hello,
i have a "Old", 20-25 yrs., mcculloch 14"," eager bever "chain saw
about 2 years after i bought it(new) i would have trouble getting it run for more than 5-10 minutes at a time.
initially, on first start it would run fine for how ever long i was cutting. when i would restart, it would run for 10 minutes or so
then quit and i would have to wait another 10 minutes or so to start it and run. this would go on for as long as i would use the saw that day.
i took it to a small engine tech. and he said this saw had problems with the fuel delivery system and mcculloch had a repair fix recall, but that was many years ago.
before i junk it , i was wondering if something like clogged exhaust ports or a plugged fuel cap could be the problem?
appreciate any advice.
thanks,daswede

 

Hello daswede. Welcome to the Small Engine forum.

Classic symptoms of a clogged vent hole in the fuel tanks gas cap. Try running the engine without it. If it runs well for a continued period of time, the vent hole is plugged or restricted.

Could be several other possible problems, but starting with this test may resolve the problem without repairs and replacement parts.

The other resident small engine service and repair professionals may offer additional suggestions, advice & help.

Check back on your question several times over the next few days for additional replies.

Small engine repair parts are available at all local small engine repair shops and or lawn mower repair shops. They are listed in the phone book directory in every town.

Read the already asked questions and the replies offered in them on this same type of problem for additional help & information on engine running problems.

Regardless of what type of engine or on what type of power equipment it is. Most engine running problems are alike or similar. Doing so will provide additional possible causes and the solutions to correct them.

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thanks smart advice,
will take your suggestion on gas cap.
really enjoy this service and promptness and knowledge of
contributors.
daswede

 

well, removed the gas cap and it didn't look much more that the cap on a quart of oil. no vent or even a cap gasket.
removed muffler and checked exhaust ports,and they were clean as a whistle.

 

Run it until the problem exhibits itself, then loosen the cap and see how it runs. Maybe the cap is not the correct one, or the "revision by mcculloch" may have been a vented fuel cap. It sure sounds like that is the problem.

 

thanks cheese
i will try that. manual says it could be a problem to.
but they say vacuum or over pressure in fuel tank. don't mention
anything about "vent".
what do you think of drilling a tiny hole in the gas cap,if that should be the problem?
daswede

 

I would rather try to find a vented cap. The vent is designed to let air enter the tank, but also keep fuel in the tank. The hole will not work as a check valve, like the vent would.

 

thanks again cheese. i will scout around for a cap.

 

Try loosening it when the problems start first. If the problem goes away when you loosen it, then you will know that it is a vent problem. If it doesn't go away, then we need to start looking elsewhere. (It sure does sound like that is the problem though).

 

thanks again cheese,
will try your suggestion in a couple of days and hopefully get back to you. looking at a new saw now a electric model. most of my needs are limbs and small trees.
daswede

 

thanks folks for your suggestions and help on my chainsaw issue. i did try loosing the cap,but still had the same problem.
also, when i was checking this out and had the cap off after running,i noticed the gas seemed to be 'boiling' in tank.
that wa sit for me. too scary for me. i bought a new saw.

 

Wow...boiling gas in the tank. With the engine OFF? Strange. If you want to further diagnose this saw, we will help you. (although I have never seen gas boil in a chainsaw, lol!).

 

The only time I ever saw gas boil in a saw was when my dad ran out of air cooled engine oil and thought outboard oil was the same thing. Well, come to find out it's not. The saw ran for about a minute then the gas started boiling and the cylinder is scored really badly.