Are you having trouble with your Stihl Bg 86 leaf blower? Don’t be alarmed, it can happen to even the best gardeners. Fortunately, with a few easy troubleshooting steps and some helpful advice, you can get your leaf blower back in working order.
We’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to diagnose potential issues and effectively solve them using basic tools. We’ll also take an in-depth look at common problems associated with the BG86 leaf blower and provide possible explanations for why they occur.
So whether you’re just looking for tips on better operation or dealing with complex mechanical breakdowns, our guide should help get you started on the path towards successful maintenance of your important outdoor equipment.
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Stihl Bg 86 Leaf Blower Troubleshooting – Complete Guide
Many people choose this leaf blower because it is one of the most reliable and efficient leaf blowers on the market. However, it is still a powerful tool and as such, it can have some drawbacks. Here you can find the most common problems with this leaf blower and the most suitable solution for each of them.
1. Going Rough
When your leaf blower won’t start, it means that there may be a problem with the muffler or carburetor. Most problems with these parts may require expert help. You can start by adjusting the carburetor. To do this you should start the engine and then move to idle. Once you have achieved this you should turn the engine up to full fan speed.
You must press the throttle trigger and then the lock button. Both of these buttons are usually close to the handle and the handle, as well as being close to each other. Once you have accomplished this you should place this tool on the ground. Hold the motor with one hand while gripping the leaf blower firmly with your other hand.
Finally, you need to lift the initial handle slowly until you reach the socket. After a pull of the starter handles the leaf blower should start. If this tool still does not work, the problem is more serious and you should consult a professional.
Related Guide: Can a Leaf Blower Get Wet?
2. Won’t Start
There can be several reasons why this leaf blower won’t start. One of the most common problems is the presence of a fused or defective spark plug. If the spark plug shows signs of burning or breakage on any part of the spark plug, you will need to replace the unit. You can also use a spark plug tester, as when there is no spark the unit is faulty.
The carburetor is also another part that can present problems when it is blocked. This happens when petrol is kept for a long time in the leaf blower. Normally this situation arises when the leaf blower is not used very often.
It is the residues that do not evaporate from the petrol. For this, you can use a carburetor cleaner that is specially designed for this task. When you use the carburetor cleaner the leaf blower should start without problems. If this does not happen, you should replace or rebuild the carburetor.
3. Starts Then Stops
At certain times the leaf blower may start and then stop for some reason. The first reason this can happen is with a fouled spark plug.
The spark arrestor is the part that prevents the engine from sparking. Ash can block this part, causing the engine to stall even though it is running. Simply remove the spark arrestor to clean it with a wire brush.
Another drawback that stops a leaf blower from running is the temperature of the engine. You need the most suitable starting process for the engine, as a cold engine can shut down at a moment’s notice.
For this, you can adjust the choke lever correctly. This is a part that is located at the bottom of the fuel pump bulb.
Related Guide: How to Test Ignition Coil?
4. Fuel Problem
This problem also occurs when a leaf blower is not used frequently or when it has been a long time since the last maintenance. If you have added fuel to your leaf blower you should press the fuel pump bulb down 5 times. You must perform this procedure even if the bulb is charged.
Then you need to have the proper setting to achieve the ideal engine temperature. For this, you need to restart the blower once you have finished the previous step with the choke. Here it is important to consider that you need 50 parts of petrol for every part of the oil in the petrol mixture.
Air-cooled 2-stroke engine oil and normal fuel are the most suitable. Another way to find the right oil-to-fuel ratio is with gallons and ounces. You can add 1 gallon of gasoline and 2.6 ounces of oil to the fuel mixture.
5. Won’t Blow Air
If the leaf blower fan has any problems or damage, this is when you detect less or no air from the blower. The fan is the main part by which you get air from your leaf blower. So you should check the condition of the fan to solve this problem.
Remove the fan housing by removing the screws, and check the fan for any damage. You can replace the old, damaged blades with new, Good-quality units. If the damage extends over a large part of the fan, we recommend replacing the entire unit to avoid problems shortly.
It may also happen that the fan only needs a few adjustments to work properly. Tighten the screws when the fan is a little loose.
6. Carburetor Adjustment
There are a few adjustments that can be made to the carburetor of this leaf blower. One of the adjustments that can be made is the fuel mixture, as mentioned above.
You should turn off the engine and check the condition of the air filter. If it is a reusable filter you should clean it before fitting a replacement. You also need to check the spark arrestor screen on the muffler. This part should be cleaned if necessary.
You need to turn the high-speed screw counterclockwise, also known as the H screw. The turn is usually 3/4 of a turn to the stop. You need to turn the LO low-speed screw clockwise. This screw should also be turned as far as it will go.
7. Spark Arrestor
To clean the spark arrestor screen, you can use a propane torch. This is used to raise the temperature of the screen to a bright orange color. After this, you simply use compressed air after letting the part cool down.
In this way, you can burn off the oil vapor accumulated with the normal operation of this tool. The temperature of the leaf blower is not high enough to remove the residues accumulated on this part.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does my Stihl blower keep shutting off?
When this leaf blower constantly shuts down, the main reason may be a clogged carburetor. This part can be cleaned although it may be difficult to remove all the fuel. In some cases, the leaf blower may be stored unused for a long period.
This causes many components of the fuel to evaporate and a lot of sticky residue remains. So if you clean the carburetor of your leaf blower there may still be some sticky residue that interferes with the proper functioning of this tool.
- How do you remove the flywheel on a Stihl bg86?
To remove the flywheel from this leaf blower, you first need to loosen the flywheel nut. Once you have managed to loosen this part sufficiently you need a hammer.
Here the hammer can be useful to get the nut off, and thus remove the flywheel for good. When you insert the flywheel again you should apply Loctite to the bolts for a long-lasting fixation.
- How do you clean the carburetor on a Stihl blower?
You need to unscrew the air filter housing to clean this part. For this, you can use a cotton swab if it is a reusable air filter. Then you need to have carburetor cleaner. You should apply this product to the different parts of the carburetor.
The choke valves are cleaned by opening and closing the choke. This cleaner allows the removal of old oil and accumulated dirt. So, the extra fluid is removed when you start the engine.
Conclusion:
In some cases, problems with this leaf blower can be easily solved in a short time. In other cases, you need to call in an expert to avoid causing major problems. Beyond that, it is advisable to store your leaf blower in a suitable place and to apply a correct fuel mixture and proper maintenance from time to time.
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