1999 346xp

[Roughneck]

I just got a 1999 346xp. It seems to want to run like a scalded dog but don't want to idle, and leaks b&c oil like crazy. I dropped it off at the local husky shop today for them to get it running right and fix the oil leak. I'm looking for any advise or knowledge on this saw"good, bad, or indifferent" as to any issues i should be aware of or modifications I should make. Just gonna be using this saw for firewood and anything else that may come up.

 

[sunfish]

I have a 1999 346xp and love it. Great saw! Muffler mod adds a bit of power, but they are nice left stock also.

 

[watsonr]

Sounds like it has an air leak because it won't idle. Muffler mod and a carb tune, they run great. 16" bar and a good chain, they're little monsters!

 

[Roughneck]

What is the easiest way to muffler mod

 

[nmurph]

The 1999 saws had Walbro carbs. They were subject to the same problems as the 199's (so I've read on here).

Found this service bulletin. Apparently, it was the early models with Walbro carbs that had troubles.

SB, 340, 345, 350, 346, 351, Carburetor, 2002-09
The carburetors for the above models have been replaced in order to improve starting, performance,
and for reasons of compatibility. Old and new versions are fully interchangeable.
C3-EL18 (EPA) introduced from serial number: 340 023902301
345 023900501
350 023801301
346 023700001
351 023700001
C3-EL17 introduced from serial number: 351 023200001

New part no. Description Excl. part no. Remark
503 28 32-08 Carburetor C3-EL18 (EPA) 503 28 16-14 HDA 159 A (EPA)
503 28 32-07 Carburetor C3-EL17 503 28 18-03 HDA 154 C

 

[Kenskip1]

If it is an air leak the engine would be running fast enough to engage the clutch/oil pump. This is wear the oil is coming from. However this is what is called a "WAG" Wild azz guess. Ken

 

[Roughneck]

I just got it back from the saw shop and it needed a fuel line, filter, and the vent on the oil tank was stopped up. Now if I can figure out the easiest way for a man with minimal skill to muffler mod it...

 

[Roughneck]

Ok so I cut 2 small slits in the muffler and pried them open a little bit and retuned to carb. Now after I make a few cuts it kinda bogs down when I throttle it up. And if I let it idle it does fine for a few seconds then idles up some them dies. I've tried retuning it several time and everytime I think I got it right and go back to cutting it does the same thing. Any advice or opinions greatly appreciated. Please help!!

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I just got it back from the saw shop and it needed a fuel line, filter, and the vent on the oil tank was stopped up. Now if I can figure out the easiest way for a man with minimal skill to muffler mod it...

2 ways are easy and 1 no cost other if you make deflector no cost unless you buy husky deflector.

1. go through front bracket and muffler.

2. right side muffler and use deflector.

I forgot about the slit method you just did and only used that on poulan mufflers so far. Would work good on the 346 too.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Did you run it before muffler mod and have problems like you say after mm and retune?

 

[Roughneck]

I ran it but only a little bit. Not enough for it to do what it's been doing. Also I'm not experienced at all messing with carbs and stuff so I'm thinking its probably self inflicted. But I did call the shop I took it to and told him what's goin on and he said maybe a vent not workin right. Is their a way I can fix that myself? It's a long drive to the shop

 

[Trailtrimmer]

How much did you turn the screws on the carb after modding the muffler? They shouldn't need much at all.

 

[Roughneck]

I just took it in the back yard a tried it again and had the same problem and adjusted it back a little leaner than I had been doing and it seems to be doing fine now. I was scared to run like that and had been running it rich enough to make it run a little rough at WOT but it seems fine now. Could that have been it?

 

[SawTroll]

The 1999 saws had Walbro carbs. They were subject to the same problems as the 199's (so I've read on here).

I haven't heard of that before, but does of course not mean that it isn't true....

 

[Deadman]

Pull the spark plug out and throw a new one in it, then run it some and then LOOK at the spark plug. If you run it lean, you can burn it down in a short time.

If you hold it wide open (out of the wood), it should "flutter, break-up a little, etc". If it revs smooth all the way to wide open, you are lean and flirting with trouble soon.

Just trying to save you from an expensive repair!

 

[Roughneck]

The plug look light brown. It's been doin fine for the most part but will sometimes bog a little tryin to throttle up then do. And sometime be idling just fine then die

 

[nmurph]

That's the HDA spiral of death. I would just about bet your carb is going bad.

 

[Roughneck]

New carb or just a rebuild?

 

[nmurph]

PM me an email address. I will get back with you tonight.

Did you replace the fuel line and clean the carb? I don't remember, and I don't have time to reread the thread right now. If you didn't, I would do those things first, then replace.

PM me.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I haven't heard of that before, but does of course not mean that it isn't true....

You just didnt look in the right place. :msp_wink::msp_biggrin:

346 1999 503281613 walbro HDA 154A superseded to zama C3-EL17
346 1999 503281614 walbro HDA 159A superseded to zama C3-EL18 epa

346 2001 503281806 walbro HDA 182A superseded to zama C3-EL17
346 2001 503281614 walbro HDA 159A superseded to zama C3-EL18 epa

346 2003 503283208 zama C3-EL18 epa
346 2003 503283207 zama C3-EL17

346 2004 same as 2003

346 2007 -02 503283208 zama C3-EL18 epa OE old edition still