It must be spring (chain-saw lament)

rossowmn · Apr 21, 2014

Dug out my old 14-inch chain saw two days ago. Put in
fresh gas mix and fired it up on the fifth pull. I
uneventfully cut some logs and shut it off. Yesterday, with
one day of fresh gas left in it overnight, it wouldn't even
try to start. No pop, no grunt, nothing. Spark is good,
plug is good, gas on plug suggests fuel is getting to
cylinder. But no start. The only thing different is the
passage of one night. I'm not really seeking advice here
because I know I have to check muffler, spark arrester,
etc., etc. It's just a tired old story that I've experienced
and read about on this and other forums many, many
times: Chain saws are unpredictable, and they pretty
much do what they want, when they want. They're as
independent as cats. It's the way spring goes.

loko17 · Apr 21, 2014

Chain saws are apparently female!

gtractorfan · Apr 21, 2014

I have one saw that if it runs out of gas it's hard to get started so I'm careful to stop before it runs out. This must not be your problem if the plug shows it's getting gas.

kwright · Apr 21, 2014

Try a ([b:4d636c87d1]new[/b:4d636c87d1]) fresh spark plug. Don't over choke it when you first attempt to start it with the fresh plug, as the lower end may be full of fuel. In fact, before installing a new plug, pull it over several times with the plug removed.

I surmise that it has good compression as you had it initially running.

JML755 · Apr 21, 2014

I had the same problem with My Stihl. Was running fine when I put it away, wouldn't start the next time I tried to use it. Turns out the magneto coil goes out on these. They've got a 5 yr warranty but Stihl will only provide it to the dealer who will charge you... wait for it.......about the price of the magneto to install it. It's not a hard part to change out and most people who own a chainsaw have more than average mechanical ability. Part came in quickly but it sat waiting for the dealer "to get to it, we're backed up". Took an extra week to finally get my saw back. Coupled with poor attitudes from people behind the counter and I don't shop there anymore.

pete black · Apr 21, 2014

kw is right. if all else fails put in a NEW plug.

notjustair · Apr 21, 2014

I have a Sachs that is worth it's weight in gold. However, I agree with you on most other models. Chain saws, blowers, and trimmers - they are all of the devil. I put up with things from them that would cause me to trade in a pickup in a minutes.

ShadetreeRet · Apr 21, 2014

Stihl makes good products, but they are so independent that you get no help from them even if you are a top notch mechanic. An acquaintance brought me a Stihl power head for one of those multi-attachment things. One of the problems was the magneto was too close to the flywheel. I ordered a service manual for the thing and wouldn't you know, NO SPECS for setting clearance! You had to buy a special tool from them to "properly set the clearance. All others I have ever worked on either specified the magneto/flywheel clearance in the owners manual or the service manual. I gave the darned thing back to him and will not likely touch another!

Ian Beale · Apr 22, 2014

Maybe that explains the difference between Husqvanas and Plastivanas?

Bret4207 · Apr 22, 2014

(quoted from post at 05:36:10 04/21/14) Dug out my old 14-inch chain saw two days ago. Put in
fresh gas mix and fired it up on the fifth pull. I
uneventfully cut some logs and shut it off. Yesterday, with
one day of fresh gas left in it overnight, it wouldn't even
try to start. No pop, no grunt, nothing. Spark is good,
plug is good, gas on plug suggests fuel is getting to
cylinder. But no start. The only thing different is the
passage of one night. I'm not really seeking advice here
because I know I have to check muffler, spark arrester,
etc., etc. It's just a tired old story that I've experienced
and read about on this and other forums many, many
times: Chain saws are unpredictable, and they pretty
much do what they want, when they want. They're as
independent as cats. It's the way spring goes.

If the plug is wet it's likely an ignition issue. I'm betting your plug is fouled down the insulator and giving weak spark under compression. Either clean the plug or get a new, quality plug.

It's funny, I have a 45 year old Mac that will start no matter what and a 45 year old Mac that hardly ever starts without a lot of fooling. Same series, just the good one is a little bigger. The differnece? Got me! I can't see a bit of difference except one is dead reliable and the other isn't.

mkirsch · Apr 22, 2014

Isn't it standard practice these days to blame all engine problems on ETHANOL?

IMHO, you probably flooded it.

jennifer408 · Apr 22, 2014

it has come to our conclusion that 98% of two stroke engines are possessed, we have a collection (pile) originally intended to perform a specific function that may or may not be introduced to an exorcist ( for a huge contribution to their accounts receivable fund ) which may, or may not, still function 3 months after said exorcism is performed. so we are still on the fence.

rossow (mn) · Apr 22, 2014

Regarding the spark plug: I took the plug out of the one that wouldn't start and put it in a different saw, which started right up. So I know the plug was OK. So I used the second saw to do some cutting today, and it ran when it felt like it -- sometimes great, sometimes would quit with no word of explanation, then maybe restart, maybe not. I agree with the poster who said two-strokes apparently are possessed. I think I just need to go through my saws, put in new plugs, check for bad gas lines, clean mufflers/spark arresters, etc. I admit I need to do more preventive maintenance than I do. I just don't have the patience for two-strokes. I'd rather work on a Chevy small-block any day.

Ken Macfarlane · Apr 22, 2014

Have an old partner that never starts vs a 10 year old stihl that starts 3rd pull the same as day 1. Never floods, every tank is run dry before refuelling. I don't think I've been able to keep that partner running for a full tank to go through it.

kwright · Apr 22, 2014

(quoted from post at 12:01:53 04/22/14) Regarding the spark plug: I took the plug out of the one that wouldn't start and put it in a different saw, which started right up. So I know the plug was OK. So I used the second saw to do some cutting today, and it ran when it felt like it -- sometimes great, sometimes would quit with no word of explanation, then maybe restart, maybe not. I agree with the poster who said two-strokes apparently are possessed. I think I just need to go through my saws, put in new plugs, check for bad gas lines, clean mufflers/spark arresters, etc. I admit I need to do more preventive maintenance than I do. I just don't have the patience for two-strokes. I'd rather work on a Chevy small-block any day.

I've been working on two-strokes for 40 years (really)... since I was a kid. All sizes, from large capacity snowmobiles to the smallest string trimmer. More brands than I can recall.

I stick with my original assessment, take the plug out and pull it over a few times. Install a NEW spark plug, don't over-choke and try it again.

mkirsch · Apr 23, 2014

Admitting to slacking off on preventative maintenance of your 2-stroke engines results in immediate revocation of your Man Card.

As penance you must launch into a 30-minute anti-ethanol rant blaming ethanol on everything from ingrown toenails to what happened to Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.

Don-Wi · Apr 23, 2014

I've got parts on order right now to try to fix my parents Mantis tiller for more than 3 months. Last year I didn't even bother getting it going. The year before I replaced the fuel line in March song with a new filter, tweaked the carb and had it running great. In April when it came time to work the garden, it ran like crap again.

Hoping this time cures it. Otherwise I'm really tempted to get them something else and sell this dam thing.

Donovan from Wisconsin

mj · Apr 23, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:40:46 04/22/14) Isn't it standard practice these days to blame all engine problems on ETHANOL?

IMHO, you probably flooded it.

When you take a spark-plug out and it's wet or 'flooded' but won't light with a torch and burn off the wet who or what DO you blame?........FOX News? :roll:

mkirsch · Apr 23, 2014

(quoted from post at 07:11:42 04/23/14)

(quoted from post at 06:40:46 04/22/14) Isn't it standard practice these days to blame all engine problems on ETHANOL?

IMHO, you probably flooded it.

Click to expand...

When you take a spark-plug out and it's wet or 'flooded' but won't light with a torch and burn off the wet who or what DO you blame?........FOX News? :roll:

Nice try, but the reason a flooded engine won't start is because there is too much fuel in the air-fuel mixture to support combustion.

A wet spark plug will not light from a torch for the same reason. It's a neat parlor trick, like dropping a lit match into a bucket of gasoline and watching it go out.

Bret4207 · Apr 24, 2014

(quoted from post at 12:01:53 04/22/14) [b:eda2d456f4]Regarding the spark plug: I took the plug out of the one that wouldn't start and put it in a different saw, which started right up. So I know the plug was OK. [/b:eda2d456f4]So I used the second saw to do some cutting today, and it ran when it felt like it -- sometimes great, sometimes would quit with no word of explanation, then maybe restart, maybe not. I agree with the poster who said two-strokes apparently are possessed. I think I just need to go through my saws, put in new plugs, check for bad gas lines, clean mufflers/spark arresters, etc. I admit I need to do more preventive maintenance than I do. I just don't have the patience for two-strokes. I'd rather work on a Chevy small-block any day.

Not exactly. You took the plug out of the flooded saw and put it in a non flooded saw that might well be in better shape ignition-wise and have different compression. The plug just may not work in the original one. Bite the bullet and get a new plug.

It must be spring (chain-saw lament)

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