Craftsman leaf blower won't start
#1
10-10-18, 08:53 AM
Craftsman leaf blower won't start
My craftsman leaf blower ran just fine last year as i ran it all day getting rid of those leaves. At the end of the day I shut it off, and it never started again. It has good spark, good fuel still nothing. It doesn't even try to start. I've sprayed starting fluid directly into cylinder and still nothing. Even though I didn't have to, I replaced the coil and the carb. Still nothing. It seems to have good compression. I took the exhaust off also to make sure it wasn't blocked. Can anyone give me any tips as to what the heck is wrong. And what exactually is a good compression reading supposed to be?? Thanks for any help 
#2
10-10-18, 11:14 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Compression should be 90 or better. Check the cylinder to be sure it's still bolted tightly to the crankcase.
#4
10-10-18, 11:22 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
It can run with that compression, especially considering the cylinder is probably washed down with starting fluid now.
Is the spark plug wet? The engine may be flooded. Pull the plug out, give it full throttle, and pull it several times. Put the plug back in, give it full throttle, no choke, and see if it will start.
Is the spark plug wet? The engine may be flooded. Pull the plug out, give it full throttle, and pull it several times. Put the plug back in, give it full throttle, no choke, and see if it will start.
#5
10-24-18, 09:45 AM
My compression tester was actually from back in the 80's, so I purchased a new Craftsman tester. This time it reads only 75. So I'm guessing I either have a head gasket problem or i need to install new piston rings.
#6
10-24-18, 01:08 PM
how are you checking compression are you pulling it over till compression stops raising or just 1 pull? have you tried testing compression after squirting oil into cylinder?
#8
10-29-18, 05:46 AM
I actually did my compression test a few times each time pulling at least 5 times. I took the cylinder head apart and found that the piston ring was actually stuck fast to the piston itself. I tried to work it free but ended up snapping the ring. So i ended up having to order a new ring anyway. One good thing is there is no scoring of the cylinder wall. Does anyone know of a torque spec for the two head bolts. I could use a normal torque for a 1/4 20 bolt. Or is it just tighten the crap out of it? Anyway thanks to all of you for your reply's.
#9
10-29-18, 11:12 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
I've never tightened one to any specific torque, just tighten is good. Don't "tighten the crap out of it", it's a very small bolt going into aluminum. Just tighten it up reasonably.
#10
10-29-18, 12:06 PM
Yeah I knew its aluminum. I didn't mean I would tighten it till it stripped. I actually have 2 of these Craftsman blowers that were doing the same thing. So after finding this on this one I checked the older one that has been collecting dust in the shed after I replaced it with a newer model. And guess what, the same exact problem. Both have the piston rings sticking. So I looked into it and found they are known for this. So now what the hell do I do. Why does this keep happening. My fuel is mixed 40:1 mixture. What happens if I mix it to 50:1 like my Chainsaw? I know It will smoke more but will this help the sticking or make it worse?
#14
11-01-18, 01:16 PM
I verified the spark was good by grounding the plug against the metal chassis and pulling the cord. The plug had plenty of spark. It was also a new plug that i installed earlier.
