I have a husq 350. When trying to start it for the first time this season it won't start. If I remove the air filter and put some fuel in the carb. it will run until depleted. If I suck on fuel line fuel will come thru the line but carb will not suck the required fuel. Last year the fuel line was replaced because it was cracked. Now it is hard but seems to be in good condition.

Any ideas?

Stumped Dave, December 2008

DO NOT leave carb cleaner in the carb for three hours!

It will destroy some plastics, terrifically expand and crack rubber seals and 'O' rings, and it can attack some gasket material. Some carbs have plastic floats, rubber gaskets between the bowl and carb body, and any number of gas resistant plastic parts as well.

Carb cleaner will destroy these parts if it is in contact with them for too long. 20 minutes SHOULD not harm things however. After cleaning, immediately reassemble and run the motor. Gas will dilute the minute amount of carb cleaner remaining and finish flushing the carb. Any stuff that is flushed out will not harm the motor and just pass out the exhaust pipe.

Cojon... 30 year mechanical instructor., December 2008

I wrote an answer to another with this same problem. Perhaps you can find his question on a chainsaw that won't run without the choke. The problem is likely that you put the scooter away without draining the fuel from the tank and the carburetor. The fuel dried out, leaving behind a varnish like residue that has plugged the jets. The carb will have to be cleaned. If you are a mechanical type, you might remove the float bowl and any jets/adjustment needles you see, then using an automotive type spray carb cleaner, blast them vigorously. Wait 15-20 minutes and repeat.

Clean the remaining carb cleaner out with a rag, reassemble the carb and if you have done it right the motor should run.

Be careful with the carb cleaner and follow directions on the can. It will destroy some plastics, cause rubber to expand hugely and can burn your skin and eyes.

This is a very common problem with infrequently used home tools that use an engine. There are some fuel stabilizers that will extend the gas usefulness for months and may be helpful. Sta-Bil is one that I use.

If you are not successful, take the bike (I'm presuming it's a bike) to a dealer. Husky makes many products that could be called a "350" however.

If you do this wrong and loose parts or get things backwards, you could end up with an expense far greater than a simple carb cleaning.

Now, remember to drain the fuel from the tank and carb of any small gasoline engine if it will not be run for a number of months. Yes, it's a bit of a hgassle, but effective to keep things running.

You might be shocked at the number of products I purchase cheaply and resell at a huge markup just because of a plugged carb, fouled spark plug, or ignition wiring that has been neglected.

I just bought a Homelite 24 inch chainsaw for $30. It looks like new, but wouldn't run regardless of what the owner did. He thought it was junk. I cleaned the carb and replaced the gas. Ran fine and I sold it for $140. Took me about 20 minutes and one can of spray carb cleaner. Before that was a beautiful Honda 2000 generator. Same thing, but Imade even more.

I hope you are successful.

Cojon.

Cojon, December 2008

you need to clean carb before stripping down take a short cut spray some carb cleaner in the fuel intake careful when removing pipe it can tear easly spray a lot in leave for 3 hours till deposits break down then spray easystart fluid carb in let for 1sec start engine hopeit will blow out muck if not plan b strip carb. james

james griffin, December 2008

i would put another new fuel pipe on !
they don't seem to last long.

me, December 2008