Husqvarna 440 Chainsaw Won't Start

[Buckaroo5]

My son had this chainsaw tuned up for me last Christmas and I just tried to start it for the first time. I dumped the old gas and put in fresh and cannot get it to even pop. I noticed that the spark plug wire insulation was melted and the wire could have been making contact with the edge of the head so I wrapped some heavy tape around it - still would not pop. Could the wire grounding to the head have fried the coil? Seems like there should be a sleeve on that wire to keep it from melting where it contacts the head. I don't know what the shop did to it as my son had the work done as a present.

 

[cgrutt]

Pull the plug, ground it to frame and see if its getting spark. If old fuel was left in it and it contained ethanol I'd be looking at carb. You can spray a little starting fluid or equivalent in cylinder and replace plug. See if it trys to start. If it does plug/electrical likely good carb may need attention. Also make sure any brakes, starting switches etc are set to run.

 

[ericg]

Here is a link to the service manual. Start with the troubleshooting section

https://www.hlsproparts.com/v/vspfiles/downloadables/WM_435-435e-440e-2008_5046438-26.pdf

 

[Buckaroo5]

Pull the plug, ground it to frame and see if its getting spark. If old fuel was left in it and it contained ethanol I'd be looking at carb. You can spray a little starting fluid or equivalent in cylinder and replace plug. See if it trys to start. If it does plug/electrical likely good carb may need attention. Also make sure any brakes, starting switches etc are set to run.

I tried the starting fluid already and got no action. I will check the spark tomorrow.

 

[cgrutt]

I tried the starting fluid already and got no action. I will check the spark tomorrow.

If you're not getting anything with starter fluid it could be electrical. Check to make sure any switches or safety devices aren't inadvertently engaged to stop engine. Could be bad plug, plug wire or magneto though, esp if it had melted the spark plug wire. Good luck.

 

[rd65]

Yes, definitely check the plug. It could be fouled from old fuel. Ground it to the cylinder, away from the plug hole - you dont want a flame thrower when you pull the rope. Does the carb have a primer bulb? If so pump that several times to cycle the remaining old fuel out of the lines & carb.

 

[Beerhippie]

Ethanol or not, leaving a small engine full of fuel for long periods of time is a good way to ensure it won't start. The fuel in the carb evaporates over time, leaving any solids behind--of which there are plenty in any gasoline except white gas.

A ritual I learned back in my early Forest Circus days was the end of the season saw run-down: Dump any remaining fuel from the tanks, start the saws and let them idle until they die. This gets as much fuel out of the system as possible. Same goes for any other small engines that won't see use until spring.

That said, your problem does sound electrical.

 

[Wolley]

When the last time it was really run. Must of got pretty hot to melt the plug wire.

 

[Buckaroo5]

When the last time it was really run. Must of got pretty hot to melt the plug wire.

I would have thought the shop would have run it pretty good - I haven't had it started since they worked on it.

 

[RTM]

I would have thought the shop would have run it pretty good - I haven't had it started since they worked on it.

Maybe he was out cutting up bodies with it after he got it tuned up?

 

[Buckaroo5]

To follow-up, I did have spark when I tested it and....it did start. I do think originally the melted spark plug wire was grounded on the cylinder head. Once I fixed that, even though I removed the plug and cranked it to clear the cylinder, I think it must have still been flooded. I did wrap the spark plug wire with several layers of black Gorilla Tape - hope that holds up. I also found that the wire needs to be oriented to keep it from touching the top edge of the cylinder head and will keep an eye on it in the future. Thanks for all the help!

 

[cgrutt]

To follow-up, I did have spark when I tested it and....it did start. I do think originally the melted spark plug wire was grounded on the cylinder head. Once I fixed that, even though I removed the plug and cranked it to clear the cylinder, I think it must have still been flooded. I did wrap the spark plug wire with several layers of black Gorilla Tape - hope that holds up. I also found that the wire needs to be oriented to keep it from touching the top edge of the cylinder head and will keep an eye on it in the future. Thanks for all the help!

Cool, congrats! I'd think about replacing that wire maybe as over-the-winter project. Seems bound to cause more issues in the future.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Cool, congrats! I'd think about replacing that wire maybe as over-the-winter project. Seems bound to cause more issues in the future.

The wire appears to be molded into the coil. I think I will wait and see how it goes and, if I have more problems, I will cut it below the exposed wire, solder on a new piece and put a nice sheath on it. A replacement Husky coil is $70 and I don't want to put on a cheaper aftermarket one.

 

[cgrutt]

The wire appears to be molded into the coil. I think I will wait and see how it goes and, if I have more problems, I will cut it below the exposed wire, solder on a new piece and put a nice sheath on it. A replacement Husky coil is $70 and I don't want to put on a cheaper aftermarket one.

Just keep an eye on it do you know why it melted in the first place? Not saying coil is bad and/or going bad but that wire should not have melted. Also not sure if patching in a new end will arc or not at connection. Anyway glad you got it running hopefully will continue to run good for you.