I picked up this commercial leaf blower at a yard sale for $45 not running. lets take it apart and see if we can fix it. filmed this about 4 weeks ago, we will get back on the beaver project soon.
39 thoughts on “Will it Run? yard sale leaf blower.”
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Ethanol itself is a hygroscopic alcohol, meaning it readily absorbs water—but the ethanol added to petrol is not water, and under normal conditions, petrol–ethanol blends are not supposed to contain free water.
However, let’s break it down:
⸻
🔹 Ethanol in Petrol: Overview
• In the UK and many other countries, E10 petrol contains up to 10% ethanol by volume.
• Ethanol is usually added in a fairly pure form—anhydrous ethanol, meaning it contains less than 1% water, typically around 0.5% or less.
⸻
🔹 How Much Water Is in That Ethanol?
In E10 petrol, where:
• 10% is ethanol
• And that ethanol contains ~0.5% water,
Then:
• Water content in the entire petrol blend is roughly 0.05% (i.e. 0.5% of 10%).
That’s about 500 parts per million (ppm)—a trace amount, not enough to cause issues unless further water contamination occurs.
⸻
🔹 Can Petrol “Gain†Water Later?
Yes—this is the main problem:
• Ethanol is hygroscopic, so it pulls water from the air over time.
• In storage tanks (especially if poorly sealed or partially filled), water can be absorbed until it reaches the saturation point, and then phase separation occurs—where the water and ethanol mix separates from the petrol, sinking to the bottom.
⸻
🔹 Summary:
• The ethanol added to E10 petrol contains very little water (typically ≤0.5%)
• The total water content in the fuel is around 0.05%, initially.
• Water contamination becomes a problem after storage due to ethanol’s ability to absorb moisture from the air.
Nope gas is gas I work on small engine for 60 years now more than this guy
How often do you find a bad float?
nice goin, used the wrong size….. just kiddin
Shouldn't you check how many turns (the setting) on the needle valve seated before you remove it?
Nice way to jab your hand with the screwdriver buy holding the part (carb) in your hand unsupported. A rag would give your hand some protrction at least, huh?
Nice way to put burrs on your Snapon Screwdriver handle. How about a plastic hammer?
Opp, I knew it, hammer mechanic…LoL
Blowing an airgun next to your parts tray, I saw a washer-looking thing go for a walk.
Do I see a "road rash* scar on your forearm… I would of been tempted to adjust the float too.
Squeezing the tire with the pliers was a hoot!!
Condensation
I see a leaf blower war…
Gasoline with ethanol is delivered "dry" from the refinery. It is at its most hydroscopic state. Most consumers use that fuel in a week or two. At which point the fuel may be fully saturated with moisture. With every temperature cycle, the gasoline tank breathes in and out a "breath" of atmosphere…along with the suspended water (humidity). In a car gas tank it isn't that noticeable, because the fuel is refreshed. But in a lawnmower, weed whacker, etc., the fuel becomes "fouled" with the moisture as well as it loses its "aromatics" (which enhance volatility, ease of starting). Gota store yir fuel in a steel can, in the shade, and kept cool. Airtight? …if it has a pressure release …
GAS IS GAS I AM STILL USEING 2 YEAR OLD GAS IN MY LAWNMOWER AND SNOW BLOWER STILL GOOD GAS ITS ALL HOW PEOPLE KEEP THE GAS I WORK ON SMALL ENGINE FOR YEARS
Sounds good at 35:16 minutes into the video!
I am just getting into small engine repair. It looks like fun and a challenge. I like
87 octane gas with 10% ethanol already has some water in it. It does remove water from a fuel system if there is any. Usually not a problem. Gas line anti-freeze is mostly isopropyl or methyl alcohol. Does the same thing. Ethanol alcohol in gas lowers available power. Non-ethanol gas increases MPG's to the motorist. I have long since stopped using 87 octane ethanol gas. It is damaging to all components, be they metal, synthetic, rubber, plastic, or whatever. I am paying more $ for savings down the road. Fuel pumps cost a lot to replace. I've been through that enough times to know I will not go back.
I bought one at a yard sale 5 years ago for $30 and put in fresh gas and it works great but some of the carbuerator linkage is missing and is no longer available so it runs full throttle only. I made a bracket and pull it behind my riding mower. I no longer rake – only blow a ton of leaves into the woods
I don't know how I missed this one. I've been a subscriber for a long time. YouTube told me I needed to watch it so here I am. I miss the old garage sometimes. Thank you again!
Where did the gasket go I don’t see it did you blow it away
The whole air exchange thing is why I fill my fuel tanks to the cap for storage (with fuel that has stabilizer in it). Never had issue in spring with first start ever.
Excellent video
I do despair for your lungs mustie1 at all the dangerous chemicals like brake and carb cleaner you blow around and especially the acids you pour without PPE.
What kind of solution do you recommend in an ultrasonic cleaner. I bought 2 gallons of cleaner but it does not say if you have to dilute it if you could help I would be greatly appreciated and I love your YouTube channel I watch it daily
Try some tight fit heat shrink at the kinks
Me trying to get a goodnight sleep
Riced out civic owners at 3am 0:28
I Cain it a down draft Carburetor
I see that Cushman Police vehicle. That’s the series that got me hooked on Mustie1. Thanks for it all
See you been brown nosing again there Binky. 🙂
both are true. ethanol is just voda . Its a slower burning element giving little power to the combustion stroke.. Its added to regular engines to burn in the Catalytic . Remimber when it was only added for winter.. to heat the engines.
now you have a fan to blow cool air in the shop in the summer. as for the fuel – yes the alcohol does want to collect water. where i live ( in WA. ) we have non alcohol fuel but if i didn't i would make my own by taking pump gas add water to it ; shake well ; set off to the side for a day then pour the gas off the top of the alcohol since the water intermixes with the alcohol ( on a molecular level) and is heaver than gas. to help with the machine – take a piece of plastic bag and cover the fuel fill and put the cap on (with a full tank). also what i do with equipment that gets not used all the time is to shut the fuel off and run it out of gas so the carb is empty. works for me.
Do you sell your junk or do you just stack it up somewhere in a building a mile high LOL?
That’s like the coolest thing ever!
I know this is an old video but on the gasoline comment, i heard if you want ethanol free gas you pour water in the gas and let it sit for a little bit. The ethanol and water mixes and sinks to the bottom and you put a syphon to the bottom and draw out the water and its got the ethanol stuck with it and then you have ethanol free gasoline. Might try it sometime and test it out.
Your videos are so satisfying especially when you pull the rope and goes prrrrrr.Thanks.
What's up
Hi
THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING THESE VIDS !!! Your witt is excellent. You are SO smart! I learn a ton, watching you dissect old engines, and you share years of wisdom, every time! Another something another, is the choice content at the end of your videos! I have two favorites. Mustie & Corporal's Corner. Both of you are very learned and have a great voice, as well as a great heart and a goodly amount of witt !!! I spend most of my down-time, watching you two.
THANKS AGAIN
Bill, of Tn. 🇺🇸
Great video as always .
Been following you for maybe 3 years now .
Learnt an absolute ton of information from you .
I have a late 2006 VW Touareg.
A pretty complex vehicle.
I have now have the confidence to sort any issue I get with it .
After a normal 20k service . Oil . Oil filter . Fuel and air .
It decided to leak coolant .
Took me a while to sort but it's back on the road .
Fitted new thermostat and water pump . Couple of new hoses minor ones .
Cooling system now hold pressure for at least a couple of hours .
The car now feels a much nicer drive .
I'm not a trained mechanic. But never been scared to diagnose what's wrong .
But with garden machinery you can't just plug in a fault reader can you .
Thank you for giving me that little bit of confidence to have a look and diagnose what is going on .
Thanks from Mart in the Uk
Mustie, you are 100% correct!! When it's added to the gasoline, ethanol alcohol is 100% alcohol when it starts out… No water has been added at that point, however, ethanol is hygroscopic (attracts water) right out of the air ANYTIME it's exposed to atmosphere.. which starts right at the local gas station.. completely sealing the container OR keeping the tank as full as possible to limit atmosphere exposure are the best 2 ways to prevent the water in fuel problems.. this has been my experience in the automotive side at least 🙂 Love your videos BTW from Washington State.. I've learned a great deal from you about small engines
Have you tied the rubber cellulose gasket shots for custom carburetor gaskets?
Old Bannerman for $40 bucks? You scored large buddy. Do yourself a favor and slap on a used 9 horse Honda, it bolts right up. I have 3 of that identical model and a few others both smaller and much larger. Dont waste your time on an Intec either. Blew 2 of those up in 2 years.
Finally a good use for flex-seal haha, Diddnt work on the roof of the RV but I'll definitely keep that trick in mind with leaky tire beads, great video and tips! thanks mustie!
Keep the videos coming matey!
Why don't you try to find a truck like they had in the movie "Jeepers Creepers" to work on?