Blower: Starts But Immediately Dies
If your engine starts then dies, you can use our troubleshooting and repair guide to help fix your problem. Some of the parts that should be checked are the air filter, fuel lines, and carburetor, and we can walk you through what these parts do and why they may have malfunctioned. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.
Carburetors
A plugged or improperly adjusted carburetor can cause your leaf blower to start, but then immediately die. Over time, especially if fuel has been left in the leaf blower for a long period, some of the fuel will evaporate and you will be left with a thick, sticky substance that can ultimately clog the carburetor. This clog in the carburetor can make the engine stall. Carburetors can be cleaned and/or rebuilt, which usually solves the problem. If cleaning the carburetor doesn’t fix the issue, it should be replaced.
A plugged or improperly adjusted carburetor can cause your leaf blower to start, but then immediately die. Over time, especially if fuel has been left in the leaf blower for a long period, some of the fuel will evaporate and you will be left with a thick, sticky substance that can ultimately clog the carburetor. This clog in the carburetor can make the engine stall. Carburetors can be cleaned and/or rebuilt, which usually solves the problem. If cleaning the carburetor doesn’t fix the issue, it should be replaced.
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Air Filters
Your leaf blower’s air filter is designed to prevent debris from entering the engine. If the air filter is clogged, it can result in too much fuel, as well as not enough air getting to the engine. This can cause your engine to stall almost immediately after it started. You may be able to simply clean your air filter and correct this problem, but if the filter is damaged or will not unclog, you may need to replace it.
Your leaf blower’s air filter is designed to prevent debris from entering the engine. If the air filter is clogged, it can result in too much fuel, as well as not enough air getting to the engine. This can cause your engine to stall almost immediately after it started. You may be able to simply clean your air filter and correct this problem, but if the filter is damaged or will not unclog, you may need to replace it.
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Fuel Filters
Like a plugged carburetor, a fuel filter that is clogged with debris can prevent enough fuel from entering the engine. If a small amount of fuel gets through, it is possible that the engine would be able to start, but it still may not be enough for the engine to run for more than a couple of seconds. Old fuel in the fuel tank can result in this clog, so you may want to drain the old fuel and replace the fuel filter to fix this symptom.
Like a plugged carburetor, a fuel filter that is clogged with debris can prevent enough fuel from entering the engine. If a small amount of fuel gets through, it is possible that the engine would be able to start, but it still may not be enough for the engine to run for more than a couple of seconds. Old fuel in the fuel tank can result in this clog, so you may want to drain the old fuel and replace the fuel filter to fix this symptom.
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Gaskets
Most leaf blowers have gaskets between the carburetor and the insulator, as well as between the insulator and the cylinder. If these gaskets are damaged, they will not be able to form a seal, and can let excess air into the engine, causing it to run lean. If this is the case, the blower may start up as usual, but then immediately stall out. If you notice one of your blower’s gaskets are damaged, they will usually need to be replaced.
Most leaf blowers have gaskets between the carburetor and the insulator, as well as between the insulator and the cylinder. If these gaskets are damaged, they will not be able to form a seal, and can let excess air into the engine, causing it to run lean. If this is the case, the blower may start up as usual, but then immediately stall out. If you notice one of your blower’s gaskets are damaged, they will usually need to be replaced.
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Spark Plugs
The spark plug in your leaf blower provides the spark that is required as part of the combustion process. A failing or carbon-coated spark plug can cause your engine to fire initially, but then die almost immediately. If you can clean the spark plug, the problem may be solved, however if the spark plug is defective it will need to be replaced.
The spark plug in your leaf blower provides the spark that is required as part of the combustion process. A failing or carbon-coated spark plug can cause your engine to fire initially, but then die almost immediately. If you can clean the spark plug, the problem may be solved, however if the spark plug is defective it will need to be replaced.
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Cylinders
The piston of your leaf blower is located inside the cylinder, and is connected to the crank shaft. As the crank shaft turns, the piston moves up and down within the cylinder, creating a vacuum which allows for combustion. If your piston or cylinder is damaged, it may not provide enough compression to allow the fuel and air mix to be ignited by the spark plug. Your engine compression may be enough to start the blower initially, but may also stall shortly after starting up.
The piston of your leaf blower is located inside the cylinder, and is connected to the crank shaft. As the crank shaft turns, the piston moves up and down within the cylinder, creating a vacuum which allows for combustion. If your piston or cylinder is damaged, it may not provide enough compression to allow the fuel and air mix to be ignited by the spark plug. Your engine compression may be enough to start the blower initially, but may also stall shortly after starting up.
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Carb Kits
A clogged carburetor can cause your leaf blower to die almost immediately after starting. Over time, the carburetor can accumulate debris, and some of the plastic carb pieces can become hardened, which will result in a plugged carb. It is helpful to inspect your carburetor if you encounter this symptom, as cleaning and installing a new carb kit will often solve the problem.
A clogged carburetor can cause your leaf blower to die almost immediately after starting. Over time, the carburetor can accumulate debris, and some of the plastic carb pieces can become hardened, which will result in a plugged carb. It is helpful to inspect your carburetor if you encounter this symptom, as cleaning and installing a new carb kit will often solve the problem.
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Fuel Lines
The fuel lines in your leaf blower carry fuel from the tank to the engine. As with the fuel filter, if the fuel lines are clogged, they can prevent an adequate amount of fuel from entering the engine. These fuel lines can be removed and cleaned, and this can sometimes be all that is required to fix the issue. However, fuel lines can also become damaged because of a crack, and in this case, they will most likely need to be replaced. When the fuel lines are clogged with debris, you should also check the fuel filter, because if it is working properly, and there are no cracks in the lines, debris should not be entering the lines.
The fuel lines in your leaf blower carry fuel from the tank to the engine. As with the fuel filter, if the fuel lines are clogged, they can prevent an adequate amount of fuel from entering the engine. These fuel lines can be removed and cleaned, and this can sometimes be all that is required to fix the issue. However, fuel lines can also become damaged because of a crack, and in this case, they will most likely need to be replaced. When the fuel lines are clogged with debris, you should also check the fuel filter, because if it is working properly, and there are no cracks in the lines, debris should not be entering the lines.
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