Using your RedMax leaf blower regularly, you get used to the way it performs. Because of the familiarity with your blower, you easily recognize when it isn’t giving you the power it once did.
A leaf blower that lacks in power takes longer for you to get the job done so it’s something you need to fix before it causes additional damage.
A RedMax leaf blower loses power when the engine isn’t getting sufficient fuel, air, or spark. This can be caused by a plugged air filter or fuel filter; clogged fuel line; faulty fuel tank vent; bad spark plug; plugged spark arrestor; or dirty carburetor.
Keep reading for additional items that can cause a RedMax blower to have no power. Follow all safety precautions before working on your blower. This includes removing the spark plug and waiting for all moving parts to stop.
Reasons a RedMax leaf blower has no power:
- Old gasoline
- Plugged air filter
- Dirty spark plug
- Plugged fuel filter
- Clogged fuel line
- Plugged fuel tank vent
- Plugged spark arrestor
- Carbon buildup on the exhaust port
- Dirty carburetor
- Carburetor is out of adjustment
- Clogged cylinder fin and air inlet passages
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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.
11 Reasons Your RedMax Leaf Blower Loses Power
Old Gas
It not only is important to choose the right fuel to use in your RedMax to minimize the negative effects of gas on your blower, but it is also important to use the correct gas and oil mix.
Negative effects of gasoline:
Let me start by going over the negative effects gas can have on your leaf blower. There are negative effects even if you are choosing the right gas.
This is because most gasoline contains ethanol. This is an alternative fuel added to gas to make it more environmentally friendly. Most of the time, ethanol is made from corn, but it can also be made from other plants that are high in starch content.
These plants naturally attract moisture from the air. Likewise, ethanol in the fuel system attracts moisture from the air.
This moisture prematurely corrodes your leaf blower’s components. The ethanol and water mixture leaves behind varnish and gummy deposits that can restrict the amount of fuel required to form a combustion and your blower may not start.
Most people don’t realize the gas they purchase can begin to break down and become less effective as soon as 30 days after purchase. It’s not only important to purchase fresh fuel, you need to use your fuel within this timeframe.
I know. This is easier said than done. Who is actually going to know exactly how much fuel their blower is going to go through within 30 days? Most of the time you are going to have more fuel on hand than you can use within this timeframe.
Adding a fuel stabilizer to your fuel with help make your gas last a little longer before it breaks down. Many types of 2-cycle premium oil that is mixed with gas for your 2-cycle RedMax blower include a fuel stabilizer.
However, you need to read the label to determine how long the fuel will be stable when using oils that contain a stabilizer. If the label doesn’t state a stable timeframe, don’t assume it is going to keep your fuel stable for longer than a month.
Some 2-cycle oils only stabilize fuel for a month while others will keep it stable for up to 2 years. A product you can add to your gas and oil mixture is Sea Foam Motor Treatment.
This is a product that not only keeps the fuel mixture stable for up to two years, it reduces moisture and cleans the fuel system.
Right Fuel to Use:
The leaf blowers RedMax currently offers use 2-cycle engines. These engines require a gas and oil mixture at a ratio of 50:1. This means it requires 50 parts of gasoline to be mixed with 1 part of oil.
Because of the harmful effects of ethanol, you must use unleaded gasoline with a minimum octane rating of 89 and a maximum ethanol content of 10% (E10) in your RedMax blower.
Never use gasoline with higher ethanol contents like those sold as E15, E30, and E85 fuels which contain up to 15%, 30%, and 85% ethanol respectively.
Add a premium 2-cycle oil from RedMax or a 2-cycle oil that is ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified. Read more about the right fuel for your RedMax leaf blower in “This is the Type of Gas and Oil RedMax Blowers Use.
Solution: Drain the old fuel remaining in your leaf blower and fill it with fresh fuel. Add a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment to clean the fuel system and help keep your tank of fuel stable.
Plugged Air Filter
Using your leaf blower can be a dirty job. Dirty and debris get tossed into the air. After a while, the air filter will become plugged with this dirt if it isn’t cleaned or replaced frequently.
A sufficient amount of air is no longer able to pass through the filter to form a combustion causing a loss of power.
To prevent running into this problem, replace your air filter once a year. Maintenance doesn’t stop after replacing it. You must inspect it before using the blower and clean it if needed.
Solution: If you find your RedMax 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.
Follow this information to clean the type of air filter used in your RedMax blower:
RedMax blower felt 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.
- I prefer replacing the filter if it appears bad enough to need to be washed.
RedMax 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.
Dirty Spark Plug
A fouled spark plug can cause your RedMax blower to lose power. A damaged or worn spark plug that has a broken porcelain, burnt electrode; or a plug that is wet can also cause a loss of power.
I recommend replacing your spark plug annually to help minimize spark plug issues throughout the season. A spark plug is an inexpensive maintenance part and is well worth making sure the plug in your RedMax is always in good condition.
Without a good spark plug that is securely attached and gapped correctly, you can run into power loss problems with your RedMax.
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, run rough or lose power.
Plugged Fuel Filter
The purpose of the fuel filter on your RedMax 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. Do not allow the retaining ring to come off 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.
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.
Plugged Fuel Tank Vent
The fuel tank must be vented to equalize the air pressure in the tank. When the vent is clogged on your RedMax, a vacuum will form and fuel will not be able to flow out of the tank.
You will find the tank vent built into the fuel cap on most RedMax leaf blowers.
Solution: If your RedMax 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 tank cap.
Plugged Spark Arrestor
The spark arrestor is a small metal screen that prevents hot exhaust material from leaving the muffler and starting a fire. When this small screen becomes plugged, your RedMax blower may experience a loss of power where it won’t run at full RPMs.
Solution: Disconnect the spark plug wire. Make sure your engine is not hot. Remove the engine cover and the engine exhaust cover. Carefully remove the spark arrestor screen and clean it with a metal 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 spark arrestor screen.
Carbon Buildup on the Exhaust Port and Muffler
The exhaust port located behind the muffler can develop carbon deposits that can cause your leaf blower running problem. This area should be checked and cleaned.
Solution: 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 or wood 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.
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.
Old fuel is a big reason your carburetor will fail. From experience, it’s hard to get a carburetor covered under manufacturer’s warranty if it is older than 90 days. This is because old fuel can damage the carburetor and cause it to fail to work properly.
RedMax warranty covers manufacturer defects on the blower. They cannot guarantee the type and age of fuel being used in the blower that can cause carburetor failure.
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 instead of putting money towards replacing a carburetor on an old blower.
If you have a commercial RedMax backpack blower, I would definitely make the investment into a replacement carburetor if the blower is in good condition and has a lot of life left in it.
Carburetor Out of Adjustment
When your RedMax begins to lose power, it may be because the carburetor is out of adjustment. The carburetor mixture needles may need to be adjusted to correct the fuel setting to run richer or leaner.
Solution: If you continue to have problems with your carburetor, you should have your RedMax dealership take a look at it. They have special tools to make these adjustments.
Attempting to make the adjustments yourself may result in damaging the carburetor.
Clogged Air Passageways and Cylinder Fin
When the air inlet passage or cylinder cooling fins are clogged, the blower can overheat resulting in a reduction of power and possible engine damage.
Solution: Clean the dirt and debris from the blower making sure you remove all dirt from around the air inlet passage. Check the cylinder cooling fin for buildup and remove any dirt or dust you find.