How To Start A Stihl Leaf Blower (Quickly & Easily!)

Nick Durante
by Nick Durante

Stihl is one of the leading names in power tools and lawn equipment due to its ease of use and quality. Whether it be a weed eater, chainsaw, or leaf blower, the average homeowner can easily use one of Stihl’s tools. However, sometimes getting a leaf blower started can be a hurdle at first, so what should you do?

First, prepare a 50:1 gasoline to oil fuel mixture in a gas can and fill the blower’s fuel tank. Next, fill the tank with fuel to the “full” line, and move the engine switch to the “I” position. Hold the throttle trigger and lockout button together, release the lockout button, and press the primer bulb up to 6 times.

Push the choke lever to the “cold engine start” position and pull the starter cord 3-5 times to start the blower. It can take a few tries to start a Stihl leaf blower, but the performance is worth it. Follow along as we explore how you can start your Stihl leaf blower.

How To Turn A Stihl Leaf Blower On

1. Mix Fuel

You need to properly mix gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil before you can start a Stihl leaf blower. The proper gasoline and oil mixture ratio for Stihl leaf blowers is 50:1. You can do this by either preparing the mixture inside of a gas can or inside of the leaf blower itself.

Stihl leaf blowers require 50 parts gasoline and only 1 part oil, and you can pour the oil into a gas can. Put the cap on the gas can and shake it well to mix the oil and gasoline to achieve the right ratio. Otherwise, you can pour oil into the leaf blower’s canister and fill in the rest of the way with gasoline.

Either method works, but you must use more gasoline than oil for it to run properly. Use a gas can if you want to keep leftover gas and oil mixture for the next time that you need it. However, gas and oil mixtures don’t have a long shelf life, so you cannot store them for months at a time.

2. Fill the Tank

Now, you can fill the fuel tank with your gasoline and oil 50:1 mixture. If you mixed the fuel by pouring it into the tank, then you can skip this step. However, you should still clean around the top of the fuel canister before you twist the cap back on to keep your mixture clean.

Otherwise, you can simply pour the mixture from the gas canister into the fuel tank on your leaf blower. Unscrew the cap and pour the mixture slowly so that you don’t overfill the tank and make a mess. There is a clear “full” line in the fuel tank so that you know not to exceed the fuel limit on your Stihl blower.

When in doubt, pour the fuel into the tank slowly and check for the level after each pour to avoid overfilling. Pour the fuel right up to the fuel line and use a rag to clean up any excess fuel that may have spilled. Screw the cap back onto the leaf blower’s tank and make sure that it’s on tight to prevent leaks.

3. Start the Engine

It is easy to start a Stihl leaf blower’s engine if you know what to look for on the throttle trigger handle. Each Stihl leaf blower has an engine switch that you can find at the top of the trigger handle. You will need to push the switch so that it is facing the “I” which indicates that the leaf blower is set to run.

Hold the throttle trigger on the handle where you will hold the leaf blower during operation. Now, look at the side of the trigger handle and you will see the throttle trigger lockout button. Hold the throttle trigger lockout button and make sure that the engine switch stays pointed at the “I”.

Let go of the throttle trigger and immediately let go of the throttle trigger lockout button. This will ensure that the engine stays in the proper position to run effectively. If you mess up the order of sequencing for the buttons, simply try again and it will work.

4. Primer Bulb

Stihl leaf blowers have primer bulbs that allow fuel to enter the carburetor so that the unit will run. You can find the primer bulb located near the carburetor and you’ll have to press it. Expect to press the primer bulb up to 6 times before it works.

Now, carefully move the choke lever so that it faces the “cold engine start” position. If you just used the leaf blower recently and it’s still warm, however, you need to move the lever to the “warm engine start” position. You must choose the correct engine start settings because it affects the engine’s performance.

5. Start the Blower

It’s time to start your Stihl leaf blower and begin your yard work. Clear space on the ground so that nothing is obstructing the blowing end of the leaf blower. Find an even ground surface outdoors so that you don’t have fuel emissions inside which can be dangerous.

Lay the leaf blower flat and grip the trigger handle while you keep the blower even. Engage the throttles trigger with one hand and grips the starter cord with your free hand. Much like starting a Stihl weedeater, you may need to pull the starter cord as much as 5 times to start it.

Don’t worry if you feel resistance when you pull the starter cord as that is normal. Avoid tugging on the starter cord too hard or you risk pulling it out entirely. When you hear the engine start, pull the trigger, and let go of it quickly, and now your leaf blower is ready to use.


Related Questions

Does a Stihl leaf blower take regular gas?

You need to use unleaded gasoline for a Stihl leaf blower to work properly. However, you can’t use straight gas, and you need to mix 1 part of oil for 50 parts of gasoline. You will need to use 2-cycle engine oil for a proper fuel mixture with unleaded gasoline for a Stihl leaf blower.


How long do leaf blowers last?

Stihl leaf blowers generally last up to 10 years, but they can more or less be based on usage. Proper storage and maintenance can make your leaf blower last between 10 and 15 years. However, using improper fuel mixtures and rough handling can cause your Stihl leaf blower to last as little as 5 years.


Can leaf blowers get wet?

Leaf blowers can handle getting wet outside, but it is not optimal for performance. Prolonged moisture and rain exposure can cause the leaf blower’s materials to wear out quicker than usual. However, few leaf blowers are fully waterproof and it’s best to postpone yardwork when it rains.


Are Stihl battery leaf blowers good?

Yes, Stihl’s battery-powered leaf blowers are quite effective and can be used for up to 10 years. The one downside is that the battery life is often 30 minutes or shorter. However, battery leaf blowers have the same level of blowing power and offer strong performance.

Summing It Up

You must mix 50 parts gasoline to 1 part 2-cycle engine oil before you can fill the tank. Mix the gasoline and oil in an empty gasoline canister and shake it well before using it. Pour the gasoline mixture into the blower’s tank up to the “full” line and move the engine switch to the “I” position.

Now, hold down the throttle trigger and throttle lockout at the same time. Release the throttle trigger and quickly release the throttle lockout button immediately afterward. Find the primer bulb near the carburetor and press it 5-6 times before it works.

Lay the Stihl leaf blower on an even and flat surface with nothing in the way of the nozzle. Pull the starter cord as many times as it takes for the engine to start. That is all that it takes to successfully start your Stihl leaf blower.

Nick Durante
Nick Durante

Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.

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