Leaf blower.
(Courtesy: JawgaTchr at flickr.com)
Fall is here and the leaves are starting to turn color and fall from the trees. Depending on the tree population in your neighborhood you will soon be experiencing a dense or moderate leaf cover and other debris on your lawn. Instead of raking you may want to consider using a blower to discard the leaves from your property.
Just like other powered lawn care equipment you may experience a few difficulties with a blower. Just like with the other equipment, these problems are easy to troubleshoot and fix.
Problems you may encounter include:
· Not Starting
· Won’t Accelerate
· Insufficient Air Delivery
· Excessive Vibration
Handling the starting problem will depend on what kind of blower you have, an electric or gas powered.
A gas-powered blower needs gas in the tank to start. So every time you use the device be sure there is an ample amount of gas in the tank. If the gas tank is full and the gadget won’t start when you pull the cord and you smell a strong odor of gasoline, then the engine may be flooded. Set the choke lever at the “Run” setting and the throttle lever at the “Fast” position, then pull the cord until the engine starts.
If the engine still doesn’t start, then the fuel line might be kinked or bent. If this is the case, you will have to straighten the line to allow proper flow of the gas to the engine.
If there is a proper flow of gas to the engine and the machine still won’t start, then the fuel filter may have to be cleaned or the spark plugs may need to be replaced.
If you have an electric-powered blower and it suffers this problem, then it is most likely a power issue. Make certain that the electric cord is properly plugged into an electric outlet and check the fuse box or circuit breaker in your home to assure that the outlet is receiving current. If you are using a ground-fault circuit interrupter on the outlet, then press its “test” and “reset” buttons before trying to start the blower again. If the blower is properly receiving power and it still doesn’t start, then take it to a service center.
If your blower is gas-powered and it won’t accelerate check the air filter. A clogged filter can strain the engine. Clean it. However, if the filter has an extreme amount of dirt or it is damaged, then replace it.
If the blower still doesn’t accelerate, then the reason for the problem could be debris in the fuel filter. Clean out the fuel filter and then try to accelerate the blower again.
If the problem persists, then you may have a kink in the fuel line. Examine the line and if it is kinked, straighten it out and reposition it, then try accelerating again.
If the fuel line is okay, but the blower still won’t accelerate then the compression or carburetor could be the culprit. In this case, it may be best for a professional repairman to take a look and fix the problem.
If the air delivery is not sufficient, then there might be a problem with the machine’s impeller. The impeller is located near the back of the device under the intake cover. Remove the intake cover and check to see if the impeller is loose. If so, tighten it. If the impeller fins are damaged, then replace it.
If your blower vibrates excessively when you operate it, then there may be a problem with its fasteners. Carefully examine the fasteners, tighten them if necessary and, if any are damaged, replace them.
The blower’s impeller can also be the cause of extreme vibration. Examine it and tighten it, if necessary. If it is damaged, replace it.
Vibration can also be the result of loose debris inside the intake. Remove the intake cover and clean out the area.
If the problem persists, then there may be a mechanical failure. In this case, it would be best to seek the assistance of a professional serviceman.
