Chain saw help needed

[AEAdam]

I‘m having trouble with my chainsaws and could use your advice.

I have a Husqvarna chain saw I can’t start. I rebuilt once before and it worked fine. Then I put it away with fuel in it. (I used the stuff in a can that doesn’t need oil mixed with it?) Now it won’t start.

I have a 14” battery Husqvarna, but the 2 batteries I have won’t hold a charge. Replacement batteries are approx $300.

I have Husqvarna strimmer and leaf blower. I was happy with each of these until the batteries really stopped working. They never worked well in the cold. I’m talking 40F. They would just randomly shut off even with a full charge.

So my choices are:

1) fix my gas chainsaw and learn how to store it properly.
2) buy one or 2 new Husqvarna batteries and hope the new ones are better than the old ones. My battery saw worked acceptably when it worked.
3) choose a new battery platform for yard tools.
4) ???? you tell me. Ive been using my sawzall. But it’s really not the right tool for what I need to do.

I have both Milwaukee and Makita 18v, but not the batteries lawn equipment require. This was a lesson learned with my tracksaw. In reality, the only savings choosing these brands would be the chargers. Milwaukee 18V is really 3 distinct batteries (CP, XC &HD), that all are seemingly interchangeable, but won’t run the tools properly. The only real commonality is the charger. Should I be looking at Stihl 36v?

 

[mcj115]

My vote would be try to go the local non ethanol gas station and get a gallon on fresh gas to mix. Pump off ~1/2 gallon into your car prior to filling your 1 gallon gas can so the hose can be purged completely to ensure you get 100% ethanoyl free. . Try to cheap/easy before going more expensive. The fuel in the can isn't always the magic solution.

 

[cgrutt]

Carb probably needs to be cleaned. But did you check if it's getting spark? Is air filter clean? I used to empty out the excess fuel and let my Stihl saws run dry because I didn't use them that often. Never had any issues starting them up when needed. I'm still not a fan of battery tools for lawn equipment but problems you described (batteries losing capacity over time and poor cold weather performance) sort of are nature of the beast, no?

ETA also on gas chain saw make sure the hand guard is locked into run position if it has one.

 

[finn]

Check the spark arrestor in the muffler. It’s not uncommon for them to plug.

Air filter, too, while you’re at it.

Fuel lines age and eventually leak.

 

[Copymutt]

Check the spark arrestor in the muffler. It’s not uncommon for them to plug.

Air filter, too, while you’re at it.

Fuel lines age and eventually leak.

Age is a killer of the fuel lines. You have to look close at the PU line from tank to carb. If it is cracked the carb will not pull gas, only air. A quick indicator is to splash a little gas in the carb, if it fires you are not pulling gas.

 

[RTM]

A quick indicator is to splash a little gas in the carb, if it fires you are not pulling gas.

I was gonna say a spritz of starting fluid can help diagnose fuel problems. When my generator wouldn't start, but would with the fluid, but not continue to run, I knew it was fuel delivery problem. Carb float was stuck, needle valve would not pull out for cleaning. $20 ebay carb fixed my problem.

Of course the root of the evil was leaving fuel in all summer.

Not sure how easy you can fix / replace the carb on your chainsaw, but the fluid gets you a step down along the path.

 

[Kenskip1]

How about the diaphragm in the carb is toast. It should be pliable however after sitting all winter it may have solidified and not drawing mix into the carb.

 

[PCustoms]

How's the primer bulb?

 

[theoldwizard1]

(I used the stuff in a can that doesn’t need oil mixed with it?) Now it won’t start.

That stuff is the BIGGEST RIP OFF in the entire outdoor 2 stroke power equipment industry !

The most important thing is to use FRESH fuel, even E10. Fuel exposed to the air will absorb moisture directly out of the air, especially when the temps raise and fall. Buy an extra 1 or 2 gallon gas can. Add your oil. LABEL THE GAS CAN "PRE-MIX ONLY" ! KEEP IT SEALED !!

1) fix my gas chainsaw and learn how to store it properly.

This !

Empty the contents of the tank back into the gas can. A coffee filter in the funnel works well.

 

[Pinemarten]

First off, make up some fresh pre-mix (whatever ratio your saw calls for) and gas up the drained tank, squirt some in the carb with the filter removed. It should fire, or at least pop.

You need a crankcase full of good gas vapor to run the engine, so a couple of stalls are to be expected, before it settles down and runs well.

 

[P0234]

I definitely wouldn't buy into another battery system, that will only make things worse as time goes on unless you commit to abandon one brand. I'm pretty surprised the engineered fuel went bad, but I guess if it was left for a long time... I'd fix the gas saw again and then just keep running it out of gas. I have a bad memory when it comes to mundane stuff, so I put blue painters tape with a sharpie scribble as to when I last ran the saw and that it was run out of fuel. I do keep one saw around with fuel in it all the time but it gets used at least once a month.

Also one last option if you don't use a saw a lot and have power near by, the Oregon Electric, its pretty powerful and self sharpening. I love mine, I'd probably give up my other saws if I was within extension cord range. In fact I love it so much I've though about putting my honda generator on my ATV so I could just use that...lol.

https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Self-Sharpening-Electric-Integrated-PowerSharp/dp/B00OIZ1XHW?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[seber]

That premixed **** is a ripoff. Leaving it in the saw is guaranteed problems. A lot of saws don't like it even when it is fresh. You now need to clean out the carb and use fresh mixed at home. Best if you have pure gas but don't mix more than you will use in a short time and keep it in a sealed container. It is also possible that the gaskets in the carb have been replaced with Chinese knockoffs. Many of those get hard as a rock in short order. If you need to rebuild the carb, spend a few more dollars and get an OEM kit.

 

[thool]

My Stihl gets ethanol free + Stihl oil + stabilizer. The saw gets run dry if it is not used for > 1 month. The 1 gallon fuel can that feeds it gets dumped into a vehicle if it sits for more than 3 months.

All gas will go bad over time. Factors that accelerate the process: temp swings, air getting into tank or supply, moisture, any ethanol, not using a treatment.

 

[Beemer]

Carbs are dirt cheap, even oem, so fussing with potentially blocked carbs are questionable when replacing them is so easy and cost effective. I did our lawn mower, push leaf blower and a saw this past spring and they are like new again.

I now always use VP-1 premix or local racing fuel (non-ethanol) with oil added because shelf lives are multiple years.

I had a Husquarna chainsaw and it was a love-hate relationship. When it started, it ran like a motocrosser. That was a big "when" and I mostly hated it. Even with a Husquvarna designed fix, it was still NG, I would not own another even if it was given to me.
Get an ECHO and be happy!

 

[chris142]

My vote would be try to go the local non ethanol gas station and get a gallon on fresh gas to mix.

Unobtainable in my area

 

[freudianfloyd]

I‘m having trouble with my chainsaws and could use your advice.

I have a Husqvarna chain saw I can’t start. I rebuilt once before and it worked fine. Then I put it away with fuel in it. (I used the stuff in a can that doesn’t need oil mixed with it?) Now it won’t start.

I have a 14” battery Husqvarna, but the 2 batteries I have won’t hold a charge. Replacement batteries are approx $300.

I have Husqvarna strimmer and leaf blower. I was happy with each of these until the batteries really stopped working. They never worked well in the cold. I’m talking 40F. They would just randomly shut off even with a full charge.

So my choices are:

1) fix my gas chainsaw and learn how to store it properly.
2) buy one or 2 new Husqvarna batteries and hope the new ones are better than the old ones. My battery saw worked acceptably when it worked.
3) choose a new battery platform for yard tools.
4) ???? you tell me. Ive been using my sawzall. But it’s really not the right tool for what I need to do.

I have both Milwaukee and Makita 18v, but not the batteries lawn equipment require. This was a lesson learned with my tracksaw. In reality, the only savings choosing these brands would be the chargers. Milwaukee 18V is really 3 distinct batteries (CP, XC &HD), that all are seemingly interchangeable, but won’t run the tools properly. The only real commonality is the charger. Should I be looking at Stihl 36v?

What model saw are we talking about here? Is this an Auto tune saw, or standard carb? Does it try to start at all? Does it even fire? I need more details to possibly determine what is wrong with your saw. I have fixed / flipped hundreds of chainsaws and will do my best to help you if I can others on here will as well.

Does it have compression? I know you said you used pre-mix gas, but is it possible that it wasn't the right mix for your saw, or your saw was last tuned to lean and you could have scored the piston? Many of those pre-mix fuel companies make 4 stroke fuel also, could it have been straight gassed on accident? An easy way to check is to remove the muffler and look in the exhaust port to see if the piston wall is scored?

As for the pre-mix gas, I have no issue with it if you are a part time saw user. It is miles ahead of the standard ethanol gas you get at the gas station. It is more expensive, but if you only use the saw to cut up a few branches once in a while, it is not such a big deal. I have used all different brands of it without any issue.

After I got way more into saws, I started buying ethanol free gas and mixing 5 gallons at a time, but would not hesitate to use pre-mix again. I never drained my saws or ran them dry either, and when tuned properly and with everything working as it should, I never had a problem getting a saw to restart even after sitting for an entire season.

 

[The Cobbler]

Most small engine no starts after sitting are fuel related .
a quick test , pull the plug & put a bit of gas int he cylinder, or spray a bit into the carb. pull it over. if it fires, it's very likey fuel . likely either bad fuel , a dirty carb, bad fuel lines

 

[AEAdam]

What model saw are we talking about here? Is this an Auto tune saw, or standard carb? Does it try to start at all? Does it even fire? I need more details to possibly determine what is wrong with your saw. I have fixed / flipped hundreds of chainsaws and will do my best to help you if I can others on here will as well.

Does it have compression? I know you said you used pre-mix gas, but is it possible that it wasn't the right mix for your saw, or your saw was last tuned to lean and you could have scored the piston? Many of those pre-mix fuel companies make 4 stroke fuel also, could it have been straight gassed on accident? An easy way to check is to remove the muffler and look in the exhaust port to see if the piston wall is scored?

As for the pre-mix gas, I have no issue with it if you are a part time saw user. It is miles ahead of the standard ethanol gas you get at the gas station. It is more expensive, but if you only use the saw to cut up a few branches once in a while, it is not such a big deal. I have used all different brands of it without any issue.

After I got way more into saws, I started buying ethanol free gas and mixing 5 gallons at a time, but would not hesitate to use pre-mix again. I never drained my saws or ran them dry either, and when tuned properly and with everything working as it should, I never had a problem getting a saw to restart even after sitting for an entire season.

Pretty sure it’s a Husqvarna 120. CORRECTION: It’s a 240. Next time I lay hands on it will be Friday. Pretty sure I have some extra fuel line and maybe a fuel filter from last time I rebuilt it.

I think you guys are right. The fuel is probably bad and it sat too long. What are your collective recommendations for my next steps? And what fuel should I be using? And you dump excess fuel and/or run dry after every day’s use? I never did that. Probably have used this saw a half dozen times in as many years. I’ve used the battery saw more, but I can’t get thru a single cut with it now.

 

[cgrutt]

I dumped fuel and ran dry everytime unless I knew I'd be using the saw again soon. Owners manual said to do this if saw was not going to be used for 3 months or more.

 

[Wamsutta]

I say focus on the gas Husqvarna and let the battery tools sit on the shelf. Try to find the illustrated parts list and service manual. If you need help, say something.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Pretty sure it’s a Husqvarna 120. Next time I lay hands on it will be Friday. Pretty sure I have some extra fuel line and maybe a foil tear from last time I rebuilt it.

I think you guys are right. The fuel is probably bad and it sat too long. What are your collective recommendations for my next steps? And what fuel should I be using? And you dump excess fuel and/or run dry after every day’s use? I never did that. Probably have used this saw a half dozen times in as many years. I’ve used the battery saw more, but I can’t get thru a single cut with it now.

Don't use premix. Mix your own. Use good storage practices too, empty the tank when you're done using it.

I‘m having trouble with my chainsaws and could use your advice.

I have a Husqvarna chain saw I can’t start. I rebuilt once before and it worked fine. Then I put it away with fuel in it. (I used the stuff in a can that doesn’t need oil mixed with it?) Now it won’t start.

I have a 14” battery Husqvarna, but the 2 batteries I have won’t hold a charge. Replacement batteries are approx $300.

I have Husqvarna strimmer and leaf blower. I was happy with each of these until the batteries really stopped working. They never worked well in the cold. I’m talking 40F. They would just randomly shut off even with a full charge.

So my choices are:

1) fix my gas chainsaw and learn how to store it properly.
2) buy one or 2 new Husqvarna batteries and hope the new ones are better than the old ones. My battery saw worked acceptably when it worked.
3) choose a new battery platform for yard tools.
4) ???? you tell me. Ive been using my sawzall. But it’s really not the right tool for what I need to do.

I have both Milwaukee and Makita 18v, but not the batteries lawn equipment require. This was a lesson learned with my tracksaw. In reality, the only savings choosing these brands would be the chargers. Milwaukee 18V is really 3 distinct batteries (CP, XC &HD), that all are seemingly interchangeable, but won’t run the tools properly. The only real commonality is the charger. Should I be looking at Stihl 36v?

I haven't seen where you said what size limbs or trees you are working with. Felling larger trees? Pruning/maintenance?
Ive got 4 chainsaws, 20" and 18" 50cc,(Echo 4610 and Stihl 261c ), 12" battery powered Stihl 120c and a 6" battery Milwaukee hacksaw. By far my favorite is the 6" hacksaw. But, each has a purpose. What do you need a chainsaw to do?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Spark, fuel and compression. Which one isn't it getting ?

 

[AEAdam]

Don't use premix. Mix your own. Use good storage practices too, empty the tank when you're done using it.



I haven't seen where you said what size limbs or trees you are working with. Felling larger trees? Pruning/maintenance?
Ive got 4 chainsaws, 20" and 18" 50cc,(Echo 4610 and Stihl 261c ), 12" battery powered Stihl 120c and a 6" battery Milwaukee hacksaw. By far my favorite is the 6" hacksaw. But, each has a purpose. What do you need a chainsaw to do?

I have 5 wooded acres that I don’t maintain aside from mowing occasionally. So there are trees that need to come down, some tall but not big around, like less than a foot in diameter, and stuff that’s fallen and needs to be sawn up. It’s a mess really. We had a storm recently and some branches fell. If I can pick it up, or drag it, we have a nasty pile where we throw stuff. So I only saw stuff too big to handle.

So far, I’ve been using the battery saw and it’s worked fine. But it’s cold here (40F) and the batteries last for 2minutes or don’t turn on at all fully charged.

My saws are both 14” and they have been big enough.