Leaf blower leaking gas? Here’s what to do. Diagnose&Fixes

If you have started noticing gas being leaked from your leaf blower, then you are not alone. A leaf blower can leak gas while being used or even when it is not being used but has some gas in the fuel tank. It is never safe to use a leaf blower that is leaking gas due to the obvious danger of accidentally starting a fire.  You should fix the gas leakage before using the leaf blower again. So what should you do if your leaf blower is leaking gas?

If your leaf blower is leaking gas here are some things you can do to stop the gas from leaking:

• Fix 1: Inspect the fuel lines for leakage
• Fix 2: Examine the primer bulb for damage
• Fix 3: Check the fuel tank for damage
• Fix 4: Inspect the fuel tank vent or check valve
• Fix 5: Examine the carburetor and the carburetor gaskets

It is natural to panic after finding a puddle of gas under your leaf blower. Not only does it make the leaf blower dangerous to use, but you are also wasting precious gas. Luckily it is not difficult to inspect and fix the above-mentioned causes of gas leakage in a leaf blower. And in this article, we will tell you exactly how to diagnose and fix a leaf blower that is leaking gas so read on.

● Fix 1: Inspecting the fuel lines for damage

A fault in the fuel lines is the most common culprit of fuel leakage in a leaf blower since all the fuel travels through these lines. So before checking anything else, carefully inspect the fuel lines to see if they are properly connected where they are supposed to be connected, and the connection isn’t loose. In most cases of gas leakage, a loose fuel line connection is the culprit. But if your leaf blower doesn’t have any loose fuel line connections, then you will have to inspect the fuel lines for any kind of damage. If there are any cracks or holes in the fuel lines or the fuel lines have become too brittle, you will have to install new fuel lines on your leaf blower. You can find new fuel lines or a fuel line repair kit here.

 Make sure to note down which fuel line attaches to which connection on the carburetor and the fuel tank to avoid mixing up the connections when installing the new fuel lines. While replacing the fuel lines, you will have to take the fuel filter out from the fuel tank and attach the fuel tank’s main fuel line to the fuel filter inside the fuel tank. This is because simply inserting the new fuel line into the fuel tank without attaching it to the filter can result in dirty, unfiltered fuel entering the engine and causing serious problems in your leaf blower.

Note: Make sure you replace the whole fuel line and avoid cutting out the damaged part and joining the fuel line again because air can make its way into the fuel line through the joint and cause the leaf blower to run improperly. When getting replacement fuel lines, make sure they are the same width as the ones you are replacing.

● Fix 2: Examining the primer bulb for damage

Since most leaf blowers have their fuel tanks under the carburetor, sometimes the user must pump fuel into the carburetor to make it start. When the primer bulb comes in, users can pump gas into the leaf blower carburetor using this simple device when starting the machine. The primer bulb can often get damaged, punctured, or simply wear out due to constant exposure to fuel. This can result in fuel leakage from the primer bulb. So if you notice gas leaking from the primer bulb, then it is an indicator that your leaf blower needs a primer bulb replacement. Because not only will a damaged primer bulb leak fuel, but it won’t be able to pump gas into the carburetor either, making it difficult for you to start your leaf blower. You can find Leaf Blower Primer Bulbs here.

Replacing the primer bulb of a leaf blower is a very simple task, and all you need is a screwdriver along with the correct replacement primer bulb to get the job done. Normally you will have to either remove the air filter or the side cover of your leaf blower to replace the primer bulb. But in some models, you can remove the primer bulb directly without taking apart anything else. The primer bulb is usually held in place with the help of 2 screws that should be undone to remove the primer bulb. You will notice that the primer bulb has 2 fuel lines connected to it and all you have to do is remove these fuel lines, and the primer bulb will come right off. It is important to make sure that you connect the fuel lines correctly to the new primer bulb because if you connect the fuel lines incorrectly, the primer bulb may not work properly. A good way to avoid mixing up the fuel lines when installing the new primer bulb is by removing one fuel line from the damaged primer connect it to the new primer bulb and then remove the other and connect it to the new primer bulb. Finally, place the primer bulb back in place and put the 2 screws back on to fit the primer bulb in place. You can find Leaf Blower Primer Bulbs here.

● Fix 3: Checking the fuel tank

 The fuel tank is the major fuel storage for your leaf blower. And if your leaf blower’s fuel tank gets cracked or damaged, it will cause major gas leakage. You can check the fuel tank for cracks while installed on the leaf blower, but you will have to remove it from the leaf blower completely if you want to inspect the fuel tank thoroughly. You can remove the screws holding the fuel tank in place to take it off. Normally these screws are either located under the base of a leaf blower or on the side of the fuel tank itself. If you notice holes, cracks, or any leakage from the fuel tank, you will have to buy a new fuel tank for your leaf blower and install it to stop the gas leakage. You can find Leaf Blower Fuel Tanks here.

● Fix 4: Inspecting the fuel tank vent or check valve

The fuel tank vent is basically a check valve located in your leaf blower’s fuel tank that allows air to enter the fuel tank but prevents fuel from coming out of the fuel tank. But when this vent fails, it can cause fuel to leak from the vent opening, and you will start to notice gas droplets around the fuel tank vent. Normally the fuel tank vent is located on the lid of your leaf blower’s fuel tank, and you can replace the lid to fix the problem of a leaking fuel tank vent. But the fuel tank vent’s location can be different for different types of leaf blowers, so it is best to refer to the user manual of your leaf blower to find out the location of the fuel tank vent in your leaf blower’s fuel tank.  

● Fix 5: Examining the carburetor and carburetor gaskets

Your leaf blower’s carburetor is responsible for mixing fuel with air before supplying this perfect mixture to the engine. Therefore any damage to the carburetor’s gasket or to the carburetor itself can cause significant gas leakage. You can visually inspect the carburetor for any corrosion or cracks if you find that gas is leaked from the carburetor. In case the gas is only leaking from the bottom of the carburetor, and the upper portion is dry, then it is a sign that the bowl gasket of the carburetor is damaged and is causing fuel to leak. You can install a new bowl gasket for your carburetor to fix the gas leakage. But if you notice physical damage to the carburetor that is causing the gas leakage, you will need to replace the whole carburetor assembly. Installing a new carburetor is simple; all you have to do is remove all the fuel lines before taking the leaking carburetor off and then install the new carburetor on your leaf blower. Make sure to connect the fuel lines correctly when connecting fuel lines to the new carburetor.

You can find Leaf Blower Carburetors and gaskets here.

Final Remarks

Gas leakage should never be ignored because when you continue to use a leaf blower that is leaking gas, you are putting yourself at risk. Besides, fixing a leaf blower with gas leakage is something you can do at home; all you have to do is check all the possible causes of gas leakage using the methods explained in this article. In case you do not understand the cause of leakage, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. In almost every case, with very basic tools and minimal effort, you can easily fix a gas leak on your leaf blower and make it good as new.