husqvarna got me stumped

a buddy asked me to look at his husqvarna 323 trimmer. he said it would start and quickly die. he dropped it off with a rebuild carb kit, but when we tried to pull it so i could get an idea of what was happening, it wouldnt pull. it turns out the flywheel was loose. after i tightened it and put back together with new carb guts, it pulled normally, but it will not even attempt to turn over!

I have spark and compression, but not sure about fuel. the primer bulb pulls fuel through, but the cylinder doesnt seem to be getting any fuel...weird. i pulled the carb apart and cleaned with cleaner and blew out ports. all seems clear. any ideas?

Quick recap:
got spark, compression, sprayed starter fluid into cylinder and it does not even try to turn over

cleaned carb, rebuilt

 

Is spark plug new? check gap with a business card on the magneto. how much compression? I've not had any luck with less than 125 lbs of compression. If these things are true then:
You still have carb issues.IF it's a walbro turn both adjusting screws out 11/4 or 1 1/2 turns to start. If a zama carb 1 turn out on both will work. You can adjust from there

 

thanks butcho
spark plug is new this season. when i hold it against the engine and pull, i do see arching spark. not sure how much compression, gonna go p/u a gauge today. any idea what compression should be on this model? if it is low what would be next move? it should at least turn over with starter fluid if compression and spark are good right?

 

I've not had any luck if compression is below 125 on these 2 stroke engines.I'm sure there are a lot of different opions on this though.I'm still leaning on dirty carb though, or look at the line going to engine from carb if it has one.

 

i agree that it is probably a carb issue, but i want to eliminate any other issues. so shouldnt it at least turn over when given a shot of starter fluid? unfortunately it does not which makes me think there has to be another issue along with the carb issue.

 

Yeah, if you got good compression,and good spark, it should go bang!! Check on clearance though on the armature to flywheel. Business card will be the best gauge.

 

just checked the fly wheel. perfect business card spacing. still nothing.....grrr...

 

Your problem is, when the flywheel was loose it sheared the flywheel key which on most small trimmers is not a key but an indention in the flywheel, your choices are not real good, you must align the flywheel over the key slot and tighten it without it moving, the flywheel orientation controls the ignition timing. Remove the spark plug, load the cylinder with starter rope, get some locktite, put it together and tighten it down with the knowledge it isn't to be taken apart again. Have a good one. Geo

 

Agreed, the flywheel key is sheared and the thing is sparking at the wrong time now. Fix it the way Geo mentioned or replace the flywheel if the key is made to the flywheel, or if this model has the key seperate from the flywheel, just replace the key.

 

Thanks for all the help. yes the key is sheared off so now to decide locktite or new one. with the locktite, i assume put on shaft and tighten flywheel into place?

also, this is probably a dumb question but... you said to "load the cylinder with starter rope" what is starter rope?

cheers fellas!

 

i am able to get an entire engine from a husky Model 326R X-Seires. any idea if this would match up with my shaft easily?

 

I don't know if the shafts are interchangeable on those.

Starter rope = pull rope. It keeps the engine from turning when you turn the flywheel nut. The locktite might work if the flywheel and crankshaft are in clean, smooth, un-marred condition at the mating surfaces.