How to Clean a Leaf Blower Fuel Filter?

Having a leaf blower is one of the most essential maintenance acts to owning a yard or garden. And just like every other power tool, the leaf blower has to be cleaned. This not only maintains the look of your leaf blower, but it also extends its life span. One of the most important parts of a leaf blower which should be cleaned routinely is the fuel filter.

A fuel filter is that part of a leaf blower that keeps the specks of dirt that might have been present in fuel from entering the fuel tank thereby keeping it from getting to the leaf blower parts like the engine.

If the fuel filter is clogged with dirt, fuel can hardly pass through into the fuel tank. And if debris should by any chance get into the engine or other parts of the leaf blower, it will cause a lot of machine hazards. Which would either require you to get a new leaf blower or replace most parts of the leaf blower.

How to clean a leaf blower fuel filter, step by step

Remove the spark plug
Unscrew the leaf blower

Drain all the fuel from the filter, make it clean
And then remove it and wash it with a soapy water
Use a long brush to clean all the dirt

When all done, screw them back

Table of Contents

How to Clean a Leaf Blower Fuel Filter?

Cleaning a leaf blower is quite easy. A leaf blower fuel filter can either be cleaned or replaced but this depends on the type of leaf blower you are using as well as its filter. The amount of darts clogging the fuel filter also determines if it needs to be replaced or just cleaned.

Thanks to the versatility of most leaf blowers, you do not have to purchase a snowblower to add to your maintenance tools. During seasons like autumn, the leaf blower can be used to blow fallen leaves like it is built to do. And it can be used during winter to clear snow from pathways and stairs.

Since leaf blowers are used all year long for two different purposes, they need so much care even more than the other yard tools. Not knowing how to properly clean your leaf blower affects its efficiency, hence these steps. You do not just jump into washing a leaf blower filter with soap and water as a way to clean it, there are a couple of things to do first.

Steps to Take to Clean Lead Blower Fuel Filter

Safety first! Wear gloves, safety goggles, and earplugs to avoid direct body contact with the fumes. This is because emissions from the leaf blower could be toxic.
Detach the spark plug from the leaf blower

Look for the leaf blower filter cover. Remove it by unscrewing it from the leaf blower filter.
Drain out every liquid from the fuel tank. Make sure that there is no drop of liquid left in it.
Using a rag or long brush, clean any dirt on and inside the fuel filter. Using a long brush makes it easier to reach and remove debris or specks of dirt on the corners of the fuel filter.

Now you can go ahead to remove the fuel filter and pre-filter from the leaf blower.
Wash the pre-filter with soapy water and leave it under the sun to dry for about an hour if you cannot dry it properly with a rag or towel.
Clean the fuel filter by blowing air into it using a paintbrush or some air-blowing tool.

With all that done and the pre-filter dry, screw them back into the leaf blower.
You can decide to refill the fuel tank if you still want to use it and reattach the spark plug.
Are you all done? Your leaf blower is good to go.

You might find it difficult to clean the fuel filter or the specks of dirt clogging the fuel filter are too stubborn to come off, just replace it.

Read More: Understanding Leaf Blower MPH

How Do You Clean and Reuse a Fuel Filter?

Before cleaning makes sure to drain any liquid out of the fuel tank. This makes it easy to clean every corner of the fuel filter without the fear of getting the fuel mixed with water.

Uninsert the spark plug from its position.
Remove the fuel filter from the fuel line.
Put inside a sink or bowl and wash with mild soap and water.

Leave to dry for some minutes or dry properly with a towel or both.
When it is dry, insert it back into the fuel line and the fuel tank.
Reinsert the spark plug and screw back every part that you must have removed when trying to locate the fuel filter.

Your freshly washed and clean fuel filter is as good as new and ready to be used.

Should in case any part of the fuel line or fuel filter gets broken during the cleaning, call for the help of a professional. They are trained with the right skills and equipped with the right tools to solve any leaf blower problem.

Read More: How to Unflood Leaf Blower Engine?

How Do You Clean the Fuel Filter on an Echo Leaf Blower?

Cleaning an Echo leaf blower is almost the same as cleaning another leaf blower. The difference is majorly in the location of the fuel tank.

If the leaf blower has just been used, let the engine cool off and make sure it is switched off. As usual, make sure there is no fuel inside the fuel tank.
Remove the fuel tank cap and pull the retainer out of it

Your fingers cannot pull the air filter out so use a hook fashioned out of any stiff wire to pull it out.
Pull the retainer spring away from the filter. Blow air with force into the fuel filter to force out any dirt. (In case you want to replace the fuel filter, just insert the new one and skip to the last step).
Then wash the filter with water and mild soap. Leave it to sundry for a couple of minutes or at most an hour. This is because using a towel might not dry it.

When it is dry, push it back into the tank.
Put back the retainer cap and thread the cap back on

Where is the fuel filter on my leaf blower?

The fuel filter might be at the side of your leaf blower just at the end of the fuel line. The fuel line includes the fuel filter, fuel retainer, and fuel tank. But most power tool brands design the parts of their leaf blower differently, so the location of fuel filters varies.

Luckily, every unit comes with a manufacturer or product manual which shows a label of the different parts of your leaf blower. You can find where your fuel filter is located by reading through the manual.

How to Replace an Inline Fuel Filter on a Leaf Blower?

For you wondering what an inline fuel filter is, it is a device in charge of cleaning the fuel that enters the fuel filter. It is most times found in the fuel tank but if not so, it can be found in the fuel line just between the fuel pump and fuel tank.

Before you replace or change a fuel filter from any leaf blower, make sure that its gas is drained from the fuel tank first. And to assist you in this task, you will need a piece from a coat hanger made of wire or any stiff wire. The piece should be about 6 inches long with one end twisted into a hook. Also, wear the right gear.

With the fuel tank emptied and the hook ready, proceed to do the following:

Remove the spark plug and any wire attached to it.
Remove the retainer from the fuel tank cap by unthreading it.

This next step brings the hook you prepared earlier into the picture. Use it to pull the fuel filter from the tank.
Using wire cutters or a pair of needle-nose pliers, pull the retaining spring away from the filter. This however depends on the brand of leaf blower you are working on.
Remove the old fuel filter from the fuel line. This you should do in a twist and pull motion.

Attach the fuel filter to the fuel line
Secure the fuel filter by sliding in the retainer spring
Put the new fuel filter into the tank

Put back the fuel retainer cap and put the cap back on.
You can choose to fill the tank if you want to use it.
Reattach the spark plug and wires. Your leaf blower with the new fuel filter is set.