You know your leaf blower best. When it no longer gives you the power you’re used to, stop the engine, identify the problem, and repair it before potentially causing more severe problems and damage.
A Husqvarna leaf blower loses power and bogs down when the engine isn’t getting sufficient air, fuel and spark or the engine overheats.
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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.
Reasons Your Husqvarna Leaf Blower Loses Power
1. Old Gas
The fuel you put in your Husqvarna leaf blower is extremely important to keep it operating at its best.
Spending a little time to understand the right fuel to use in your Husqvarna blower and the negative effects using the wrong fuel can have on your blower will help you make the best decision for your fuel needs.
Negative effects of gasoline on your blower:
Most gas includes ethanol. There are environmental advantages to using ethanol in gas. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that is made from plants making it better for the environment.
While this product is okay to run in most vehicles, it has negative effects on a Husqvarna blower’s small engine. Ethanol attracts moisture from the air.
When this moisture collects in the fuel system, it can cause corrosion. Ethanol and water will leave behind varnish and gummy deposits that restrict fuel flow by clogging of the fuel lines and carburetor.
Because of the negative effects old gas has on Husqvarna blowers, it’s best to choose fresh fuel with a low ethanol content and consume it within 30 days. Add a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment or STA-BIL to keep gas stable a little longer.
Right Fuel to Use in Your Husqvarna Blower:
A 2-cycle Husqvarna leaf blower requires a gas and oil mix at a ratio of 50:1. This means you need to mix 50 parts gas with 1 part oil.
Select a gas that has a minimum 89-octane rating and contains no more than 10% ethanol. Mix with a 2-cycle oil that is ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified.
Read more about the right fuel for your Husqvarna leaf blower in This is the Type of Gas Husqvarna Leaf Blowers Use.
SOLUTION: Remove old fuel in your leaf blower and replace it with a fresh fuel mix. Add a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment to stabilize fuel, reduce moisture, and clean the fuel system.
2. Plugged Air Filter
When the air filter becomes plugged with the dirt and debris that gets tossed in the air from running a leaf blower, it will restrict airflow.
It may have so much dirt buildup that air isn’t able to pass through the filter causing your Husqvarna to lose power.
To prevent running into this problem, replace your air filter once a year and clean it several times throughout the lawn care season.
SOLUTION: If you find your Husqvarna air filter is plugged, I recommend replacing the filter. A filter is usually not very expensive. It is an important component when it comes to protecting the engine.
Husqvarna uses many different types and sizes of air filters depending on the model and type of leaf blower you use. An excessively dirty or damaged filter should be replaced. If you choose to clean your filter, follow these tips:
- Clean a Husqvarna blower fiber air filter:
- Clean it by removing it from the housing and brushing off the dirt.
- You can also wash it in a mild dish soap and water solution. Rinse until the water runs clear and lay flat to dry.
- Before reinstalling, wipe out any dirt from the air filter housing and cover.
- Replace a filter that is damaged or very dirty.
- Clean a Husqvarna foam primary filter:
- Remove the foam filter from the air filter housing.
- Wipe out any dirt remaining in the housing and cover. Don’t allow dirt to fall into the air intake.
- Wash the foam filter in a solution of warm water and mild dish detergent.
- Rinse until the water runs clear. Ring the water out of the filter and lay it flat to dry.
- Once dry, cover the filter with engine oil and squeeze out any excess oil. You don’t want it to be dripping with oil. (Only add oil to foam filters that are used as the main filter. If your filter is a pre-filter used in combination with a paper air filter, do not add oil. This will damage the paper filter).
- Install the foam air filter.
- Reattach the air filter cover.
- Clean a Husqvarna backpack blower paper air filter & foam pre-filter:
- Remove the pre-filter and air filter from the housing.
- Wipe out any dirt remaining in the air filter housing and cover. Don’t allow dirt to fall into the air intake.
- Clean the foam pre-filter by washing it in a mild dish detergent and water solution.
- Rinse until the water runs clear. Ring the water out of the filter and lay it flat to dry.
- Inspect the paper air filter. If it is dirty, replace it with a new one. If it is not, you can reuse it.
- Install the air filter and dry the pre-filter.
- Reattach the air filter cover.
3. Dirty Spark Plug
A fouled spark plug can cause your Husqvarna blower to lose power. A damaged spark plug or one that is dark in color due to being excessively dirty must be replaced. If your spark is in good condition and a little dirty, remove the dirt using a wire brush.
I recommend replacing your spark plug annually to help minimize spark plug issues throughout the season. A spark plug is an inexpensive maintenance part.
Without a good spark plug, you can run into power loss problems with your Husqvarna.
SOLUTION: Remove the spark plug and replace the plug when you find it is dirty or damaged. Make sure the new spark plug is gapped to the manufacturer’s specification.
Securely attach the spark plug wire (boot) so it makes a good connection. A loose wire can cause your blower to fail to start, stop running or lose power.
4. Dirty Carburetor
The carburetor regulates the amount of fuel that is mixed with air to create combustion in the cylinder. Old fuel will gum up and clog the carburetor so it no longer functions properly.
SOLUTION: If you are a little mechanical you should be able to handle cleaning your carburetor. Clean the carburetor by taking it apart and using carburetor cleaner to clean it.
If the carburetor does not function after being cleaned, you may need to rebuild it or replace it with a new carburetor.
Depending on the model leaf blower you own, the age of the blower, and the price of the carburetor, it may be best to invest in a new leaf blower rather than put money towards replacing a carburetor on an old blower.
5. Plugged Fuel Filter
The purpose of the fuel filter on your Husqvarna blower is to screen the fuel as it enters the fuel line to prevent dirt and other debris from being introduced into the fuel system.
When the fuel filter isn’t changed out regularly, the filter can become plugged.
This will restrict the amount of fuel that is able to pass through the filter which can be the reason you begin to experience a loss of power when operating the blower. When the engine doesn’t get enough fuel, it will bog down.
SOLUTION: Replace a fuel filter that isn’t allowing gas to pass through it and into the fuel line. The fuel filter is located in the fuel tank.
To get to the filter, first, wipe the area around the fuel cap to remove dirt and debris to prevent it from falling inside the tank.
Pull the fuel filter out of the tank. A clean bent wire works well for this. Remove the filter from the fuel line.
Insert the new fuel filter into the fuel line and secure the fuel line to the filter using the retaining ring. Place the filter inside the fuel tank and install the fuel cap.
6. Clogged Fuel Line
The fuel line can become restricted with gummy deposits left behind from using old fuel through your leaf blower. Dirt could have also gotten into the fuel system causing blockages.
This can prevent a good flow of fuel to the engine resulting in power loss.
SOLUTION: Inspect the fuel line looking for any clogs preventing fuel flow. Replace a fuel line that is clogged, kinked, or has developed cracks from age.
7. Plugged Fuel Tank Vent
The fuel tank must have a vent to allow air to enter the fuel tank as fuel is being consumed. When the vent is clogged on your Husqvarna, a vacuum will form and fuel will not be able to flow out of the tank.
On most Husqvarna leaf blowers, you will find the fuel tank vent part of the fuel cap.
SOLUTION: If your Husqvarna blower begins to bog down and lose power, place it on a level surface. Loosen the fuel cap and allow your blower to run.
If your blower no longer runs sluggish and loses power once the air is introduced to the fuel tank, you most likely have a plugged fuel tank vent. Replace the fuel cap.
8. Plugged Cooling System
The small engine on the blower uses air to keep it cool. When it overheats, the engine can lose power and possibly damage it.
SOLUTION: Keep the cooling system clean by removing dirt and debris from the air intake, flywheel, cooling fins, and engine cover.
9. Plugged Spark Arrestor
The spark arrestor is a small metal screen that prevents hot exhaust material from exiting the muffler and starting a fire.
When the spark arrestor becomes plugged with carbon deposits, your Husqvarna blower may experience a loss of power where it won’t run at full RPMs.
SOLUTION: Disconnect the spark plug wire. Wait for the engine to cool. Carefully remove the spark arrestor screen. Clean the screen with a wire brush.
If the screen isn’t able to be sufficiently cleaned or you find it is damaged or has a hole in it, replace it with a new Husqvarna spark arrestor screen.
10. Carbon Buildup on the Exhaust Port
The exhaust port located behind the muffler can develop carbon deposits that can cause your leaf blower running problem. I highly recommend having an experienced mechanic check and clean this area to avoid damage to the blower.
SOLUTION: If you do attempt to clean the exhaust port, start by disconnecting the spark plug wire. Once this is done proceed with removing the engine cover, the muffler, and the heat shield.
Adjust the piston until it covers the port opening. This will keep carbon from falling into the cylinder.
Use a plastic scraper to remove the carbon buildup around the exhaust port. DO NOT use a metal tool. Do not scratch the piston or the cylinder during this process.
When to Have a Mechanic Repair Your Husqvarna Leaf Blower?
If you have checked the items listed above for your lack of power problem and this didn’t solve your problem, it is time to have a professional mechanic diagnose and repair your Husqvarna leaf blower.
You may also not feel comfortable performing repairs on your blower. That is okay. That’s why there are small engine mechanics at your local Husqvarna dealership to assist you.
Keep in mind the labor rate for the mechanic to diagnose your problem. There is typically a flat rate charge to diagnose the problem and then add labor and parts fees in addition to the fee to make the repairs.
This may not make sense if you are running an old inexpensive leaf blower that’s on its last leg. Keep this in mind so you don’t get surprised when you get a diagnostics bill for a leaf blower that may not be worth repairing.
Having your Husqvarna leaf blower repaired by a mechanic is a personal decision that only you can make. You have the weigh the reliability, quality, and age of your current leaf blower against the cost to repair it and the cost to purchase a new leaf blower.