335 xpt Starting Trouble

[Snap]

I have a first generation (1997) Husqvarna 335 xpt that has always been hard to start but now it's almost more work than it's worth.

Since it sat for a few years I just put a new carb on rather than fuss with trying to clean it out.

After it's been sitting it seems to need to have fuel put in the spark plug hole to get it to pop; there is no fuel primer. Without dumping fuel in, nothing happens; the plug doesn't get wet. This is not a symptom unique to the newly mounted carb; it's been like that for quite a while.

With the new carb it idles well and runs very strong but it take about a half dozen yanks with the throttle open to get going again.

Reading back, it sounds like it's not readily flowing gas on startup.

Any advice? I hate to give up on it after all these years since the older I get the more it seems to be the optimum weight.

 

[Snap]

No one cares to hazard an opinion?

 

[dougand3]

Could be a hole or crack in the fuel line. Fuel filter/pickup could be partially clogged.

 

[Toad22t]

Could be a hole or crack in the fuel line. Fuel filter/pickup could be partially clogged.

Agrees! I would start out by putting new rubber and filter. Even if it looks good it could be collapsed and you not even know.

 

[Matt81]

My old 334T, very similar saw, started getting very hard to start after over half a tank of fuel was used. Finally traced it to a pin hole in the fuel line in the tank. Replaced the fuel line and it goes just as well as it did when it was brand new in 2001 again!

 

[Snap]

Thanks guys.
I was wondering if it could need venting but I'll try the fuel line/filter first.

 

[Snap]

How much disassembly of the 335 XPT is required to change the fuel line?
I've got the new parts, have coerced the old line out, but I don't see where the new line enters the tank from inside the tank or trying to look down a narrow space along the outside of the tanks behind an engine housing piece.

It's obvious where the gas line drops down from the carb housing area but that only puts it in a space outside the tank and behind the engine casing flange. The gas tank is below the oil tank so the oil tank somewhat blocks the view to the bottom where the gas tank is.

Now that the old line and filter are out the line is supple and looks good but the filter has a slight dark spot inside, so maybe something is in there. A dissection is in order.

But how to get the new fuel line back in is a puzzle, hopefully not needing pulling the tank off.
worried about the lack of access to reconnect the oil line if the tank is pulled off.

 

[Snap]

Fuel line replaced but it looked ok.
Got in there and the impulse hose is nearly cracked through. Definate daylight.
Hopefully that is the problem.

 

[rmh3481]

While your looking things over, check to see if the choke linkage is closing fully. If the choke isnt closing tightly the amount of starter pulls to draw fuel is doubled.

 

[Snap]

Thanks for the suggestions. It seems to have been the split impulse hose.
It starts, idles and spins up fine after the replacement.

Now to stop the oil hemorrhaging that started after the tear down.
All I did with the oil system was replace the strainer. The oiler was never adjusted before or after, and it's set at the factory setting of one turn out.