Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Husky blower runs slow, briggs and stratton, dish detergent

Question
Hi,

Thanks for reading my question.  I have a Husqvarna 130BT backpack blower.  I have had it for about 4 years and it has run great until last week.  I use it every week so it has not been stored.  One day last week I went to use it and it ran at less than half power/speed.  It starts fine as it always has and runs smoothly, only very low power.  I am using fresh ethanol free gas and oil.  I even mixed a new batch with a different oil as the previous oil/gas mixture was using an oil with a different color than I am used to.  Most oils I have used in the past were a reddish-brown color and the new oil is more greenish-blue.  Actually when I went to mix the second batch of new oil, it was greenish-blue as well.  It is Briggs and Stratton brand so I assume it is a good quality, just not accustomed to the color.  I pulled the plug and cleaned and gapped.  I washed the sponge filter out with warm water and dish detergent and then put several drops of two stroke oil on it after it dried.  I don't get it.  It worked great just a day or two before and nothing happenned to it that I know of.  I keep it locked up in a utility room.   Is it the oil?  I have never seen two stroke oil that color.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Steve

I recommend  husqvarna HP 2 stroke oil, mixed at 33:1  that is 30 mils  of oil per  1.0 litre of petrol , have you checked for  blocked restricted  muffler or ex port ?

while you have muffler off , do visuall check on piston / rings and bore  

if any  signs of damage - ie  score marks, scuffing , signs of burning or blowby
then a loss of compression may be the problem ?    do a compression test  after a visuall inspection , make sure the throttle plate is opening fully and  throttle cable is ok and choke is not stuck on ,  check the carburettor Hi  speed mixture setting  - richen it by turning it anti-clockwise 1/8  - to 1/4  turn at a time and note the response, if still no good return hi speed setiing to where it was before you moved it  , check  carby fuel pumping section , then the fuel inlet screen  , then the metering diaphram

check the fuel filter and then  fuel hose from tank to carb  for splits/ holes etc

check  gauze screen on side of muffler ?

sounds more like a muffler or ex port  blockage / restriction


take a look  and let me know

cheers  paul   hope this helps