Older Stihl getting hard to start

[Boeing]

Guys, I have a 13 year old Stihl 180MS-C (easy start) When it was new it required 2 pulls to start. When it was 5 years it took 5 or 6 pulls. Now it's 13 years and I pull about 10-20 times. Sometimes I smell gas so it's flooded. I've changed plugs and run Staybil and Techron additives (always have) BTW, I've read that leaving rubber fuel lines dry will harden/crack them so I have always topped off the tank when it sits for 2-4 months.
Do I need a carb rebuild or a new saw? Thanks

 

[KS KIOTI]

Time for a good inspection. May need a new fuel filter, lines in the tank shouldn’t be “stretchy”. Carb probably due for a cleaning and diaphragm check. Also, give the air filter a good once over and cleaning. Start with the basics.

It’s always time for a new saw

 

[lman]

My Stihl had a crack in the fuel line a few years ago. It was acting similar to yours. My saw is much older than yours though.

 

[ArtMech]

I recently had similar symptoms with a Husqvarna 359. The air filter had not been replaced. I replaced it and it came back to life like when I bought it.

 

[Steve1300]

My Stihl machines are old as well, and I used to use ethanol gas. Replaced a lot of fuel filters to get them running. Air filters need replacing sometimes, too. When I don't take care of those items, they get difficult to start. I lately ordered a new carb kit for a powerhead and was surprised at how cheaply and how easy it is to replace. YouTube is handy.

 

[Hay Dude]

Have you replaced the spark plug?
Plugs should be replaced regularly and can cause all kinds of problems with starting and running.

 

[WinterDeere]

It's usually easiest to just replace the carb, and the new carb kits usually come with lines, fuel pickup filter, and any applicable primer bulb, etc. I've done at least 3 carburetors on my various Stihl's over the last 15 years.

The failure mode, at least those on the BG-56 blowers (I have two of those), is that the carb starts leaking fuel straight thru to the cylinder, causing it to partially hydro-lock while trying to start the thing. Forcing it can cause damage to the starter mechanism, so you do want to address it.

Easy way to debug is if you see it blowing fuel after a successful start, or just remove spark plug and see if it spits fuel on a quick pull.

And yes... you can rebuild the carburetors, if you have more time than money. But they're so damn cheap and tedious, I wouldn't ever bother, unless the carb for your saw is NLA.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I had a couple of old saws that became hard starters. I had good results switching from ethanol gas to Tru Fuel. I start the old saws with the synthetic fuel and once warmed up, switch to ethanol free 93 octane gas. Before storing, I switch back to synthetic fuel.

It's worked well in my old Craftsman, and Husky saws.

 

[Hay Dude]

I stopped with mix almost completely. I only run Trufuel in the newer saws. I still run mix in weed wackers.

 

[bdhsfz6]

When I bought my Husqvarna 460 Rancher saw last year, there was an offer from the manufacturer to extend the warranty by one year if I purchased 4 quarts of their brand of synthetic fuel mix.

I guess it was like an extended warranty in a way, but I use synthetic fuel anyway so I took the offer.