Fixing a Stihl BR 400 Backpack Blower [Faulty Carburetor, Spark Arrestor, Air Filter]

[@blackhorse2947]

Because of KZbin videos like yours I have been able to fix a lot of my yard equipment; Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, etc. Saved lots of money and down time. Thank you for the video

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Thank you very much, Chuan Li. I really appreciate your kind words. I'm so glad this video helped you out.

[@sander3635]

Good video, just pulled my br 400 from the loft in the shed and started tinkering around! Great video lots of help!

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Thanks, Sander! I really appreciate it.

[@waltbuskey6937]

My Stihl BR420 blower had performed flawlessly for the 20 or so years I'd had it, then yesterday would not reach full RPM. Checked the usual suspects (plug, air cleaner, etc), all to no avail. Just a few minutes into your video and I had a "Eureka!" moment as you pulled the spark arrestor. I did not realize: A) how deep in went in there, and B) that it was removable. Let me guess -- considered a "consumable" item? Some Brakleen and a brass wire brush and she's back up to snuff -- in fact probably better than it has been for several years; Thank You!! (PS -- Next time I'll try the torch method!)

[@BlackHoleDIY]

This is great! Thank you for sharing, Walt. I'm glad you found the video helpful.

[@hustleandfun]

Great video, it is always so satisfying to get an old piece of equipment going again! I also made a video on a BR 600. Keep up the great content!!!

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Thank you very much, Hustle and Fun! It's a great feeling bring the equipment back to life. I learn something new every time I get into one of these projects. I appreciate the kind words.

[@hustleandfun]

@@BlackHoleDIY You are very welcome!!

[@jumpinggulley]

Going to dive into a br 400 given to me today. I actually have a new carb for a 380 that I hope will fit it if that happens to be the issue. Nice video

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Thanks rip rap! I hope the carb works out and you're able to get it running again!

[@marshallsayre58]

hi Black Hole I recently bought s 2 leafblowers 1redmax430 and a stihl 340 i think it actually has no labels i had to call stihl to know where to look for the model#. teaches me patience. thanks for showing the video. a friend recommended doing the same. keep up the good work. im in process of rebuilding the carb. bought kits and found the white piece for the redmax may not allow the gas thru. the stihl needs a throttle cable. if you could show how the cable attaches to the handle it would be helpful.,

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Marshall. I really appreciate the positive feedback. I hope you are successful fixing your two blowers. There is a youtube video by Taryl Fixes All titled "How to replace the throttle cable on a stihl backpack blower" that should provide the detail you're looking for regarding the throttle cable connections. I also found another video titled "Stihl BR380Cable Calibration by Ahmed" that you may find helpful.

[@marshallsayre58]

Yea i saw taryls video...ill chk out the othr too..be safe

[@jeremylemmon7711]

I've been working on a old br 380 back pack blower that wouldn't stay running. That plugged spark arestor was the the problem that died mine Thanks alot!

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Great news! Thanks for sharing, Jeremy.

[@kellytrimpin5536]

Hi love to fix things to ,like your video . What was the cleaner you used to clean that dirty tank please? Thanks Kelly 😊

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Kelly. I used Simple Green.

[@indianachrisUDX1313]

Thanks! I'm tinkering with one of these Now.

[@rickpaul4383]

Seems the cheap carb works fine,got a project on my hand ,hope good result,,

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Yep, I've had good results with the cheap aftermarket carbs. Good luck with the repair, Rick.

[@carrollnigg8194]

Use a brass brush to clean up the spark arrestor. Carb cleaner may soften but just doesn't remove harden carbon.

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Carroll. Thanks for sharing this tip!

[@bigtexas7580]

*Next time you have to clean a spark arrestor screen just use a torch, butane lighter or regular lighter and burn the carbon off, works fast and cleans like new. I just hold the screen in 1 hand with pliers and burn it with my other hand. Really better to remove the screen all together since it will more than likely clog up again later anyways.*

[@BlackHoleDIY]

That's a great tip, Big Texas! Thanks for sharing!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

I’m working on a Stihl pole saw which had the same black oily residue coating the entire power head. Did the work you did on yours cure that exhaust issue or is it still producing the wet, black, oily exhaust? Any idea for the exact cause of that? I thought maybe worn piston ring(s). Thanks

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Rein. The issue hasn't repeated itself. I'm not sure of the exact cause.

[@cedriclynch]

Oily exhaust on a two-stroke engine is not caused by worn piston rings (they would cause lack of power, difficult starting and an inability to idle) it is caused by too rich a mixture setting on the carburetor or by an obstructed air filter or muffler. If the mixture is adjustable, try adjusting it leaner until the sound of the engine suddenly jumps to a higher pitch.

[@cvinny82]

How good did it work after fixing it? Are these models powerful

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Chad. I use it all of the time. Runs great. I have a Poulan Pro backpack blower also. The Stihl is noticeably more powerful. It definitely meets my needs, but I can't speak to how it performs against the many other units that are available.

[@mikethomforde7326]

I had to change the carb on mine , it had no spark arrestor but it starts until it’s hot and then bigs down and it seems no matter how I adjust HL screws nothing helps , any ideas?

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Does it seem like it's starving for fuel? Have you tried loosening the gas cap to see if the fuel tank is not venting properly?

[@TheBackPasture]

Do you have any idea of factory settings on the new carb's jets? I have diddled mine so far from stock and I can't remember initial settings

[@BlackHoleDIY]

The Black Pasture, I do not know the factory settings. You can try backing them out 3/4 turn from full in and see if that will allow it to run. You can then make your minor adjustments from there.

[@TheBackPasture]

@@BlackHoleDIY thanks for the help 👍

[@joesturbo5989]

Thank you for this - I had hard starting issues and leaking - ordering up the carb!

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Great! Thanks for watching.

[@walkergriggs3965]

It would be good to know exactly which carb you used because some a)m are great and some are junk.

[@BlackHoleDIY]

The carb I used was purchased from Amazon and the brand is Allong. The Amazon ASIN # was B07L3Z1FH4 but unfortunately is no longer available and is why I ended up removing the link I once had in the description field. I paid $12 for it at the time so it was one of the cheaper ones.

[@whiteknightcat]

Only suggestion: BEFORE spending money on a carburetor or rebuild kit, with as much oil as was coming out of the exhaust, it would have been prudent to remove it and check the piston for obvious wear or damage. Alternatively, if you have a compression tester, you could have done a quick pressure check. If the piston had been damaged, or if compression was low, then no further time or money would be worth investing in it. You appear to have lucked out in this case.

[@BlackHoleDIY]

I really appreciate comments like this as I am always learning. Thank you for taking the time offer this suggestion. This is something i will definitely look for going forward. Thanks, whiteknightcat!

[@laurapalmerTDGE]

@@BlackHoleDIY - Also I recommend to use alkylate fuel ( Stihl brand or Aspen ) which burns much cleaner, it can stay in the fuel tank for years as it does not degrade. Stihl oil needs high temps to burn off too which clogges the arrester. Amsoil Saber or Intercepter oil is something to consider too! Thanks for sharing!

[@BlackHoleDIY]

More good feedback and great suggestions! I really appreciate you sharing this information for me and others.

[@danbrooks8241]

I know this is an old video, but do you by chance have a link for the carb you used for this br400. I have a br 400 that's giving constantly giving me issues and has the same type of fuel buildup going on and would much rather throw a 20-30$ carb at it then a 90-100$ stihl one. I have looked on Amazon but there are too many choices and I dont want to play Russian roulette if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Dan. The exact one I purchased can be found on Amazon by searching ASIN "B07L3Z1FH4". Unfortunately, it's currently showing as unavailable. However, "B07JC89FLJ" appears to be very similar and is showing available.

[@danbrooks8241]

@@BlackHoleDIY thanks so much for the quick response. I realized after I posted (through the other comments) that the one you had used was no longer available, but ill give that other # a shot. My sincere gratitude on going above and beyond with the response and information.

[@BlackHoleDIY]

You're very welcome.

[@damian9504]

I have br400 but i don't know how adjust the carburetor Is work on high speed

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Unfortunately, I dont have a video for adjusting the carb on this unit. You should be able to find one online that will help you get running again.

[@teflon_don93]

Which Carb was it that your purchased?

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Wenzell. I just checked and the one I purchased is no longer available from Amazon. However, there are several similar ones available when searching "BR400 carburetor".

[@dannymccoy1783]

So hows the blower been since u fixed it?

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Hi Danny. The blower runs great! I use it all the time. I switch back nd forth between it and an older Poulan unit that I've had so neither sits around for any extended period of time.

[@mercman2.5]

Low compression and blow by at head base to block, gasket shot . Time for a rebuild

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Unit runs great and I use it all the time. Rebuild not necessary.

[@cedriclynch]

That is still running too rich, it is "four-stroking". If you slowly turn the high-speed mixture adjustment screw (assuming that there is one; the provision of mixture adjustment is forbidden in the European Union!) towards "leaner" the sound of the engine will suddenly jump to a much higher-pitched and smoother buzz, and the exhaust will cease to smoke (this might take some time if the muffler has a lot of oily carbon in it from previous running on an over-rich mixture) and the fuel consumption will be much lower.

[@BlackHoleDIY]

Great feedback! Thank you, Cedric.

[@ludeboukema4111]

3$ new filtr

[@HipaParts]

Very informative blower repair video. Lots of repair videos on your channel, Are you up for a collaboration? Hipa supplies parts for small engines and maybe we would work together to help more people in the community.