why is my new husky 359 so hard to start

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

HOT SAW

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
Dec 19, 2006
Messages
36
Reaction score
0
Location
Int'l falls MN
I just paid $450 for a husky 359 saw it is two weeks old and it takes about 20 pulls to get it started,my dealer said there was nothing wrong.
 
explain your procedure to us

Choke, pull til it pops? Or just keep pulling with choke on?
 
Hard starting 359

I will pull it with the choke on untell it pop's then take the choke off and pull for while then put the choke back on and do it all over.Some times it will run for a while and then it dies.
 
Try pull choke out all the way, pull a couple times to get pop, push in half way and start next pull or two, let run on fast idle till she seems warmed up (chain will be turning), blip throttle and cut wood. Never fails.
 
Cold

Maybe I am not giving it time, I have been using it when it is cold,15 to 31 below zero with out the wind I just think it should start better than it is.
 
Maybe I am not giving it time, I have been using it when it is cold,15 to 31 below zero with out the wind I just think it should start better than it is.

Has the carb been tuned for running in that temperature as well? Is the saw kept inside where it is warm prior to attempting to start it?

If it has been tuned up in a nice warm shop, where the temps are much warmer than where you are running it, and the saw is really cold from being stored in an unheated shed or whatever, it isn't much of a surprise it is hard to start.
 
With my saws during colder weather when i flip the kill switch to off position I hit the throttle wide open. This will dump alittle extra fuel in the cylinder so the next time I start the saw their is a extra shot of fuel in the case. It is equivalent to double choke....bob
 
What kind of gas are you using?I would only use regular unleaded.I found that husky's do not like premium gas.I once had a new 372 that I put premium gas in straight from the dealer,and I had a very hard time starting it hot or cold.Once I switched to regular gas,I didn't have any more trouble
 
I just paid $450 for a husky 359 saw it is two weeks old and it takes about 20 pulls to get it started,my dealer said there was nothing wrong.


Was your dealer trying to imply it is normal to take 20 pulls to start it? If so you may want to try another dealer.

How does it start after it's hot?

When mines cold, I normally get the "pop" after 2 or 3 pulls, push choke in and it will fire on the next pull.
 
Starting husky

My 353 usually needs a couple of pulls with the choke on then one or two without and it fires right up. First pull every time warm without choke. The manual (Canadian if that matters) calls for 91 octane and that's what it gets. Totally reliable. Twenty pulls is a joke.

Joe
 
My 353 usually needs a couple of pulls with the choke on then one or two without and it fires right up. First pull every time warm without choke. The manual (Canadian if that matters) calls for 91 octane and that's what it gets. Totally reliable. Twenty pulls is a joke.

Joe
Have to agree 20 pulls seems excessive, something ain't quite right and it sounds a bit like cold weather blues. Me wondering if theres maybe a kink in the fuel line inna tank? Just a weird thought, nm. 91 octane is 'premium' here btw (regular in this nic 'o' the woods (85-89)tends to have a lot of water in it, can't say how many times I've tuned friends cars by puttin' decent fuel in lol). My 0.02$ worthless for the afternoon.

:cheers:
 
When my 359 was new, I was very disappointed in how hard it started, sometimes 8 or 10 pulls cold but only a couple warm. After it was broke in it was better, BUT NOW after some minor mods - muffler opened up, port cleanup and limit stops removed, it's a 1 or 2 pull (if not quick enough with the choke) saw. I was impressed with the difference. And it CUTS.
Don
 
20 pulls?

My 359 ice cold is 3-4 pulls with full choke until it pops. If its really cold it will catch and I have just enough time to push in the choke and it will run from there.

Let it warm up a bit and I'm off and cutting. Its been this way since new this summer.

Jeff in PA
 
Try 2 or 3 pulls with full choke, then push the choke in whether it pops or not. 2 or 3 more pulls should get it. When my 359 was new it was a finicky saw to start, easy to flood. Try that it worked for me.
 
Try 2 or 3 pulls with full choke, then push the choke in whether it pops or not. 2 or 3 more pulls should get it. When my 359 was new it was a finicky saw to start, easy to flood. Try that it worked for me.

Definitely worth trying. Although my 353 is a gem to start, my MS361 hasto be started exactly like that. If you wait for a noticeable pop, you'll flood it every time. I just kind of figured that was a Stihl thing.

Joe
 

Latest posts

Back
Top