Top 10 Causes of a Failing Husqvarna String Trimmer

Even if you take good care of your string trimmer and do routine maintenance, it may stop working altogether at some point. I hope this information can be of some use.

When fuel, air, and spark are insufficient, a Husqvarna string trimmer will start, stall, and eventually die.

It could be because of a number of different issues, including a filthy carburetor, a clogged fuel filter, a clogged fuel line, a damaged spark plug, a malfunctioning ignition coil, a clogged air filter, or a clogged spark arrestor.

Please read on for further possible causes of your starting difficulties. First, make sure that the string trimmer is completely still by removing the spark plug boot.

10 Causes of a Deadly Start for Your Husqvarna String Trimmer

Husqvarna String Trimmer with an Incorrect Choke Setting

If your Husqvarna string trimmer fires up without a hitch and immediately dies, the choke lever may not be in the off position.

When starting a cold engine, the choke is used to reduce airflow and increase fuel injection into the cylinder. To keep the engine going after it has warmed up, the choke must be opened.

If the choke isn’t readjusted after the engine has warmed up, the engine will splutter and die from not getting enough fuel.

When the engine is hot, check that the choke lever is off.

Husqvarna String Trimmer with Attached Air Filter

Your Husqvarna engine will stall and die if dirty air is prevented from passing through the air filter, just as it will if the choke is left on.

Having an air filter on your Husqvarna string trimmer is essential in keeping the engine clean and prolonging its life. It’s important to keep it in good shape so that dirt can’t get in and air can flow through.

Every year at the start of grass maintenance, you should change the air filter. The filter should be inspected and cleaned often during the season.

If you need to use your string trimmer for a short while to get the job done, the air filter must always be in place. This is dangerous for the engine.

REMEDY: Having the air filter cleaned. If your air filter is severely soiled or broken, you should replace it.

To maintain the cleanliness of the air filter in a Husqvarna FOAM string trimmer, you should:

• Take off the air filter and the lid.
• Use water and a gentle detergent to clean the foam air filter.
• Make sure the water coming out of the filter is clear, and then set it aside to dry in the air.
• Once the filter has dried, fill it about halfway with filter oil. Remove any surplus oil by squeezing the filter. (Avoid using oil with a foam pre-cleaner).
• Please replace the filter.
• Securely fasten the filter cover back into place.

Cleaning the air filter on a Husqvarna FELT or PAPER string trimmer:

• Take off the air filter and the lid.
• Tap the filter against a hard surface to loosen dust and debris, then vacuum it up.
• Make sure the filter is securely fastened before reinstalling it in the air intake.
• Securely fasten the filter cover back into place.

In addition to the main filter, certain trimmers may additionally have a foam pre-cleaner filter. Please do not oil these filters. For information on how to clean different types of air filters, please refer to the relevant operator’s manual.

Husqvarna String Trimmer Damaged by Stale Gas

If you use outdated gas in your Husqvarna string trimmer, it may stall and perform poorly. Ethanol, an additive made from corn, is used to improve the environmental friendliness of gasoline.

Cleaner fuel is healthier for the planet, but it will ruin your Husqvarna’s little engine. The gas/ethanol blend’s shelf life may start to shorten as early as 30 days after purchase.

Unfortunately, the trimmer is vulnerable to the corrosive effects of ethanol and the water it attracts. This varnish prevents as much fuel from reaching the engine.

Avoid using gasoline with high levels of ethanol because of the damage it does to small engines. A Husqvarna string trimmer requires unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 89 or above and no more than 10% ethanol content.

When possible, use a fuel that does not include ethanol; nevertheless, this fuel will always be the more expensive option.

The string trimmers from Husqvarna come in either 2-cycle or 4-cycle models, and each has its own unique fuel requirements.

• Two-stroke motors need a 50:1 ratio of fuel to oil. Premium 2-cycle engine oil, such as Husqvarna XP 2-stroke oil, is blended with unleaded gas to power power equipment.
  Unleaded gasoline is necessary for 4-cycle engines. You shouldn’t combine this with oil.

It is imperative that your string trimmer only uses fresh gasoline. String trimmers run on gas or oil: learn more!

REMEDY: Empty the gas tank of the string trimmer. To stabilize the fuel, remove moisture, and cleanse the fuel system, fill the tank with new fuel that has been treated with a fuel additive such as Sea Foam Motor Treatment.

First, turn on the trimmer and let it run for 5-10 minutes so that the fuel may circulate through the engine.

Husqvarna String Trimmer with Clogged Fuel Filter

There is a fuel filter to help keep the gasoline system clean and free of any debris that could enter the tank. The fuel filter for your Husqvarna string trimmer is located inside the fuel tank and is coupled to the fuel line.

You should change your gasoline filter at least once a year, and more often if you’re using unclean fuel.

If you don’t change the fuel filter on your Husqvarna trimmer, it could become so clogged that not enough fuel gets through and the machine sputter and dies.

REMEDY: Go buy a new fuel filter. Clean fuel should be used instead of stale fuel.

Repairing a Husqvarna fuel filter involves:

• If you don’t want dirt and debris to end up in the gas tank, give the area surrounding the fuel cap a quick wipe down.
• Take off the lid.
• Take remove the gasoline filter from the tank. A clean, bent wire will work great for retrieving the filter.
• Take the filter out of the gasoline line after you’ve retrieved it from the tank.
• Just drop the new gasoline filter into the fuel line and screw it into place.
• It should be returned to the petrol tank.
• Put the gas cap back on.

Fuel Lines Clogged on a Husqvarna String Trimmer

Deposits left behind by old fuel might cause fuel lines to become stuck. Both the route and the fuel flow rate are reduced as a result of this.

When this occurs, the gasoline line must be disconnected and replaced with another fuel line of the same size. If you find that the fuel line is dry, damaged, or kinked, you will need to have it replaced.

The Husqvarna String Trimmer’s Blocked Fuel Tank Vent

A vent is necessary for the Husqvarna gas tank to allow air to circulate. The gasoline tank will develop a vacuum if its vent is blocked. This prevents gas from escaping the tank, which ultimately kills the trimmer.

In the event that fuel is not reaching the carburetor despite the use of a high-quality fuel filter and the absence of obstructions in the fuel lines, a clogged fuel tank vent should be suspected.

If you suspect a vacuum has formed in the tank, you can check the pressure by using a pressure gauge. However, a gasoline line pressure gauge isn’t something you’d typically find in a household.

To test if the gasoline tank is venting correctly, follow these steps.

If you suspect a problem with the gasoline tank’s vent, you can perform this quick test.

• Turn on the trimmer by releasing air from the fuel cap. Please keep the fuel tank from leaking.
• To get the engine going, you need to start it. It may be a vent issue if it seems to be running normally and not sputtering or stalling.
• To be sure the vent is the source of the problem, you should attempt to recreate the issue.
• Start the string trimmer after you’ve tightened the gasoline cap. The fuel tank vent should be replaced if the vehicle loses power, stalls, and won’t restart unless the fuel cap is loosened.

A fuel line leading from the fuel tank leads to the vent on some Husqvarna trimmers. On some vehicles, the gas cap also functions as a vent for the tank.

Husqvarna String Trimmer with a Filthy Carburetor

Your Husqvarna string trimmer won’t start until the carburetor is adjusted to the proper air-to-fuel ratio. When the channels are clogged up, the fine parts stop working properly.

This can lead to a lack of fuel-to-air ratio, which in turn can cause the string trimmer to perform poorly or even die.

Cleaning the carburetor may restore normal operation. If cleaning the carburetor doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll either have to rebuild it (if rebuild kits are available for your Husqvarna model) or substitute it.

It may be more cost-effective to buy a new Husqvarna string trimmer than to replace the carburetor if you include in the cost of labor.

It may be more cost-effective, time-efficient, and convenient to buy a brand-new string trimmer instead of repairing your old one.

Husqvarna String Trimmer with a Grimy Spark Plug

Over time, a layer of carbon will form on the spark plug, making it unclean. This can lead to misfires in the plug and start-up issues that come and go.

Additionally, check for a spark plug wire that is loose or improperly gapped, as well as cracked porcelain or worn electrodes. Your Husqvarna may experience problems when running if you have any of these components.

A dirty spark plug can be cleaned using a wire brush and perhaps reused. If that’s the case, I recommend getting a new trimmer.

It’s a low-priced essential for keeping your string trimmer in top shape.

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended gap for your spark plugs, and make sure the spark plug wire boot is properly attached.

Husqvarna String Trimmer Faulty Ignition Coil

It is possible for the ignition coil’s winding to come loose, causing a short circuit. No spark will be produced by the spark plug because insufficient voltage is being supplied. Your Husqvarna will eventually die as a result of this.

The problem can be solved by using an ohmmeter to look for a break in continuity and thus identify a defective ignition coil. If there is a break in the ignition coil, you should replace it.

Husqvarna String Trimmer with Clogged Spark Arrestor

A tiny metal screen prevents burns and fires from being caused by hot exhaust particles erupting from the string trimmer. Carbon deposits will eventually block this little screen, reducing the efficiency of the engine.

RESPONSE: Take the wire off the spark plug. To check for damage, carefully take out the spark arrestor screen.

Reinstall it if it still functions properly after being cleaned with a wire brush. However, if the spark arrestor screen is ripped or otherwise compromised, a new one must be installed.

If you’re having issues finding the spark arrestor screen or if your Husqvarna string trimmer is still giving you trouble, don’t hesitate to contact your neighborhood Husqvarna repair shop.