Chainsaw problems

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muncybob

muncybob

Minister of Fire
Apr 8, 2008
2,158
Near Williamsport, PA
I have on what seems a permanent loan a Jonsered saw with an 18" bar that up until recently has performed great for me. For the last week or so I've been working on a large oak tree. This has required more "all out" running of the saw than what I have done in the past. After about a tank of fuel it's hard to get it started again and does not seem to run well. Someitmes I cannot get it started unless I leave it sit for about 15 minutes or so and even then if it stalls it won't start again for awhile. The only thing I've done differently recently is adding Star Tron enzyme treatment to the gas...is this by chance the culprit or is something else going on here?
 
I'd crack the gas cap and see if it fires......may be vapor locking. Check the plug like mentioned above. Consider a carb rebuild
 
i dunno. doesn't sound like tank vent problem. could be, though. I suppose it could be the coil going bad, as well. not enough information. check plug, clean air filter, blow saw clean with compressed air, pull muffler and look at piston, poke it with a stick and then report back.
 
dangit, I take too long to post. HS got the gas cap recommendation in before i did.
 
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Spark and compression tests while the saw is cold and again when it's hot. Spark test should be with a tester that has an adjustable air gap.

Check cylinder and muffler bolts. Heat could be causing things to expand and loosen up. More often than not, hard restart when the saw is hot is ignition related.
 
try squirting ether in by the clutch then run it if it revs then the seal is gone possibly from a bent crank. This was the final diagnosis on my 2045 after a new ign. incld. coil and a carb rebuild, still had good compr. but seemed like vapor lock. kinda a form of it i guess. If you dont need more than a tankful you still got a saw for your tool box in case you come across a blowdown in the road
 
MasterMech said:
Spark and compression tests while the saw is cold and again when it's hot. Spark test should be with a tester that has an adjustable air gap.

Check cylinder and muffler bolts. Heat could be causing things to expand and loosen up. More often than not, hard restart when the saw is hot is ignition related.
Click to expand...

+1 for spark and compression. Though, I've always used the cheap-man's way of testing for spark.
 
Took off the covers and cleaned it the other day, noticed a possible bad fuel line...saw leakage when running it. Could this cause vapor lock? Also saw that 2 of the 4 AV bushings were broke so I'll be taking it into the shop as I've never replaced them before and since it's not really my saw I don't want to screw anything up.
 
If the fuel line is bad the saw will definitely suffer in the performance department. It will be sucking air along with the gas. This ethanol gas is terrible for small engines, its very hard particularly on the fuel lines and carburetor internals. I'd replace the fuel line, change the fuel filter, change the spark plug and see what happens. May also pay you (while you have it apart) to break down the carburetor and give the inlet screen a check/cleaning.
 
Are you choking a hot saw when re-starting?
 
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I had a cracked fuel line on my stihl. Whenever I would give it gas, it would bog down and shut off. Then would be hard to start. Sounds like your problem.
 
smokinj said:
Are you choking a hot saw when re-starting?
Click to expand...
Nope.

Expalined the situation when I dropped off the saw, guy said they'll look at/replace the fuel line if needed but sounds more like the coil.
 
muncybob said:
Nope.

Expalined the situation when I dropped off the saw, guy said they'll look at/replace the fuel line if needed but sounds more like the coil.
Click to expand...

I use to choke out my 880 just to make a few young guys want to quite early on a 100 degree day! Sounds quite the same situation. Sure cheaper my way! :)
 
Coil sounds about right...they can get weird when hot.
 
I was told it will be ready mid to late next week. Good thing I'm out of town until Thursday as I'm already having separation anxiety!
 
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