Older Stihl pole saw does not pick up the load when cutting

[Budweiser John]

I have a Stihl pole saw purchased new in 2006. This saw only gets occasional use so for all practicable purposes is in like new condition. Saw started right up today after being unused for over six months but will not pick up the load when cutting. Following the directions in the owners manual on tuning the carburetor did not correct the problem.
Any seasoned small engine mechanic members out there with any suggestions or solutions?
Sincerely appreciate any and all inputs and thanks.

B. John

 

[atsah]

My best guess would be ethanol fuel...

Do you run E10 in it? Do you leave E10 mix in the engine when not using it?

 

[bullbreaker]

Could be exhaust fouled or filter in tank .

 

[nybirdman]

Same as my seldom used Stihl chainsaw;even using non-eth fuel;guarantee the carb is gummed up.I fixed my chain saw(bought a battery powered).

 

[ZTMAN]

Dump a little Seafoam in the tank, that usually purges things

 

[Budweiser John]

Pretty sure the problem is a gummed up carb, now using ethanol free fuel and did give it a healthy shot of sea foam so will revisit the problem in the morning and see if running the saw this afternoon with new fuel and sea foam and allowing it to sit over night loosens things up. Also gave it a good squirt of carb cleaner through the air intake.
Appreciate the comments guys.

B. John

 

[thepumpguysc]

I got tired of fighting w/ mine so I just bought a new carb.. I think it was 12.00 online from Amazon..
it comes w/ new fuel line & a filter that goes into the tank & new primer bulbs{2}..
No adj. required.. a simple bolt-on & she started on the second pull.!!!
I spent more money on non-ethanol gas & seafoam than I did on actually FIXING the problem..!!!

Those little carbs have been my "go-to" fix for the last few seasons.. chain saws, weed wackers & such..
Just keep the old ones for when u get some time to dive into them.. & figure out what works best to actually cut the varnish..

 

[Budweiser John]

Good advice Pumpguy. I fiddled with my saw this morning for about 15 minuites and came in the house and ordered a new carb.
17.95 included a new spark plug and delivery tomorrow. I can’t make a run to town for that kind of money and most likely the dealer would not have the part on hand.
I have to admit, Amazon is a hard act to beat.

B. John

 

[rangerfredbob]

those cheap carbs work fine but don't last quite as long as stock, lesser quality aluminum...

that said, it's probably a dried up regulator diaphragm in the carb or a plugged high speed jet from sitting... changing the regulator diaphragm isn't hard it's under the side cover with 2-4 screws (probably 4) but a carb kit is half the cost of a carb... Getting the jets open is another thing as the passages are covered up with a plug normally and hard to get to through the venturi.

It is best for storing them with either a full tank of fuel or drain the fuel and run it til it dies so nothing is in it. I leave fuel in all of mine but I have a slew of spare parts and carb rebuild stuff so it doesn't take me long to get them going again. That said, I also purchased some battery stuff to alleviate the emergency use woes when they don't work

 

[atsah]

those cheap carbs work fine but don't last quite as long as stock, lesser quality aluminum...

$17.95 built, handled ten times and shipped to the door. Less quaility? Hmmmm..