Top 14 Causes Your Yard Machines Leaf Blower Won’t Turn On
The leaf blower is a useful tool for many different tasks, such as drying up a piece of equipment or swiftly clearing off the patio. Until it stops functioning, you probably don’t understand how much you rely on it.
There must be air, fuel, and a spark for the engine of a Yard Machines leaf blower to start.
The carburetor, fuel filter, air filter, spark plug, ignition coil, or spark arrestor could all be to blame.
Read on to learn about other potential causes of your Yard Machines not starting, such as a flooded engine. Before doing any repairs on a hot engine, you should always let it cool and then remove the spark plug boot.
Table of Contents
Problems That Prevent a Yard Machines Leaf Blower from Starting
If you haven’t maintained your leaf blower in a long time, now is a good opportunity to at least repair the wearable parts. Spark plugs, fuel filters, and air filters are the maintenance items.
A Yard Machines blower with an incorrectly adjusted choke
The engine’s air intake can be restricted by using the choke. A higher concentration of gasoline in the fuel-to-air mix is required for starting a cold engine.
As soon as the engine reaches operating temperature, the choke should be released to let cool air into the combustion chamber. The blower may not start at all or may only run briefly before shutting off if the throttle lever is in the wrong position.
SOLUTION:
For use with your Yard Machines Handheld Leaf Blower, please follow these procedures:
- Once fuel starts showing up in the purge bulb, you can stop pressing it. The lightbulb’s filament can be empty.
- To begin, you must move the choke lever to the “start” position.
- To start the engine and get it running smoothly, press down on the throttle and keep your finger there while you set the cruise control to HI.
- If the choke lever is in the START position, you should pull the starter rope around five times.
- To get the engine going, you need to pull the starter rope and then set the choke to WARM UP.
- Choke lever should be in the RUN position after one minute of running.
A Yard Machines Blower With the Wrong Type of 2-Cycle Oil
Using a 50:1 ratio of gasoline to oil is recommended for your 2-cycle portable Yard Machines leaf blower. You put the oil in there to lubricate the engine and keep it at a reasonable temperature.
Damage to an engine can be done by running it on straight gas or gas without enough lubricant. Gasoline is in critically short supply. It’s possible that the motor will seize and refuse to turn over.
A 50:1 fuel blend for your Yard Machines blower requires unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane value of 89 (mid-grade) and a maximum ethanol concentration of 10%.
Put in some ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD approved 2-cycle premium oil or a comparable 2-cycle oil.
50:1 = 1 gal of gas + 2.6 fl oz. 2-cycle oil
50:1 = 2.5 gal of gas + 6.4 fl oz 2-cycle oil
The solution is to combine gas and oil in a gas container before pouring it into the fuel tank.
The proper fuel and mixing instructions are discussed in further detail in. These are the Yard Equipment Fuel and Oil Needed for Leaf Blowers.
Yard Machines Blowers that Use a Blend of Gas and Oil Are Dangerous
For optimal freshness, gas should be purchased and used within 30 days.
Ethanol is typically blended into gas as a cleaner burning alternative fuel. Ethanol is advantageous since it can be produced from readily available materials such as corn.
Although ethanol has environmental benefits, using it in your Yard Machines leaf blower can damage the engine and fuel system.
The varnish left behind by ethanol and the moisture it draws reduces the amount of gasoline reaching the engine, which can prevent the blower from starting. The leaf blower will be severely damaged by this concoction.
Don’t ever use fuel with an ethanol concentration more than 10% due to the detrimental effects. You should steer clear of E15 and E85 gas, which can contain up to 15% and 85% ethanol, respectively.
Stabilizer for gasoline
Using a gasoline stabilizer is recommended. A fuel stabilizer is a common component in 2-cycle engine oils. Even if they do contain a stabilizer, you shouldn’t count on the gas being steady for more than a month.
There are fuel stabilizers in lubricants that are guaranteed to function for up to 2 years, and others that are only good for 30 days. Gasoline stabilizers like Sea Foam Motor Treatment can be added to the fuel tank for added peace of mind.
Diesel with no ethanol
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 be poured into your leaf blower’s fuel tank, this oil and gasoline blend contains no ethanol.
You don’t have to use a stabilizer if you utilize fuel that has already been mixed without ethanol.
Solution: If fuel has been lingering in your leaf blower for more than 30 days, drain the tank and refill it with fresh gas and oil. Clean the fuel system by adding a fuel stabilizer, such as Sea Foam Motor Treatment.
In the event that you are able to do so, start the engine and let it run until the gasoline mixture has circulated through the fuel system. If not, move on to the next item on this list to try fixing the blower.
Clogged Air Filter on a Yard Machines Blower
To get the engine going and keep it going, air is the primary ingredient. If dirt and debris clog the air filter, not enough air can reach the engine to kick it into gear.
It is recommended that you inspect the air filter in your Yard Machines blower before each use. Because of its importance in keeping the engine safe, a clogged filter can be the root of serious problems like overheating and component failure.
It needs to be replaced every year or whenever it gets severely dirty or damaged, and cleaned if necessary. Never use the Yard Machines blower without the air filter.
A foam air filter can be easily maintained by following these steps. If your blower has a different kind of filter, the directions for maintaining it can be found in the unit’s manual.
To clean the primary foam filter on a Yard Machines:
- Take the air filter foam out of the air filter housing.
- Clean the housing and the cover thoroughly by wiping them down. Keep the air intake free of debris.
- Have the filter checked. If it is dry or broken, you should throw it away and get a new one. If the filter appears to be in good shape, you can proceed with cleaning.
- Use a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap to clean the foam filter.
- The water should be clear after rinsing. Squeeze the filter to remove excess water, then lay it flat to dry.
- After the filter has dried, coat it with clean engine oil, such as SAE30 oil, and then remove any extra oil using a filter squeegee. Oil should not be leaking off of it.
- The foam air filter must be installed.
- Replace the air filter’s protective cover.
A Yard Machines Blower with a Grimy Spark Plug
Carbon or grease accumulation on the spark plug could block the spark needed to activate the blower. Possible causes include a loose wire, a short in the circuit, a loose connection, or an electrode that has been cracked, burned, or has the wrong gap.
Take off the spark plug and have a look at it. If your spark plug is dirty or broken, you should get a new one. Gap the spark plug according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and always keep the boot on tight.
It is possible to use a wire brush to clean a spark plug that appears to be in good condition but is only dirty.
Blower from Yard Machines with a clogged fuel filter
The fuel filter serves a similar function to the air filter in that it keeps debris out of the fuel system.
The Yard Machines leaf blower’s fuel filter is located in the fuel tank, where it is connected to the gasoline line. Any dirt or debris in the fuel tank won’t be sucked into the fuel line thanks to the strainer installed at the fuel’s point of entry.
The typical homeowner should also update this filter annually.
The answer is to check and perhaps replace your fuel filter.
To fix a clogged fuel filter in a Yard Machines leaf blower:
- Before removing the gasoline cap, wipe the area surrounding it to prevent dirt from entering the tank.
- You need to take off the gasoline cap.
- Hook the gasoline line with a clean bent wire and remove the fuel filter from the tank.
- Pull the filter out of the gasoline line while holding the fuel line and ring clip firmly with one hand.
- Insert the fuel filter’s male end into the fuel line and fasten it with the ring clip.
- Don’t forget to replace the gasoline cap after you’ve inserted the filter.
Yard Machines Blower with a Burnt-Out Primer Bulb
If the priming bulb is fractured and won’t fill with fuel, the engine won’t be able to operate properly.
Solution: Inspect the bulb, especially its base and the threads on which the fuel line is threaded. Substitute a new priming bulb for an old one.
Yard Machines Blower with Blocked Fuel Line
It’s not a good idea to use old gasoline in your Yard Machines leaf blower since it might leave behind gummy, sticky deposits that impede fuel flow.
Resolved: If the leaf blower’s fuel line is broken, bent, or clogged, replace it.
Yard Machines Blower with a Leaking Gas Cap
The airtight gasoline top allows fresh air to enter the tank. A vacuum will form in the gas tank if the faulty cap prevents the tank from venting.
In order to prevent fuel from escaping the tank and into the carburetor, a vacuum must be created.
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. In fact, if you listen closely, you can probably hear the suction being let out when you take off the top.
After a few minutes of operation with the gasoline cap in place, it shuts down again.
If you discover that your gasoline cap is no longer venting properly, the answer is to get a new one.
Yard Machines Blower with a Filthy Carburetor
The carburetor controls how much gasoline and air are injected into the cylinder for combustion. Clogging the carburetor with old fuel causes it to stop working properly.
The solution is to clean the carburetor, which should be doable if you have any technical knowledge. Take apart the carburetor and clean it with carburetor cleaner.
You may be required to rebuild the carburetor or get a new one if cleaning it doesn’t get it working.
Dealers in small engines can also provide cleaning services. You should, however, inquire about the cost of cleaning the carburetor and the rate of the labor involved. That’s like saying you need a new carburetor. Possibly, there is not much of a pricing difference.
Inadequate Recoil Starter on a Yard Machine Blower
A Craftsman blower is started with a recoil. If the string comes untied, it will be difficult to get going again. In addition to a malfunctioning recoil start, a damaged pulley, a missing or loose spring, or faulty clips should be looked for.
It may be possible to restring the recoil or replace the spring. It may be best to replace the entire recoil assembly if other parts, such as the clips or the pulley, are damaged and preventing it from working.
Blower from Yard Machines has a faulty ignition coil.
A short can occur if the ignition coil’s winding comes loose. This prevents the necessary voltage from reaching the spark plug, preventing it from igniting. Your Yard Machines blower won’t turn on as a result.
Determine if there is a break in continuity by locating the faulty ignition coil. If you detect a crack in the ignition coil, you should replace it.
A Yard Machines Blower with a Blocked Spark Arrestor
Attached to the muffler, the spark arrestor prevents sparks and flaming debris from flying out of the exhaust and potentially injuring or starting a fire.
As a tiny screen, the spark arrestor is susceptible to becoming soot-clogged. If the spark arrestor on your leaf blower is clogged, the airflow will be restricted, and the machine may not start.
The answer is to take out the spark arrestor and scrub it with a wire brush. Do not attempt to clean it if you do not know how to remove all of the accumulated residue.
Yard Machines Blower Submerged in Water
A second issue that could arise after you’ve tried to start the engine is that it’s flooded. The choke is closed and the starter rope has been pulled excessively often, causing this.
It can also occur if the priming bulb is pushed too many times or the starter rope is pulled repeatedly when the switch is off.
SOLUTION:
Yard Machines Leaf Blower: How to Fix a Submerged Motor
- Change the choke setting to “RUN.”
- Repeatedly pull the ignition cord and press the throttle. It may take 5–15 draws before it begins. The motor on your leaf blower will first splutter. If you keep pulling, it should turn over after the second or third attempt.
