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Your leaf blower has spark and fuel but won’t start. This is an unusual problem, unlike others. There’s spark and fuel, but the leaf blower won’t start, which means other things are hindering it from starting.
But first, you have to ask yourself these questions:
- How long has the fuel been in the leaf blower?
- If your leaf blower is a two-stroke engine, do you mix the fuel as recommended by the manufacturers?
- Is there any leak on the fuel line?
- Is the fuel valve open?
- Does it have enough PSI to start the engine?
- Does the fuel in your leaf blower recently run out completely and you add another one?
- Is the carburetor flooded?
- Lastly, have you tried other spark plugs?
These are the questions that might get us the answers we all need concerning the question “Leaf Blower Has Spark and Fuel But Won’t Start: Why?”
On a general note, leaf blowers not having enough PSI to start the engine, fuel line leakage, a clogged and flooded carburetor, and running the fuel in the tank out completely are some of the reasons why your leaf blower has spark and fuel but won’t start.
Therefore, in this, I’ll go deep into explaining the reasons why your leaf blower will have fuel and, at the same time, spark from the spark plug but won’t start. Let’s get started and not waste more time.
How Long Has the Fuel Been in the Leaf Blower?
The fuel in your leaf blower doesn’t matter. What matters is how long it’s been there. Has the fuel been on for more than 40 days?
If the answer is yes, you should replace the fuel. The fuel’s quality has decreased and will impact your leaf blower’s performance. It might also be the reason it’s not starting.
Fuel can degrade over time and cause problems such as clogging the carburetor, reducing the engine power, or damaging the fuel lines. If you have old fuel in your leaf blower, you should drain it and replace it with fresh fuel before using the machine.
However, if the fuel is new but your leaf is not starting, then the fuel quality might not be the cause, but other reasons might, which I’ll discuss further in this blog post.
Does the fuel in your leaf blower recently run out completely and you add another one?
There are many reasons why you shouldn’t let the fuel in your leaf blower tank run out completely. And, I know, when such happens, you may want to add another one because you can’t run the blower without fuel, forgetting that it can cause problems with the engine, the carburetor, and the spark plug.
If you let the fuel run out completely, you may introduce air into the fuel lines, which can make it difficult for the fuel to reach the carburetor. Apart from the air, you may also introduce other things, such as dirt from the tank and other particles. In that case, you may need to prime the engine several times to get rid of the air bubbles and restore the fuel flow. This might include servicing the carburetor.
Is the carburetor flooded?
Is the carburetor flooded? This is one question you need to answer because it means that there is too much fuel and not enough air in the engine, which means that the blower won’t be starting anytime soon, especially if you’re using a two-stroke engine.
The fuel-air mixture needs to be balanced for the engine to ignite and run properly. If the carburetor is flooded, the spark plug will not be able to create a spark, and the engine will not start. To fix a flooded carburetor, you need to remove the excess fuel and allow more air to enter the engine. But how can you achieve this? You can do this by following these steps:
- First, you need to remove the air filter cover and take out the air filter. The air filter is a piece of foam or paper that filters the air that goes into the engine. It is usually located on the side of the leaf blower, near the carburetor. You can use a screwdriver or a wrench to loosen the screws or bolts that hold the cover in place. Then, you can pull out the air filter and set it aside.
- Next, you need to open the carburetor flap and pull the starter cord a few times until the engine starts. The carburetor is a metal device that mixes air and fuel for the engine. It has a flap that controls the amount of air that enters the engine. You can use your fingers or a pair of pliers to lift the flap and expose the carburetor opening. Then, you can pull the starter cord, which is a rope that you pull to start the engine. You may need to pull it several times until you hear the engine running.
- Finally, you need to turn off the leaf blower and replace the air filter and cover. Once the engine is running, you can turn off the leaf blower by pressing the stop button or switch. Then, you can put back the air filter and cover it in its original place. You can use the same tools that you used to remove them to tighten them securely.
Note: Sometimes, the air filter might be soaked with fuel. So ensure you dry it up before returning, and also, make sure you close the fuel valve when you open the carburetor flap and try to pull the start cord.
Does it have enough PSI to start the engine?
A leaf blower needs enough PSI to start the engine because PSI stands for pounds per square inch, which is a measure of the pressure inside the engine cylinder. The pressure is created by the compression of the air and fuel mixture that is ignited by the spark plug. The higher the pressure, the more power the engine can produce. If the pressure is too low, the engine will not be able to start or run properly, which might be what’s stopping your engine from starting.
However, there are several reasons why a leaf blower may have low PSI, even when there is enough fuel and spark. Some of the common causes are:
- A faulty or dirty spark plug cannot produce a strong enough spark to ignite the fuel and air mixture. This can be fixed by replacing or cleaning the spark plug.
- A flooded engine that has too much fuel and not enough air in the cylinder. This can be fixed by removing the excess fuel and allowing more air to enter the engine, just like I explained earlier.
- A leaking or damaged fuel line that prevents the fuel from reaching the carburetor or causes air to enter the fuel system. This can be fixed by replacing or repairing the fuel line.
- A worn or broken piston ring that allows the compressed air and fuel mixture to escape from the cylinder. This can be fixed by replacing the piston ring, which may require professional help.
- A clogged or dirty air filter that restricts the airflow into the engine. This can be fixed by cleaning or replacing the air filter.
Note: A leaf blower engine should have at least 90 to 100 PSI of compression, while larger engines may have up to 150 PSI. If your leaf blower has less than 90 PSI, you need to find and fix the problem that is causing the low pressure, which might require professional help.
Do you mix the fuel as recommended?
The fuel mixture is the ratio of gasoline and oil that you need to use for your leaf blower. The fuel mixture is important because it affects the performance and longevity of your leaf blower’s engine. If you use too much oil, you may cause carbon buildup and reduce the engine’s power. If you use too little oil, you may cause the engine to overheat and wear out faster.
The correct fuel mixture for your leaf blower depends on the type of engine it has. Most leaf blowers have a two-stroke engine, which means they need a mixture of gasoline and oil in the same tank. Some newer models have a four-stroke engine, which means they have a separate tank for oil and do not need a fuel mixture.
The most common fuel mixture ratio for two-stroke engines is 40:1, which means 40 parts gasoline to 1 part oil. This translates to about 3.2 ounces of oil per gallon of gasoline. However, some leaf blowers may require a different ratio, such as 50:1 or 32:1. You should always check your owner’s manual for the specific ratio recommended by the manufacturer.
To mix the fuel for your leaf blower, you will need a clean gas can, fresh unleaded gasoline, and two-stroke engine oil. You should avoid using gasoline with more than 10% ethanol, as it can damage your engine. You should also use high-quality synthetic oil that is designed for air-cooled two-stroke engines.
To make the fuel mixture, follow these steps:
- Fill the gas can with the amount of gasoline you need, leaving some room for the oil.
- Add the correct amount of oil according to the ratio you need. For example, if you need a 40:1 ratio and you have one gallon of gasoline, add 3.2 ounces of oil.
- Shake the gas can well to mix the oil and gas thoroughly.
- Pour the fuel mixture into your leaf blower’s tank and secure the cap.
- Store the remaining fuel mixture in a cool, dry place away from heat and sparks.
Final Thought
If you’ve tried all the tips but your engine still won’t start, change the spark plug. In some cases, the spark plug can be faulty and still produce a spark. This has happened to me while working with clients. But, if you change the spark plug and yet the engine won’t start, you may need professional help.
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