January 01, 2016

6 easy steps for maintaining a leaf blower

6 easy steps for maintaining a leaf blower.
6 easy steps for maintaining a leaf blower.

Caring for your leaf blower is a small investment of time that can keep your leaf blower in tip-top shape. Here are 6 simple things you can do to lengthen the life of your leaf blower. 

For more advice on fixing your leaf blower, see all our leaf blower DIY repair help.

1. Always use fresh fuel with the proper gas to oil ratio—check your owner’s manual for the proper ratio for you model. Using the wrong ratio could cause excessive smoking, overheating or permanent engine damage.

2.  Before each use, tighten any loose screws and fasteners. A loose screw could cause excessive vibration, causing premature wear of the leaf blower.

3.  Inspect the blower before each use for any worn or broken parts, and replace with manufacturer-approved parts if needed. Operating the leaf blower with broken parts could cause the blower to fail and is dangerous.

4.  Clean the air filter after each 5 hours of use by rinsing it with water. Let it dry completely before reusing. Replace it if it’s damaged. Operating the leaf blower with a dirty air filter restricts the air flow, which could cause poor acceleration or excessive smoking.

5.  Replace the spark plug once a year. An old spark plug can prevents the leaf blower from starting.

6.  Replace the fuel filter once a year. A clogged fuel filter restricts the flow of fuel to the carburetor, which can keep the leaf blower from starting.

Symptoms for gas leaf blowers

Choose a symptom to see related leaf blower repairs.

Main causes: cracked fuel lines, leaky carburetor seals, damaged fuel tank cap, cracked fuel tank…

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Main causes: stale fuel, dirty air filter, bad spark plug, cracked fuel lines, clogged carburetor…

Main causes: mixing too much 2-cycle oil with the gas, dirty air filter, clogged carburetor, engine needs tune up…

Main causes: bad gas, clogged air filter, cracked fuel lines, clogged fuel filter, dirty carburetor, bad spark plug, wor…

Repair guides for gas leaf blowers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your leaf blower.

How to replace a leaf blower carburetor

How to replace a leaf blower carburetor

The carburetor could be the problem If the leaf blower engine won't start even though there's fuel in the tank. Follow t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace leaf blower fuel lines

How to replace leaf blower fuel lines

Leaf blower fuel lines deteriorate with time and eventually can split or crack. You can remove and replace them yourself…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less
How to rebuild a leaf blower carburetor

How to rebuild a leaf blower carburetor

If the leaf blower engine won't start even though there's fuel in the tank, the carburetor could be the problem. Follow …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 60 minutes or less

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6 easy steps for maintaining a leaf blower

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