Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Real Men Sow
After a hectic week, you’re looking forward to a relaxing afternoon. The blissful silence is suddenly broken by the leaf blower of your neighbor next door! This is when you start to wonder who invented this device. It’s hard to say who it was, as there are multiple candidates. However, the consensus seems to be that the household blower was released in 1959.
Like all mechanical devices that have moving parts, leaf blowers will eventually wear. It will need regular maintenance in order to keep it running smoothly.
You will need to service your mower’s motor, especially if it has a gasoline engine. Although leaf blowers are very reliable, they can overheat from time to time. Let’s take a look at the reasons this can happen and how to fix it.
Possible Reasons That Leaf Blowers Overheat And How To Fix Them
Airflow Restriction
The engine is designed to drive an impeller or fan. This creates the jets of air that are forced down a tube and then exit to blow out the leaves. For the engine to operate, it depends on the airflow into the inlet. It is essential that the engine’s airflow is unhindered. If the temperature rises above a certain level, the motor will shut down to cool off. In cheaper models, the motor will continue to run until something is broken or melted.
The engine is connected to the blower section that houses the impeller. The fan is driven by the engine. It suckers air into the fan and expels it at high pressure and speed. Air is essential for the impeller’s effectiveness. The impeller must be free from obstructions at the inlet and inlets. The tube’s output airflow will drop if the impeller inlet is blocked or the airflow restricted. In order to increase the flow rate, an operator can usually over-revved the engine. The engine will then overheat.
The operating principles of electric leaf blowers are the same as those powered by gas engines. The electric motor drives the fan or impeller, which blows air down a tube at high speed and pressure. The expelled air can then be used to blow out leaves and other debris.
Dirty Impeller
The leaf blower’s ability to accomplish the task it was intended for is greatly affected by the impeller. The impeller is essentially a fan that suckers air in and expels it under pressure. The impeller is made up of many blades that rotate at thousands of revolutions per minute. They can suck in and expel a lot of air.
Airborne particles and debris can also be sucked into the impeller. These particles can build up over time, especially if they have an adhesive component such as sawdust particles. The impeller’s efficiency can be severely affected if it is clogged up. The engine may over-rev to produce the desired airflow, which can cause the engine to heat up.
What To Do:
If your leaf blower is revving at an excessive speed to achieve the desired speed, you should switch it off and make sure that there has not been excessive dirt buildup.
Damaged Impeller
The leaf blower’s performance will also be affected if the impeller is not functioning as it was designed. A broken impeller blade or impeller will cause vibrations. The impeller may feel a vibration if it has been removed from the driveshaft. However, air will not be blown out of the tube.
This is dangerous because the operator may over-rev his engine in order to produce the necessary airflow. The engine will then overheat.
What To Do:
If the leaf blower vibrates excessively when you use it, turn it off and inspect the impeller for cracks or damage. Check that your leaf blower is not leaking any air.
Engine Air Filter
Every gas engine leaf blower has a carburetor. This device mixes the fuel and air as they pass through the carburetor. The engine’s air is filtered through an air filter at the inlet of the carb. It is not always easy to operate a leaf blower in a hostile environment. The air filter is constantly being inhaled by dust.
If the filter is not maintained or cleaned regularly, it will become less efficient and eventually, more blocked.
The fuel and air mixture are negatively affected when the effectiveness of the air filter is decreased. The fuel that is being fed to the cylinder will be increased by reducing the airflow. An imbalance in the fuel mixture will increase the temperature of the cylinder, leading to engine overheating and a high operating temperature.
What To Do:
Regularly clean or replace your air filter. If the leaf blower cannot collect air, it will not be able to blow it out efficiently.
Two-Stroke Fuel Mixture
Two-stroke engines are used to drive leaf blowers that are gas-powered. They use an oil and fuel mixture which must be mixed before fuel is poured into the tank. The fuel and two-stroke oil must be mixed at a certain ratio, such as 25 to 1, 50 to 1, or 50 to 1. The blower will indicate the required mixture ratio, usually near the fuel cap.
The two-stroke oil is essential for any two-stroke leaf blower engine. The oil is added to the fuel to lubricate and lubricate the combustion chamber. The piston will become dry and heat up if you don’t add the right amount of two-stroke oil. This can cause engine failure and permanent damage.
What To Do:
You must always verify the correct ratio of fuel and two-stroke oil. You should never use the wrong mixture to power your leaf blower.
Storage Of Your Leaf Blower
Leaf blowers are not used all year and are usually stored for a good portion of the year. This means that there is a chance that an insect or rodent may have found a home in your leaf blower.
It is a good idea to clean and replace all worn parts before storing your leaf blower. It is a bad idea to leave a layer of oil residue, grime, oil, leaf clippings, and sand behind. The debris will dry to a hard layer over time. This makes cleaning it more difficult in the future.
Hidden debris could cause leaf blower heat in the future. It may be necessary for the main covers to be removed in order to make sure that all spaces are easily accessible. One of the most important areas you should focus your efforts on is cleaning out the filters.
What To Do:
Before putting the leaf blower back in service after its lengthy Winter, Spring, and Summer break, I recommend that you give it a thorough check-over. To avoid leaf blower overload due to blocked airways, make sure you inspect the inlet and general ventilation ports.
Clothing Obstructing the Air Intake
An unfit item of clothing could cause a problem. Picture a crisp Fall morning and you are dressed to keep the chill-out. You are wearing earplugs to reduce the engine and noise from the leaf blower. You are so focused on the task at hand that you don’t notice the loose end from your scarf blocking the cooling airflow to the engine. Overheating eventually causes the machine to stop, and the damage is done.
What To Do:
You should not wear loose clothing that may affect the operation of a leaf blower. This could also put the operator at risk.
Engine Lubricants
Engine lubricants are essential in the protection of internal moving parts. A leaf blower can use either a 4-stroke (4-cycle) or a 2-stroke (2-cycle). The four-stroke engine uses pure gasoline. However, the two-stroke requires that two-stroke oil be added to the gas in order to lubricate and lubricate the piston.
The oil sump in both engines houses the oil that lubricates its moving parts. Regular oil checks are necessary to make sure the oil level is adequate to keep the engine from running dry. This can cause the engine to become unusable by causing its bearings to overheat and self-destruct.
It is essential to use the right oils for your leaf blower. Two-stroke engines typically operate at higher speeds than four-stroke engines. The engine’s moving parts are subject to extreme forces and travel at high speeds. The engine won’t lubricate properly if it is using the wrong oil. This can lead to heat buildup and wear.
What To Do:
Oils will start to degrade with time. It is a good idea to change the oil’s color when it starts changing. The oil will turn black from heat exposure and the accumulation of microscopic metal particles in the oil over time. The engine can run at lower operating temperatures and fresh oil will prolong its life.
Regularly Check Engine Coolant Levels
A radiator is an engine that helps to keep the engine’s temperature down. The leaf blower operator must check the radiator water levels regularly to ensure the cooling process is effective. Because the engine relies on the radiator to cool it, overheating and failure can occur if the radiator water level drops too low.
What To Do:
Always make sure that the radiator is topped up with water before you turn on your leaf blower.
Ambient Temperature
Outside temperature (or ambient temperature) should not be considered unless your leaf blower is used in very hot areas. A leaf blower that is used in cool areas will last longer than one that is regularly used in Arizona and the Mojave Desert.
The likelihood of your leaf blower running hotter on hot days is certain. The temperature difference could cause the leaf blower to heat up beyond what it was intended for, especially if the use is for a long time. The worst-case scenario is that the engine of the leaf blower could overheat.
What To Do:
If the temperature outside is very high, it’s best to not use your leaf blower for too long. You should wait until the air is cooler in the afternoon.
