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Service & Maintenance Question

    Wayne Smith
    I just bought a 125B blower to replace a blower that had...Answeredescalated
    Service & Maintenance Question posted May 2, 2011 by Wayne Smith, last edited May 11, 2012 
    18591 Views, 26 Comments
    Question:
    I just bought a 125B blower to replace a blower that had given 10+ years of service. This was purchased at Lowe's so it came home in a box, no initial 'set-up' provided. After quick assembly and fueling, the unit started instantly. But it would not accerate. High speed jet required adjusting,,,only you can't adjust the jet with the 'new' splined head. A quick trip to Lowe's for the tool to adjust the carb. But I was told you can't buy the tool, EPA regulations. What!?? So I returned the unit to Lowe's for an exchange as per their recommendation. The THIRD blower did perform somewhat. I'm a mechanical engineer who designs transmissions for off road equipment and I am a mechanic. I made a tool that works fine but it makes a statement about the quality of Husqvarna that I got a so-so unit on my second exchange. I took great offense at the recommendation that a trip to an "authorized' service center is required to perform a simple carb adjustment.
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    Best Answer

    Scott W.

    Thank you for contacting AnswerArmy.

    All Husqvarna equipment is test run at the factory, the fuels used can make a difference in the way the unit runs. For the last 14 years all equipment sold in the USA must meet E.P.A. emission requirements. To meet emission regulations the units are run leaner and take longer to warm up. A warm / hot engine requires less fuel than a cold engine. If the fuel purchased has up to 10% alcohol this makes the mixture lean as well by adding oxygen. The factory adjustments are designed to work on up to 10% alcohol, if the adjustment is to lean after giving ample time to warm up then we do allow for an adjustment to be made by an authorized Husqvarna service center at no charge to the consumer with in the first 30 days of service. We suggest that you take your blower to a local Husqvarna authorized service center to have the carburetor adjusted properly, a misadjusted carburetor could violate the E.P.A. regulations by allowing noncompliant emissions.

    Answer

    • Scott W.

      Thank you for contacting AnswerArmy.

      All Husqvarna equipment is test run at the factory, the fuels used can make a difference in the way the unit runs. For the last 14 years all equipment sold in the USA must meet E.P.A. emission requirements. To meet emission regulations the units are run leaner and take longer to warm up. A warm / hot engine requires less fuel than a cold engine. If the fuel purchased has up to 10% alcohol this makes the mixture lean as well by adding oxygen. The factory adjustments are designed to work on up to 10% alcohol, if the adjustment is to lean after giving ample time to warm up then we do allow for an adjustment to be made by an authorized Husqvarna service center at no charge to the consumer with in the first 30 days of service. We suggest that you take your blower to a local Husqvarna authorized service center to have the carburetor adjusted properly, a misadjusted carburetor could violate the E.P.A. regulations by allowing noncompliant emissions.

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      • Russell B

        So, Let me get this straight, The units are "designed" to work on up to 10% alcohol but fuel systems are not covered under warranty if using E10?  I tried 4 different blowers and none would stay running. There are numerous complaints of CUSTOMERS being denied warranty due to using E10 fuel, voiding their warranty. I couldn't keep your blower running even with your inflated priced fuel. The Stihl I purchased after works great from day one. I believe you need to retrain your factory adjusters. I'm not going to purchase equipment from Lowes and going straight to the repair center without being reimbursed. This is what your quality control department should be doing.

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    • Richard Becker

      I have a 125B also, purchased in 2010 and used it that Summer/Fall then last year for Summer/Fall. I went to crank it up this year and I noticed there was oil on the bottom of entire housing. It wouldn't start, took it to authorized Husky dealer/repair shop. They said $20 to fix and they then tell me it has no compression ie its ruined.

      The shop said it was because I didn't use Husquavarna brand oil - what bs. I bought the unit from Lowes use their oil, run my Echo weedeater and chainsaw with same one gallon gas can and they operate flawlessly.

      I agree Husqvarna customer is poor at best, I had Husky dirt bike growing up and they were the best so instead of buying Echo like my other lawn equipment I bought Husqvarna - WHAT A MISTAKE!!!!!! Scalded piston after 2 years, I didn't realize Husky sold disposeable eqipment.

      I had registration card/ manual and neither Lowes nor Husqvarna would help at all - I am on a fixed income so it sucks to have to go out and buy another blower because LARGE companies such Husky and Lowes wont stand behind the products they produce or sell.

      What a shame!!!

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    • David Smith

      I bought a 125B in summer of 2011.  Ran somewhat ok for first month, but had trouble accelerating when choke off.  Dealer blamed it on gas and would not address under warranty.  Now in second season, issue became progressively worse until it did not even want to start.  Took it into dealer and they said it is due to ethanol in gas and not covered under warranty.  He indicated he had 10 just like it waiting for service.  He stated it would need a new carb and fuel line.  If I wanted it fixed the repair woudl cost $100.  Decided I would buy a $75 new one at home depot and take my chances.  Based on the dealer info and other postings online it sounds like to me Husq. has a reliability/quality issue.  After 1 year my 125B became junk.

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      • jack hollingsworth

        I have a 125Bv x series. I have replaced the carburetor, fuel lines by service people. the service people closed shop the following year. Every year I have had it, draining gas or not draining gas the fuel line to the tank has hardened and blocked. every year I replace the fuel line and clean the carburetor.. It works for one or two time and then the same problem not getting fuel. It is problematic and a bad design.  paint it orange and it still not as reliable as a stihl. no more Husqvarna. .

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    • dan spofford

      I bought a 125B Husky blower in 2010.  Had trouble using it from the beginning.  I took it back to Lowes, but they had a 30 day return policy and would not exchange it.  I called Husqvarna and got a sassy gal in customer service and more or less got told I needed to take it to a service center for service even though it was brand new.  Called a service center and spoke with a friendly owner and he said I should try running it with the gas cap not tightened.  This worked for a while but I still had problems with getting the unit to run.  It would crank but could not get any speed.  Sounds to me like Husqvarna has a quality control problem and also a customer service problem.  I am looking for another blower as I write this.  Looked at comments on Sears, and their units are not what they used to be.  Probably go with Echo or Stihl and throw away my Husqvarna. 

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      • Leonard Trombley

        Have the same problem what a peice a junk less than 4 months old already spent $30.00 should bought a Echo 5 year warranty I would not give it to my worse enemy

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      • Randy Derrington

        have 125b second year ..will not start ..was always hard to start.. just floods out. probably a poulan with the husky name on it.. I have had husky engines for 25 years ... I am tired of this... going to buy stihl

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    • Wayne Smith

      Yes, I know the "sassy" customer service part. Look at the condescending remark about 'different' fuels answer above. I had to exchange my 125B three times to get one that would almost run. My home made carb tool works but sometimes this blower runs very rough. I'm afraid of what I will see when I open it up. I've een buying Huskies since '78 but  it's time to change.  Stihl is my next brand.

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    • Frank Francisco

      Having the same problem.  I made sure the gas was around 90 oct. and premium 4 cy. oil.  It ran great for a few months, then ran,  was doing fine and then starting bogging.  This happened a few times, cut off, now won't start.  Cleaned air filter, replaced spark plug, now gas, etc.  Won't start.  Surfing turned up some complaints about this problem posted under reviews.  But now Hasqvarna has taken down the reviews, so it's hiding these performance issues.  No where in the manual does it say 10% ethanol can be used, that's all you can buy anyway in the USA anymore. 

      So my question is what is causing this problem.  Is it the carburetor needing adjustment, is it a fuel line issue?  You came here for these answers and you are told to take it to an authorized service center??????????  It's not hard to service the blower if you have the guidance to do so.

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      • Barry Hartman

        After reading all of these comments I wonder how many actually read their manuals. After four tanks of gas, take in for carb adjustment. I did and after four years finally had to replace fuel lines and filter. Easy to do myself.  Read any reviews on any make blower trimmer week eater and you will see the same issues as here. Don't use ethanol fuel and drain the gas before putting it up for the winter. Youtube will show you how to adjust carb without buying a tool.

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    • Wayne Smith

      Frank there is no issue with 10% ethanol in the Husky products built in the last 5-6 years or so.  In the older equipment , the ethanol will soften the fuel lines resulting in leaks.  Also, I have had to replace a carburetor on an older saw. Some of the polymers in the carb must also be attacked by ethanol. The dealer/service center blaming ethanol in fuel is  just their standard answer to customer issues with the products they consider 'disposable' such as this blower.  I'm just amazed that Husqvarna will blow us long time customers off. I still have my first Husky saw purchase in '78 that is running today. I wore it out, honded the cylinder and replaced the piston and it is still on th job.

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    • Richard Becker

      An interesting statement was made to me last week by an ex-Husky dealer - they now have Stihl and Echo. ( I am now the proud owner of an Echo backpack blower and love it) The owner said that the US portion of Husky was owned/controlled/operated by a family in Charlotte. Well the father of the family passed away a few years back and his children didn't want anything to do with the business so they sold it back to corporate.

      He said after corporate took over US operations customer service and quality control went in the tank so he dropped the line and went with the above mentioned brands.

      I don't have time to verify or dig into this any deeper but the 70+ year old owner of the small town shop told me this and thats why he discontinued carrying their line and i have no reason to doubt him. But I must offer this disclaimer just in case.

      Comment to Frank: That doesn't suprise me, I posted negative comments on the Husky website and they sent me an email saying my posting violated their posting policy and deleted it.

      Bottom Line: Husky is now a disposeable product, they know about their shortcomings and don't care.

      .

       

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      • dan spofford

        Richard:

            I just bought an Echo blower from Home Depot after suffering over a year with a 125B Husky without any satisfaction.  I have only used it twice, but when I go to use it, it starts and I do not have to full with the choke to get it to run.  By the way, I took my Husky back to Lowes and happened to get a manager that told me they would refund my purchase price, after which I went and bought an Echo blower. 

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    • Frank Francisco

      Ok, I posted here about my problem.  It was the fuel line.  Apparently these fuel lines don't stand up to ethanol. 

       

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      • Wayne Smith

        Only if your blower is 6-7 years old or older will the ethanol soften the fuel lines. But  given what we seeing in Husky equipment, I would not be surprised. I'm going to disassemble my 125B blower,  I think I'll find the cylinder wall may already be scored or worn out after only 12-13 tanks of fuel run through it.  But I will examine the fuel lines to see if they are the old polymer.

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    • Leonard Trombley

      yup got mine 7/28/2012 same problem same answers from husky already spent $ 30.00 and it's less than 4 month old should have bought a Echo we should  do a class action Echo has a 5 year warranty

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    • Spencer Mccraven

       Purchased my 125B 1/07/2012. Quit working after about 15 months. Sounds like my problem is as a lot of others. Primer does nothing. There is no gas getting to the engine. I assume detioration of the fuel line. A local reputable service / dealer said the carbureator would have to be replaced? Is replacing the fuel line assembly difficult? Is it worth it?

      Otherwise will purchase a Sthil or Echo

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    • Frank Francisco

      After my fuel line was replaced under warrenty, hence forth, each time I use the blower I empty the gas tank and run the blower with the remaining fuel in the fuel line.  Works fine; however, the fuel line should not be difficult to replace.  There is a kit that comes with the bulb, fuel line, gas filter.  Get the on-line repair manual for a few bucks should guide you through it.  The carbureator should not have to be replaced.

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    • paul wesson

      do not waste your money on husqvarna crap. buy a stihl

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    • Patricia Bizich

      I also bought a 125B blower because I have had good experiences with the Husqvarna brand.After the experience  with this not again.

      Right out of the box it was doggy and would not rev out to maximum throttle.Should have took it back but I used it and it seemed to break in finally. Then last fall started having problems again .Had to keep it choked to use it.Because it was still under warranty I attempted to utilize the warranty .I did not want to void warranty by repairing it myself.Lowes as you have all found out was no help.

      Husky customer service directed me to one service center that refused work because it was not purchased from them.Found another service center that was very helpful but up front told me that if it was a fuel problem I would be the one paying.Decided I had nothing to lose so I tore it down myself. 

      I found the fuel lines were deteriorating.Replaced them but the guy told me that it was the ethanol fuel that caused it.Sounds like a catchall problem these guys are to use.

      Anyway I took the time to tear down the carb and  clean it while I had it apart.As you others have found you need a special tool to remove the high and low speed jet screws.The carb cannot be properly cleaned unless those screws are removed and sprayed out with carb cleaner.I attempted to find one to purchase and do the job correctly.Cost prohibitive if you can find one.20-40.00 for a screw driver!!

      Ingenuity took over.I used a dremel tool with a cutting wheel to cut a slot into both screws.Because of the proximity to the edges  you will be cutting into the protective surrounding area but it is nothing that you will damage.Now I was able to use a flat screw driver to remove and replace the screws.Blower is back to running again..But my next blower will be an ECHO..No more huskie products for me.. 

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    • David B

      First let me begin with I NEVER post on these boards but after what I just did with my 125B blower, I wanted to share!

      Secondly everything I am about to post is at your own risk and will definitely void your warranty.....I think!  Also make sure you have someone standing by with a fire extinguisher.  Sparks will fly and I recommend not have gas in the engine while doing this.

      I read Patricia's post about the Dremel tool solution and figured as mine was running crappy like everyone else's post on here, I decided I didn't have a lot to lose.  She is absolutely right carefully use a dremel tool with a thin cut off wheel and cut a slot in the top of the screw heads. 

      I also while having it apart used carb cleaner and sprayed down the carburetor thoroughly and then blew it off with my compressor.  I reassembled and found a couple of things:

      First,  cleaning the carb may have done more good for this then most people realize.  As before I did this operation it absolutely would not run without the choke on.  When I restarted it after cleaning the engine ran and the choke was in the off position, however I felt it was still running not at its best speed.  I remember thinking the same thing when it was brand new(9 months ago).  It never felt like it was running as best it could.  It was "boggy".

      Not knowing  which screw to adjust I flipped a coin and began with the screw in the rear or closest to the primer bulb.  With the engine running I screwed the screw 1/2 turn counter clockwise.  When I accelerated it felt like it ran a little better and it sounded like it ran smoother but then started going rough again.  I closed the screw (clockwise) 1/4 turn and the idle and high end  smoothed right out.  The throttle now responded snappy and runs smooth as can be on the high end.  This blower has never had this much power.  I am a little concerned that it may be running to lean. But it is running great!

      BTW, I hate that the EPA can regulate the industry in this fashion, it explains why my mower's carb does not have adjustments either.  UGH!  I hope this helps someone else.

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