2 Cycle Starting Problem
#1
Craftsman chain saw starting prob
I borrowed my fathers brand new Craftsman chain saw. I used it once last year, started on the second pull, and ran like a champ. I tried to use it today and it wouldn't start. I did leave a little gas in it from last year, though I did top off the tank today with some 40:1. Whole lotta pulls later, no go. I followed the starting instructions and the flooding (i did smell gas) instructions - no go. The front of the chainsaw was losing gas, just dribbling out - didn't seem normal. I dumped all the gas, waited 1/2 hour, 1/2 loaded the tank with new gas - same result.
The leaking gas in the front seems odd - it didn't do that last year. Is it possible that leaving the small amount of gas in for a year caused some seal problem. More importantly, can I fix this poop? I am fairly mechanical so I could probably do any repairs myself - just need a push in the right direction.
Thanks so much in advance - my other alternative is to take it in.
Tim
The leaking gas in the front seems odd - it didn't do that last year. Is it possible that leaving the small amount of gas in for a year caused some seal problem. More importantly, can I fix this poop? I am fairly mechanical so I could probably do any repairs myself - just need a push in the right direction.
Thanks so much in advance - my other alternative is to take it in.
Tim
#2
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: The Shake and Bake State USA
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Hello Tim. Welcome to our Do-It-Yourself Web Site and our Small Engine forum.
Most likely the small amount of fuel left in the tank and carb has long ago turned to vanish and gummed up the entire fuel system and carb.
Most likely to correct the problem, flushing out the tank, fuel lines and replacing the filter will be required. The filter is most likely attached to a free moving hose inside the tank. Fish it out and replace the filter.
Removal of the carb will be necessary since fuel was left in the system. The fuel evaporated and left behind gums & vanishes which have now gummed up the fuel passages and brittled the diaphram.
Removing the carb shouldn't be much of a problem. That's once you gain access to it. On some brands and models, this isn't always so easy to accomplish.
However, once you do gain access to the carburetor, be sure you make note of exactly how the throttle linkage is connected to it and the throttle lever, so you can reinstall it exactly as it currently is. Use care handling any springs and linkages attached to the carburetor so as not to overly bend or distort them.
Prior to any disassembly of the carburetor write down exactly how many turns out each fuel adjustment screw is currently set at. There will be two screws. A high "H" speed screw and a low "L" speed screw.
To determine how many turns each screw is turned outwards, count the number of turns it takes to scerw it in until it is lightly seated. This will then be the number of turns outwards it takes to set the screw back to it's orginal postion when the rebuild is completed.
I would highly recommend you disassemble the carburetor on a well cleaned and completely cleared off workbench top with plenty of lighting. Diaphragm carburetors are often very tiny therefore they have tiny internal parts, which can get lost easily.
Carefully remove each piece of the carburetor and make special note of exactly how it came off and in which order it came off. Also note which side or which way each part is facing or installed.
I suggest using aerosol canned automotive carb spray cleaner to clean the inside body and clear the fuel ports and jets. Part dip cleaners are much too caustic for tiny carb parts.
The plastic tube end that comes with the canned cleaner is an excellent means to flush out gums and sludges from the jets, ports, channels and under welch plugs without removing them.
Use EXTREME CAUTION cleaning any parts with an automotive aerosol parts cleaner product. Aersol liquid parts cleaners are EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE!!! The manufacturers CAUTIONS should be strictly adhered to.
Read the product manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
An excellent source for orginal replacement parts is your local retail lawn mower and or small engine repair shops. Dealers and repair shops are listed in the phone book.
Retail parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers with you if you stop in at the store.
Check the archives, within this forum, for other postings and replies on this topic. The other resident small engine service and repair professionals may offer additional suggestions, advice & help.
Regards and Good Luck, Small Engine Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart.....Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
"Accurate Power Equipment Company"
Small Engine Diagnostic Service and Repair Technician.
Most likely the small amount of fuel left in the tank and carb has long ago turned to vanish and gummed up the entire fuel system and carb.
Most likely to correct the problem, flushing out the tank, fuel lines and replacing the filter will be required. The filter is most likely attached to a free moving hose inside the tank. Fish it out and replace the filter.
Removal of the carb will be necessary since fuel was left in the system. The fuel evaporated and left behind gums & vanishes which have now gummed up the fuel passages and brittled the diaphram.
Removing the carb shouldn't be much of a problem. That's once you gain access to it. On some brands and models, this isn't always so easy to accomplish.
However, once you do gain access to the carburetor, be sure you make note of exactly how the throttle linkage is connected to it and the throttle lever, so you can reinstall it exactly as it currently is. Use care handling any springs and linkages attached to the carburetor so as not to overly bend or distort them.
Prior to any disassembly of the carburetor write down exactly how many turns out each fuel adjustment screw is currently set at. There will be two screws. A high "H" speed screw and a low "L" speed screw.
To determine how many turns each screw is turned outwards, count the number of turns it takes to scerw it in until it is lightly seated. This will then be the number of turns outwards it takes to set the screw back to it's orginal postion when the rebuild is completed.
I would highly recommend you disassemble the carburetor on a well cleaned and completely cleared off workbench top with plenty of lighting. Diaphragm carburetors are often very tiny therefore they have tiny internal parts, which can get lost easily.
Carefully remove each piece of the carburetor and make special note of exactly how it came off and in which order it came off. Also note which side or which way each part is facing or installed.
I suggest using aerosol canned automotive carb spray cleaner to clean the inside body and clear the fuel ports and jets. Part dip cleaners are much too caustic for tiny carb parts.
The plastic tube end that comes with the canned cleaner is an excellent means to flush out gums and sludges from the jets, ports, channels and under welch plugs without removing them.
Use EXTREME CAUTION cleaning any parts with an automotive aerosol parts cleaner product. Aersol liquid parts cleaners are EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE!!! The manufacturers CAUTIONS should be strictly adhered to.
Read the product manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
An excellent source for orginal replacement parts is your local retail lawn mower and or small engine repair shops. Dealers and repair shops are listed in the phone book.
Retail parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers with you if you stop in at the store.
Check the archives, within this forum, for other postings and replies on this topic. The other resident small engine service and repair professionals may offer additional suggestions, advice & help.
Regards and Good Luck, Small Engine Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart.....Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
"Accurate Power Equipment Company"
Small Engine Diagnostic Service and Repair Technician.