Why Won't My Leaf Blower Start?

If you've just pulled out your old leaf blower only to find it's not starting, then this is the guide for you. Right now many people are facing the same issue, and in most cases it comes from these six basic problems.

Before you start troubleshooting your leaf blower make sure you have good gas in the tank, which is a common mistake many people make before even checking the blower's components. If you're sure the gas isn't a problem, then follow along. You can view our video guide here, or our written guide below, to find out why your leaf blower won't start:

Clogged Carburetor

If the engine is sputtering or stopping as soon as you try to start it up then you may have an issue with the carburetor. The carburetor is an essential part of any small engine that mixes air and fuel in the appropriate ratio to achieve combustion. It also requires regular maintenance and occasional replacement in order to run at its best. Clean out your carburetor using carburetor cleaner and try starting the engine again. Hopefully, everything goes according to plan. Otherwise, you may need to disassemble the carburetor for a more thorough cleaning, or replace the part if it is faulty.

Dirty or Defective Spark Plug

The spark plug is a common problem area because even a dirty spark plug can prevent the machine from starting at all. Take out your spark plug, clean it, and then test it using a spark plug tester. If it doesn't seem to be working properly or appears damaged, then you'll need to give it a proper clean, or more likely, replace it. Spark plugs require regular seasonal maintenance and replacement to keep your machine working well for many years.

Ignition Coil

If you still don't get any spark after replacing the spark plug you'll need to access the ignition coil and inspect it for any damage or wear. Check your user manual if you're unsure of how to find this part in your machine. You should also measure the air gap between the magnetic coil and the flywheel. If it isn't to the manufacturer's specifications you may not get a proper spark, and your leaf blower won't be able to start.

Defective Rewind Spring

The rewind spring is an often-overlooked mechanism that is necessary for the starter rope to work. If the rewind spring is broken the starter rope won't be able to recoil into the pulley, which you should be able to notice upon inspection. Inspect it for damage and replace it if necessary.

Recoil Starter Pulley

If this is malfunctioning or broken you won't be able to pull-start the leaf blower, so there won't be the necessary connection between the starter rope and the engine. Check your user manual if you're unsure of where this part is located in your machine. Inspect it for damage and repair or replace it if necessary.

Clogged Spark Arrestor

The spark arrestor goes through a lot of wear and tear and can get clogged up with soot and caked-on carbon. If you're unsure of how to clean a spark arrestor, do a bit of research online before attempting. Deep cleans may require you to use high heat tools like a blow torch, which not everybody is comfortable with. If you're not comfortable working with high-heat, we would recommend taking this to a professional. If you're not able to get all the gunk off or unable to do this process for whatever reason, you made need to replace it.

After investigation these six key problem areas, we find we are usually able to solve our leaf blower problems and hopefully you will too. We hope this advice will get your blower up and running in time to clear those ever-growing piles of fall leaves. If you're planning to do any repairs to these common and easily replaced parts along the way, make sure you have all the necessary leaf blower parts.