I know, everyone hates Craftsman saws, but I could use some help understanding what happened and if there's something I can do to fix this thing.
I screwed up and put 32:1 in a 40:1 saw. Cheap big box oil, too. Didn't know that was an issue until a few posts ago. It's embarrassing, but I didn't have my glasses out there, I don't use the saw much, and unfortunately, this kind of stuff is happening to me more and more, and it definitely sucks. I probably have plaque building up in my brain, but I can't figure out how to floss it.
Anyway, here's what happened as best I can remember...
The first tank of 32:1 ran great cutting small stuff until I got near empty and the throttle seemed to stick (not mechanically, the trigger still pulled in and came out), the RPM's stayed high, close to full throttle, and the kill switch was slow to shut things down. I figured it overheated and was self detonating like a diesel engine or something.
After cooling, I refilled with 32:1 (dammit) and burned half the tank, all the while it refused to slow to idle speed.
The next week I was to cut some 22 inch oak logs with the B-n-L. He kindly pointed out that I had a can of 32:1 in the trailer instead of 40:1 so we dumped the tank and refilled. A test start was good, but the high throttle condition remained, although it would eventually come down to idle with some patience.
The first few 22" cuts went fine. Then the saw bogged down and stopped without there being a pinch or bind. It then refused to start. We knocked off for the day. Both of us with sore shoulders from pulling the starter cord endlessly.
Next day I go back for a second try. Saw starts okay with a few more pulls than normal. Cuts almost through one 22" log and bogs and dies again with no pinching. Like the motor just decided it had had enough. Another shoulder marathon won't restart the thing and I give up for the day.
Next day I go back again. Saw starts okay with a few more pulls than normal. I finish the previous day's nearly completed cut and start a fresh 22" cut. I'm almost through the log when it bogs and dies with no pinch or bind. Again the motor just seemed to decide it had had enough. Another sore shoulder workout won't restart the thing. I go home.
Pulled the plug and it was predictably fouled. Replaced with new plug. Cleaned, dried, and oiled the air filter. Noticed throttle trigger pin is slightly protruding, but not enough so as to seem to be a real problem. I push it home. Test start requires a few more pulls than normal. I go to my 22" oak log, make almost one full cut, and same old, same old, she's down for the count.
Did I fry this thing using 32:1 instead of 40:1? Or is it just a Craftsman in its death throws after a few years of light use? Time for a new saw, or is there a fairly simple trouble shooting procedure I might follow with a little luck. Any suggestions beyond not putting 32:1 in a 40:1 saw?
I screwed up and put 32:1 in a 40:1 saw. Cheap big box oil, too. Didn't know that was an issue until a few posts ago. It's embarrassing, but I didn't have my glasses out there, I don't use the saw much, and unfortunately, this kind of stuff is happening to me more and more, and it definitely sucks. I probably have plaque building up in my brain, but I can't figure out how to floss it.
Anyway, here's what happened as best I can remember...
The first tank of 32:1 ran great cutting small stuff until I got near empty and the throttle seemed to stick (not mechanically, the trigger still pulled in and came out), the RPM's stayed high, close to full throttle, and the kill switch was slow to shut things down. I figured it overheated and was self detonating like a diesel engine or something.
After cooling, I refilled with 32:1 (dammit) and burned half the tank, all the while it refused to slow to idle speed.
The next week I was to cut some 22 inch oak logs with the B-n-L. He kindly pointed out that I had a can of 32:1 in the trailer instead of 40:1 so we dumped the tank and refilled. A test start was good, but the high throttle condition remained, although it would eventually come down to idle with some patience.
The first few 22" cuts went fine. Then the saw bogged down and stopped without there being a pinch or bind. It then refused to start. We knocked off for the day. Both of us with sore shoulders from pulling the starter cord endlessly.
Next day I go back for a second try. Saw starts okay with a few more pulls than normal. Cuts almost through one 22" log and bogs and dies again with no pinching. Like the motor just decided it had had enough. Another shoulder marathon won't restart the thing and I give up for the day.
Next day I go back again. Saw starts okay with a few more pulls than normal. I finish the previous day's nearly completed cut and start a fresh 22" cut. I'm almost through the log when it bogs and dies with no pinch or bind. Again the motor just seemed to decide it had had enough. Another sore shoulder workout won't restart the thing. I go home.
Pulled the plug and it was predictably fouled. Replaced with new plug. Cleaned, dried, and oiled the air filter. Noticed throttle trigger pin is slightly protruding, but not enough so as to seem to be a real problem. I push it home. Test start requires a few more pulls than normal. I go to my 22" oak log, make almost one full cut, and same old, same old, she's down for the count.
Did I fry this thing using 32:1 instead of 40:1? Or is it just a Craftsman in its death throws after a few years of light use? Time for a new saw, or is there a fairly simple trouble shooting procedure I might follow with a little luck. Any suggestions beyond not putting 32:1 in a 40:1 saw?
