Fixing A Cheap Leaf Blower That Won't Start

[@jesterr7133]

I've gone too deep on many machines over the years. I enjoy what I do, and I will take on any project that will allow me to gain experience, since I have taught myself.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like your perspective!

[@Bolero4me]

Love how you explain things. I've had equipment similar to this, that I have spent hours on and not discover the reason. Now I will include the flywheel in my check list. Thanks. Enjoy watching. Keep up the good work.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thanks and this one was a hard lesson to learn considering the amount of work I had to put into it.

[@WaynesAdventure]

Valuable information we all can learn from so not a waste of time.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed and thanks!

[@rong6780]

Not all things in life are about making money., Sometimes the satisfaction of fixing something is priceless. I would do have done the exact same thing.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you!

[@mikon3270]

Yes. Lot's of knowledge right here. Makes me want to get my homelite blower out of my shed and up and running. Not using because I have a milwaukee blower but needs a carb replacement.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

maybe one day you'll look at it.

[@RussellBooth1977]

Yes,I fixed a McCulloch leaf blower for my dads neighbour which had the same problem,I used a hacksaw blade & a flat file to cut a keyway into the flywheel then I made a custom key out of some key steel,it worked well & he paid me $50 AUD for the repair. Taryl Dactal & his brother Faryl who are both lawnmower mechanics are saying that the moulded key is only for locating the flywheel into the correct spot & all they do when the flywheel shears is to apply Loctite to the crankshaft & the flywheel then align the keyway in the crankshaft with the flywheel Keyway or where the old "key"was then just tighten the nut up on the impeller as per normal then it's ready to use !

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that's an interesting way to fix it

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Went the extra mile lots of times BUT it was for my own stuff which ended up being an envestment. GOOD fix and good week for you!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and yes I think it went well.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE It DID!

[@frankaferdhadley1603]

Awsem job I’ve done that my self but I keep them when I do that great video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks and I see your point

[@MarkMeadows90]

My dad had one of these older Weed Eater brand leaf blowers many years ago. He said exactly the same thing you said, they suck just like a vacuum lol

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that

[@pit4955]

Excellent info, great troubleshooting. Yup I would’ve done the same it’s self satisfaction. My go to tool is my Dremel I have a large assortment no more filing, or messing with rusted bolts. Knowledge has much value, thx for sharing it 👍👍

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

ah thank you for reminding me, I need to get a Dremel this year!

[@christophermarshall5765]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE if I knew your address, I’d send you a Dremel kit. They are very widely available here, and not expensive at all. I have 2 of them for various jobs in my hobbies. Just a footnote, they are very useful for preparing small rusted metal sections in car bodies for repair. The metal cutting wheels are ideal for cutting out rusted metal in a car body.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I appreciate that, however that won't be necessary

[@jesterr7133]

When I am going deep enough into a machine to remove a ton of fasteners, I just keep a box of sandwich bags nearby, and I throw each of the different fasteners in a bag as I remove them and then label where they come from. That is the best way that I have found to do it.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that works too!

[@jamess.putman1779]

I have one of these. It's a pretty good blower. It's light weight,and foes a fairly good job I only use to blow leafs from next to house. Then I use my cyclone vacuum.

[@jamess.putman1779]

I'm disabled with bad back so it helps being light weight

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct, I'm not that strong in the shoulders from years of sports, so a light leaf blower is a blessing

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'm quite fragile these days too. Decades are catching up with me.

[@angelicaconiguliaro3179]

Chicanic made a video on these old weedeater brand products. Saying the metal they used in them are much better than today but what isn't. Glad you saved it! Someone with a small yard will be happy with it. Small gas engines are banned in NY next year so it would get good money here. Maybe in a few years it will happen too you with this climate we're in.

[@classicamericanflyertrains2423]

@@angelicaconiguliaro3179 I assume the ban is only on sale of new equipment?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks and I have to agree with the metal quality, much better than the new stuff.

[@Patrick4959]

for sure from my view and yep if it,s a personal leaf blower that a mower shop will not work on i,d gladly take upon the oppurunity to repair these up and yep way better than nothing i reckon.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I see what you mean

[@hickorystx]

I would have done the same just for the challenge. It didn't have much power but still interesting to view just the same. Nice trick with the flywheel key! Very impressive!!! 🙂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and it was definitely an interesting way to get it to work again. I appreciate your time!

[@christophermarshall5765]

The repair is what I would do. Make a groove in the flywheel, then make a key to fit. Round or square, all it has to do is lock the flywheel against moving, to ensure ignition timing remains constant.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you for agree with the method

[@aussienebula8331]

Great video mate, Yes i woild spend time in stripping it down espscially if i havent done one before. Now you and we viewers know the proceedure in stripping it, repairing faults and getting it going. Knowledge is priceless. Cheers, 🍻

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and you're right about experience!

[@jwayne777]

❤ Awesome little repair yeah I've done a few of those they're a pain in the keyster but you know what I kind of like the challenge already I'm not a fan of the blower itself I'm more of a fan of the repair😂

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

hey, I like the way you put that!

[@gearhead366]

Great repair! But.. when I found the built-in key sheared off, I'd have bailed on it. Still... I'm glad to see another piece of gas-powered OPE saved from the landfill.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and yes the thought crossed my mind too.

[@Kyle-bb9zp]

WOW cool it runs

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

luckily!

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem and thank you for watching

[@Glenn_123]

Thanks for the video always appreciate it. How did you know where to file the new keyway so it would be in time?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem, and the spot I was filing on was where the old key was broken at.

[@classicamericanflyertrains2423]

How would would a flywheel key shear on a leaf blower?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

beats me! I have never been able to figure it out. If I had to guess, a rope or someone's shirt got sucked into the impeller wheel, stopping the engine

[@gillgetter3004]

Leaf blower, my maples out in my front yard are changing color. I have a plug in that works great but my old Craftsman gas is kaput. I will not put more time or money into it. Hmmm another two stroke or cordless ?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

try the cordless see how you like it.

[@don1857]

Generally: coarse thread-screws go into plastic threads, fine thread usually attaches to metal parts.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct

[@ethanmiller3935]

I have an echo blower that I have spent way more money on than it is worth, but it is a tool that is good quality. Now I would not do that on a tool that has a reputation of low quaility.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I have to agree with you

[@Random_content53]

Hey I got a weed eater edger but the pull cord won’t pull what do I do?

[@Random_content53]

Yes the blade spins just the pull cord is stuck I can spin the blade by hand

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

take out the spark plug and see if it makes a difference

[@Random_content53]

I’m also gonna get some more mowers and 4 cycle trimmers

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

what model is it? that way I can se what yours looks like.

[@Random_content53]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE it was the same as yours a pe500 weed eater

[@shadowfreddy777]

My sthil weedwacker did this and I bought a new flywheel for it then after I did that I ran even better then it was running before I replaced the flywheel

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, I wonder if you fixed something that was "off" during the repair that made it better?

[@shadowfreddy777]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I replaced the carb to and it made it even more powerful it’s 10+ years old it’s been a good one

[@watermanone7567]

If you use it for yourself or to lend it out, I would also fix it. Better than in the trash, especially because it cost almost nothing to fix.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed!

[@tyroneclarke1666]

Wonder why the woodruff key failed. Pick up a set of hand files as you will find them very useful. Cheers

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes sir, I have to remember the next time I'm at the store. Not sure, only think I could guess is something got caught in the impeller

[@tyroneclarke1666]

The impeller isn’t damaged at all. Even if something was to get caught up in the impeller it would be destroyed. You know that.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

it wouldn't have to be "hard". Clothing, strings, or even some large bag of some sort.

[@Kyle-bb9zp]

Never seen a flywheel key fail on a blower before. Not that I have repaired them before.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you are correct, this doesn't happen all that often, in fact I'm not even sure how this happened

[@anthonypatt179]

Do all trimmers use a special grees or any type

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

what part of the trimmer are you referring to?

[@anthonypatt179]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE the one that moves the head of the cutting string the top it has a screw there it has grees but I dont know if it has a special grees or any type

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that's a tricky question. Some would say the grease is special but my view is "some" new grease is better than none. It's your choice to add universal high temp grease or the one the manual calls for.

[@anthonypatt179]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE well I think any type can do the job but Id prefer get your professional opinion

[@anthonypatt179]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE well the manual doesn't say anything about grees but my trimmer is running out of grees and I don want to keep using it because I can damage the bearing

[@scottjohnson5449]

no i dont think you wasted you time heres why....... by showing what you found wrong with us some one out there has gained much need knowledge. and by the way nice save!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you very much Scott Johnson!

[@jdmDC2ftw]

I have a blower that starts up fine and works the 1st time. If I turn it odd and leave it for like 5-10mins it won't start at all. Where do I start looking at for repairs?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure, I'd try physically prime the engine with fuel to see if it's not getting enough fuel. If it doesn't then it could mean the carb is flooded. I'd check the spark plug first, before going down the rabbit hole.

[@demcomp]

If you're aiming to make money, yeah probably a waste of time. But the experience, and enjoyment from the repair, nah, worth it totally I do it all the time, but it's been worth it.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you and I couldn't agree more.

[@brianandrews7099]

I have experienced using that model blower. I believe I’d just call it fixed with no parts money investment and only curiosity based time spent. Would I spend time fixing a broken blower? Yes, just not that one!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know what you mean about time, better used on a better machine

[@mr.thompson4372]

How well do these weed eater brand things sell? I'm thinking of starting a business fixing broken lawn tools and reselling them and would like to know if they are worth my time. I'm asking because as far as I'm aware, it's common knowledge that weed eater brand things are junk. Thanks

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'll put It this way, some consumers are on extremely tight budgets and this fits right in there. Sell it for $20, $40, or whatever price point you need to make money. Just know that these sell, but to only a select group of consumers.

[@mr.thompson4372]

@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thank you very much sir.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@liljoeii6091]

I think it's the perfect size it's not too big I have my father-in-law's one at hooks over your back that's a monster one I think it's a Troy-Bilt I haven't even had a chance to play with it yet my cancer numbers went up so that ain't good stop and add some doctor visits and trying to stay out of the Sun the more you're in the sauna drives the cancer numbers up next year I'll play with it the leaf blower but I thank you for this video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I didn't know that, thank you for the information. Hope you can get the opportunity to use it, it's a different experience for sure.

[@Delerium_22]

I mean depending on what you spent to get the machine may decide on whether or not I’d spend my time and/or money on it

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you bring up a good point about the initial cost.

[@covishen]

Like many others, I don't believe you wasted your time. It's a hobby, so it's something you enjoy. It's no different from the gardener or fisherman, etc.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you!

[@braidenlentz2790]

I bought one of those for $5 on marketplace. It took me 4 times taking it apart and putting it back together to realize it was a piece of junk and worthless.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you were very persistent trying to fix it.

[@Kyle-bb9zp]

Most people myself included would have just went out and bought a new one or another used one.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes It would've certainly made sense to do so. This was quite a bit of work to do to fix it.

[@owenrobertson-n6o]

Weed eater brand products if taken care of out last a lot of other brands

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I agree!

[@I_Love_My_Fans.]

i have a blower myself but electric its a tro

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice !

[@davie66fly]

Unfortunately, those really are total junk. I had one for awhile, and they just aren't worth the trouble they give. I still have the hedge trimmers that are identical to this and same issue with them.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes these are quite gutless

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Oh.... I hate those little Weed Eater blowers. They are annoying to fix and sell for less than the parts cost 🙄

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right, I hate pricing repairs because 99% of say "don't bother"

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE That's why I just buy everything. It cuts all the negotiations down to "how much" and "can I make a buck selling it later"

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you've got a good point there