Flooded chainsaw

[JRF1973]

Hi Jeeps

We had a brand new saw last camping trip.  For the life of us we couldn't start the bloody thing.  Gave the owner of the property a go and it went second pull.  The secret was full choke - then when it kicks even the slightest bit (which was first go once we understood) move it off full choke. Never missed a beat after that - was only our inexperience that gave us the grief.

Not saying this is your situation - just worth a thought.

Regards

Justin

[griz066]

Stihls are notorious for it. just buy a husqvarna and problem solved

[D4D]

The secret was full choke - then when it kicks even the slightest bit (which was first go once we understood) move it off full choke.

That's how I start mine

[koshari]

That's how I start mine

same here if cold, full choke til it barks, (usually first pull) then half choke second pull, then release throttle lock and cut wood.

[koshari]

Stihls are notorious for it. just buy a husqvarna and problem solved

true to an extent when comparing consumer range stihls (ms 170/180/250) to a husky 345XP , but huskys consumer saws are re-badged talons so hardly a relevant comparison,

[tinkera]

They say Husky are more user friendly but when I looked at the choke leaver and trigger setup it looked a bit weak wouldn,t take a bump but they tell me there easy to start.I,ll stick with the Stihl. I have the starting worked out now like I and others have said don,t leave it on full choke for more than a few pulls even if it doesn,t fire.Tinkera.

[Kameron]

Hey guys,

What model saws are the Stihl owners using?  Was looking to buy a small Stihl for camping and around the house duties and the MS170 came to mind being relatively compact, cost effective and what not.  After doing a very small amount of research I read that the MS170 has a lighter duty chain and bar etc. than some of the more 'serious models'.  That got me thinking that I should put in the extra couple of hundred and get something that will be well and truly up to the task. 

Cheers,

Kameron

[tinkera]

HI Kameron I bought a MS 180Stihl and I have been using it to clear a timbered block I have and it hasn,t let me down.But having said that your gunna open a can of worms on here mate Stihl vs Husky.Tinkera

[koshari]

Hey guys,

What model saws are the Stihl owners using?  Was looking to buy a small Stihl for camping and around the house duties and the MS170 came to mind being relatively compact, cost effective and what not.  After doing a very small amount of research I read that the MS170 has a lighter duty chain and bar etc. than some of the more 'serious models'.  That got me thinking that I should put in the extra couple of hundred and get something that will be well and truly up to the task. 

Cheers,

Kameron

the consumer end of the stihl range arnt great but they are OK for light/occasional use as are small huskys and makitas (makitas are maid by dolmar in germany) , i guess at the end of the day it comes down to how much is the most you are willing to spend.

if you wan to but a saw that will last you 20years plus you could look at a pro saw but you will need to spend at least $700+ for that (and that would mean buying a husky 346xp or a stihl ms261. landed from the US). if you buy one of those saws locally your looking at $1250!

otherwise you could buy a "farm" saw such as an MS290 or a husky 455 rancher thay will cost you the same as the pro saw imported from the US.

makita are a very well priced saw in australia ATM and are definately leading the local pricing and are comparable with stihl and husky for build quality.

if you are only prepared to spend 300-500 your prolly looking at an ms180 at the cheap end and for 500odd i would look at something like a makita DCS460.


For the record i got an ms261 from the US landed for about 715 dollars, but the catch is you need to know someone over there to buy it and ship it for you as neither hasky or stihl dealers will ship a pro saw to Australia officially.

all the above advice is assuming you dont want a top handle saw.


hope i haven't confused you

[Symon]

I have a MS170 as well and the thing always floods if you transport it fueled up.  Once you are done with it, empty the fuel tank and then start it and run it dry.

Makes it a lot easier for next time.

[koshari]

I have a MS170 as well and the thing always floods if you transport it fueled up.  Once you are done with it, empty the fuel tank and then start it and run it dry.

Makes it a lot easier for next time.

keeping a any saw without fuel in it is good advice for all saws ( or any 2 stroke engines run infrequently).

stops the oil in the fuel gumming up all the ports in the carby.

[Redback]

I have a Stihl MS 230 Easy2Start WoodBoss, 12mths on, never had an issue, gets transported on the camper, then thrown into the car to get firewood and has always started first go every time, I follow the starting proceedure of full choke pull till it fires, choke off, pull, fires first time every time.

Same with my other saws as well, I have two others, a Shindawa and an Ebay cheapy(Husky copy) great saws, starts first time every time with the same proceedure, the Ebay saw is nearly 4yrs old now, best $50 I ever spent, well $100 if you include postage, still going like a train

Baz.

[jeeps]

Hey guys just an update:

1) I always empty the oil but not the petrol tank, i'll be running the tank dry from now on.
2) I always use full choke to 'burp' the engine, then half choke to fire it and it starts no worries
3) I tried a new spark plug
4) I checked the spark
5) I took the spark plug out in the field and pulled it while turned off to empty the chamber of excess fuel etc.

After getting back from the camping trip, i tried to start the chainsaw all week with no luck. I put it in it's bag and forgot about it. Went away camping at an offroad motorbike competition i was competing in last weekend and then when we got back home earlier this week i thought i'd take it down to the stihl shop to get them to take a look at it. I decided to give it a go 5 mins before i was to leave home for the stihl shop and what do you know it fires up first pull on full choke. Not just a normal full choke 'burp' either but a good run on and now it starts all the time easily.

Tomorrow i plan to dump the fuel and change the oil ratio to 60:1 to reduce the oil build up as there is a bit of oil build up coming out of the muffler/silencer. I'm also going to test the 'run dry' method for transport.

cheers

[koshari]

Tomorrow i plan to dump the fuel and change the oil ratio to 60:1 to reduce the oil build up as there is a bit of oil build up coming out of the muffler/silencer.

i wouldn't be doing that, 60:1  is pretty lean, what oil do you use?

i would rather live with a little oil residue than wear the jug, plug and slug out.

[duggie]

That is way to lean. Be carefull you could bugger the engine with that mix, if you have not already. Low compression will cause a two stroke problems with starting.

[jeeps]

Im using the Stihl 50:1 mix but I'm going to back it off from that, it shouldn't cause too many dramas. I'm running 85:1 in my comp bike and my mates new bike has a recommendation of 95:1 so with good oil you can back it off a bit. Yes the chainsaw isn't a motorcycle but it gets very little use and is well looked after. Maybe I'll just use my motorex bike oil

Cheers