395xp Issues

[SpaceBus]

Today my 395xp just quit on me while milling logs. Everything was fine and then it started to "choke" like I was feeding it too fast, so I backed off and tried again. The saw would rev up a bit and then cut out. Even with the throttle wide open and no load it would rev a bit and die. The saw would restart and idle just fine, for a few minutes. Now when I try to start the saw it might get one combustion, enough to pop the decomp valve, and then it just stops. Before just 30 minutes ago the saw never gave me any issue and started right up. First thing I checked was to pull the muffler and peek at the piston and cylinder, which look perfect. Seems like it is getting fuel just fine and my gut is saying it is bad spark. The plug wire is worn just before the plug boot with silver wire exposed. Looks like a mouse took a bite, but I think it's from vibration. Also when I pulled the plug wire off the plug the spring was left behind, which I'm sure doesn't help my case. I did manage to get a video of the sputtering/choking under throttle before it stopped idling at all. When you google "395xp ignition issue" there are many results, which is pushing me in the direction of bad coil.

Any other ideas? I'm considering ordering an aftermarket coil since it is $25 vs $85 for the OEM. The only solace I can take in this problem is that the piston and cylinder are fine and it must be spark or fuel. Not really anything else that can go wrong on the saw.

 

[SpaceBus]

Well, either way I ordered an aftermarket ignition coil since that's what can get here in a reasonable amount of time. The cutting equipment from the 395 should fit on my 460, so I'm going to try that so I can continue working.

 

[johneh]

Just wondering did you check the air filter

 

[ABMax24]

Judging by the way your plug wire and boot are falling apart I'd say it's ignition related. Also firing once and not again when trying to start it sounds ignition related.

 

[SpaceBus]

Judging by the way your plug wire and boot are falling apart I'd say it's ignition related. Also firing once and not again when trying to start it sounds ignition related.

Yes, the last few minutes it idled when you hit the throttle it was like hitting a spark rev limiter in a car. Reminded me of a car with a soft rev limiter rather the one that will let you bang against the redline for a hard launch.

Just wondering did you check the air filter

I did blow it out and the air filter seemed pretty clean to be honest. Thought about trying to start the saw without the air filter, but though it better not to given all the dust around.

 

[SpaceBus]

Last night I went ahead and ordered another plug and some fuel filters just in case.

 

[duramaxman05]

May want to check fuel tank vent as well.

 

[salecker]

You can change the wire on the coil...
The spring thingy on your plug should be in the boot connected to the center of the plug wire.

 

[SpaceBus]

You can change the wire on the coil...
The spring thingy on your plug should be in the boot connected to the center of the plug wire.

Yeah, the spring should be in the coil boot. I have since discovered that the plug wire can be unscrewed from the coil. On the OPE forum folks have advised to not use the aftermarket coil even if it does get the saw running. IF that is the issue I'll snag an oem.

 

[SpaceBus]

I replaced the coil this morning with a new OEM and it started first pull. I'll be using 40:1 premix and running a bit more on the rich side from now on. The original coil seems to have failed due to being coated in sawdust and then the heat didn't do any favors. Pulling the covers and doing a thorough cleaning with brushes and the air compressor will definitely be an end of the day maintenance item.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

I replaced the coil this morning with a new OEM and it started first pull. I'll be using 40:1 premix and running a bit more on the rich side from now on. The original coil seems to have failed due to being coated in sawdust and then the heat didn't do any favors. Pulling the covers and doing a thorough cleaning with brushes and the air compressor will definitely be an end of the day maintenance item.

I pull the covers on mine alot and blow it with the compressor. Mostly every time I do a cord I swap a new chain and do a dusting of the interior..