Most little leaf blowers use a two-cycle air-cooled gas engine for electricity. These engines are designed to operate within a certain combustion temperature range. They must run sufficiently alluring to completely burn the fuel-oil mixture, but not so overly hot that the piston, crankshaft or cylinder suffers harm or complete failure in overheating. First thing to check whether you’ve got an overheating engine are the fuel mixture, air filter, muffler and heat fins.
Fuel Mixture
A two-cycle leaf blower engine is designed to run on a particular combination of oil and gasoline. The oil that you mix with the gas lubricates the piston and crankshaft, and helps keep the engine internally cool. If you do not mix enough oil with your gasoline, the leaf blower’s engine can overheat and grab due to excessive internal friction. Most leaf blowers bear labels specifying the right fuel/oil mixture. Newer versions require less oil than older versions. Frequent mixtures include 32-to-1 or 4 fluid ounces of two-cycle oil to 1 gallon of gasoline, 40-to-1 or even 3.2 ounce oil per gallon of gasoline, and 50-to-1 or even 2.6 ounce oil per gallon of gasoline.
Air Filter
A dirty, clogged air filter to a two-cycle engine can result in incomplete combustion that causes overheating and stalling. The air filter screens out airborne dust and dust that could get in the cylinder and cause damage. But over time, the filter can tighten up. A two-cycle engine needs a strong inflow of fresh air to ensure complete combustion and to blow off burned-up gases from the exhaust. A clogged air filter can reduce fresh air inflow to the cylinder to a stage where exhaust gases back up and cause difficulties. Clean a dirty filter component by washing it in a solution of liquid dish detergent and water. Rinse the filter component with clear water and let it air dry. Replace the component if it’s too fouled to come clean.
Exhaust System
The muffler on a two-cycle engine quiets the alluring burnt exhaust gases as they leave the cylinder. The muffler on most leaf blowers contains a spark arrestor screen to stop fires if the engine misfires and throws off sparks. However, these screens over time could clog up carbon and other combustion byproducts, and restrict the free flow of exhaust gases to the point where the engine overheats and quits. Accessing the spark arrestor screen on most leaf blowers requires eliminating the muffler. Scrub the screen clean at a dish detergent solution and let it dry. If the screen doesn’t come clean, replace it. Even though the muffler is away, turn the piston to top dead center, and scrape carbon deposits in the exhaust port with a wood or plastic scraping instrument.
Cooling Fins
Many two-cycle leaf blower engines are air cooled. They demand a free flow of air through the motor’s cooling fins. A buildup of dust, Lawn Care near house Phoenix, AZ and other debris on the fins can obstruct the flow of heat air and result in serious overheating problems. Use a wooden rod and clean stiff-bristled paint brush to dislodge dirt buildups in the cooling fins. On some blower versions, you must remove a shroud or pay to access the cooling fins. Replace the part after cleaning the fins.