STIHL Leaf Blower Loses Power and Clogs for These 10 Reasons
The air output from your blower is weakening. Leaves and other trash are no longer blown around by the wind. I have made a list of typical causes of power outages to help you diagnose the issue.
Without the proper amounts of gasoline, air, or spark, a STIHL leaf blower will lose power and stall. Problems with the fuel system (such as a clogged filter), the fuel line, the fuel tank vent, the spark plug, the spark arrestor, or the carburetor could all be to blame.
Make sure the engine is cool before working on your STIHL blower, and observe all safety procedures to avoid getting hurt. These precautions are detailed in your user guide.
Causes of STIHL leaf blower performance degradation:
- Wasted fuel
- The carburetor is covered in grime.
- Congested air filter
- Soiled spark plug
- The Fuel Filter is Clogged
- Congestion in the gas line
- The Vent in the Gas Tank Was Blocked
- Anti-fire device with a plug
- A blocked air conditioner
- Exhaust pipe clogged with carbon
Before diagnosing, repairing, or using the equipment, be sure you’ve read and understood all of the safety precautions in the user handbook. If you are unsure about how to proceed or if you lack the necessary expertise or experience, you should seek the assistance of a professional.
Table of Contents
10 Causes of a Dead STIHL Leaf Blower
STIHL Blowers Won’t Work with Old Gas
You can’t treat all gas the same. You may avoid fuel and engine issues with your STIHL blower by familiarizing yourself with how gas affects its performance.
Gasoline’s destructive effects on your STIHL blower:
Ethanol is now a standard ingredient in gasoline. Renewable resources such as corn and other high-starch plants are used to create this alternative fuel.
Although while ethanol is better for the planet, it can damage smaller engines and is therefore rarely used. Essentially, it functions as a magnet for atmospheric moisture. Corrosion might result from a buildup of moisture in the fuel system.
The varnish and sticky deposits left behind by ethanol and water reduce fuel flow by blocking the fuel lines and the carburetor. The gasoline system will corrode from this mixture.
The average person has no idea how rapidly gas may spoil. When using a stabilizer, it’s ideal to use all of the fuel you buy within 30 days and no more than 60 days.
Sea Foam Motor Treatment is a gasoline stabilizer that helps keep fuel stable for longer and reduces moisture.
Best Gasoline for Your STIHL Blower:
You can choose between 2-cycle and 4-MIX engines in STIHL’s leaf blowers. These motors call for a 50:1 mixture of gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil. This translates to a ratio of 50 parts gasoline to 1 part vegetable oil.
For your STIHL blower to run properly, you need to use unleaded gasoline with a minimum 89-octane rating (mid-grade) and no more than 10% (E10) ethanol content.
Combine with STIHL’s top-tier 2-cycle oil, such as STIHL High Performance or STIHL HP Ultra. Any 2-cycle oil that has been approved by ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD can be used. When it comes to fueling your STIHL leaf blower, you can learn more in STIHL leaf blowers run on the gas and oil you see here.
If you still have fuel in your leaf blower, drain it and replace it with fresh fuel. For longer fuel life, less moisture in the fuel, and a cleaner fuel system, try adding a gasoline stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment.
Dirty Carburetor Reduces STIHL Blower Power
The carburetor controls how much fuel is added to the air intake before it is combusted in the cylinder. The carburetor will stop working if you use old fuel because it will gum up and clog.
In this case, all you need is a little mechanical aptitude, and you’ll be able to clean your carburetor on your own. Take apart the carburetor and use carburetor cleaning to eliminate residue buildup.
After cleaning, if the carburetor still doesn’t work, you may need to have it rebuilt or get a new one.
It may be more cost-effective to buy a new leaf blower than to replace the carburetor on an older model, depending on the age of the blower and the cost of the carburetor.
STIHL Blower Powerless with Plugged Air Filter
When the air filter is clogged with the dust and dirt that is blown around when using a leaf blower, airflow is reduced.
Lack of power in your STIHL could be due to a clogged air filter from dust and debris.
Fixing this issue is as simple as replacing your air filter once a year and cleaning it multiple times throughout lawn maintenance time.
If the air filter on your STIHL is clogged, you should change it. The cost of a filter is typically low. With its help, the engine can be safeguarded.
Depending on the leaf blower model and size, STIHL offers a wide variety of air filters in a variety of shapes and sizes. When a filter gets too dirty or gets damaged, it needs to be changed.
The following are instructions for cleaning a typical STIHL filter, should you decide to do so. If you are unsure about the type of filter on your blower or how to clean it, see your operator’s manual.
Cleanse a STIHLleaf blower air filter:
- Make sure dirt doesn’t get sucked into the carburetor by closing the choke.
- To get to the filter, you’ll need to take off the lid.
- Clean the air filter housing or cover by wiping it down to remove any dust or debris that may have settled there.
- To remove dirt from the filter, tap it against a hard surface or your hand.
- Put in the new filter that has been cleaned. (Insert a replacement air filter if the old one is too dusty or damaged.)
- The air filter cover must be reattached.
STIHL Blower Power Loses Due to Dirty Spark Plug
Your STIHL blower may lose power owing to a lack of consistent spark if the spark plug has become fouled.
Any spark plug that has been broken or is a dark color owing to excessive dirt should be replaced. The dirt can be cleaned off with a wire brush if the spark is otherwise in good shape.
If you want to avoid having problems with your spark plugs throughout the season, replacing them once a year is a good idea. Spark plugs are one of the cheapest parts that need replacing. Damaged spark plugs can cause your STIHL to lose power.
When a spark plug becomes dirty or damaged, the solution is to remove and replace it. Be sure to gap the new spark plug according to factory recommendations. A standard electrode spacing of 0.02 in is required for most STIHL blowers (0.5 mm).
Make a solid connection by securing the spark plug wire boot. Your blower may not turn on, run intermittently, or lose power if a wire is loosened.
STIHL Blower Powerless with Blocked Fuel Filter
The fuel filter on your STIHL blower serves to filter the fuel as it enters the fuel line, keeping unwanted particles like dirt and debris out of the engine.
A clogged gasoline filter is the result of infrequent replacement of the filter element.
Loss of blower power may be the result of less gasoline getting past the filter. If the gasoline supply becomes low, the engine will sputter and eventually stop working.
One possible fix is to switch out a fuel filter that is blocking gas from entering the fuel line. The fuel tank is also the home of the fuel filter. Before removing the gasoline cap, clean the area surrounding it to keep dirt and debris from falling into the tank and clogging the filter.
Take remove the gasoline filter from the tank. An untarnished, curved wire will do the trick. Take the fuel line filter off.
Place the new fuel filter into the fuel line, and then use the retaining ring to connect the fuel line to the filter. Install the fuel cap and place the filter inside the tank.
STIHL Blower Power Loses Due to Clogged Fuel Line
Using outdated fuel in your leaf blower might leave sticky residues that clog the fuel line. It’s also possible that dirt accumulated in the fuel system, preventing it from working properly. Because of this, the engine may not get enough fuel and lose power.
The problem can be fixed by checking the gasoline line for obstructions. If your fuel line is clogged, kinked, or cracked from age, you should get a new one.
Powerless STIHL Blower Due to Blocked Fuel Tank Vent
Venting the fuel tank allows the air pressure inside to return to normal. If the STIHL’s vent is blocked, a vacuum will create inside the tank, preventing fuel from escaping. The gasoline tank vent is joined to the fuel line at its exit.
If your STIHL blower is losing power, setting it down on a flat surface may help. Open the gas cap and turn on your blower.
Once air is delivered to the fuel tank, the blower should no longer run slowly and lose power; otherwise, the fuel tank vent is likely blocked. The fuel tank air vent should be replaced.
STIHL Blower Won’t Work If Spark Arrestor Is Plugged
A tiny metal screen, the spark arrestor, is installed in the exhaust system to catch any stray sparks that might otherwise escape the muffler and create a fire. If this tiny screen gets clogged up, your STIHL blower can lose some of its power and not reach its maximum RPM range.
To solve this problem, you must remove the wire from the spark plug. Ensure that your car’s engine is not too hot to touch. Get rid of the engine cover and the exhaust cover. Take off the spark-arresting screen with care. Use a wire brush to scrub the screen.
Clean the screen, then fasten it to the engine cover and the exhaust cover. Replace the wire leading to the spark plug.
If you find that the screen is too dirty to clean, or if it is broken or has a hole in it, you should get a new spark arrestor screen.
A STIHL Leaf Blower with Its Air-Conditioning System Clogged
The blower’s miniature engine is ventilated to prevent overheating. When the engine becomes too hot, it can lose power and even break.
Maintain the cooling system clean by regularly cleaning the air intake, flywheel, cooling fins, and engine cover.
STIHL Blower Power Losses Due to Exhaust Port Carbon Buildup
Carbon deposits in the exhaust port behind the muffler are a common cause of leaf blower not working properly.
A STIHL service center should inspect and clean this part as a solution. It’s possible that you could cause permanent damage to the fan if you try to clean it yourself.
When Should You Take Your STIHL Leaf Blower to a Mechanic?
If your STIHL leaf blower still isn’t producing adequate power after you’ve examined the aforementioned items, it’s time to have a professional mechanic have a look at it.
On the other hand, you might not feel confident fixing your own blower. Nothing wrong with that. That’s why the STIHL service department at your neighborhood hardware store is staffed with experts in small engine repair.
Think about how much time it will cost for the mechanic to figure out what’s wrong. It is common practice to charge a flat fee for troubleshooting and repair, with additional costs for labor and parts.
If you’re using an inexpensive leaf blower that’s on its last legs, this may not make any sense. Don’t be caught off guard by the cost of diagnostics for a leaf blower that may not be fixable.
It’s up to you to decide whether or not to have a professional service your STIHL leaf blower. There is a trade-off between the cost of repairing an older, less reliable leaf blower and the cost of buying a new one.
