Bl**dy chaisaws

[minimutly]

I can well understand why @8ob has a rack of these in various states of repair - I only have two, neither want to run reliably. For something so simple, they sure are enough to make you swear.
I have a Stihl and a screwfix special, both start, run up then stop. I think the screwfix one has a fuelling issue that I just can't find, won't take throttle without choke.
The Stihl also starts, runs up great, takes throttle, then while in a steady idle, it just dies.
Aarrghhhh...

 

[Onoff]

No problems here with my 36V Einkita / Makhell cordless Frankensaw!

https://flic.kr/p/2iUaaRe

 

[James1979]

Best thing you can get is an ultrasonic cleaner.

Sounds like a blockage in the carb somewhere. Have you cleaned it? There’s 2 little gauze filters that calcify up. Yours does sound like it could be the fuel pump. Diaphragms split.

Repair kit is nowt. Worth keeping a couple. What saw / carb is it? I may have one to suit.

 

[James1979]

Also check the fuel pipes. Especially where they come out of the tank. They split there on stihl. How is tank pick up filter looking?

 

[pedrobedro]

Is it a small Stihl, MS170 or 180 type of thing ? I've done a few carb kits on them and they run fine after a bit of attention. Problems usually caused by leaving them for months on end with fuel in them,

 

[Matchless]

Use Esso supreme 99, no ethanol, and run them dry when packing up for the day, as a day often turns into months,,,,

 

[tom2207]

bung a bit of two stroke mix down the bore and start them a few times ,,, as long as you have fresh fuel mix in them they will usually get up and go ,,, the diaphragms and flap valves can stick , but a few goes at running gets all the bits moving ,, just may need done half a dozen times , but a bit of patience , and resist the urge to start turning screws , if they were running ok , the settings will still be fine. oh and a few flicks of the on off switch incase the contacts are a bit iffy too , but if they fire on mix down the bore you know tthe electrics are good.

 

[8ob]

I can well understand why @8ob has a rack of these in various states of repair - I only have two, neither want to run reliably. For something so simple, they sure are enough to make you swear.
I have a Stihl and a screwfix special, both start, run up then stop. I think the screwfix one has a fuelling issue that I just can't find, won't take throttle without choke.
The Stihl also starts, runs up great, takes throttle, then while in a steady idle, it just dies.
Aarrghhhh...

May just need a tweek on the idle mixture.
Its quite simple stuff on the older chainsaws fuel systems. Vac/pressure pulse wiggles diaphragm which is basically your fuel pump. Lack of vac (crank seals) or a perforated diaphragm = poor or no fuel supply, this can also lead to the carb leaning out at high rpm or little to no fuel supply at idle. Also worth checking the fuel pick up pipe for pinholes/splits. sometimes quicker to strip it all out and go through the whole lot.

Bob

 

[Memmeddu]

I can well understand why @8ob has a rack of these in various states of repair - I only have two, neither want to run reliably. For something so simple, they sure are enough to make you swear.
I have a Stihl and a screwfix special, both start, run up then stop. I think the screwfix one has a fuelling issue that I just can't find, won't take throttle without choke.
The Stihl also starts, runs up great, takes throttle, then while in a steady idle, it just dies.
Aarrghhhh...

Carb

 

[Ross365]

I have a Ryobi two-stroke which has been just about the worst purchase I ever made. But I also have an ancient Black & Decker 240V which is brilliant!

 

[tom2207]

Ive a lot of two stroke stuff , I start it over the winter every couple of months , it only takes an hour on a quiet sunday morning , but well worth the effort , Since I started doing that when spring comes and things turn green , I have more time to spend sorting out all the strimmers from my neighbors who seem to think its my job ,,,, ah well as they say

a friend in need ,,,, is a pain in the asre.

 

[grim_d]

I have a Stihl and a screwfix special.

There's your problem!

Get a husky.

On topic...the ethanol in our fuel often causes fuel pipes, gaskets, primer bulbs and seals to liquify if they are not compatible.

Your issues are undoubtedly carb related but more than a few times I've seen rotten fuel lines and bulbs...

You may also want to try adjusting the fueling, often this requires special screwdrivers.

The Screwfix will likely have a clone of a common carb, get a replacement and it will probably work, rebuild kits can be futile because of the variants.

Carb kits will likely be available for the Stihl.

Side note...my husky always starts as long as the fuel is fresh.

 

[tom2207]

There's your problem!

Get a husky.

oh no ,,, not that gem here too.

 

[grim_d]

oh no ,,, not that gem here too.

They really are gems aren't they?!

 

[tom2207]

They really are gems aren't they?!

Ive an old stihl 044 with an 18 inch bar on and its a marvel ... the rest of my smaller stuff is tanaka , their small engines are great , bigger stuff not so much.
and an old Ryobi with a legend of an engine , the maryuama its actually way better than it should be , but its the engine its just outstanding .
I like two strokes for what they are ,,, but the trouble is , they are what they are .... small cheap lightweight engines .
clean air and good fuel and quality oil and they do well but if you scrimp on any of those theres a price to pay ,, usually in sweat trying to get them to go.

 

[pcwizme]

Aspen 2 stroke or stihl fuel are the answer in my view, it keeps good for ages and means you dont get the carb issues etc.

 

[Lazurus]

Another vote for Aspen can be left months and stihl (lol) starts every time

 

[Blobber]

Ive a screwfix special, Titan i think it is, been faultless for 6 years and its done a ton of work, the only thing I have found is the air cleaner is a poor design and needs cleaning after every use, its had 1 spark plug and the fuel cap seal has now gone but its starts whenever I need, If you do leave fuel in it make sure you give the tool a good shake before you run it up

 

[Memmeddu]

I have a small Jonsered 2036 (Husqvarna 36 or 136 series) and it was great.
Now it has difficult to keep going.
So it's waiting for a complete maintenance.
New intake parts,spark plug, complete engine rebuild kit (crankshaft included) carb kit
Oil pump and worm gear.
I'll use farmertec parts but just because I refuse to throw it away.
@MCKDAVID gave me the clutch parts for it a while ago
Thanks again mate
A same displacement McCulloch chainsaw costs about the same for the parts to take back to life my saw.
Then later on the road I'll buy a Stihl Ms 361 or even Ms 440 clone.
I love two strokes.
And despite the fact I don't use them often chainsaw is a tool that's better to have in your tools arsenal

 

[Moose McAlpine]

I can well understand why @8ob has a rack of these in various states of repair - I only have two, neither want to run reliably. For something so simple, they sure are enough to make you swear.
I have a Stihl and a screwfix special, both start, run up then stop. I think the screwfix one has a fuelling issue that I just can't find, won't take throttle without choke.
The Stihl also starts, runs up great, takes throttle, then while in a steady idle, it just dies.
Aarrghhhh...

Replace with an M-Tronic/Autotune saw and run it only on pre-mixed alkylate fuel. No carb tuning, no fuel degradation.