Leaf Blower Heaven....

So I go to start my little Homelite leaf blower yesterday & the thing starts up (barely) but has very little power. Then, it starts to make popping sounds, so I'm thinking it's toast. I can't complain, a friend gave it to me a few years ago & it's been working fine, but I guess it's seen better days. Do you guys know much about these hand held blowers? I'll probably have to get a new one so any recomendations out there? I'd like to get the same type (hand held gas type). I also don't want to spend too much, like maybe under $150?
Thanks guys.....

 

Get a bagpack one... it's sooo much nicer...

 

Depends on what you want to do with it, ie do you have alot of leaves and debris? I've had one of these for about 8 years now, works great:

http://www.solousa.com/store/flypage/air_blowers/472_air_blower.html

 

Put a new plug in the blower... it may something that simple!

 

Tried that, didn't work. I'd like to get one of those backpack types, but I'm not spending over $200 for one. I mainly use it for leaves or after mowing the lawn. Oh well, have to do some looking around, thanks for the input guys!

 

I used to have a mowing business, so maybe I can give you some helpfull advice.

Some of the smaller handheld ones you can find for about that price are made by echo, stihl, and shindaiwa. These are all great brands that will outlast the little walmart junkers by years.

You may be able to find some used back pack models on craigslist or ebay for that price. My personal faverite is the shindaiwa.

 

I actually repair small engines on the side. Unfortunately, Homelites are pieces of shit and once they go, its rare that they can be repaired and still work that great. The best are Shindaiwas. But Echo makes a really good blower too and they cost less. We've had an Echo for 12 years and the thing still starts and runs great.

But... before you buy a new one, it sounds to me like you have a faulty carb diaphragm or perhaps a clogged spark arrestor. Some that were sold for the California market have a screen over the exhaust hole. You can remove it with two screws. If it is dirty, clean it. Secondly, the little carbs on these use a diaphagm. Sometimes they get pin holes which will cause the carb not to generate enough vacuum to draw gas. Or it will flood the engine. They're heald together with 4 little screws on the top. Take a look ( carefully) and see what it looks like. It could also be the primer bulb. Some will dry rot and crack. That too can cause problems. Also check the air filter and spark plug. 2 cycle engines love to clog up air filters and spark plugs.

Let me know how it goes.

 

I used to do yard maintanence too (back in the 80's & 90's) & loved the Echo PB 400E. Very well built. Those things outlasted anything by far. Sure don't make 'em like that anymore! I have a Shindaiwa hedge trimmer & that thing kicks ass! Sure beats those cheap electric ones. Anyway, I went ahead & took the blower apart & found that it had a scratched cylinder. I do know that once those things get like that, it's toast. I't's not worth it to fix. I hope I have the right oil/fuel mixture. I'm using 40:1 like it says on the blower.....

 

rebuild it, and make it more powerful! if not you can always mail it to chris4x4..lol

 

There ya go! I could put a turbo on it?
Oh shit, I'm sounding like Tim, "The Tool Man" Taylor now......

 

Buy an Echo. Best brand of handheald power equipment there is. Ive got an Echo handhelds leafblower and its awesome.
I run it wide-open all the time and it just keeps going and going with no problems. Ive also got a 50cc Echo chainsaw and its beast.
You cant go wrong with an Echo, IMO.
Stihl and Husqvarna are nice too. Personally, I wouldnt buy anything but an Echo, Stihl or Husqvarna. Poulan/Craftsman and Homelites are junk.

 

Most likely what happened is that the piston ring broke and part of it got wedged between the piston and the cylinder wall, causing the scratch. It happens sometimes.
Just go down to your local Home Depot and buy an Echo.

 

Which model Echo handheld do you have? I'll probably get something like that......

 

Yea, I'm sure thats what happend. It happens alot with these 2 stroke motors.
I'll have to check out Home Depot later, thanks guys!