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General Product Question

    Steve
    I purchased a Husqvarna 128LD from Lowes several years ago....escalated
    General Product Question posted May 10, 2014 by Steve 
    8273 Views, 12 Comments
    Question:
    I purchased a Husqvarna 128LD from Lowes several years ago. It has done a good job prior to this season. After the worst winter in decades it is being...difficult. I automatically blamed t on ethanol. Running ruff and dying at WOT. so I have replaced the carb, new fuel and filter, new spark plug, new air filter. I even purchased a adjustment tool for the new carb. The trimmer fire right up each time. I got the low side adjusted and idle speed is good. But when I try to adjust the high side it bogs and shuts down? Frustrated to say the least. I cant find any recalls on this unit or I am not looking in the right place.I think it is the ignition bt I keep spending money and time and you guys probably is where I should have come first.
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    Answer

     

    • Eugene Rounds

      Check your muffler's spark arrestor. You will to remove the muffler guard and heat shield to get the four screws holding the cover plate on. If it is clogged it can be easily with a propane torch. Just enough to burn the carbon off but not to melt it and re-install.

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      • Steve

        Eugene,

        First let me say. Thanks for responding to my question. The spark arrestor on this model is a screen. Checked it today...clean. I also took it off and doesn't affect it at all. Still will crank and idle, but bogging and shutting down at WOT. While I had the muffler off I look at the piston and found no scorring? any other ideas?

        I also rechecked the fuel lines. Downloaded the ZAMA PDF on carb tuning just to make sure I wasnt doing something wrong. Dont know.indecision

        Sincerely,

        Steve

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    • Eugene Rounds

      Thanks for replying and letting me what you found. In your first post you mention that you thought it could be the ignition. I probably haven't work 2 cycles in the the 5 yrs but I have only ran into one piece of equipment that ignition cause something very similar and it was on a Homelite chainsaw. It did similar except I had also a backfire problem through the carburetor at mid and high speed ranges.


      I wish I could be of more help but for that is as far as I get you now without putting my hands on it for various tests. I wish you the best of luck on getting it fix and please if you do find what is causing let us know so we help the next time this comes up.

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      • Steve

        Eugene,

        Thanks for the advice. Come to mention it there has been some backfiring through the high end? It is weird to me...I have expected it to be something obvious like the fuel or carb? so. I am gonna get that part and see. if I am wrong this DIY is gonna concede.

        Thanks again,

        Stevesmiley

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    • Ed Freeman

      Steve and Eugene,

      I'm experiencing a similar problem. Have replaced plug, fuel & air filters, fuel lines and carb. The unit has run fine for two years with various attachments. This year it starts and runs at speed for a few minutes and then stalls. On restart it runs for a shorter period until after several restarts it won't run at all. I have adjusted the carb and had good luck for  enough time to trim the grass, lets say 30 minutes and then I'm back to the same problem the next time I use it. The last time I adjusted the carb it started backfiring through the carb, I'm guessing there's a relationship between the adjustment and the backfire. It does seem to run better before it heats up. I once had a motorcycle back in the 60s that had a cracked piston, acted the same way. This trimmer has low hours, but checking the piston/cylinder is next.

       

      Ed

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    • Eugene Rounds

      Ed, Sorry for the late reply the email notice got sent to my junk by Gmail. The your describing is more like a ignition coil then carburetor especially since it backfiring. A partial sheared flywheel can also act a bad coil but it doesn't normally have heat related symptoms.

      It is a good idea to check the cylinder and piston as they can get damaged even on a low hours unit with poor fuel mixtures.

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    • Ken Smith

      Steve, Did you find a solution to this problem?  I have the same trimmer, acting exactly as you describe.  

      Thanks,

      Ken 

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      • Steve

        Ken,

        Unfortunately I never solved the problem with that trimmer. Also, by now you probably realize that this model was made especially for Lowe's? It is a cheap version of Husqvarna that is basically disposable.

        I went to great lengths in attempting to repair it. Just look at my other posts. I also downloaded the instructions for setting up new card and bout the tuning tool. Nothing worked!

        The guys at the parts house "Oh...you bought that at Lowe's?"  "Just toss it" So I did. Now I have had an echo for the past couple years. Love it. Hope this helps.

        Steve

         

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    • Steve

      Ken, unfortunately I never solved the problem with this trimmer. I hate to say I "tossed" it but that is exactly what I did with it.angry

      You probably know by now, especially if you went to parts house, that this model is a "cheapo" Husqvarna put together for the big box stores? Makes me mad but it is true. Just cant service them...they last a couple seasons and they quit.

      Oh. I emailed Husqvarna and got no help either. I could go on and on. Wont buy another piece of equipment from Lowe's. Got a higher $$$ Echo and I love it.

      Steve

       

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      • Ken Smith

        Thanks much Steve.  I'll probably end up pitching it too.  Sad!

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      • Roger Ooten

        Husky has started making junk. Mi will never buy their products again.

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    • Steve

      Ken,

      I dont like to be negative Nancy...sometimes it works out good. I have a Poulan Pro 18" chainsaw that I bought at the same time I purchased the Husqvarna trimmer. Well...what do you know...it was doing the exact same thing? Bogging at WOT, cutting off when warm and then just plain refusing to crank. All you have to do is read some of the post on this saw and you think "Oh no POS?"

      But. I tried anyway. New carb, fuel lines, primer bulb, plug, and filters. Wow...runs like a scalded freak? Seriously. $44.00 in partsyes

      Best wishes.

      Steve

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