Why the Toro Blower Won’t Start: Reasons and Fixes

Toro leaf blowers are among the most popular and highly rated leaf blowers in the market. Be it the lightweightedness or the advanced features, Toro delivers! However, a common issue is that often the Toro blower won’t start.

There could be several reasons why your Toro blower isn’t starting. This ranges from a clogged carburetor, air filter, bad spark plug, dead battery, and many more. Carbon build-up is a really big reason why the issue starts.

This article will provide you with enough insights on how to get your Toro blower up and running! Stick till the end!

7 Reasons Your Toro Blower Won’t Start (Fixes Included)

Regardless of the type of blower, Toro blowers have some common reasons why they shut off abruptly. These problems are quite easy to fix. The reasons, diagnosis and solutions are discussed below:

1. Carbon Build-up in the Carburetor

Carbon build-up in the carburetor of a Toro blower causes a variety of reasons. Issues usually start with reduced engine performance. There’s difficulty starting and stalling.

This happens when unburned fuel accumulates on the internal components of the carburetor. There’s a layer of carbon that can restrict fuel flow and disrupt the air/fuel mixture.

Diagnosis

Here’s how to diagnose Toro blowers for carbon build-up in the carburetor:

Check the carburetor bowl: Check the carburetor bowl for the accumulation of a thick, black residue.

Inspect the carburetor passages: If the carburetor passages are clogged with carbon, it can restrict fuel flow and cause engine performance issues.

Check the air filter: A dirty air filter can cause the engine to run rich. It leads to carbon build-up in the carburetor.

It also causes fuel delivery issues. Which evidently causes the blower to stop.

Check for gas flooding: Check the carburetor and make sure the fuel needle valve is working properly. It should not delivering too much fuel to the engine.

Fix

Cleaning the carburetor is the way to go. Use a carburetor cleaner to remove the carbon build-up from the carburetor passages and bowl. Seafoam works great as a carburetor cleaner.

Replace or clean the air filter. A clean air filter will help prevent future carbon build-up by allowing the engine to breathe properly.

If the carburetor is out of adjustment, it can cause the engine to run rich. This causes carbon build-up. A professional can adjust the carburetor to the correct settings.

Address the float and needle in the carb if the engine has been flooded by fuel. For starters remove the spark plug and crank the engine to purge the cylinder of gas. Clean the plug and check the gap.

2. Stale Fuel Issues

If the fuel tank is empty, or if the fuel is stale or contaminated, the engine won’t start.

Diagnosis

Carefully remove the fuel cap and smell the fuel. If it has a strong, pungent odor, it is likely stale and needs to be drained.

Additionally, the fuel may be dark in color. It may also have a noticeable amount of debris floating in it. This means that it is stale and needs to be drained.

Fix

Drain the old fuel from the tank and add fresh fuel.

3. Fouled Spark Plug

Fouling occurs when oil or other debris accumulates on the spark plug. This causes a misfire or prevents a spark from reaching the engine. The plug may also be damaged or sheared.

Diagnosis

Start by inspecting the spark plug for signs of fouling or visible damage. Signs of fouling include oil on the electrode or a dark, sooty appearance.

If it still doesn’t start, check the ignition coil. If both the spark plug and ignition coil are okay, there’s some other issue.

Fix

In case the spark plug is only slightly fouled, it can be cleaned with a wire brush or sandpaper. Clean the electrode and then adjust the gap as needed.

For severe fouling, however, it will need to be replaced.

4. Dead Battery

If your Toro blower is battery-powered, a dead battery may be the reason it won’t start.

Diagnosis

Run a multimeter test to measure the voltage. If the voltage is less than 12.5V, the battery is dead and needs to be replaced.

Fix

If the battery is dead, you can charge it using a battery charger. When that doesn’t work, it’s time to replace the battery.

5. Ignition Switch Problems

The ignition switch is an essential component of a Toro blower. Loose or broken wiring to the ignition switch causes the engine to stop or not start at all. The switch itself may have failed.

There may be corrosion on the terminals of the switch. This causes poor electrical connections and leads to engine problems. Over time, the contacts in the switch can become dirty or worn, reducing the flow of electricity.

Diagnosis

Inspect the wiring for damage. Test the switch for continuity with a multimeter to see if there’s any voltage. Inspect the terminals for corrosion.

Fix

To fix ignition switch problems, disassemble the switch and clean or repair the internal components. If that doesn’t help, replace the switch entirely. Clean the terminals and contacts or replace them.

6. Safety Switch Issues

A safety switch is an important safety feature on Toro blowers. It can cause the unit to stop working if it’s not functioning properly.

Diagnosis

To diagnose this issue, ensure that the throttle control is in the correct position and that the interlock switch is functioning properly.

Check for loose electrical connections between the safety switch and the blower’s electrical system.

The safety switch may itself be faulty.

Fix

Tighten the electrical connections if they are loose. Replace the safety switch if it is damaged and not working.

7. Compression Problems

Compression problems can cause a Toro blower to stop working indefinitely. Old engines can wear out a little and cause problems. Worn or damaged piston rings, valve seats can cause a loss of compression too.

A blocked exhaust port can cause a loss of compression and prevent the engine from starting.

Diagnosis

Invest in a compression tester. Check for any visible leaks around the valves.

Remove the spark plug and check the amount of compression in the cylinder. Inspect the exhaust port for blockages as well. Then remove the valve cover and inspect the valve seats for wear or damage.

Fix

Leaky valves have to be replaced. Clean or clear a blocked exhaust port. If the compression is still low, the piston rings and valve seats may need to be replaced.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)