Top 14 Causes Your Poulan Pro Leaf Blower Won’t Turn On

When it comes to clearing the yard of leaves, clearing the patio, spreading out clumps of grass, and even cleaning a lawn mower, nothing beats a good, working leaf blower. There isn’t much use for a blower that won’t turn on.

Whether your Poulan Pro leaf blower won’t start, check to see if the choke is set incorrectly, the air filter is blocked, the gasoline is old, the fuel line is clogged, the carburetor is dirty, the fuel filter is clogged, the spark arrestor is clogged, the spark plug is damaged, the ignition coil is faulty, or the engine is flooded.

If your Poulan Pro blower won’t start, there are several potential causes, all of which are detailed here. When doing repairs, make sure you observe all of the safety measures outlined in the manual. The engine must be allowed to cool before any of this can be done, including disconnecting the spark plug wire.

Poulan Pro Blower
Poulan Pro Blower

Causes of a Non-Starting Poulan Pro Leaf Blower

If you haven’t done so recently, start troubleshooting your Poulan Pro leaf blower by replacing the maintenance parts. This consists of the spark plug, fuel filter, and air filter.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to Incorrect Choke Setting

For a cold engine, you must fully engage the choke. The choke is closed in this position, limiting the air intake that mixes with the fuel to create combustion.

Adjusting the choke to the open position is necessary after starting a cold engine. To turn on your particular brand of fan, please read the steps outlined below.

The Poulan Pro Handheld Blower’s COLD Engine Should Be Started:

  • Set the throttle’s position lever to its “idle” setting.
  • Just before you see fuel filling the priming bulb, stop pressing it.
  • The starter lever must be moved to the “start” position.
  • Activate the engine by pulling the starter handle.
  • The starting system needs around 10 seconds to warm up, at which point the throttle lever can be squeezed to start the engine.

Getting the Poulan Pro Handheld Blower Warmed Up:

  • Keep your hand on the throttle lever.
  • Activate the engine by pulling the starter handle.

How to Start a Poulan Pro Backpack Blower’s Engine When It’s COLD:

  • Choke mode is activated by moving the lever to the right.
  • Just before you see fuel filling the priming bulb, stop pressing it.
  • Turn the off switch on and set the cruise control for high idle speed.
  • The engine is ready to start and run when you hear a clicking sound when you pull the starter handle.
  • Change the location of the choke lever.
  • The vehicle can be started by pulling the starter handle.
  • Give the engine around 30 seconds to warm up in quick idle before engaging the blower at full power.

Turn on the Poulan Pro backpack blower’s WARM engine by following these steps:

  • To restart, you must first move the stop switch to the on position and set the cruise control to the fast idle setting.
  • Move the choke lever away from you.
  • The vehicle can be started by pulling the starter handle.
  • Before operating the blower at full power, let the engine warm up for about 30 seconds in fast idle.

Close the choke before starting a chilly Poulan Pro blower, then open it after the engine is up to operating temperature, or the blower will not start and will shut off.

If you use the wrong ratio of 2-cycle oil, your Poulan Pro blower won’t start.

Please utilize a fuel mixture of 40:1 that consists of gasoline and oil. The two-cycle engine in a Poulan Pro blower needs oil fed to the gas in order to function properly.

If oil isn’t mixed with the gas, the fuel could get too dry and the engine might seize, rendering it inoperable.

Straight gas will cause irreparable harm to your leaf blower, and you may need to replace your Poulan Pro leaf blower as a result.

To properly fuel your Poulan Pro blower, you should use unleaded gasoline with an octane level of 87 or above and no more than 10% ethanol.

Put in some ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD-approved 2-cycle premium oil, such as the one Poulan Pro sells.

40:1 = 1 gallon of gas + 3.2 fl oz. 2-cycle oil
40:1 = 2 gallons of gas + 6.4 fl oz 2-cycle oil

Pre-mixed fuels, like TruFuel, are a terrific way to cut down on fuel-related issues and keep your engine running for longer. Ready to use in your leaf blower’s fuel tank, this oil and gasoline mixture does not include ethanol.

More about it: Type of Gas and Oil Poulan Pro Leaf Blowers Use.

A Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Because of an Old Fuel and Oil Mix

Ethanol can be found in several varieties of gas sold at petrol stations. This is a renewable energy source often created from corn or other plants rich in starch. Including this fuel in gas production is one way to reduce the fuel’s negative impact on the environment.

Unfortunately for the environment, running your Poulan Pro blower on ethanol is not a good idea.

Gummy deposits left behind by ethanol and the fuel’s ability to attract moisture are only two of the ways in which this additive can damage the fuel system and its components.

Varnish left behind by degraded fuel can prevent enough fuel from reaching the engine, making it impossible to activate the blower.

Never use fuel with an ethanol level higher than 10% due to the detrimental consequences of ethanol. Be wary of E15 and E85 gas, which can contain as much as 15% and 85% ethanol, respectively.

The gasoline in a leaf blower should be changed out after 30 days, and you should not use the old fuel in the machine. Fuel stabilization, fuel system cleaning, and moisture reduction can all be achieved by using a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment.

There is a fuel stabilizer in some 2-cycle lubricants. Fuel stabilization time can range from 30 days with some additives to 2 years with others.

Don’t presume the oil you choose will stabilize the gasoline for more than 30 days if it doesn’t specify that it will.

You don’t have to use a stabilizer if you utilize fuel that has already been mixed without ethanol.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to Clogged Air Filter

Your Poulan Pro leaf blower can’t function without unpolluted air. To maintain clean air, a filter has been set up.

When this filter gets clogged with dust and other material, it prevents enough air from passing through, which makes starting and running the vehicle difficult.

Once a year, you need to change up the air filter. Then maintain its quality with consistent checks and cleanings. If it’s broken or filthy beyond repair, toss it and get a new one.

Cleaning the primary foam filter on a Poulan Pro:

  • Take off the cellular foam air filter.
  • Clean the housing and the cover thoroughly by wiping them down. Keep the air intake free of debris.
  • Warm water with a drop or two of mild dish soap is perfect for cleaning the foam filter.
  • The water should be clear after rinsing. Flatten the filter and squeeze out any remaining water.
  • After the filter has dried, a thin layer of engine oil should be applied, and any surplus should be squeezed off. Oil should not be leaking off of it.
  • Put in the new foam air filter.
  • Fasten the filter cover back on the air conditioner again.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to a Dirty Spark Plug

A lack of spark could be caused by carbon or oil accumulation on the spark plug, making it impossible to ignite the blower. There are a number of potential causes, including a loose wire, a short circuit, a loose connection, or an electrode that has been cracked, burned, or has the wrong gap.

Spark plugs should be removed and inspected regularly. If your spark plug is dirty or broken, you should get a new one. Spark plug boots must be firmly fastened and the space between the electrodes must conform to the manufacturer’s specifications.

For spark plugs that seem otherwise healthy but are just filthy from use, a wire brush can be used to bring them back to life.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter serves a similar function to the air filter in that it keeps debris out of the fuel system.

Inside the fuel tank, connected to the fuel line, is where you’ll find the fuel filter for your Husqvarna leaf blower. To prevent the gasoline line from being sucked into the fuel tank and sucked up with dirt and debris, it strains the fuel when it enters the fuel line.

The typical homeowner should also update this filter annually. Here’s how to check and replace your fuel filter:

To change the fuel filter on a Poulan Proleaf blower:

  • Before removing the gasoline cap, wipe the area surrounding it to prevent dirt from entering the tank.
  • It’s time to take off the fuel cap.
  • Hook the fuel line with a clean, bent wire, then remove the fuel filter from the tank.
  • Grasp the fuel line and ring clip firmly in one hand, and use the other to remove the filter from the fuel line.
  • After ensuring the ring clip is firmly fastening the fuel line to the filter, put the male end of the new fuel filter into the fuel line.
  • Remove the gasoline cap and replace it with the filter in the tank.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to Broken Primer Bulb

If the priming bulb is cracked and won’t hold fuel, the engine won’t be able to run properly since the carburetor won’t be fed. Use a new priming bulb to fix the problem.

A clogged fuel line is the root cause of a Poulan Pro blower’s inability to start.

Deposits of gummed-up fuel from storage might impede the leaf blower’s fuel system and reduce the performance of your Poulan Pro. If the leaf blower’s fuel line is broken, bent, or blocked, you should replace it.

A Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to a Clogged Vent in the Fuel Tank

The gasoline tank has a vent that lets air in and out. The fuel tank on your Poulan Pro will generate a vacuum if there is no outlet for the fuel to escape.

If your leaf blower works for a time but then loses power, shuts off, and won’t start again unless you unscrew the fuel cap to let air into the tank, this could be a sign of a fuel tank vent problem. When you take off the top, the suction will be released, and you may hear the sound.

After several minutes of operation with the gasoline cap in place, it shuts off again. Most Poulan Pro leaf blowers have a check valve in the fuel cap that allows the fuel tank to escape.

If you discover that your gasoline cap is no longer venting properly, you should replace it.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to a Dirty Carburetor

The carburetor is critical because it controls how much fuel is introduced into the air intake system.

The carburetor may be the source of your difficulty getting the engine started. Old fuel sitting in the carburetor can jam its fuel passages, causing this problem.

You can probably clean your carburetor on your own if you have a little mechanical aptitude. Separate the carburetor and clean it using special carburetor cleaning.

After cleaning, if the carburetor still doesn’t work, you may need to have it rebuilt or get a new one.

You can also get it cleaned at a shop that fixes small engines. Learn how much it will cost in time and money to clean the carburetor, though. That’s like saying you need a new carburetor. There could not be much of a pricing difference.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to Faulty Recoil Starter

To kick-start the motor, a recoil starter is employed. A faulty starter will prevent the fan from turning on.

It can be difficult to get going if the string comes untied. A malfunctioning recoil start could also be caused by a damaged clip, a missing spring, a loose pulley, or any combination of the three.

Recoil spring replacement and restringing is an option. If the pulley or clips in your recoil are broken, the whole system may need to be replaced rather than fixing it.

Poulan Pro Blower Won’t Start Due to Faulty Ignition Coil

A short can occur if the ignition coil’s winding comes loose. Due to a lack of voltage, the spark plug will not produce a spark. Your Poulan Pro blower won’t start up because of this.

Use an ohmmeter to look for a discontinuity in the circuit to locate a faulty ignition coil. If you detect a crack in the ignition coil, you should replace it.

A non-starting Poulan Pro blower is traced to a clogged spark arrestor.

On the muffler, you’ll discover a tiny display. This is a safety precaution to prevent burns or other injuries from being caused by hot exhaust material blasting out of the blower.

Soot buildup on the spark arrestor screen might cause ventilation issues. This can prevent the leaf blower from turning on.

To clean the spark arrestor, take it apart and scrub it with a wire brush. If you find that the spark arrestor is damaged or you just can’t get it clean enough, you should get a new one.

Flooding Prevents The Poulan Pro Blower From Starting.

A second issue that could arise after you’ve tried to start the engine is that it’s flooded. This can occur if the starter rope is pulled an excessive number of times while the choke is closed.

Even with the power off, repeatedly pulling the starter rope or pressing the priming bulb can cause this.

Poulan Pro Leaf Blower: How to Repair a Submerged Motor

  • Flip the switch to the “run” position to activate the handheld blower. Assuming you are using a backpack blower, you should flip the stop switch to the on position and set the choke to the open position.
  • While repeatedly drawing the starter rope, you should press the throttle trigger. Pulling the trigger can take anywhere from 5-15 attempts. As a first sign, the motor in your leaf blower will sputter. Keep pulling it for another pull or two, and it should fire up.