This blog was released on October 10th, 2014, and has been updated as recently as September 26th, 2018
Welcome to the Koopman Powershop Blog. This month we will be taking a look at one of the most indispensable power tools you can own, leaf blowers! These machines provide a powerful and easy way to clean up your yard, and can be an excellent way to clear away light, fluffy snow in the winter! With only some basic maintenance your leaf blower will continue to blow year after year, so let’s review how to treat our leaf blower right and get the most out of it!
If you don’t have the time to maintain your leaf blower, or would just rather have a professional look it over, bring it down to the Koopman Lumber Powershop! Our onsite experts will get your leaf blower up and running before the fall is in full swing!
STEP 1: SPARK PLUG
If you’re a regular follower of our Power shop blogs, it won’t surprise you that this was our first maintenance step. A spark plug that is firing at full capacity is essential to get your machine to run, as it ignites the fuel in a machine. So if your leaf blower seems low on power, is difficult to start or runs poorly at idling speed, a dirty spark plug is a likely culprit.
On a leaf blower, the spark plug is usually located on top of the engine casing with a thick plastic boot around it. Begin by removing the plastic boot, then use a spark plug wrench to remove the plug itself. Next use a gap tool to set the replacement spark plug to the manufacturer’s recommendations (check the owners manual).
Hand tighten the newly gapped spark, then use your spark plug wrench to give it another 3/4 turn to tighten it securely. Finally, put the spark plug boot back into place.
STEP 2: FUEL FILTER
Your leaf blower’s fuel filter requires a little bit of ingenuity to remove than a spark plug. You will need to use a tool that acts as a hook in order to fish the fuel line out of the fuel tank. This can be something as simple as a wire coat hanger cut into a 6″ section with the end bent into a hook shape.
Once your tool is prepared, remove the cap to your fuel tank and use the tool to fish out the fuel line with the filter on the end. Using a flat head screwdriver, disconnect the fuel line from the fuel filter.
Take your replacement fuel filter and connect it to the end of the fuel line. Next carefully place the fuel line filter first back into the tank. Be careful not to cause any kinks in the line as you put it in! Finally, use your fingers to guide the filter into the open part of the tank.
STEP 3: AIR FILTER
are easy to replace and inexpensive enough to warrant replacing over cleaning/repairing every time
The air filter is found in a filter housing that is (usually) on the back of the blower near the carburetor and the fuel tank. The casing is usually held in place by either a locking nut or using the clips found on the case (these are the most common two locking devices, refer to manufacturer guide if you see anything different).
Remove the casing, then remove the old air filter and put the new one in it’s place. Then reinstall the outer casing. That was easy!
STEP 4: STILL NOT WORKING?
WRAP UP
That was a tough one, but your leaf blower should now be working as well as it did when it was brand new! Be sure to visit Koopman Lumber Powershop if you need your leaf blower professionally serviced. Koopman Lumber has some of the most experience service techs around, and we’ll be sure to get your machine running in tip-top condition before you know it. Reach out to us online at Koopmanlumber.com or see us in store!
Thanks for reading this month’s Powershop blog, we’ll see you next time!
