Leaf Blower from Troy-Bilt Only Operates with Choke Engaged (FIND & FIX)

If you close the choke on your blower, it will continue to operate indefinitely. Any time airflow has to be limited to keep it working, performance suffers and an underlying problem is revealed.

Whether the engine isn’t getting enough fuel or too much air, a Troy-Bilt leaf blower won’t start unless the choke is engaged.

This happens when there are a number of factors present, including stale fuel, a filthy carburetor, a faulty carburetor gasket, a blocked fuel vent, a limited fuel line, a clogged air filter, or a puncture in the fuel line.

Don’t try to fix anything until the engine has cooled down and everything has stopped moving. Do all the other safety measures recommended in your Troy-Bilt manual and remove the spark plug boot.

6 Explanations for Why a Choked-Up Troy-Bilt Blower Won’t Start

Outdated Gasoline in a Troy-Bilt Leaf Blower

The fuel restriction and component failures that result from using old gas are common.

If gasoline is not getting to the engine, you may need to use the choke to adjust the air-to-fuel mixture so that the fan can keep turning.

Ethanol, which is present in most gasoline, can cause varnish and sticky deposits to form in the fuel system over time.

Gasoline with a low ethanol percentage and recently purchased is best for preventing fuel system issues. To ensure proper engine operation, fill your tank with unleaded gas that has an octane rating of 89 or above and contains no more than 10% ethanol.

The fuel needs for 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines found in Troy-Bilt leaf blowers are distinct

• Premium air-cooled 2-cycle engine oil and gasoline are the recommended fuel mixture for use in Troy-Bilt 2-cycle leaf blowers. The ratio of natural gas to oil in this mixture is 40 to 1.
  
• Straight gas is required for use in 4-cycle Troy-Bilt leaf blowers. Never put oil into a gas engine or vice versa. The SAE 30 engine oil can be refilled through its own dedicated fill point.

Read it: This is the Type of Gas & Oil Mix Troy-Bilt Leaf Blowers Use.

Get rid of stale gas from your leaf blower. To stabilize the gas, clean the fuel system, and eliminate moisture, you should put in new gasoline with an additive like Sea Foam or STA-BIL.

Clogged or Punctured Troy-Bilt Blower Fuel Line

If old fuel or dirt has clogged the fuel line, you may need to use the choke to prevent the engine from stalling. Air getting into the fuel system through the line is another possible cause.

When fuel lines get damaged (crack or puncture), it might let air into the fuel system. This necessitates engaging the choke, which restricts intake airflow.

The solution is to remove and replace the old gasoline line with a new one if it is clogged, damaged, or cracked. Seal the fuel system by firmly connecting the gasoline lines to prevent air from leaking in.

Troy-Bilt Leaf Blower with Clogged Fuel Filter

Using a gasoline filter can prevent debris from clogging up your Troy-Bilt blower’s engine. When clogged with dirt and debris, it can reduce fuel flow if not replaced frequently.

If you want to avoid this issue, replace the filter once a year. If you put unclean fuel in the tank, you’ll have to change it more frequently.

The gasoline filter should be changed if it becomes clogged. The Troy-Bilt blower’s fuel filter lives in the fuel tank. It’s a good idea to clean the area surrounding the gasoline tank cap before taking it off to prevent any debris from entering the tank.

How to change the fuel filter on a Troy-Bilt leaf blower:

• Take off the lid.
  
• Remember where the filter was previously installed so that you may replace it in the same spot.
  
• The gasoline tank’s fuel filter must be removed. It can be retrieved with relative ease using a clean, bent wire.
  
• Take the filter out of the gasoline line once you’ve taken it out of the tank.
  
• Ensure the male end of the new gasoline filter is properly linked to the fuel line.
• It should be returned to the petrol tank.
  
• Replace the fuel cap.

Troy-Bilt Leaf Blower with a Leaking Carburetor Gasket

The gasket that seals the carburetor to the engine block is prone to failure over time. Incorrect gasketing in the carburetor will allow air to leak into the system.

If more air is being sucked into the engine than the engine can handle, the Troy-Bilt blower will stall unless the throttle is engaged.

Remove the linkages and nuts holding the carburetor in place to gain access to the problem. The gasket and carburetor must be taken off.

Your Troy-Bilt will run better after you’ve replaced the gasket and reattached the carburetor, bolt, and linkages. It’s a good idea to remove the carburetor from the leaf blower and give it a good cleaning if it’s needed.

It’s important to remember that if you take the carburetor apart to check the gasket, you’ll have to replace it regardless of its condition. Make sure you have a spare gasket on hand.

Troy-Bilt Leaf Blower with a Filthy Carburetor

The Troy-Bilt carburetor controls the quantity of fuel introduced into the air/fuel mixture during ignition and operation of the leaf blower.

Damage to the carburetor’s ability to deliver gasoline to the engine might result from varnish and deposit buildup.

It’s not too hard to clean your carburetor if you have a basic understanding of mechanics. Take apart the carburetor and use carburetor cleaner to get rid of any residue from old gas.

After cleaning, if the carburetor still doesn’t work, you could have to repair it or get a new one. Carburetors can be serviced or replaced by the experts at any Troy-Bilt or small engine dealer.

Troy-Bilt Leaf Blower with Blocked Fuel Tank Vent

The gasoline tank’s outlet is another potential source of fuel restriction. Most Troy-Bilt leaf blowers have this vent built into the gas cap. Airflow is restricted when the vent cap is in place, preventing the release of compressed air.

When the fuel tank develops a vacuum, no gasoline can escape. Put your Troy-Bilt leaf blower on a flat surface to check if the fuel cap is the cause of your need to use the choke.

The answer is simple: just take off the cap and let the fan run. To test if the blower will keep running even with the choke off, turn it to the off position.

If your fuel tank vent is the issue and the engine starts right up when you let air into the tank, the fuel tank is fine. Put on a new Troy-Bilt fuel cap where the old one was.