How to keep chain saw running good?

[Richard]

Before 9-11 happened, I'd go to a very small, rural airport and fill a 5 gallon can with their av-gas.

I ran said gas in my dirtbike (Maico 490) and also in my chain saw & trimmer. I was once told av-gas had substantially higher octane than 'street gas'.

I don't know any details, but I DO know that my dirtbike blubbered a bit with standard (premium) pump gas at high rpms, whereas with the av-gas, it ran a LOT smoother at higher RPM's. That alone, was enough to convince me that SOMETHING was going on there that was legit.

 

[hwp]

I recently took my Stihl 038 into the dealer for servicing as it was losing power under load. It felt like it was starving for fuel, possibly from a plugged fuel filter. In fact that was the problem. While I was there I mentioned that the saw was very hard to start after sitting for a month or more, sometimes taking as many as 40 pulls to get it started. He told me that was normal but if I started the saw every couple of weeks I wouldn't have that problem.

 

[JimR]

I recently took my Stihl 038 into the dealer for servicing as it was losing power under load. It felt like it was starving for fuel, possibly from a plugged fuel filter. In fact that was the problem. While I was there I mentioned that the saw was very hard to start after sitting for a month or more, sometimes taking as many as 40 pulls to get it started. He told me that was normal but if I started the saw every couple of weeks I wouldn't have that problem.

You need a new mechanic. It should never take 40 pulls to start a chainsaw even if it is completely out of gas. I have four chainsaws that I use constantly. Three Husky's which consist of two 55 Ranchers and a 262XP. The other is a Stihl 210. None of them require more than 4 pulls to start and possibly six or seven if they run out of gas. Sta-Bil is the cure for your carb gummy problems in any two cycle or four piece of equipment. I have fixed quite a few carbs for friends that have had this same gumming problem. I've also picked up many lawnmowers including this 18hp hydro unit for free because the carbs were plugged up and wouldn't run.

 

[randy41]

i've had a stihl 038 for many years now and the only things i've done are to clean the air filter once in a while and clean the wood chips out once in a while.
it always takes 2-3 pulls to get it going....one after its warmed up. a couple of more if it hasnt been run in a few months.
i once cracked the gas tank when a chain broke but j-d weld fixed that up good.

 

[pennwalk]

Stihl and Echo oils both have stabilizer in them. I don't know if it is as good as Stabil but it is all I use and it works for me. The Echo dealer recomends premium fuel but there is a lot of confusion about fuel. Premium fuel isn't cleaner or better. It is formulated differently to burn differently. Some engines need it and some don't. If your engine doesn't need it you are just wasting your money. The last time my Stihl was hard to start I changed the plug and that fixed it. I really couldn't see anything wrong with the plug. It wasn't very dirty so I guess I don't know what to look for.

Chris

 

[anthonyk]

you should have seen the time I mistook my diesel fuel for my gas/oil mixed fuel and filled the saw with diesel!
It ran, but man did it smoke!
After about 10 minutes I figured out what I'd done, dumped the fuel, flushed the fuel lines with straight gas, and ran a tank full of the correct fuel with carb cleaner. Also had to remove and clean the spark plug.
Took a while to sort of clear it's throat, but then was as good as new.
I had to laugh at myself!

anthony

 

[HuckBB62]

More on your saw. I run six different saws for carving, logging, ripping, and pruning.

Keep your saw chain sharp. It's really easy. A new file is perfect and fast.

Flip your bar over every year. It'll last a lot longer. If your saw starts making curved cuts, your gap is worn. You can buy tools to dress the bar and tighten the chain track from Baileys.

Make sure your oil feed is open. I've seen this on a few saws that the hole gets gunked up and slows down the oil feed to the chain. This is the extra hole or the hole space in front of the chain adjusting pin that you see with the side cover off. It's much better to over oil than to under oil.

Try never to slip your clutch by bogging the chain and engine. This overheats and wears the clutch, and also this heat will mess up the roller bearing inside the clutch drum, causing premature wear.

I use Royal Purple two stroke oil for all my two stroke engines. I've never fouled a plug and my cylinders look like brand new despite being heartily flogged at throttle lock rpm for hours on end.

 

[ronjhall]

Since you have a Stihl chainsaw. I would recommend that you use Stihl oil to mix your gas. Oil already has a Sta-Bil type product in it. As already suggested. Run some Sea Foam in a fresh batch of gas through the saw. With luck, it will dissolve the varnish buildup in carburetor.
The most common problem I have run into is old gas. Any gas stored more that 6 months is very questionable. Even with a Sta-Bil type product in it.

 

[billbill1]

The exhaust on a chainsaw can also become clogged making the saw sluggish. Always mix to the proper ratio and keep the fuel in a clean-air tight tank.

 

[dmccarty]

Stihl says to use high octane gas.

I even buy it for the DR Mower and my old lawn mower. The extra octane sure helped starting the old mower.

When I have had trouble with starting the Stihls its been old gas or an old spark plug.

Chainsaw maintanence is easy, good fuel, good oil in fuel, good bar oil, clean air filter, AND KEEP THE CHAIN sharp.

Flip the bar from time to time. Change the spark plug every once in awhile. Having said that, I think I have only had to change the spark plug two or three times in 10 years. When I buy the plugs I always buy one or two extra to have in my tool box...

Later,
Dan