Huskey 345 running problems

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kwikrp

Feeling the Heat
Oct 21, 2008
299
SE Mass
I have a Huskey 345 great little saw when it runs ! Problem is keeping it running. It starts fast and easy but usually 1/2 way through a tank of gas it looses power and begins to bog out , choke, and stall. Then it is harder to start. Once started it will run for a few minutes and begin to bog out again. Seems to happen when it gets hot. Brought it to 2 Huskey shops and they say there is nothing wrong with it. Something must be if you can not run the saw for more than 15-20 minutes without trouble!! Any suggestions? One shop says they did a carb adjustment but it still doing it !!!;?
 
Gas could be boiling in the carburetor. Make sure you're not burning winter gas (lower boiling point). If that's not it, try switching to a higher octaine.

Could also be a problem in your fuel pick-up system. Clogged pickup filter, cracked pickup tube, etc.

If neither of those things, then the next most likley culprit is your ignition system. Some ignition modules can flake out when they get too hot. Check on the fuel issue, the fuel pickup issue, and if neither of those solve it, take it to your Huskvarna dealer and have them abuse it until it gets hot and cuts out on them.
 
Had a similar problem with my 345. The carb adjustment was it. But, the shop may have failed to "de-California" the adjusters.(i.e. they might go by the book.)
I believe I found all I needed to know here:
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/6711.htm

There is also a good video somewhere of how to adjust a 2 stroke carb. Even has an audio file.

Snap off those plastic limiters and never look back. Mine has been fine for years now.

ETA: Dang...upon closer look, I may have posted the wrong link. Will check up on it and edit again. Apologies.
p.s. How old is your saw?
 
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Check for spark immediately after it dies. This sounds like a fuel issue but the spark check is quick and easy and you can cross one more thing off the list of what isn't.
 
Check for spark immediately after it dies. This sounds like a fuel issue but the spark check is quick and easy and you can cross one more thing off the list of what isn't.

Good idea! Only thing I'd add is to first check on the spark when it's cold, so you have a point of reference / know what you're looking for when you check it hot.
 
the saw is only 2 yrs old but I dont think i have run more than 8 tank through. I will look at all those issues and post if i find anyhthing. Thank You All
 
8 tanks in 2 years, my money is on fuel line issue as well. A little ethanol degradation from sitting? As master mech said, check spark first cause it's quick & easy. Also might try refilling & restarting right away to see if that changes anything. A cracked fuel line can act exactly as you describe, as can a plugged tank vent. A C
 
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Next time it dies, open the gas cap, close it up and see if it restarts. Your cap vent could not be venting and causing it to starve for fuel.
 
I agree with the posters above on several issues. First and formost, check for spark immediately after it stalls. Alot of times the coil will be fine until it warms up, if there is a crack or fault in the coil when it gets warm it could very possibly be going to ground or opening up in the windings somewhere. Next check your fuel filter, fuel line and fuel cap vent for problems. If you know your way around a carburetor, take them dang plastic limiters off of the hi-low mix screws, so you can do an honest tune-up on the saw. Also, don't forget to check the spark arrestor, I've seen them screens plug up MANY MANY times causing the saw to act like chit. If all else fails, you may need to do a total overhaul on the carburetor. Most likely though, one of the problems you are having is posted above. Let us know what you find out!
 
the saw is only 2 yrs old but I dont think i have run more than 8 tank through. I will look at all those issues and post if i find anyhthing. Thank You All
I should probably point out that my saw was also like new; still under warranty in fact. I wrote to Electrolux (new owner of Husqvarna at the time) and informed them that I am a good mechanic and would not mind tearing the saw apart, (just like all the very good suggestions made on this thread), but.....IT IS A BRAND NEW SAW!. (er, that's how I put it to them.) All they did was tell me to take it to a dealer, blah, blah, blah. usual stuff.
Then I learned about those plastic limiters, made one little adjustment with a jeweler's screwdriver, and it has been fine ever since.
So, my translation of Electrolux obfuscation: "You can easily fix it by taking off what the EPA and CARB made us put on, but we can't tell you that, so we'll just act like we don't know anything."
I'm old enough now to recongnize that sort of thing :)
 
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:)
But it has reached this far. We have had a succession of 'Green Optics' governments.
Yeah, I know. Sad thing is, if China would just do a fraction of what we do on this side of the globe to help the environment, the world would see a HUGE difference in quality of air, weather etc. They are basically unregulated.....it's really bad over there....
 
Most of the developing & 3rd world countries are like that. Went to Uganda about a decade ago. There is a constant pall of smog from dirty diesel fumes & charcoal kilns. It has more to do with economics than anything else.

But I am taking this thread to Cuba by force. Back to our regularly scheduled programming :)
 
I have tried removing gas cap after another malfunction and it still was difficult to start it did start once the chain touched the wood it began to sputter, loose power, and stalling out. Going to try the spark next time.
 
Most of the developing & 3rd world countries are like that. Went to Uganda about a decade ago. There is a constant pall of smog from dirty diesel fumes & charcoal kilns. It has more to do with economics than anything else.

But I am taking this thread to Cuba by force. Back to our regularly scheduled programming :)

quito, ecuador.
a beautiful city but gawd ! the air quality was horrendous. i'll take clean air any day of any week. without clean air laws, who would bother investing in the design of more powerful, efficient and cleaner burning engines? no one!
 
quito, ecuador.
a beautiful city but gawd ! the air quality was horrendous. i'll take clean air any day of any week. without clean air laws, who would bother investing in the design of more powerful, efficient and cleaner burning engines? no one!
Balance my friend, balance. You can kill anything by extreme measures, whether on this side or that.
 
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