McCulloch chainsaw won't stay running

[Daveegt]

I have a mac 3200(McCulloch) it didn't want to stay running so I replaced the carb, still doesn't want to run without the choke on and still runs out of gas. It has a primer bulb and will squirt fuel in, it will start OK and as long as I keep the choke or primer bulb going it will sort of run full throttle. I can repeat as many times as I want. It seems that the new cab (and old) weren't pulling in gas even though I can see gas squirt into the carb with the primer bulb with just one pump after it dies. Any ideas ?
Thanks Dave

 

[awdblazer]

check the fuel filter that it isnt plugged
did you set up the idle screws?
check your fuel lines

 

[54FordPanel]

The 2 chainsaws that I have had something like that happen to, it's been the fuel lines inside the tank. They either rot off or fall off the carb feed.
Look inside the tank. There should be 2 fuel lines (from the ones I've worked on) intact to the carb. I've had to replace those lines on 2 different chainsaws. One will have a small fuel filter on it.

 

[Davefr]

The 2 chainsaws that I have had something like that happen to, it's been the fuel lines inside the tank. They either rot off or fall off the carb feed.
Look inside the tank. There should be 2 fuel lines (from the ones I've worked on) intact to the carb. I've had to replace those lines on 2 different chainsaws. One will have a small fuel filter on it.

^^^ Agree. All it takes is a tiny hairline crack in the fuel line and the carb will **** air instead of gas. (good thing the saw won't run because that can create a lean condition that can destroy the cylinder and piston from lean seize). You really need to pull the entire line out to inspect it. Cracks often appear right where the line goes through the top of the tank.

Sometimes these lines turn into a mushy slime as they degrade. This can actually cause the line to restrict the flow of fuel.

If the line hasn't been replaced recently it's a prime suspect.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Line and primer bulb were bad on mine, Replace all the lines and the primer bulb they have a limited life with ethanol gas. A lot of 2 cycles recommend premium gas for the oil mix.

 

[Imcrazy]

^^^ Agree. All it takes is a tiny hairline crack in the fuel line and the carb will **** air instead of gas. (good thing the saw won't run because that can create a lean condition that can destroy the cylinder and piston from lean seize). You really need to pull the entire line out to inspect it. Cracks often appear right where the line goes through the top of the tank.

Sometimes these lines turn into a mushy slime as they degrade. This can actually cause the line to restrict the flow of fuel.

If the line hasn't been replaced recently it's a prime suspect.

Ran into this problem on mine. I attributed the lines in the tank turning to goo to ethanol.

 

[Daveegt]

Thanks everyone, I just got back here to find all this help. I did replace the line a year ago and it looked OK when I looked at it before this post. I will take a look at the lines today, probably can't get new lines and primer bulb today, but will asap.
Dave

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thanks everyone, I just got back here to find all this help. I did replace the line a year ago and it looked OK when I looked at it before this post. I will take a look at the lines today, probably can't get new lines and primer bulb today, but will asap.
Dave

Forget how they look. Just replace them. Many times you can not see where the air is leaking in.

 

[wafrederick]

The older McCullochs,cheaper to buy a new one instead of fixing them and the parts are obsolete.One of my father's friends went through this with a 35 year old McCulloch leaf blower,lost spark and it was cheaper to buy a new one instead of fixing it.He bought a new one instead and the place he took it to get it fixed told him this.

 

[cj7365]

my poulan had the same issue, fuel line running from the tank to the carb was cracked