Author Topic: Husqvarna 359 Problems  (Read 1628 times)

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Offline Yukoner

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Husqvarna 359 Problems
« on: September 02, 2020, 02:15:15 pm »
New to the forum so be gentle :)

I have an older 359 Husqvarna that is giving me grief and I can't seem to figure it out.Two main issues first being that it will not start unless I pour fuel into the carb and then will only run long enough to burn through that small amount. I've pulled the carb (multiple times) cleaned it rebuilt it and still no start. I even bought an after market Chinese carb from ebay to try and still nothing. I had pull the cylinder off last winter to replace the intake manifold that had a service bulletin against it. Can't remember the reason but I think it was because of plastic/clamping issues letting air by but don't quote me on that. When I put it back together I threw new rings at the piston just cause. New gaskets all around. So the engine seems fine other that it will not pull fuel into the carb. I pulled the fuel line and cleaned the tank the filter looked good and seemed clear so I put it back in with the fuel line cut back a little to make sure I was not getting air along with fuel at the carb connection. STILL NO START!!! I'm out of ideas my first thought was the fuel pump bellows in the carb is compromised in some way but all looks fine. No impulse input on this carb either (I think that's the muscle to pump fuel if I understand it correctly)the intake has a hose coming off it and I pulled it and made sure it was clear still no joy.
Also the throttle trigger linkage seems to be busted, the lever that comes from the handle to the carb comes out of the handle when you pull the carb. Seems some internal plastic piece has broken inside the handle and it only goes back in and works if you hold your tongue just right but it doesn't springback on release on the trigger like it should but that's separate from the main issue obviously. I almost have given up so much so that I took it to a small engine repair shop thinking maybe I'm an idiot and an "expert" could find out what was wrong. That was a waste of time and money because as soon as he saw the throttle linkage issue he stopped work and called me and said that the handle is pressed together and you can not repair replace trigger assy pieces. He didn't even attempt to diagnose the starting issue. From my research it looks likely that you can replace the whole trigger spring lock assy and not have to throw the saw away. So I figure he didn't really want to work on it in the first place and this was a convenient excuse.
So question one what should I do to get it to start?
Can I replace trigger pieces without having to buy a whole new handle/fuel tank assy?
I'm a mechanic (airplanes/helicopters) so I'm losing my crap that this simple little machine is not cooperating with me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

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Offline Spike60

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Re: 359 Problems PLEASE HELP!!!
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2020, 07:10:48 am »
You may, and likely do have multiple things going on. That shop is a joke for one. The three pieces in the trigger assembly are all replacable. Trigger, spring and latch. If either the trigger or latch breaks, the broken piece usually stays in there limiting movement. To have a look at what's going on, remove the latch by using a small screwdriver to open the slot in the handle just enough to allow the latch to rise past it's 2 little stops. Then take it out by pullijg it back. Unlike many saws, the 359 latch is not pinned into the handle. The plastic on the rear of the throttle link itself should be examined to see if it's moving or the end is kind of smooshed in. On a saw with a lot of time, they often need to be replaced. The other thing that affects throttle travel, is a loose rear mount. There are 2 screws to tighten the mount, and you need to remover the outer screw in order to tighten the inner one.

But that has nothing to do with the starting issue. First thing you should check is the small impulse line that goes from the partition wall to the carb flange. If it's off or torn, the saw will fire on the prime, and maybe even choke, but will quickly stall after that. It's small and snipping that small amount from your fuel line will solve the problem in a pinch.

The Chinese carb...ERRRR! They are so hit and mis. Don't assume it's OK. I have a rule in my store that anything that comes in with one of those cheap carbs, that the starting point for us is we will replace it with a proper OEM carb or we won't work on the unit. 2 and 4 stroke. I understand that it's "worth a try" for the customer, but we are too busy to waste time de-bugging that stuff.

About all I can think of without having it in front of me.
Husqvarna-Jonsered

Ashokan Turf and Timber

845-657-6395
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Offline Yukoner

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Re: Husqvarna 359 Problems
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2020, 01:32:26 pm »
SO got the saw back still no start!! I'm being told that this may be an ignition issue and the CDI may be on its way out. I'm not sure if this is a possibility but its plausible. If the ignition is strong and then gives out once the saw gets a little warm that could be the issue. I'm skeptical but I'm open to the idea. Has anyone had CDI issues similar to this? Is there a good bench check I can carry out prior to throwing money at a CDI that might be fine?
Also I told that the crank seal may be bad and the extra air is leaning out the mixture to much for the saw to run. Is this a common problem to an older saw? I'm told the time and money in rebuilding it from the crank on up is not worth the trouble. Thoughts? I'm not afraid of the job but my time is more valuable than the cost associated with a rebuild. I rather like jobs that bring old stuff back to new condition. Not to mention the money saved and one less piece of garbage on the pile is always good. But I'm about ready to call it on the whole thing and get a few bucks for it in the condition its in now and get rid of the headache. Any one have an idea where to go from here?

Thanks

Offline Spike60

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Re: Husqvarna 359 Problems
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2020, 07:58:46 am »
This is more than a little confusing here, and why online diagnosis is so hard to do. Your second post almost sounds like you are describing a different saw, and combined you are throwing out too many possibilities to give an intelligent answer.

Initially it's a fuel problem, with a saw that will fire only on the prime you pour into it. Now there's a spark issue? And maybe a crank seal leak too? Is the shop you are taking this saw to a Husky dealer? Did he actually preform a test of some kind to determine that there may be crank seal leak? Sounds to me like he's guessing. It might be this, it might be that. How could a bottom up rebuild be part of the discussion when nobody even knows what's wrong with the saw? You need to have someone who knows what they're doing look at this thing. A competent shop doesn't say it "may" be a half dozen different things.
Husqvarna-Jonsered

Ashokan Turf and Timber

845-657-6395
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