Solving the Most Common Blower Problems

Solutions are organized in order of priority, so they should be tackled in the order they're written—for example, when dealing with a blower that won't start, don't bother changing the spark plugs before checking the tank first.

Remember that prevention will help you avoid many of these unnecessary features in the future. Check out our maintenance guide for more references. If you do end up needing replacement blower parts, try browsing our product list.

There are many reasons why a blower may not start. Many of these solutions apply to other problems as well and will be cross-referenced in those cases.

Check the fuel level first. If it's not empty, try replacing the fuel with a fresh fuel mixture, as stale fuel is the number one reason a blower won't start. Second, old, evaporated fuel can clog the carburetor, causing a clog.

While most engine problems cannot be fixed at home, engine water can be fixed in minutes. A flooded engine can be easily detected because the engine will leak fuel. Most models allow you to drain the engine simply by tilting it. If this is not the case with your blower design, please refer to the owner's manual.

An internal combustion engine requires the flow of fuel and air - which enter through the air filter and exit through the muffler. If you notice any signs of clogging/damage, follow the manufacturer's instructions to clean or replace the air filter and muffler. The air filter can be soaked in soapy water and scrubbed, while the muffler can be dried with a brush or stick.

Without a spark, there is no combustion. Cracked insulators, burned electrodes, or carbon deposits often prevent spark plugs from working properly. If any of the above occurs, the spark plugs must be cleaned or replaced - the procedure varies by model, and depending on the design of the blower, the spark plugs can be accessed in different ways. So, if you're not sure how to do this, please refer to your owner's manual.

When using a cordless hair dryer, check the battery level and let the hair dryer charge for longer if needed. If your unit allows it - you could try plugging it into an outlet and starting it - if it does, your battery may lose power from overuse and won't be able to start the engine on its own. If your battery is externally charged, try testing the voltage or capacity with a voltmeter as an alternative. Even better, if you have a spare battery, put that in and see if it helps!

If the problem persists, or dealing with a wired blower, try switching the power outlet/extender to rule out no power. Another problem could also be a bad power switch contact - this can be seen and tested with a voltage tester. Finally, you may have blown the fuse! Refer to the owner's manual to learn how to locate and discover a blown fuse and how to replace it.

If none of the above apply, seek help from an authorized mechanic!

There are two main reasons why a petrol blower won't start in hot weather. First, there may be a buildup in pressure due to fuel evaporating in the tank - users have reported that simply opening the tank cap can resolve this issue. Second, the fuel may have gone bad, causing the clog - if this is the case, see the fuel section above.

This problem is similar to reported blower stalls, loss of power, or holding stalls at full speed or with the increased throttle. Failure of the blower to operate at the desired level of performance indicates that while the starting mechanism is functioning well, there may be underlying problems preventing engine function, many of which were mentioned in the previous section. These problems may manifest as poor performance, or the engine stalls completely during use.

Most carburetors are equipped with multiple adjustment screws - idle, high-speed, and low-speed screws. Their adjustments may improve the performance of the device. Tuning involves finding optimum performance by turning a screw with the engine on, usually indicated by an audible sound. Since the process is fairly intuitive and sound-based, we recommend finding a couple of video guides before trying to do it yourself.

Overheating is another problem with many potential causes. A very common problem is improper fuel mixing, which causes internal engine friction - which can be fixed with a simple fuel mixture change.

All commercially available blower motors are air-cooled, and their airflow is directed through the cooling fins (see your owner's manual if you're not sure where the cooling fins are located, as many models have cooling fins). If the fins are dirty, damaged, or clogged, airflow will be impaired, resulting in less efficient cooling.

Dirt can be easily wiped off with a normal brush, however, if the fins are damaged we strongly recommend seeking a replacement. Even though the blower may be functioning normally after the debris is removed, there may be further clogging deeper into the engine due to the lack of fins.

If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer as this may indicate a deeper fault in the design of the engine or blower.

Blower leaks can be caused by loose or cracked components in the fuel passages - fuel tank, fuel lines, and carburetor.

The first step is to locate the part and assess whether the problem is a seal or a breakage. The engine may also simply be flooded - see our Engines paragraph in Part One. While tightening can often be easily done in the field, replacement is often required - which can be challenging and should only be done by experienced users.

Excessive vibration is a problem experienced by backpack blower users because their entire back is in contact with the blower. While vibration is a natural part of engine function, discomfort due to increased vibration should be investigated.

The two most common components that cause vibration are pads/isolators and fans/impellers. These can wear out over time, or in the case of fans, break. Therefore, in these cases, replacing them is the only solution.

However, there may be other hidden reasons, so if none of the above applies, please seek further assistance from your manufacturer.

In general, any organic matter can burn, so fouling and carbonation are the most likely causes. However, caution is advised due to the potential fire hazard. The engine and fuel passages should be checked for leaks and blockages. If any of these conditions are detected, see the Fuel, Air, and blower leakage gas section above.

Finally, we would like to remind you that in case of doubt, it is best to contact the manufacturer of the blower or an authorized mechanic, as inexperienced handling may further damage the unit and violate the warranty. The above introduces some common problems and solutions for blowers. If you want to buy blower spare parts, please contact us.

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