the engine right away. Wait for about 15 minutes. Let the gas to settle in the carburetor and the air in the fuel line to settle in the tank.
Tips For Using Leaf Blowers
Here are some quick tips for starting leaf blower and using it.
- Mix fuel and oil in exactly the ratio specified by the manufacturer. If you do not, the engine may develop a lean condition, which may lead to serious engine problems.
- Don’t use leaf blowers to sweep dust.
- Don’t use them in dark or wet weather, or when leaves are wet or damp.
- Wear the appropriate safety equipment.
- If you hear the motor starting to sound different, stop using it immediately.
- Be aware of the wind speed and direction.
- Use a rake to gather up leaves and then go back and blow them into the compost container or into the mulched area where they can decompose.
- If you must blow the leaves, do it in the morning when the dew has dried and the temperature is cooler.
- Start with larger things first.
FAQ
Still having questions? Check out our FAQ section for answers to commonly asked questions.
What’s the point of leaf blowers?
If you’re not familiar with leaf blowers, they are hand-held gas-powered machines that are used to blow leaves. They are also used in residential areas to blow debris in the winter.
How do you know if your spark plug is bad on a leaf blower?
Simply. When you turn on the leaf blower and it just makes a “chugging” sound or does not start, then the spark plug is bad and needs to be replaced. If you are having problems getting your leaf blower to start or it is running rough, or it is leaking fuel, or it is running really slow on the highest speed, it could be a bad spark plug.
Why does my leaf blower won’t start?
There are a number of reasons why your leaf blower won’t start. Here are some of the most common causes for this issue.
- Low fuel – If your leaf blower won’t start, check to make sure that you filled it with gas.
- Fuel in the carburetor – If there’s fuel in the carburetor, the fuel will seep back into the gas tank. This causes the engine to stall out because it can’t burn the fuel properly. When this happens, turn off the leaf blower, wait a few minutes for the gas to evaporate, and try again.
- Restricted air flow – If the air flow is restricted, the fuel can’t be properly mixed with the air flow, which causes uneven fuel burning and leads to stalls, vibrations, and other issues with the engine. To fix this, you need to clean the air filter, or replace it if it’s totally clogged.
- Fuel not reaching the engine – If the fuel can’t reach the engine, usually due to a faulty fuel line, the engine won’t be able to start. Remove the fuel line and make sure that it’s free of kinks and other issues. If you’re having issues with the fuel line, you need to replace it.
- Spark plug not working – That means you have issues starting the engine. Just replace the spark plug with a new one, and make sure that the plug is fully seated and connected to the spark plug wire.
Closing Thoughts
Leaf blowers are a great way to keep your yard clean without having to break a sweat. In order to get the most out of your leaf blower, you need to know how to start a leaf blower. And now you can take care of your yard chore quickly with the help of your gas leaf blower.
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