OT Chain saw woes

cool hand

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Have some pressing work to be done requiring a chain saw. My POS Poulan Pro runs until the chain contacts the wood, then starves out and dies. Can't adjust the carb, so little I can do to remedy. Soooh, I decided to buy another saw. I've heard Husqvarna saws touted as a quality saw, even used my son's and son-in-law's Huskies. So, today I went to Lowes and bought a 440. Brought it home, filled it with Husqvarna fuel and bar oil, read the starting instructions, and, following said instructions to the letter, proceeded to start the saw. Now, I've used chain saws for more than 60 years, so I'm no novice! Through perhaps 100 tries, I've been unable to get it to hit the first lick since leaving the store! I normally quickly recognize and solve such problems, but this time I'm so frustrated I could kick the crap out of the dog (if I had one!)
 
On your poulan saw, there's a small fine screen in the carb, it gets plugged sometimes, also could be the filter in the gas tank is stopped up, or a fuel line is getting soft and collapses with suction.
 
I wouldn't mess with it. It's under warranty take it back to Lowes and raise hell and have them give you another saw. Lowes has nobody in store that could fix that saw that won't start.
 
Cool Hand,
I bought a gas powered weed eater earlier this spring. I brought it home and finished assembling it and gassed it up. It would not fire. It would not start. Nothing. I thought, may be I didn't mix the gas right. I emptied the gas out of it and remixed up another batch. Still nothing. I took it back to the store and a couple of the guys tried to start it. No go. They exchanged it and the 2nd one fired right up.
Tom
 
Take the thing back and get another one.There are many opinions about saws but if you are not willing to work on your own equipment then buy a Stihl.They are the only manufacturer left that requires seller to be a servicing dealer.As far as I can tell if you can buy a chainsaw from a box store then you are getting shi# in a box and I work on my own stuff.I would still rather have a Stihl because they aren't going down the road that Homelite,Poulan and Husky went down.Homeowner junk.JAinVA
 
That's another thing with the Poulan (other brands too, nowadays,) too much plastic in contact with gasoline. The fuel filler cap/plug swells from the gasoline to the point it's impossible to insert and remove it without a wrench, (and then it leaks.) And, what's with the filler cap/plug at the bottom of the tank? Probably some gov't reg. Boy, I'm glad Uncle Sam is looking out for me!
 
Box store saw. Barf.

I just bought my second Dolmar. This time I bought a trim size saw. I got the medium grade and it was $250 through the dealer. My big 111 is probably 10 years old and has hundreds of hours on it. It has never been in the shop. I realized yesterday it still has the same spark plug the Germans put in it when they put it together. I have several other saws but the Dolmar has the least vibration for my hands. I think Stihls are hard to start, but that would be a better choice, too. The 180 is a consumer grade but they hold up really well. They are about as pricey as the Dolmar. I looked at Echo, too. They have a five year warranty. About the same money.

Take that thing back and go buy a saw that will run for you. We are all getting too old to mess with a machine that wears us out before we ever get to use it.
 
JA, I have always worked on my own equipment, but government regulations have made that nearly impossible except for "factory trained technicians." Concerning the Stihl requirement that all sellers be a servicing dealer, I wonder--Rural King is a selling dealer, and I don't recall seeing anyone there who appears to be a service technician. I could be wrong!
 
I bought a Stihl from a dealer last fall. Before I paid for it they put gas and oil in it and started and ran it for me. They gave it to me and it wasn't in a box.
 
Interesting! Truthfully, I have never heard of a Dolmar saw. I've never seen an ad and have no idea where one would even find a dealer.
 
Cool Hand,
Don't get upset,Im sure the dealer will correct the problem
Every 2 cycle engine starts different
I only use Stihl,and you have to start it in the same method whether its my weed eater,leaf blower or chainsaw every time!!!
Husky is a good brand for sure !!!!
 
I was just talking about that with my dealer. He said the company (bought out by Makita now) still lives by the idea that the saws sell themselves through word of mouth. They don't believe in advertising. Stubborn Germans. It's like my mother works there or something.

We have two dealers within 20 miles of me and it's flat land Kansas. Look them up - Sachs Dolmar. When you hold one and feel how it runs when it is wide open you will be converted. They also have not gone to the electronic carb yet like some others have. In fact, it came with a little screwdriver to adjust the carb if I needed. I can tell you I won't ever need to.

I was actually going to buy a 180 Stihl. I have run the neighbors a good bit. It is a nice little saw. I started reading reviews and no one seems impressed with that new electronic carb. It has made them cold blooded they say. I don't need a fussy saw.
 
No, they don't require a store to be 'servicing dealer'. Look inside an Ace Hardware store. . . There are saws and trimmers on the wall in the Rockwell, NC Ace Hardware store and nobody there fixes them that I am aware of.
 
JAinVA- Why would you make a statement like that? It would be easily verifiable and shown that your comment is not true.

Why post falsehoods?
 
if you insist on a Husky, take the piece of crap back and get your money back and then go to a servicing dealer and buy one from him. Screwed once , shame on them , twice , shame on you.
 
There's a reason they don't seek Stihl in big box stores, the Stihl dealer I worked for, we put the saw together and started it for the customer. Go to a dealer and buy a stihl.
 
JayinNY- The new local Rural King just started up here and they sell STIHL but do not service them. How is that so?
 
Hi
Dads Poulan swelled the gas cap so it wouldn't screw in or out like that, I took it out and ground it lightly/carefully round outside diameter of the threads on the bench grinder wheel a couple times until it was a nice fit again. it lasted 4 more years until the saw made from 3 more junk ones to keep it running, puked for good last month.
Regards Robert
 
JAinVA- I should have quoted you..."They are the only manufacturer left that requires seller to be a servicing dealer." Rural King sells them and they sure don't service them.
 
I never sold a new or used Stihl that I didn't start & run for the customer. Kept a big log nearby so they could cut with it. Most didn't need to try it cutting.
 
I don't know, last I knew stihl would only sell threw an authorized dealer? When I worked for a stihl dealer anything we sold we put together filled with gas etc, and started it for the customer. Now that you mention that I saw a place here called Runnings is also selling Stihl I
forgot about that!
 
25 years ago at Cincinnati OH 4 dealers I went to didn't sell parts or do service. Some didn't even sell spare bars & chains!
 
TRK not true we have an ACE hardware store that sells and services chainsaws, weed eater, generators, and lawn equipment.
 
d beatty- That may be true for your local ACE Hardware but it is not true for ALL ACE Hardware Stores. My local ACE Hardware sells Stihl but does not service them.

Why do people keep making these 'blanket' statements without verifying first if their statement is true or not?

Next, I expect to hear that McDonalds is serving breakfast all day long but, only using the McMuffin based items...i.e.- sausage-egg-cheese muffin, etc.

In the southern states- McMuffin is not an option. We have the Biscuit based option, no McMuffin.


Sorry for the long winded post. It really bothers me that people post stuff that is not true and can be easily verified before posting their mis-information.

Thanks for listening to my rant
 
One of the requirements to be a Stihl dealer is that you have to handle parts and service what you sell. If you don't believe me look up the requirements to be a Stihl dealer. As far as Rual King I have yet to see a Stihl in the several stores that I have been in. They list that they have Stihl on their online site but don't have one saw listed.
 
Chain saws are unique, IMHO. They need one special thing - a good dealer you can go back to on a Saturday morning, and walk in and ask about and get parts. Lowes?? Not gonna happenn. Your local guy hardware store trying to compete with Lowes?? THAT'S the guy to buy from to begin with. THEN give him your service work.
 
Listen to notjustair. Find a Dolmar dealer and buy a saw from the people that invented the chainsaw and spend their money on engineering and not advertising. I LOVE my DOLMAR, and my dealer is great. My next door neighbor bought a Husqvarna from a big box, and a year later, it still takes him 1/2 hr to get it started. They will not fix it or give him his money back.
 
I'll second the defective ignition system. I'm assuming you have tested the ignition for spark? Return it, tell them to get it running or give you a new one.

Better yet, return it, get your money back and go to a real dealer and buy one.

Some of the box stores have agreements with local dealers to troubleshoot and repair the saws they sell, too, so I'd ask.
 

Don't know why people need to be so polar/brand loyal with stuff and trash other brands just because. It's the Ford vs. Chevy, JD vs. IH argument, and I simply never understood that argument. I understand buying something and sticking with the same brand because of past experience, but I also understand that other companies put out quality products TOO and would not bash them. I will say I don't like a certain model, but that's a personal preference thing.

Husqvarna makes quality saws on par with the other brands mentioned. Do research on them on any arbor forum and you'll see many agree, myself included, at least you'll find few that trash the brand as a whole. I know people that have Stihl, Husky, etc., many have luck, some have an occasional issue, with both. Dolmar?, never seen one around, but I know they are quality. 10 years ago I went to town, closest town with stores is 30 miles away, and I wanted a quality saw that didn't have issues. I was getting either a Stihl or Husky. Husky won out so a same size/HP Stihl only because it was a little cheaper. It was Bomgaars (I think Bomgaars, if not the store before them, I forget when they took over). 10 years later and more use than I can figure up, no issues of any kind with my 455. Never a dealer.

Now, some models aren't "great" with any brand, same is true with Stihl. Husq. 2xx series are their Poulan models. This 440 I was researching to get a lighter saw for a few miles of cedar clearing out of barb wire fences. I decided I'd try a shorter bar on the 455, or get something like a 550 xp (lighter that 455, comparable power pro saw). The 440 seems to be a bit finicky with starting. I did see a post somewhere that said the directions didn't work for them. I think I saw some people say they end up with a flooded saw, pressing the bulb too many times. Also, spark gap and pinched fuel line. But of course, some are duds and need repair.

Dealer vs. box store. For one, I don't see having a choice of where to buy a product as a bad thing. Having a saw at a non-repair dealer opens up the possibility of saving money for one. Over $100 on some of these models. Another reason is, I buy stuff online if I can. I don't have time to run 30 miles to town on a whim every time, or 70 miles if I need something from Menards, etc. If I can get the same thing shipped cheaper than if I drive to town, I'll do it. Of course, saw may need carb. adjustment, same as any other power equipment, and it can still be taken in if a person doesn't have the ability to do it. One could expect that. And Stihl selling at non-servicing dealers? Don't see what the big deal is. Years ago I did see them at Ace hardware, and they did not service them at that time, I asked (Ace hardware is 90 miles away). They may by now, I don't know. I did a dealer search for my zip, the closest dealer is 30 miles away (closest town), they have a certified tech, as I know, because it's the JD dealer. The rest within 80 miles do not have a certified one, though I've been to most of the places, my guess is they do service them. I do know at least MOST do service them.
 
Did you put the gas in the gas tank? I have put the gas in the oil tank before.
Different saw, could be opposite locations.
sde
 
I agree.

I was a McCulloch dealer back when McCulloch was at their peak. It was a requirement of McCulloch to fill the saw with gas and oil, and start it for the first time. Preferably out of sight of the purchaser. It would be embarrassing to have a new saw that wouldn't start, although it never happened to me. You'd just tell the purchaser it would take a few minutes to service the saw and check it out, and if they had another errand to run to come back in 20 minutes.

I've bought two new Stihl saws within the last several years, one from a large Stihl/Echo/small engine dealer and one from our local John Deere dealer who also sells and services Stihls. Both did the same thing. Both salesmen went 'way back in the shop away from the showroom to start the saw for the first time.

Just prudent salesmanship.
 
I don't know. I thought all Stihl dealers were required to have a service department.
 
I have Husqvarna, Stihl, and Echo and have had other brands that are no longer in business. The three saws that I mentioned are good saws but in this area now Echo has one of 5 part stocking dealers left and Husky has no parts stocking dealer left out of maybe 7 or 8 dealers they had in this area. Stihl has lost several but still have 10 dealers in a 60 mile radius of hear. Husky around here is sold by only the big box stores and try to get parts from them. Saving money on a new saw means nothing when you need parts and they don't have them. If you really use your saws a lot every saw is going to need parts sooner or latter. If I am doing a job I don't want to wait 2 days to a week to get parts I need them now. I have one Stihl dealer that has 6 stores and if the parts I need is in one of the stores he will have the part to you with in 3 hours and if not in stores he will have it the next day.
 
I don't have anything against any brand of saw per say.I have owned and been happy with other makes other than Stihl.
My comments about Stihls being sold through sevicing dealers only is based on what I have seen locally and Stihl USA
website.How non servicing sellers get stock from Stihl is a mystery to me but I still like the idea of a saw being started before I buy it.
 
While I can't verify that all sellers of Stihl saws service them I will bet dollars to a donut that Stihl is not shipping their products to a non sevicing outlet.Just because someone can get Stihl from a place that doesn't service
it does not make my statement false.Just try to buy a new Stihl anything on line and let us all know how it works.It
ain't gonna happen.Baileys is a huge logging supply store and they sell Makitas,Echo and Huskys.Just call them up
and they will send any of them but not a Stihl.They may sell them over the counter but you aren't gonna get one in
the mail.Based on Stihl USA's website, they only sell through servicing dealers.I didn't make that up.There may a
way for nonservicing sellers to get their hands on Stihl products but I can't believe a concern as big as Stihl
would knowingly allow that to continue and yet make the statements they do on their website.
 
I have 3 Husqvarna saws, all purchased from a servicing dealer. They started and ran them all before they gave them to me plus insist that after 10 hours or so that I bring them back in and they check them over and make any adjustments as needed. After I got the first one and had used it about a year I took it in for a tune up. A guy in front of me was told a week to 10 days because of work load. I wasn't concerned because I wasn't going to need mine. They told me "noon tomorrow". When the guy saw the look on my face he laughed and said "he didn't buy his here". Now that wasn't the first time I was aware of something like that. I know a guy who owns a JD outdoor power equipment store who will tell you the same thing. Bring in a JD product that you got from a box store and it's the last thing he's going to get to.

Rick
 
For reasons I cannot explain, I did that once on my MS390, well at leas the oil/fuel compartments were flushed clean LOL, same with the fuel line pick-up/filter, which was clean anyways. After said and done, taking a moment to think about me doing this, I had to laugh, as there was no logical reason, having used the saw all the years prior.
 
Nah. Takes real stones to wear that hokey clown suit in public and I'm not talking about the kind some grow when they are at a computer.
 
Thanks for the backup.I have not stated anything on this forum that can't be verified by Stihl.Anyone can disagree
with me by stating anecdotal stories but to be called out as a liar will generate a serious response from me.As a rule I won't get into a pissing contest over differances of opinion but this person has attacked me personally on this forum.I don't think that anyone who has to ask for advise on how to get a flywheel off of a Stihl saw should
be trusted to advise if Stihl will only sell through authorised servicing dealers.Thanks again and game on GREG1959.
 
In my little shop. I have stopped working on Poulan,Homelight,Husky and Efco. All junk and not worth working on. Sthil is only sold at servicing dealers. Unless they have changed the rules in the last month.
 
Thank you for the backup as well.I can think of many ways a franchise organisation can get around Stihls demand for a sevice department.AsI have stated I can not believe Stihl is shipping to non sevicing outlets.
 

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