Husqvarna Lawn Mower Carburetor Problems

The carburetor is an important component of your lawn mower engine. It makes sure that the correct combination of air and fuel will go into the engine cylinder.

However, your carburetor can be faulty at any time. Some Husqvarna lawn mower carburetor problems include the engine running lean, the engine being hard to start and an increase in fuel consumption.

In this article, I share 6 Husqvarna mower carburetor problems, causes and practical fixes to allow it to work effectively again.

Husqvarna Lawn Mower Carburetor Problems, Causes and Fixes

Before I go into details, let’s look at some common Husqvarna lawn mower carburetor problems and their possible solutions:

Reasons	Possible Solutions
1. Engine running lean	Clean or replace the carburetor
2. Engine emits black smoke	Install new float needles and seats. Adjust the float settings.
3. Engine starts and then stalls	Clean or replace the carburetor
4. Increase in fuel consumption	Clean or replace the carburetor
5. Engine is hard to start	Clean or replace the carburetor
6. Gas leakage from the carburetor bowl	Replace the damaged carburetor bowl gasket.

1. Engine Running Lean

If your engine is running lean, it may be that the carburetor is faulty. In this case, the engine will fail to accelerate and also have less power. In some cases, your Husqvarna mower engine may also backfire.

This occurs when there is excess air in your engine and the gas-air ratio becomes inadequate in the process.

Cause

• Carburetor is clogged.

Fix

• Clean or replace the carburetor if it is in a bad condition.

2. Engine Emits Black Smoke

A bad carburetor can also cause your engine to emit black smoke. This happens when the engine gets more gas than the required amount. This might be due to a flooded carburetor or damaged float needles and seats.

Causes

• Damaged float needles and seats
• Carburetor gets flooded by gas

Fix

• Install new float needles and seats properly. You can also adjust the float settings.

3. Clogged Carburetor Causes the Engine to Start and Then Stall

The engine of your Husqvarna mower may start and die due to a clogged carburetor. 

Your carburetor can get blocked with dirt and other debris if you leave gas for a long time. In this case, the gas’ ingredients will evaporate and leave gummy deposits behind.

Cause

• Clogged carburetor

Fix

• Clean or replace the carburetor if it is in a bad condition.

4. Increase in Fuel Consumption

There can be an increase in fuel consumption if the carburetor is blocked with dirt, affecting the performance of the mower. 

If you notice this, you need to diagnose the carburetor and troubleshoot it.

Cause

• Carburetor is blocked

Fix

• Clean or replace the carburetor if it is in a bad condition.

5. Engine is Hard to Start

If your engine has a difficulty with starting or it does not start at all, it indicates that the carburetor is dirty. 

If this happens, the gas will not flow to your engine, causing the engine not to get power.

Cause

• Carburetor is dirty

Fix

• Remove the components of the carburetor and clean it. You can also replace it if it is in a bad condition.

6. Gas Leakage from the Carburetor Bowl

If your Husqvarna mowing machine leaks gas from the carburetor bowl gasket, it indicates that it is faulty and this can affect the operation of the mower.

Cause

• Damaged carburetor bowl gasket

Fix

• Replace the damaged carburetor bowl gasket with a new one.

How to Clean the Husqvarna Lawn Mower Carburetor

Here are some tips on how to clean the carburetor on your Husqvarna lawn mower:

Step One: Remove the Outer Components

The first step to take is to take off components such as fuel lines, and air filter and also unscrew the jets so that you can locate the carburetor. To do this, you will need tools such as a wrench, nose plier and screwdriver.

Use a screwdriver to take off the screws that secure the air filter. You can also use the nose plier to take off your fuel line.

Get a bucket to drain the gas while you remove the fuel line. Make sure that you dispose of the fuel when you drain it.

Use a wrench to unscrew the bowl that is underneath your carburetor bowl. Detach the bowl and slowly take off your gaskets.

Press the float so that you can be sure that it is still good. If it is in a good condition, the float will give you a clicking sound when you press it. Keep your jet and bowl separately.

Step Two: Clean the Outer Components

The outer components can get accumulated with dirt and debris, clogging the carburetor in the process. It is best to clean the outer components like the air filter with water and soap.

Use a thin wire to clean the jet. You can also use an aerosol cleaner and sandpaper for cleaning. If the bowl is filled with excessive debris buildup, it is advisable to replace the carburetor.

Step Three: Spray Cleaner on the Interior

Spray an aerosol cleaner to clean the interior part of the carburetor. You can also use a compressed air gun to make the work easy for you.

Pour the cleaner at the center of the carburetor with the engine running. This will enable the liquid to spread through your jets entirely.

Step Four: Reassemble the Components

It is important to reassemble the components the way you disassembled them. You can also take pictures or record the steps with your phone if you cannot remember the disassembly process.

How To Replace a Carburetor on a Husqvarna Mower

Here are some tips on how to replace a carburetor on a Husqvarna walk-behind mower:

• The first thing to do is to gather items such as a screwdriver, magnetic pan, socket, oil pan and cup.
• Remove the air filter and the air filter cover.
• Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are attached to the port of the carburetor.
• After gaining access to the carburetor, remove the hose clamp and drain the gas into a cup.
• Take note of the location of the carburetor connections and remove the old carburetor.
• Install a new carburetor. Put the ring on the gasket and insert the new carburetor in the reverse procedure that you removed your old carburetor.
• Reconnect the fuel line, air box vent tube, air filter and air cover. Ensure that the air filter cover is well screwed.
• After replacing the carburetor, you can perform other tasks such as changing the oil and filling the gas tank with an ethanol-free gas.

Signs of a Bad Husqvarna Lawn Mower Carburetor

Here are some signs that indicate that the carburetor of your Husqvarna lawn mower is bad:

• Husqvarna lawn mower backfires from running lean.
• The engine of your mower surges.
• It consumes too much fuel.
• The Husqvarna lawn mower won’t start
• The engine of the mower sputters and runs rough.

Is Cleaning the Carburetor Enough?

No, cleaning your carburetor cannot troubleshoot all the problems. It is best to buy a carburetor repair kit so that you can change parts such as gaskets, float needles and diaphragms.

If cleaning does not fix your issues, you can also replace some of the worn components or the entire carburetor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Some Husqvarna lawn mower carburetor problems include the engine running too rich, the engine starting and then stalling, engine running rough.

Follow the recommended troubleshooting tips to fix the issue with your Husqvarna lawn mower carburetor.

If your carburetor does not work after implementing the troubleshooting guide shared here, it is best to seek the help of a professional to help you solve the problem.