Husqvarna 345 Cranking Problems

Check the filters and plugs.

Thanks for your reply. I've had a few other opinions offered, such as a scored piston or cylinder wall, which I just want to cringe at the thought of having to replace the saw. I'll take you up on your suggestions and hope for the best.

No need to replace the saw if it just needs a piston. Any good "outdoor equipment" shop can fix it.

Thanks for your help!

Look at the spark plug. Peep inside the combustion chamber. Is it fouled with a build up of carbon? Inside the cylinder, and on top of the piston the same crud can build up if the saw idles too much, too much oil, clogged air filter, stuff like that.

Make sure you are using the best fuel, not that ethanol stuff. Good 2-cycle oil, not any auto oil. New plug. Check with shops or other users if any fuel additive can clean out the combustion chamber before you go for an overhaul.

Excess carbon will raise the compression, make the saw hard to pull.

If it was a Ford, I would say take it out on the freeway and stretch it out. High rpms will burn out carbon.

Thanks for the help!

First blush, I'd go along with carbon build-up.

Husky saws are top of the line and worth a trip to the shop.

Husky makes different quality levels. The pro saws are top of the line, but they also make a homeowner line that is middle of the pack. Several years ago, they bought Poulan, so they have the low-end covered, too.

Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the help!

Check out the pull cord mechanism. Sometimes it gums up, Might just need a good cleaning and lubrication, try a dry type lube on it as it doesn't pick up dirt like a liquid lube.

Thanks for the help!

perhaps you are getting older? Seriously, when you say harder do you mean that the cord is harder to pull or just that you have to pull faster and more often? The former has been covered by others but the latter is often caused by a worn out seal on the crankshaft. As it is two stroke the fuel enters the cylinder by way of the crankcase and any additional air entering the crankcase causes the fuel mixture to be diluted with air. It will not start at all after some more time as the seal breaks apart and lets in more air.

Jim

Thanks for the help!

To have a small equipment shop fix a scored piston may cost more than the chainsaw is worth. A lot of shops around here start at $85/hour labor rate!

IMO, the newer Husqvarna chainsaws are junk compared to what they used to be...the quality has gone down significantly in recent years.

Next time, buy a Stihl, you won't regret it! My Stihl starts on the first pull, every time.

Thanks for the help!

It's a 2-stroke so it's not hard to pull the head off and check it. Also remove the exhaust and clean out all the gunk. Clean or replace the air filter.

Examine the piston and cylinder walls with the head off. If they look ok leave them alone. If not, and the cylinder is steel not chromed aluminum, then you can pull the cylinder all the way off and run a flex-hone through the bore for a few passes and then wash it and reassemble. The piston crown should hove only a thin coating of carbon on it, leave it there. The head will also have carbon and this you can blast off with walnut shell.

The whole job, except for soaking and cleaning the exhaust, should take an hour or less.

Like was mentioned by someone else, the crank seals may be worn. Take it to a shop for this because there are too many tricky ways to install crank bearings and seals on 2-strokes to discuss here!

Thanks for the help!

Is the engine full of sawdust?