Husqvarna 150BT Will Not Start? My Fixes Work

You’re ready to clear the yard, but your Husqvarna 150BT won’t start. Annoying, right? Most of the time, the problem is small. It could be old fuel, a dirty air filter, or a blocked spark screen.

I’ve had this blower act up more than once. After taking it apart myself, I learned what works. If you live in the U.S. and use it for fall or spring cleanups, these tips will help. Let’s go over what to check—and how to fix it fast.

Start With the Basics: Don’t Miss the Simple Stuff

If your Husqvarna 150BT won’t start, the fix might be easy. Let’s go over the basics. One small mistake can keep the blower from running.

Is the Fuel Fresh and Mixed Right?

Gas goes bad fast—especially the kind with ethanol. In the U.S., most gas has ethanol in it. If you left fuel in the tank over winter, it might be bad. That was my first mistake. I didn’t know ethanol pulls in water and makes the gas break down.

This blower needs a 50:1 fuel-to-oil mix. Too much oil? The spark plug can get dirty. Too little? The engine could get hurt. Now, I only use gas with no ethanol. I mix it with two-stroke oil and only make enough for a week. If the gas smells bad or looks dark, pour it out and mix a fresh batch.

Are You Starting It the Right Way?

This part confused me at first. I’d pump the primer bulb, set the choke, pull the cord—nothing. The trick? Hold the throttle trigger while starting. This blower needs that, or it won’t start when cold.

Here’s how to start it:

• Push the primer bulb 6–7 times.
• Set the choke to full.
• Hold the throttle trigger.
• Pull the cord until it sputters.
• Move the choke to half.
• Pull again.

Be careful not to flood the engine. That happens if you prime too much or pull with the choke still on. If it smells like gas and won’t start, stop. Let it sit. Then try again with no choke and the throttle open.

Spark Check: Is the Engine Getting Fire?

If your Husqvarna 150BT still won’t start and the fuel is fine, check for spark. No spark means no fire. And without fire, the engine won’t run—no matter what.

Take Out and Check the Spark Plug

Use a socket wrench to remove the spark plug. I always check this after I rule out fuel issues.

Look for signs like:

• Black and wet tip – it’s flooded.
• Thick black gunk – might be bad fuel mix or weak spark.
• Cracks or worn parts – time for a new plug.

If it looks bad, toss it. I keep extra plugs in my garage. They’re cheap and easy to change. Set the gap right using a feeler gauge. Husqvarna says 0.025 inches is best.

How to Check for Spark

This sounds harder than it is.

• Reconnect the plug wire.
• Hold the metal part of the plug to the engine block.
• Pull the starter cord (get help if you can).

Look for a blue spark jumping across the gap. No spark? The problem might be with the coil, kill switch, or wire.

Important: Don’t hold the spark plug with bare hands. I made that mistake once. Use rubber-handled pliers or set the plug in place before pulling.

Check the Kill Switch and Coil

This part stumped me. My blower would start cold, then die when hot—and not restart. The problem? A bad ignition coil that quit when it got warm.

Before swapping the coil, check the kill switch. Mine had dirt stuck under it. That shorted the circuit off and on.

If the spark plug looks fine but there’s still no spark, the coil may be bad. Replacing it took me 20 minutes with basic tools. After that? The blower started right away—even hot.

Air and Exhaust Flow: The Engine Needs to Breathe

If your Husqvarna 150BT won’t start, it might not be breathing right. Engines need clean air in—and a clear path for exhaust out. If either is blocked, the blower won’t run, no matter how hard you pull.

Dirty Air Filter: Signs and Simple Fixes

Pop off the air filter cover. I check mine once a month—more if I use the blower a lot.

Look for these signs:

• Dust packed on the filter
• Wet spots from gas or oil
• Rips or foam falling apart

If it’s just dusty, tap it clean or blow it off with low air pressure. If it’s too dirty or damaged, replace it. Filters are cheap and easy to find at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Clogged Spark Arrestor: The Silent Problem

Most people miss this one. There’s a small screen in the muffler called the spark arrestor. It stops sparks from flying out—many U.S. states require it. But it can clog fast with black soot.

The first time I checked mine, it looked like burnt toast. The blower would crank, even sputter—but never fully start.

To clean it:

• Take off the muffler cover (just a few screws)
• Pull the screen out with pliers
• Use a wire brush—or burn off the gunk with a torch

Important: Let the muffler cool first. Don’t touch the screen right after running the blower.

Fuel Delivery Problems: From Tank to Carb

If your Husqvarna 150BT still won’t start, fuel may not be getting where it needs to go. That means something is blocking the flow—from the tank, through the lines, or into the carb.

I’ve had all of these happen. My blower would sputter, then stop. After checking, I found a cracked line and a clogged filter. Once I fixed them, it worked like new.

Check the Fuel Filter in the Tank

This small filter sits inside the tank. It stops dirt from reaching the engine. If you’ve used old gas, it may be clogged.

Here’s how I check it:

• Drain the gas into a clean container
• Bend a wire into a hook (I used a coat hanger)
• Pull the fuel line out of the tank
• Gently remove the filter

If it looks brown, hard, or blocked—replace it. I swap mine once a year, before fall cleanups. Filters are cheap and easy to find in stores or online.

Inspect and Replace Fuel Lines

Fuel lines might look okay but still be bad. Mine had tiny cracks near the tank. That let air in and made the blower stall.

Check for:

• Cracks, swelling, or leaks
• Soft spots or dry, brittle lines
• No fuel moving when you pump the primer

Husqvarna uses clear lines, so you should see fuel move when you press the bulb. If not, there’s likely a break or clog.

Now I keep spare line kits at home. Heat can dry them out fast—especially in U.S. summers.

Clean or Replace the Carburetor

If you’ve checked the fuel, filter, and lines—but the blower still won’t run—it could be the carb.

I’ve cleaned mine a few times. If you’re okay with small parts, it’s not too hard.

Here’s what I do:

• Take off the carb (mark the hoses first)
• Open it and spray carb cleaner inside
• Look at the diaphragm—if it’s stiff or bent, replace it
• Put it back together and test it

If cleaning doesn’t fix it, replace the whole carb. After one rough winter, mine was too dirty to save. I got a new OEM carb for under $30. It took 20 minutes to install, and the blower ran great again.

Engine Compression: The Hard Truth

If your Husqvarna 150BT still won’t start after checking fuel, spark, and airflow, compression might be the problem. I didn’t want to believe it either—but once, it was the real cause. Without enough pressure, the engine won’t run, no matter how many times you pull the cord.

What Compression Is and Why It Matters

Two-stroke engines like this one need good compression to work. When the piston moves up, it squeezes the air and fuel mix inside the cylinder. That squeeze builds pressure, which helps the engine fire.

If compression is low, the engine can’t build that pressure. This happens from worn rings, a damaged cylinder, or a bad gasket. That means hard starts, no starts, or weak power while running.

How to Test It (Step-by-Step)

You don’t need to be a mechanic to check compression. I bought a tester online for under $30. It saved me hours of guessing.

Here’s how to check it:

• Remove the spark plug
• Screw the tester into the spark plug hole
• Hold the throttle wide open
• Pull the starter rope 5–7 times
• Read the pressure

For the 150BT, good pressure is between 90–110 PSI. Under 80 is a bad sign. Mine once showed just 70—that’s why it wouldn’t start.

What to Do If It’s Low

This is the tough part. If compression is low, the repair isn’t simple.

You have two choices:

• Rebuild the engine – You’ll need new rings, and maybe a new piston or cylinder. If you have tools and time, you can try it.
• Replace the unit – That’s what I did. I found a refurbished model for less than the parts and labor would’ve cost me.

In the U.S., you can find parts fast and ship them easily. But be honest—if you’re not ready to open up an engine, replacement may be the better choice.

Bottom line: Low compression makes all other fixes pointless. Check it before spending more time or money.

My Personal Husqvarna 150BT No-Start Story

Let me tell you about the time my 150BT wouldn’t start. It was a chilly October morning, and my yard was buried in leaves. I filled it up, pulled the cord—and nothing. I pulled again—still nothing. I thought, “Maybe it just needs more priming.” Five more pulls later, all I had was a sore arm and a lot of frustration.

Then I started checking things. The fuel was fresh. The mix was right. The spark plug looked good. But the primer bulb felt soft, like it wasn’t pulling any gas.

That was my clue.

I opened the blower and found a small crack in the fuel line near the tank. It was sucking in air—not fuel. I replaced both fuel lines and the filter. It took me about 30 minutes.

First pull? Nothing. Second pull? It roared to life.

That moment changed everything for me. I stopped guessing and started testing. So if your Husqvarna 150BT will not start, don’t panic. Follow the steps. You can fix it too.

Preventative Maintenance Tips to Avoid No-Start Headaches

After I fixed my blower, I made a promise—I’d take better care of it. Here’s what I do now to keep it running strong:

After Each Use

• Wipe it down. This helps keep dust out of the air system.
• Clear debris from the fan and intake. Less buildup, better airflow.
• Check the fuel level. Don’t store it full if you won’t use it soon.

Monthly Checks

• Air filter: Tap it clean or swap it out if it looks rough.
• Spark arrestor screen: Clean it often—it clogs fast.
• Fuel lines: Squeeze them. If they feel soft or look cracked, change them before they fail.

Storage Tips (Especially for U.S. Winters)

If you only use your blower in fall or spring, fuel can sit too long. That leads to problems.

Here’s what I do:

• Run out all the fuel. Don’t let it sit in the tank.
• Use a fuel stabilizer if you plan to store it with gas.
• Store it dry. I keep mine off the ground in my garage.

Just 10 minutes of care can save hours of frustration later.

Read More: Ryobi vs Milwaukee Blower

Conclusion: When the Husqvarna 150BT Will Not Start—You’ve Got This

If your Husqvarna 150BT won’t start, don’t give up. These blowers are tough, but they need the basics—clean fuel, strong spark, good airflow, and solid compression.

Start simple. Stay calm. Every no-start I’ve had came down to one small thing. Every time, I fixed it.

Use this guide to work through the problem. You’ll save money, learn more, and get back to work faster.

Still stuck? Drop your issue in the comments or reach out. I’ve been there—and nothing beats the sound of that engine kicking back to life.

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