MS 390 hot start after refuel problems

[Kenster]

My 390 always starts very easily. About four pulls in the choke position, get the 'burp,' move the switch up a notch and it will fire right up on the next pull (second at most.)

If I turn it off for a few minutes after I've been working it for a while it will usually fire right up on the first or second pull.

BUT, if I run it out of gas it will be about impossible to restart and I usually flood it. So I think my 'hot restart' after refuel technique must be wrong.

Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Montanalocal]

I have got an MS 391, and I remember when I was researching it, someone was saying that once it is warm and needs restarting, one should not push in the decompression button when restarting because it will not flood as much. Since I have been doing that, it has been starting easier for me.

 

[Kenster]

Thanks Montana. I'll try to remember that. Though a few times when I tried to start it without hitting the decompression button it about jerked my arm out of its socket.

 

[Montanalocal]

The other thing I forgot to mention is that when you get close to the end, keep your ears peeled for an increase and runaway in the rpm. This will happen about 30 seconds or so before you run out and it dies. If you can shut it off immediately, there will still be enough fuel in the system to start it as if you shut it off as normal. I know there is the temptation to finish your cut, but I have learned that shutting it off immediately and refueling can save a lot of grief.

 

[Kenster]

Roger that! I heard that sound today and sensed fuel starvation was imminent but I only had about four more inches to get through a 24 inch log.

Didn't make it.

 

[saskwoodburner]

Have you tried holding the hand throttle wide open while pulling the cord? This trick worked for me on my Husqvarna (flooded). Obviously, be careful, as starting a saw without the chain brake engaged as an everyday practice is not a good habit.

 

[Kenster]

Saskwoodburner, holding the throttle wide open sounds like what my dad always told me if I flooded my car....put the pedal all the way to the floor while you're cranking it and it will run all the gas out of the carb and end the flooded condition, so that makes sense to me. However....I pretty much always have the trigger (throttle) squeezed all the way when I'm pulling the chord as I have to have my hand on the handlle, depressing the top switch, to start it. So I just squeeze the throttle as I grip the handle.

I did get some advice from a buddy who is a Stihl dealer. He said that when you are doing a hot start after a fuel starvation situation, you will most likely NOT get the 'burp' after pulling the cord in the Choke position a few times. The burp is usually the cue to switch out of choke. He said just pull the cord in Choke three or four times, then change the switch to the Start position and pull again. It should start then.

Continuing to pull the cord while waiting for the burp in a hot start situation will most likely cause a flooding condition.