Stihl is one of the most well-known names in the lawn equipment and power tools industry, thanks to its convenience and quality. Any ordinary homeowner can easily use one of Stihl’s products – whether it’s a chainsaw, weed eater, or leaf blower.
A blower is a typical garden tool that draws air from one side and releases it at low pressure or high flow into the surroundings. However, getting the leaf blower up and running can be difficult at times, so what should you do? In this ultimate guide, we’ll teach you how to start a Stihl Blower, so make sure you read until the end.
How to Start a Stihl Blower?
Here are five tried and tested methods to start your Stihl leaf blower:
Fill the Blower with Fuel
Most Stihl leaf blowers are gas-powered. So ensure that yours has enough gasoline before you start using it. Stihl leaf blowers require a 50:1 gasoline-to-oil ratio. Use 2.6 ounces of two-cycle engine oil per gallon of gas, or 1 part of engine oil to 50 parts gas. Don’t forget to shake the gas to blend the two ingredients.
Fill the Tank
Clean the area around the Stihl leaf blower’s fuel tank cap with the help of a clean towel. This is to keep dirt and other debris out of the fuel system. Remove the fuel tank cap and fill the tank with fuel until it reaches the stamped “Full” line on the tank’s side.
Screw the fuel tank cap firmly back onto the fuel tank, negating any chances of the lid being loose and leaking fuel when the leaf blower runs.
Start the Engine
Set the engine stop switch to the Run or “I” position on top of the throttle trigger handle. Squeeze and hold the throttle trigger in place with your hand. With the other hand, push the throttle trigger lockout switch on the handle’s side.
Release the throttle trigger and the throttle trigger lockout switch simultaneously, ensuring that the engine remains in the optimum operating position.
Press the Primer Bulb
You’ll need to press the primer bulb, which is found near the carburetor. Switch on your Stihl leaf blower and slowly push the primer bulb in and out five to six times. Pressing the primer bulb forces fresh gasoline into the engine cylinder through the carburetor fuel bowl.
Now, gently adjust the choke lever to the “cold engine start.” There is one exception to this step. You must switch the lever to the “warm engine start” function if you’ve recently used the blower and it’s still warm.
Since it influences the engine’s performance, be careful to select the proper engine settings.
Start the Blower
Go ahead and start your Stihl leaf blower and get to work. Clear the surface so that nothing gets in the way of the blower’s blowing end. Locate an even surfaced ground outside, so you don’t trouble your humble abode with harmful gas emissions inside.
Put the blower flat and hold the trigger handle while keeping the blower even. Hold the throttle trigger with one hand while gripping the starter cord with the other. Keep in mind that you may have to draw the starter cord up to five times to start it.
It’s common to experience resistance when pulling the starter cord. If you pull on the cord too hard, you could rip it out. When the engine starts, press the button and quickly release it.
Your leaf blower is now ready to use!
Things to Consider
Here are a few things to consider before starting a Stihl blower:
- Most leaf blowers use a combination of unleaded gas and 2-cycle oil to operate. Check your leaf blower’s user handbook before starting it to know what type of fuel it uses.
- Wear personal protection equipment (PPE) when using the Stihl blower, such as sunglasses, a facemask, boots, gloves, and so on.
- Before you actually use the machine, check it for any damaged or broken parts.
- Always start your gasoline power tool at least 10 feet away from a filling station.
- Make sure you know where the controls are and how they work.
- Ensure that the fuel and oil caps are tightly secured in their positions and clean the blower.
- Avoid pushing the carburetor primer bulb on the leaf blower more than six times. Over-pressing causes engine flooding, making it hard to start the leaf blower until the flooding subsides.
- Store your leaf blower in a well-ventilated place away from potentially hazardous chemicals and anything that could ignite gasoline.
The Most Common Issues with Stihl Blowers
Finally, let’s discuss some common issues with Stihl blowers and how you can solve them.
It Doesn’t Start Properly
Stihl leaf blowers start only a certain way when you do a certain thing, and if one of the steps goes south, the leaf blower won’t start.
- If your blower doesn’t start, double-check that the throttle and choke levers are in their proper positions.
- Make sure you’re using a clean fuel-oil mixture. If you don’t know how to make an appropriate fuel-oil combination, stop operating your machine right away.
- If your blower still won’t start, check for broken or loose parts and repair the exhaust or ignition system.
It Stops after Starting
If your Stihl leaf blower stops running after starting, restart it with the normal start-up technique. If the leaf blower still won’t turn on, it’s probably because the engine is cold.
- Make sure the spark plug is correctly gapped.
- The gap must be 1/8 inch (3 millimeters).
- Proper gap is important, change the spark plug and the trouble should go away.
- If it still doesn’t work, the issue could be a clogged filter. Spray it with a hose or use compressed air to blow it out. After cleaning, replace the air filter and recheck the machine.
It Doesn’t Start at All
It’s possible that a leaf blower that won’t start at all needs fuel. If fuel isn’t the issue, the spark plug in the blower could be dusty or damaged.
- Unplug the spark plug and rub it dry.
- To clean the combustion chamber, run the engine several times with the starter and replace the spark plug.
- Turn the start switch to the “Run” position, set the choke straight, and restart the engine.
- If the machine still doesn’t start, it probably needs expert attention. Check for any broken or loose pieces and ask a pro to fix them.
Final Thoughts
Like any other leaf blower, a Stihl Leaf Blower is a gardening machine that blows air out to get rid of material like leaves and grass cuttings. However, getting them up and running can be tricky at times.
With the simple tips we’ve mentioned in this “how to start a Stihl blower” guide, getting your leaf blower back in good condition should be a breeze.
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