Chinese two strokes

[bunyip]

Is it just me or are they generally difficult to start after a few hours use.
I have a Sachs Dolmar chainsaw that is 30 years old, splutters on the second pull and fires on the third and has always done that, Kohler 18hp in the mower that fire after a few turns, Honda splitter that fires second pull, Stihl line cutter that fires first or second pull but the Chinese engines start off OK then just seem to be uncooperative and won't fire after a few hours use.
We bought a pole saw, pole saw with other attachments and a generator and I am sick of getting a sore arm trying to start them plus they seem to like a 25:1 as opposed to the other two at 50:1 (not the Honda and Kohler of course).
Might be time for a garage sale and let someone else inheret the problems.

 

[Botaskinner]

Not sure that it's a Chinese thing so much as just good or bad carb design, or a tendency to vapor lock.
Some 20 years ago I had a McCollugh Eager Beaver chainsaw that was an absolute bear to start, hot or cold. Once I got it running it was nearly unstoppable. American made.
On the other hand I either have or had:
Craftsman tiller with Briggs engine, 2 pulls max and it starts. Not sure where it's made, it is about 15 years old.

Toro weed whacker, 6 to 10 pulls minimum start. Assembled in USA.

Ryobi gas hedge trimmer..always a pain to start. Some days once I got it running, it ran very well, other days it would not fire at all. I gave up on it after a second carburetor didn't help it. Made in either Taiwan or China.

Echo CS370 chain saw..5 to 8 pulls every time, kind of difficult due to no compression release, but once it starts it runs like a champ. Made in USA.

So it's a mixed bag in my case, YMMV.

 

[kc5dlo]

My neighbor seems to buy a chainsaw every few years or so it seems. Several years ago I neglected to water my pine trees during a drought and lost many of them. I borrowed a chainsaw from my neighbor at first but quickly realized I should buy my own due to the amount of wood I was cutting. I bought a cheap Chinese chainsaw off of ebay and was very pleased with it. I gave it to my neighbor when I was done as he might have more need for it than me. He was also impressed with it's ease of starting. I would guess that it is a lower compression compared to the other saws my neighbor has had which would explain why its easier to pull on the starter. It was a little under powered for the size of bar it had but that was changed to one size shorter. I am guessing it has been 7-8 years and he was trimming trees in his yard with it a couple of weeks ago and still brags how easy it starts.
It is still a throw away saw but it did far exceed my expectations. I can't think of any other China 2 stroke I have had experience with. I do have a China 4 stroke trash pump that has suffered lots of abuse but still starts pretty easy.

 

[Alien]

One of my best buys ever was a Tanaka weed eater. Must be well over 20 years old and still starts first or second pull even if it has been sitting for 12 months. It has a little primer bulb that I push a couple of times before I start it. I would rate it higher than my Honda stuff.

My neighbour gave me a medium sized Husqvarna chain saw. He couldnt start it. I never had a problem with it. It seems he didnt know how the choke worked. Starts every time for me.
He bought a new one and has trouble starting it too.

Parklands Lawn & Garden Power Equipments Australia - New Tanaka TCG-24EBS 24cc Commercial Straight Shaft Brushcutter / Smart Start

 

[CMV]

My Echos both do that at times. Maybe I miss the little sputter and leave choke on too long? But usually they just sputter on pull 2-3 then start with choke off next pull real easy. But every so often either will just refuse and take a while to decide to fire up.

Not 2-stroke but I have 3 HF generators now. 2 regular ones & the quiet inverter one. They start with one half-hearted pull! Even the oldest of them, just fires right up even if left sitting & unused for 4 months or so. Those China engines are actually a lot better than any of the Hondas I have or had as far as easy start & smooth running.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

One of my best buys ever was a Tanaka weed eater. Must be well over 20 years old and still starts first or second pull even if it has been sitting for 12 months. It has a little primer bulb that I push a couple of times before I start it. I would rate it higher than my Honda stuff.

I have a Tanaka trimmer that I like as well. But it was made in Japan! The newer ones are made in China and I hear they're not as reliable.

 

[kcflhrc]

Man, I thought we were going to talk about Chinese Women. :thumbsup:

 

[Industrial Toys]

I still don't get why people make that connection that stuff made in China is worse than when previouisly made elsewhere.

Some of my Stihl equipment used to do that. Not start when warm. I have little patience for stuff like that and after a few attempts at repair I will probably destroy the thing, rather than have it piss me off once again.