Is your craftsman leaf blower won’t stay running? Then most probably, the problem is either on the carburetor or on the air filter. Due to a clogged carburetor and poor air filtration, leaf blower engines often struggle to work.
Apart from these two, there are some other issues as well which can cause the problem. Whatever it is, we have designed this guide with a bunch of solutions that might come in handy for you.
Check it out.
Causes and Quick Fixes for Craftsman Leaf Blower Won’t Stay Running
Let’s start with this quick table guide, first.
| Causes | Possible Fix |
| Spark arrestor getting clogged by dirt and debris. | Cleaning the arrestor or installing a new one |
| Clogged carburetor due to fuel residue | Cleaning the carburetor or replacing it |
| Debris blocked the air filter | Washing or dry cleaning the filter, or installing a new one. |
| Fuel Residue blocking the fuel tank | Replacing old fuel with fresh fuel |
| Gasket wearing out | Replacing with a new gasket |
Does your leaf blower runs for 5 minutes and then die? Well, there are a bunch of reasons why the craftsman leaf blower stops running right after starting it. And here, we’ll be walking you through all the possible reasons and their easy fixes. Let’s get started…
Clogged Spark Arrestor
A spark arrestor is a small thin screen that keeps the engine from producing sparks. Over time, due to dirt and debris, the arrestor can get clogged. And when that gets clogged, it causes the engine to stall. However, sometimes the engine works okay with a clogged arrestor, too, for a while.
However, there is no other way to check for a clogged spark arrestor without taking a look at it. And that will require you to open the leaf blower.
Once you find out that the arrester is dirty and clogged, you either have to clean it or replace it with a new one.
In most cases, cleaning the arrestor does the work. And to clean the arrestor here’s what you need to do…
- First of all, remove the spark arrestor from the exhaust system.
- Pick a solvent like acetone or anything like that.
- Soak the arrester in the solvent for a while.
- Take a used brush and scrub off all the dirt and debris from the screen.
- Wash with water and re-install that.
Clogged Carburetor
A clogged carburetor is the most common reason why a craftsman blower won’t stay running. Not only craftsman blowers, when the carburetor is blocked, but no blower can also work properly since the carburetor is the heart of an engine.
The carburetor is a small and extremely important part of a blower. It is where the blowers get all the energy from. And what it does is, it mixes air and fuel to get the engine started. But do you know what causes the carburetor to get clogged?
It happens when you leave the oil in the blower for a long time. Some ingredients in the fuel evaporate and form a thick and sticky substance. That formation of the sticky and thick substance gets stuck into the carburetor causing the engine to stall.
Once you are sure that it is the problem with the carburetor, then there is to way to fix that. Either you clean the carburetor or install a new one. Here’s how you can clean a carburetor…
- Get yourself a top-notch carburetor cleaning kit that comes with a cleaning solution.
- Spray the solution onto the clogged carburetor.
- Let the solution sit for a while.
- And then wash the carburetor.
Following the mentioned steps should be effective to clean a dirty clogged carburetor. And if that doesn’t work, then it is time to change your carburetor.
If you do that, make sure to get a good one and ensure the carburetor will fit in your blower.
Oh, do you want to make your blower more robust? Then check the tips and techniques for how to make a leaf blower more powerful yourself.
Blocked Air Filter
The air filter works toward keeping the engine clean. As the name suggests, it is a filter that blocks debris from getting into the engine. Since it filters a lot of air on a daily basis, it is pretty normal for an air filter to get clogged. And when it gets clogged badly, it blocks the airflow which causes the engine to stop.
Depending on the blower usage, you should maintain the air filter well. However, if you find the air filter blocked, you need to clean it up. Or replace it. Here’s how you can do that…
- If you have a paper air filter, then simply clean the dirt and debris with a used brush.
- And if you have a sponge filter, then submerge that in detergent and wash thoroughly with water.
If you haven’t changed the air filter for 1-year or so, it is probably time to change that.
And we found the same reason of the air filter issue on the Husqvarna 150BT blower problems, for which the blower does not perform well. That said, irrespective of brands, troubleshooting these blowers’ problems are pretty similar.
Fuel Residue
Most people leave extra fuel on the leaf blower without knowing that it will hurt the blower. When the fuel is left for more than 30 days, then that will either cause a blocked carburetor or a blocked fuel tank. We have discussed clogged carburetors above, now, let’s get to the clogged fuel tank.
A clogged fuel tank means fuel is not being able to reach the engine causing the engine to stop. Fuel residue is the most common cause of that. When fuel is left for a long period, they slowly start to get thick and sticky, which is likely to block the road to the engine.
The easiest way to get rid of that problem is to get rid of old fuel and pour new. And make sure you never leave fuel in the blower.
Damaged gasket
A gasket is something that seals the area between two mating surfaces. With time gaskets get damaged, and then they start to leak as the sealing or gap-filling is compromised. And when leaking starts, the engine won’t stay running.
However, even though there are repair options, the best decision would be to replace the entire gasket. They won’t cost you a fortune, and you will have one less problem to deal with in the long run.
This Video Will Help You Too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why my craftsman backpack leaf blower won’t stay running?
There are various reasons why your backpack leaf blower won’t stay running. It could be a problem with either the carburetor or air filter. Don’t forget to check for clogged fuel tanks as well.
Why does my leaf blower keep turning off?
Maybe the engine isn’t getting the needed amount of fuel or air. Check the carburetor and air filter.
Conclusion
Those are the most common reasons why your Craftsman leaf blower won’t stay running. That being said, sometimes there might be some other reason as well.
Whenever you find the blower struggling to run, check for the carburetor, fuel tank, air filter, gasket, and arrestor. If all of them seem good, then you better take the blower to an expert.
You Can Also Read:
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- How Do I Fix My Redmax Blower Problems?
- Stihl BR 800 Problems You Must Know
- Reasons Stihl Leaf Blower Not Running Full Speed & How to Troubleshoot
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Enamored with the world of golf Jack pursued a degree in Golf Course Management at THE Ohio State University. This career path allowed him to work on some of the highest profile golf courses in the country! Due to the pandemic, Jack began Inside The Yard as a side hustle that quickly became his main hustle. Since starting the company, Jack has relocated to a homestead in Central Arkansas where he and his wife raise cattle and two little girls.