Trying To Fix A Leaf Blower Doesn't End The Way I Had Hoped

Links to products I have in my tool bag.
Metering Diaphragm. amzn.to/3hsOR8F
Compression tester. amzn.to/2NMgeze
Spark Checker. amzn.to/3bnXjmA
Chemical bottle. amzn.to/3eWcGVs
Feeler Gauge set. amzn.to/3rTsZK6
Tygon Fuel Line. amzn.to/3aCGntm
Carb Adjustment tools. amzn.to/3k7cgxe
Primer Bulb. amzn.to/3dC0WYK
Above are affiliate links which means we receive a percentage of the revenue made from purchasing products via those links.
Thanks for watching. This blower was in storage for a long time but even after a good servicing it still would't start.
This video is meant as entertainment, always practice safety.

[@jwayne777]

There you go! You figured out the jar and gasoline trick for the utrasound. Nice!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

it's not bad, but it's not perfect either, I've also got a jar of 100% degreaser too just in case.

[@terry987654]

If i get a engine that is on the low side compression wise the next thing i do is get a borescope and check bore i would recommend getting one if you don't have one you don't need a fancy expensive one you can get them that connect to your phone which are more than good enough and can save a lot of time in the long run.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Good suggestion, I use one that I got for under $20. I use it first, then check compression second

[@terry987654]

@@GuysPlayingWithTools Probably the best $20 you can spend.

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@terry987654 no kidding, I have been through a few of them over the years and can't imagine buying a piece of equipment without looking inside first

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that's a good idea

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

@HomeGaragechannel I carry the "little camera" and enough tools to pull spark plugs everywhere I go, just in case a deal comes along 🙂

[@liljoeii6091]

Piston rings I figured if there were out. It would't start wouldn't Thank you for the video

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I think you figured it out!

[@mr1pearl]

Two little drill holes and were ler !!! I think that's in my top 5 favorite hacks nice !!!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I thought it was a great idea!

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@HomeGaragechannel]

You bet

[@ottodydaktyk]

I don't have a clue. Looking forward to the next video.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for watching

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Before I got my set of carb tools I took a burr on a Dremel and ground down the carb body on the Featherweight trimmers we had so I could set the mixture with a pair of needle nose. I remember they were VERY sensitive as far as a little movement went a long way. And Stihl made blowers with squirrel cage fans but not for long. A neighbor had one but he never ran it.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I've done the same to, it worked and I wouldn't have a problem doing it again

[@lewiemcneely9143]

We use what we have. If it stays the same, we do too!@@HomeGaragechannel

[@WillsSmallEngines]

great video! i watch all of them.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Thank you Will!

[@MikeJones-jr5hb]

I would do a vacuum & or pressure test, to see how the seals are.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that a good idea

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

I’ll be waiting for the next video. Haven’t got a clue

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I second video shows a bit more but it's also going to end in disappointment.

[@mattwickert736]

One of my first checks on any 2 stroke piece, is pulling the muffler and checking the piston rings , spark arrestors, and exhaust ports. You should be able to see slight movement up/down on the ring and if you nudge with a screw driver or pick, feel them rocking a little. I've had to replace my fair share of rings this year that were carboned up. Usually, they return under 100psi, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible. A quick pressure/vacuum test is a good idea too, given the age of the machine. Spark plug not a bad idea either, that faded purple color text tells you that's likely a decade old by now, if not more.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you are correct, the piston ring seems to be stuck, the port was clear and the spark arrester is not serviceable.

[@mattwickert736]

@@HomeGaragechannel I'm surprised it didn't start and run, albeit low on power. A reading just shy of 125 usually (key word) will run just not at the full power. But nothing is entirely straight forward on these machines lol. I've had rings that seemed fine at the exhaust port, but were stuck in other areas. Took some time to figure that one out! With as many rings as I had to replace this year, makes me wonder whether ethanol and 2 stroke oils aren't playing as nice or if I've just had a lot of user errors this year.

[@electroddxful]

I will check for air leak and the screen in the muffler 👍🙏👍🙏

[@HomeGaragechannel]

the air leak seems very likely! thank you

[@acem7749]

I had an issue with mine that was not carburetor related. It was a loose bolt hold the top of the enclosure with spark plug to the piston. You can see the bolt hole in the vent(can cut the plastic and tighten if you want to try) another hint its the issue is more of an oily residue on the lower part. I first replaced the carburetor with issues still then I decided to take it completely apart. Saw the gap and the loose bolt tighten it up She started up and kept on running.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

nice work getting it figured out.

[@AdmiralDG]

Those Zama carbs have little one way valve flaps(non serviceable), however the company put out a video about getting them to worl again by soaking the carb body and the bulb body in gasolone for a few hours. I can verify this works, I did it a few days ago on a carb that was pulling a vacuum in the bulb, no rebuild kit and the carb runs the machine perfectly. Also, Zama has a settings document for all their carbs, so you never have to guess or check what they were at before taking one apart. Just thoughts for future projects, not relevant to this one haha

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for the information

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Carb adjustment. Blessings

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you Sir!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Likewise, most honorable!@@HomeGaragechannel

[@dylansmith7271]

Check the spark resistor first and then the cylinder for any leaks.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks

[@jamess.putman1779]

I have the. Exact same blower . Would live to know if you finally got it repaired. So I would know if mine does it. Thank you james

[@HomeGaragechannel]

sure thing, it's been off the table for about 2 weeks now, as other machines have come in, but it should be back on soon.

[@WolfTheDog]

I'm a stihl technician and that engine sounds like the crankcase or cylinder gasket is leaking

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I think you might be right

[@WolfTheDog]

@@HomeGaragechannel some gray rtv (yes it says nit recommended for parts in contact with fuel) will fix it. (we usually use Dirko ht but it doesn't last long)

[@ethanmiller3935]

I would say air leak. Judging based on the age of the blower and the amount it sat, it wouldn't surprise me if it is a crank seal.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

so far that seems to be the consensus

[@jwayne777]

@@HomeGaragechannel , to eliminate the rings as the culprit , I usually put 1/2 a table spoon of 40 weight motor oil in the sparkplug hole. If its the rings or a scored piston, it will temporarily create compression and it should fire a few times. My guess is the flywheel timing is off by a smidge. Just enough to not run but not enough to give you the pull back symptom. That has been the culprit for me on the last 2 identical ones I had.

[@Patrick4959]

it could be a carboned up piston and cylinder top and often that,s a result of a hard starting engine and you can also check the spark plug too.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yep my thoughts too.

[@jct300m]

That type of motor had a problem with the head screws becoming loose , also check the screws on the carb mounting block..they get loose too..Good luck!!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you!

[@jerrysoutherland662]

Check the spark arrester screen

[@HomeGaragechannel]

unfortunately the screen on this muffler is not serviceable

[@kirbyvanduzer6565]

Hopefully you can get this blower running right in the next video I’m curious to see the problem hopefully you can get it running right for your friend it may not be perfect but your friend would definitely appreciate it this channel is awesome keep the videos coming

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I hope so too and thank you

[@gerrymadden4170]

Its your coil even doe its has spark when you check the plug when its out it needs alot more spark when the plug is in to over come the pressure in the cylinder

[@HomeGaragechannel]

interesting however there's plenty of spark

[@robertmailhos8159]

That is a one off style of blower because it is a vertical blower instead of a horizontal style of blower

[@HomeGaragechannel]

correct

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@HomeGaragechannel the other thing is that they also made a BIGGER version of this blower I had The weed eater brand of those plus craftsman had a version of this one made by poulan/weed eater the muffler was out front on the style of the one that I had back in the day I believe I bought it from Walmart

[@aaax9410]

Fuel filter , it didnt pump upthat well

[@HomeGaragechannel]

filter and line was new

[@weast6388]

I'm a little late to the game on this one My gas is something's dry rotted I don't know if rings on the cylinder can dry rot and crack on this type of blower so I'm going to go ahead and say that those might be it I also think that there might be a leak somewhere in the body of the engine and there's potentially some rust causing things to seize up just my guess

[@HomeGaragechannel]

nice guess!

[@auskip07]

Given the age i would guess the seals where the crank spins the fan element.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that's a good possibility!

[@christophermarshall5765]

Look at the crank, & see how much side play it has, & check the crank seals for leaks too. If the crank has excessive side play, replacing the crank seals will not fix the problem. I would also check the ignition system, starting with the plug.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

very good advice!

[@kirbyyasha]

Maybe the piston ring being all gross? Carbon? Air leak? All of the above? Lol. The way I see about repairing vs replacing a carburetor. If I know it is a fuel issue, I will always attempt to clean/repair the carb first. My thing is that it is already broken, I can't make it much worse!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

ah you're the first to mention it!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

It spun way too long on each pull, almost like the plug was out... run away lol

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right!

[@anthonyhawkins3576]

Spark issue or possibly spark arestor issue.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

unfortunately the spark arrester is built into the muffler

[@daphlavor]

Scored cylinder.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

definitely a good possibility

[@Jim-ie6uf]

125 ought to be ok. I’d check the muffler screen

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you

[@LINCOLN0ECHO]

If you had a bore scope it might show

[@HomeGaragechannel]

don't worry in the next video we'll get a good look at it

[@josephmeadows8521]

I got a brand new carburator kit for my weed eater but after a couple of days it's been leaking all of my fuel out of the carb, and my engine has been getting really hot

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I see, the next step Is to then replace the entire carb.

[@josephmeadows8521]

I found the fuel leak, it was coming from the fuel lines even though they we're new, it turns out the manufacturer decided to give me the wrong fuel lines because when you put the lines on the port of the carburetor, it was too lose and that's why I lost almost all of the fuel, so I put the old ones back on, and now I don't have a fuel leak anymore but the engine is worn out so I don't know how long it will last

[@snoopysrc]

Go further with it press on

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that's the plan

[@justincovington4401]

compression is too low. i had a backpack blower that was doing the same thing. turned out to be a stuck piston ring.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you've already figured out, but the twist is at the end of the video

[@EliaFerrari-yi4rp]

Maybe a clogged muffler

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I hope not, it would be tough to clean

[@user-vn4oh7wn1q]

El costo

[@HomeGaragechannel]

el costo es bajo

[@jamess.putman1779]

Does the coil work. Does it have points or electronic ignition

[@HomeGaragechannel]

no points here, and I was going to test it in the next video

[@Dorado1997]

I didn’t here you say it but it looks like you put in a new metering diaphragm. Do you have a link to where you get those?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes I replaced the diaphragm and I even replaced the carb with the same results. no link at the moment

[@Dorado1997]

No problem thanks👌

[@biggreenmachine6968]

Do you or do you know how to grease up a trimmer shaft

[@HomeGaragechannel]

no I've never done that

[@sethwalls8022]

Which Ultrasonic Cleaner do you use

[@HomeGaragechannel]

it's the 3 liter version from DK Sonic

[@saeedsharafi]

Change the filter , It looks greasy and blocked the air

[@HomeGaragechannel]

the first time you see me take it out , it was already deteriorating, but the second one was a much better one.

[@angelawirkus1947]

Whst kind of oil

[@HomeGaragechannel]

2 stroke oil

[@user-ci4cm1sw3e]

Just put a new engine in it or an old one that runs

[@HomeGaragechannel]

kinda pricey for a cheap machine

[@Xvidior]

i have a hzsqvarrna trimmer that doesnt run. i replaced the carb new spark plug compresion is at 100 psi and im using 100 octane fuel with the correct oil. it runs great but when it gets up to temp it stalls and doesnt run well and is down on power (i tried ajusting the carb) but nothing works, can you please help me with a idea maybe. sorry for bad spelling my native language isnt english

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks for the question. Have you considered that your fuel cap or the tank vent might be bad? If so it might give the same symptoms as you just described

[@Xvidior]

i ran it without the fuel cap @@HomeGaragechannel

[@Xvidior]

(only for like a minute)

[@deebee3901]

Badly worn piston ring. Not enough compression. You've come this far why not take a look at it?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yep I agree thank you!

[@rickthelian2215]

I personally wouldn’t try fixing this one, but understand customers is budgeting. Try new spark plug is another test, plug could be faulty.😊

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes I'll definitely try that since it'll be easy