Why is My Leaf Blower Making a Noise (Clicking, Screeching & Loud)?

Why is my leaf blower making a clicking noise?

The reason your leaf blower is making a clicking noise is because of a faulty spark plug or debris in the impeller. A loose impeller nut or a damaged magnet in the flywheel is another reason your leaf blower is making a clicking noise.

 

 

Faulty spark plug

If your leaf blower is making a clicking noise and it won’t start, you should check the spark plug. One of the major reasons a leaf blower makes a clicking noise and won’t start is because the spark plug is faulty. A faulty spark plug might reduce the electric current required to ignite the blower’s engine.

Then, you might hear a clicking sound when you try to turn on the leaf blower or when the engine is running. You need to check the spark plug for any damage and replace it if there is any. If the spark plug isn’t faulty, then the next cause might be the reason your leaf blower is making a clicking noise.

 

Dirty impeller

A clicking noise may occur in your leaf blower while the engine is running, and this is because there is debris in the blower’s impeller. An impeller also called a fan, blows the air out of the blower. Because of how they’re utilized, leaf blowers are prone to accumulating dirt and debris such as leaves.

This is especially true if your leaf blower can also be used as a vacuum. If your blower is making a clicking sound, it might just be because a leaf is stuck in the impeller. Even the smallest pieces can get stuck in the blades or deeper in the blower’s workings, making it click. Cleaning the impeller is the fix for this and below is a guide on how to clean it.

 

Loose impeller nut

If the nut on the impeller comes loose, the impeller can start to make a clicking noise. The noise might be louder when the blower is running. If the impeller nut gets stuck between the blade and the housing, your engine could overheat and stop working.

You must tighten or replace the nut to get your leaf blower running well. You can follow our DIY steps below to tighten or replace the nut.

 

Damaged magnet

The flywheel’s magnetic bearings allow it to spin faster than standard bearings. If the flywheel magnet on your leaf blower is damaged, it could hit the ignition coil and cause it to make a clicking noise.

Unfortunately, a broken bearing necessitates the installation of a new flywheel, but depending on the model, they are not too expensive.

 

How to fix a leaf blower that is making a clicking noise?

You can fix a leaf blower that is making a clicking noise by replacing the faulty spark plug or cleaning the debris in the impeller. Replacing a damaged magnet in the flywheel or tightening/replacing a loose impeller nut is another way you can fix a leaf blower that is making a clicking noise.

 

Replace the faulty spark plug

A faulty spark plug is a common reason the leaf blower makes a clicking noise. Once you notice the spark plug in your leaf blower is faulty, you need to replace it immediately to avoid further complications. Here is how to replace a faulty spark plug;

 

1. Place your leaf blower on a smooth, clean surface.
2. The spark plug is positioned near the engine towards the back of the machine.
3. To access your spark plug, remove the injector boot.
4. Use your 5/8 “socket on a socket wrench to unscrew the spark plug from the engine.
5. Your spark plug should now be entirely removed, and you should notice a hole where the spark plug used to be.
6. Examine the electrode for corrosion, accumulation, and cracks.
7. If the spark plug has any of the above, you need to replace it
8. Insert the new spark plug into the hole and gently tighten it with your fingers to locate the threads.
9. Use 5/8 “to tighten the spark plug with a socket wrench until it is snug.
10. Check the area and make sure the spark is at the same level.
11. Replace the injector boot to cover the spark plug.

 

Clean the debris in the impeller

Your leaf blower is prone to dirt. And when there is built-up dirt in the impeller, your leaf blower will start making a clicking. Cleaning this dirt is the best fix, and here is how to clean it;

1. Remove the spark plug.
2. Remove the leaf blower’s plastic housing using a screwdriver.
3. Depending on the model of your leaf blower, you may need to remove the plastic impeller cover.
4. Determine whether you will need to remove the impeller itself to remove debris.
5. Then clean all debris you can find.

 

Replace damaged magnet

The clicking noise could be caused when a damaged magnet collides with other internal components, most notably the ignition coil. Replacing the damaged magnet is essential when this occurs. Here is a simple DIY step you can follow to replace it.;

1. First, remove the spark plug.
2. Remove the impeller housing by unscrewing the screws holding it in place.
3. Unscrew the nut with a wrench.
4. Unscrew the screw that keeps the impeller in place.
5. Remove the air filter cover and side cover from the other side of the blower.
6. Remove the throttle cable from the carburetor.
7. You can now remove the flywheel by unscrewing the screws that hold the other half of the housing to the engine assembly.
8. The flywheel is a disc-shaped metal component. If the magnet is damaged, you need to replace it.
9. Use a mallet to loosen and remove the flywheel.
10. Replace it with a new one
11. Reassemble by following the directions in reverse order.

 

Tighten or replace the loose impeller

A nut holds the impeller to the crankshaft or motor assembly. If the impeller nut becomes loose, the impeller may wobble and strike the housings, causing your leaf blower to make a clicking noise. You need to either tighten the nut or replace it if it is worn out. Here is a simple fix for this;

1. Remove the spark plug.
2. Remove the plastic casing that is wrapped around the impeller.
3. Thread a rope through the spark plug hole to keep the impeller blade stable while you tighten the loose nut.
4. Examine the nut for more serious damage and determine whether it needs to be replaced entirely.
5. If the nut has to be replaced, remove it completely and replace it with a new nut, following the instructions above in reverse order.

 

Why is my leaf blower making a screeching noise?

Your leaf blower is making a screeching noise because of a worn-out washer or a damaged housing. A bent impeller blade or a dirty impeller is another reason your leaf blower is making a screeching noise.

 

Worn washer

Most blowers have a washer in front and behind the impeller, which is attached to the crankshaft. If a washer is missing or worn, the impeller spacing can change. The impeller blades will be decentered if they become bent.

This instability can result in a screeching noise when the motor is idle, or the impeller blade becomes caught, which can cause the motor to overheat or stop working. You’ll need to replace the washer when this occurs.

 

Damaged housing

The plastic impeller housing is a protective cover for the impeller, commonly known as a fan. Over time, the housing might get bent or damaged due to impact from an object or from placing the blower on its side. If the housing is damaged, the fan blade may collide with the housing side, resulting in a screeching noise.

If the damage is severe enough, the internal mechanics may rub against the side or rattle the housing. You need to repair the housing immediately to avoid further issues.

 

Bent impeller blade

If the blade on your impeller is bent, it might start to rub against the sides. Corrosion may have caused a piece of the blade to break off, making a screeching or rattling noise. If an impeller blade is bent, the best thing to do is to replace it.

 

Dirty impeller

Since a leaf blower’s job is to move a lot of organic matter, small bits and pieces will likely get stuck in the impeller (also known as a fan). Even the smallest pieces can sometimes get stuck in the blades or deeper in the blower’s mechanisms, causing it to make a screeching noise.

 

How to fix a leaf blower that is making a loud noise?

You can fix a leaf blower that is making a loud noise by cleaning the air filter. Adjusting the fuel ratio or replacing the leaf blower housing is another way you can fix a leaf blower that is making a loud noise.

 

Clean air filter

If there is a lot of dirt in the air filter of your leaf blower, it will make a big difference in how much air it can move, and it may even stop the blower from working, causing it to make a loud noise. You need to clean the air filter to stop your leaf blower from making a loud noise, and here is how to fix this;

1. Remove the spark plug and then the air filter housing using a screwdriver.
2. To clean, remove the foam filter and soak it in warm soapy water.
3. Allow soaking for a few moments before washing out.
4. Simply remove the old filter and replace it.

 

Adjust fuel ratio

After roughly a month, the quality of the fuel begins to gradually decrease. Furthermore, the incorrect type of fuel and oil mixture will cause problems over time. Without sufficient fuel, your leaf blower might experience various catastrophic problems, including a seized, overheated, and loud motor. Here’s what you can do to fix this:

1. Remove the plug.
2. Empty your gas tank.
3. Renew the fuel
4. Check again to ensure that the amount of oil to fuel your leaf blower is right. (These amounts should be in the manual for your leaf blower.)

 

Replace bent housing

Over time, the plastic covering that shields your leaf blower from damage can develop numerous dents and scratches. If the housing becomes bent, your leaf blower will start making a loud noise. Here’s how to resolve this issue:

1. Remove spark plug
2. You might only need to replace a small part of the housing, like the fan guard.
3. In either case, use a screwdriver to remove the damaged casing and put a new one on.

 

Why is my STIHL leaf blower making a noise?

The reason your STIHL leaf blower is making noise is because the fan blade is broken or damaged. If the fan blade is broken or damaged, your STIHL leaf will keep making a noise every time it rotates. If the noise happens at the same rate as the fan, that’s a good sign that the fan or impeller is the problem.

If the noise happens when the engine is running, it’s probably because there’s debris stuck in the impeller. No matter how loud the noise is or how hard it is to hear over the loud hum of the gas motor, what starts as a small noise could lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the road if it isn’t fixed.

Once you notice your STIHL leaf blower is making a noise, you need to either replace the fan or impeller or clean the impeller.

 

Why is my Ryobi leaf blower making a noise?

The reason your Ryobi leaf blower is making noise is because the motor is not receiving enough fuel or the fuel filter is clogged. The most common reason for a blocked fuel filter is leaving old fuel in the leaf blower. Some of the components in the fuel may evaporate with time, leaving a thicker, stickier residue.

This sticky fuel has the potential to block the fuel filter and cause the engine to stall. You need to ensure you’re not using old fuel before you start using your Ryobi and you’re using the right amount of fuel.

Debris or dirt in the impeller is another reason your Ryobi leaf blower makes a noise. An impeller propels the air in a Ryobi leaf blower. The impeller draws air into the housing, which is then forced out via the blower tubes.

When you use your leaf blower, it will collect dirt and debris like leaves. If your Ryobi blower is making a noise, it might be because a leaf is stuck in the impeller. Cleaning the impeller will solve this problem.

Note: Whenever you’re doing any repair to your leaf blower, always disconnect the spark plug first.