chain saw question

jm. · Dec 29, 2020

OK drug out two of may dads old chain saws today. Homelite XL ? purchased around 1969 or so. Neither was stuck. Here is the problem with the first one. With ne spark plug you can pull the rope all day no fire. BUT if I put a drill motor on the end of the sprocket nut as soon as it comes up to about where the saw would be running speed the fire is perfect. I removed the laminated coil that the plug wire goes to and cleaned fly wheel and the coil thing. No change so I pulled the flywheel and there was a small aluminum cover. Replaced the points and condenser. Figured I had it , well to my dismay it is still just the same. Don,t need this thing , was just making indoor work in this bad weather but now I want to fix it. Anybody got any ideas.

Janicholson · Dec 29, 2020

The point gap must be near perfect to make spark, and the flywheel Key must be absolutely straight, no tiny offset. Jim

Goose · Dec 29, 2020

The air gap between the coil and the flywheel is critical, also.

Janicholson · Dec 29, 2020

A piece of a file folder (manila) is about right as a shim to set it, then remove the paper. Jim

Steve@Advance · Dec 30, 2020

Check the points with an ohm meter to be sure they are making connection.

Being new and in the box for a long time they may have some corrosion or a coating to prevent corrosion. Even residue from the feeler gauge can stop them from making contact. Clean them with a paper business card and brake cleaner.

Steve@Advance · Dec 30, 2020

Could also be the coil.

Any sign of the epoxy cracking?

Walston · Dec 30, 2020

I agree the coil is likely the culprit. easier to make spark going faster. I would check the points and coil gap as suggested and if it is still the same, I would get a coil.

rick n ohio · Dec 30, 2020

I have two old saws I hung on the wall along side a husqvarna chainsaw sign for display there right where they need to be retired I couldn't imagine heading to the woodpile with those things

jm. · Dec 30, 2020

Thanks guys 58 and pretty here today but I,ll get back on it tomorrow , they are calling for heavy rains. Happy New Year to all and thanks again for the answers, pictures and results to follow some day.

buickanddeere · Dec 30, 2020

If there is a permanent magnet cast or inserted into the flywheel . It could be weak with age .

Traditional Farmer · Dec 30, 2020

Any parts you can't find I have about 20 XL,Super XL and XL 12 saws around here.Generally keep about 4 or 5 running.

miangus · Dec 30, 2020

I have a Homlite 707 from the 50s. I doubt it would start and I am not going to try. I would be wore out just carrying it from the truck to the woods.

Donald Lehman · Dec 30, 2020

It sounds like a bad coil.

jm. · Dec 30, 2020

TF thanks for the answer.. I have three good sthil late model saws, these were just dads and I thought I would see if I could get one running. One fell out of his pick up going down the highway when it was almost new. He doubled up a handle and ran it several years, dont think the second one has that many hours , Ill see what I may need.

Bret4207 · Dec 31, 2020

IF you go to Leons Chainsaw Repair on You Tube you can watch a Homelite expert in action. IIRC he has stated that baking the coil often brings them back form the dead. I would imagine it's a moisture issue. Might research that, but coils for the XL's aren't that hard to find or that expensive.

chain saw question

jm.

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Janicholson

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Goose

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Janicholson

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Steve@Advance

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Steve@Advance

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Walston

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rick n ohio

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jm.

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buickanddeere

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Traditional Farmer

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miangus

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Donald Lehman

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jm.

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