Why Does My Leaf Blower Keep Flooding?

Why does my leaf blower keep flooding?

The reason why your leaf blower keeps flooding is due bad gas, which can occur when it is absorbed by moisture or  a clogged air filter. A bad spark plug that has degraded over time, or a gummed carburetor the cannot mix the right combination of air and fuel can also cause your leaf blower to flood.

 

leaf blower flooding

 

Bad gas

If you find it hard to start your leaf blower and it keeps getting flooded, the first point to check is the fuel. Gasoline loses its quality quickly and could lead to your engine’s flooding. This is because it separates into the petrochemicals that make up the fuel. These chemicals absorb moisture from the air.

The absorbed moisture reduces the quality of your gas. The degraded gas can spoil your fuel lines and the metal part of your engine by coating it with a “gum.” It could also clog the tiny passaged inside the carburetor.

 

Clogged air filter

The engine on your leaf blower needs the right combination of fuel and air for combustion. However, engineers put air filters to prevent your engine from sucking in dust, insects, leaf debris, and sand.

The nature of the role of the air filter means that it is prone to blocking after repeated use. This clogging can lead to starving the engine of air. The gas overfloods the engine without the air to create a mixture that could be ignited easily.

 

Bad spark plug

Your two-stroke engine creates a controlled explosion to generate its power. A spark plug delivers an electric spark to the compressed mixture of fuel and air. This spark jumps-starts the combustion.

However, over time, the spark plug loses its efficiency. This then leads to the flooding of the engine with un-ignited fuel. Other symptoms like a wet spark plug, engine misfiring, and popping sound could also be seen in a bad plug.

 

Gummed carburetor

A carburetor combines air and fuel in the right proportion for your engine. Unfortunately, the residues from a bad fuel can create gum that clogs up your carburetor.

A clogged-up carburetor will be unable to mix the fuel and air efficiently. This will lead to a mixture not primed for combustion in the engine. This mixture will end up flooding the engine.

Also, the metering diaphragm can get hard over time, even if you are using fresh premium fuel. This pushes down the metering lever and keeps the needle valve open up all the time, causing a constant flow of fuel to be fed to the engine.

 

How to fix a leaf blower that keeps flooding

You can change the fuel, spark plug, air filter, clean the carburetor, or install a new carburetor set to fix a leaf blower that keeps flooding.

Quickly unflood the engine

Before proceeding to find a lasting solution to the flooding of your leaf blower. Follow these steps to unflood the engine:

  1. Lay down a rag to catch the fuel that might leak out of the exhaust.
  2. Turn on the switch.
  3. Ensure the choke is completely off.
  4. Hold the throttle wide open.
  5. Keep pulling the rope starter until you hear a sputter or the engine fires up.
  6. If this doesn’t work after ten trials, do not continue. Instead, proceed to the other solutions on this list.

 

Use fresh gas

Bad gas or one left for a long time can cause your leaf blower to keep flooding. Follow these steps to prevent this.

  1. Remove the suspected expired gas from the tank.
  2. Replace with fresh gas.
  3. Add a few bursts of starting fluid to your carburetor.
  4. Do not use any fuel that is older than one month.
  5. Add a fuel stabilizer to your gas before use to prolong its half-life. Although, this wouldn’t revive an expired gas.

 

Change the spark plug

A bad spark plug could cause your weed blower to flood. Follow these steps to change the plug.

  1. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
  2. Remove the spark plug boot at the end of the spark plug.
  3. Use a ¾-inch socket or a plug wrench to loosen the plug for removal.
  4. Buy a replacement spark plug that meets your leaf blower manufacturer’s specifications. They are available on Amazon for around $10 a pair.
  5. Thread the new spark plug into the cylinder. Tighten it with a socket.
  6. Attach the spark plug boot back onto the spark plug.

 

Change the air filter

An air filter that is starving your engine of air can lead to the flooding of your leaf blower’s engine. Check the air filter regularly and replace it yearly. Follow this guide to replace your air filter easily:

  1. Remove the air filter cover by turning the thumbscrew on the end of the cover.
  2. Assess the air filter for any tear or clogging.
  3. Remove the old filter and install the new one. Air filters are available on Amazon for around $10 for a pack of 5.
  4. Strap the air filter cover onto your trimmer and secure it tightly with the thumbscrew.

 

Fix the carburetor problems

A gummed or clogged-up carburetor or one with a stiff diaphragm could cause repeated flooding of your weed blower. Follow these step-by-step guides to troubleshoot and fix this.

  1. Ensure the engine is turned off.
  2. Lay down a piece of rag to catch fuel spills.
  3. Remove the air filter cover by unscrewing the T25 screws.
  4. Remove the carburetor by unscrewing the two 5/32’’ Allen screws holding the carburetor and plastic cover.
  5. Use a Philips screwdriver to loosen the four small Philips screws that hold the metal cover of the diaphragm in place.
  6. Gently pull on the diaphragm and set it aside. If the diaphragm is dried out, you need to replace it. A carb replacement kit costs around $8 on Amazon.
  7. Remove the screw that holds down the pivot that secures the needle.
  8. Remove the primer bulb. This could also be dry. A replacement costs around $5 on Amazon.
  9. Use a carburetor-specific cleaner to spray and wash the outside and inside of the carburetor. Then, use a torch tip cleaning set to clean the tiny passages.
  10. Allow everything to dry for some time.
  11. Reassemble the carburetor.
  12. Suppose the carburetor is spoilt and needs more than just cleaning. Replace the carburetor using a carb kit.

 

Why does my Eco leaf blower keep flooding?

Your Eco leaf blower is flooding because of bad fuel, air filter blockage, a failing spark plug, or carburetor problems. To fix it, follow these steps:

  1. Firstly, you need to unflood the engine. Next, ensure the choke is completely off, turn on the engine, hold down the throttle and pull the rope starter. This should remove the excess fuel from your engine.
  2. Remove the expired gas inside your tank and replace it with a fresh one.
  3. Ensure you do not use gas that has spent more than one month in the tank.
  4. If you have not replaced the air filter in a while, follow the steps highlighted above to remove and reinstall a new air filter.
  5. If your spark plug fails, it could cause your engine to overflood. Follow the steps highlighted above to reinstall a new spark plug.
  6. Clean out the carburetor by following the guide above.
  7. Replace the damaged part of the carburetor using the carb replacement kit.

 

Why does my Ryboi leaf blower keep flooding?

Your Ryboi leaf blower is flooding because of bad fuel, clogged air filter, a bad spark plug, or carburetor problems. To fix it, follow these steps:

  1. Firstly, you need to unflood the engine. Ensure the choke is completely off, turn on the engine, hold down the throttle and pull the rope starter. This should remove the excess fuel from your engine.
  2. Remove the expired gas inside your tank and replace it with a fresh one.
  3. Ensure you do not use gas that has spent more than one month in the tank.
  4. If you have not replaced the air filter in a while, follow the steps highlighted above to remove and reinstall a new air filter.
  5. If your spark plug fails, it could cause your engine to overflood. Follow the steps highlighted above to reinstall a new spark plug.
  6. Clean out the carburetor by following the guide above.
  7. Replace the damaged part of the carburetor using the carb replacement kit.

 

Why does my STIHL leaf blower keep flooding?

Your STIHL leaf blower is flooding because of bad fuel, air filter blockage, a failing spark plug, or carburetor problems. To fix it, follow these steps:

  1. Firstly, you need to unflood the engine. Ensure the choke is completely off, turn on the engine, hold down the throttle and pull the rope starter. This should remove the excess fuel from your engine.
  2. Remove the expired gas inside your tank and replace it with a fresh one.
  3. Ensure you do not use gas that has spent more than one month in the tank.
  4. If you have not replaced the air filter in a while, follow the steps highlighted above to remove and reinstall a new air filter.
  5. If your spark plug fails, it could cause your engine to overflood. Follow the steps highlighted above to reinstall a new spark plug.
  6. Clean out the carburetor by following the guide above.
  7. Replace the damaged part of the carburetor using the carb replacement kit.

 

Continue Reading

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