Chainsaw won't start....

So, after I bought my chainsaw from an auction, I took it to the implement shop here in town. Got it back and it worked great. But, the more and more I used it it seemed to have some sort of tuning issue. When I first got it back it would idle on its own if I needed to set it down. Then, awhile later I couldn't set it down anymore because it would stop. It would only stay running as long as I revved it.

The last time I used it, it was a bit difficult to get it started. I was cutting some elm with my kids, set it down to help moved some rounds. And when I picked it up again, it wouldn't start. Now, this has happened before, and I just assumed that I had flooded it. After a few days would go by I could get it started again. No such luck this time. Its been 2 weeks since I used it last, and I have tried and tried to get her running. And she just won't come to life.

I'm hoping someone can give me a couple tips or maybe a link to a YouTube video that I can watch to learn a thing or 2. I don't want to have to take it to the implement shop again if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance for any and all of your help!!

 

Could be any of a number of issues.

First off.. What's the make and model?

Maybe someone is aware of a commonly known problem.

 

put in a new plug and clean or replace air filter. What brand of saw. What did the shop do the first time you had it there?
Here's a link to a tuning vid. A bit long but he has a lot of thumbs up.

 

It's a Stihl 015 L. Its practically an antique. And I just found the manual online. Going to go through it a bit before I mess with the carb adjustments.

 

Not to steal this thread I have a Stihl 011AVT that runs but the chain binds up after running it a bit, I loosened the chain readjusted and tried it again after a few cuts it tightened up again. Not sure if it has something to do with the electronic quick stop. Any info would help?

 

Electronic refers to the breaker less ignition and quickstop refers to it having a chain brake. Is the saw oiling ?

 

I'd first suspect dirt in the carb and second I'd look for an air leak.

 

Like said check/clean carb and air filter, check impulse line, fuel line and fuel filter. Don’t mess with tuning the carb until you’ve checked that out or you’ll be retuning the carb over and over !

 

Definitely good advice there. ^^^


No sense chasing a problem till the basics are confirmed.

 

Before you pull the carb, check spark, If you have spark dump a half of a tea spoon of mix in the plug hole and see if it lights off. If it fires then you need to look at every thing stated above.

 

Check your sprocket for wear.

 

Ok, I figured it out. Pulled out the air filter and it was completely clogged, and where it wasn't clogged it had a hole in it. So, I will be finding a new filter in the morning. Next pulled out the spark plug, and that had a gob of oily dust/dirt connecting the electrode and point. Took a wire brush to it and cleaned that junk off. Put the plug back in, put it on choke......1st pull she burped. Opened the choke, pulled her again and she fired right up. Wow....I need to pay more attention. My experience with chainsaws is pretty limited, so I guess I need to make a few beginner's mistakes.

 

Yes I opened the throttle and held the tip over a board and oil was coming off the tip. The sprocket tip is free. I will look into it a little deeper tomorrow as it is suppose to rain here.

 

Success !!

 

Got to figure it out some how. Wasn’t long ago that I figured out I should fill the oil tank every time I filled the gas tank. Luckily we have great people on FHC to help use figure things out. I can’t count how how much great chainsaw advice I’ve gotten from here.

 

Yeah, luckily the first time I borrowed a guy's chainsaw, he told me to refill both chain oil and mix together every time.

 

Glad ya got it sorted SD Steve

 

Not your sprocket tip but the sprocket on the clutch. I’ve seen pics of them so worn down when the chain gets a little loose they jump back out of the worn groove and they’ll tighten up like crazy. I think it’s rare but who knows?

 

This is a real good possibility !! I would suggest that instead of re tensioning the next time it happens maybe take some time and look carefully at everything to see what looks crooked, off center ect. Is anything different like new chain, bar or ??? Maybe the. 325/.375 mismatch?

 

Got a chance to look at the drive sprocket today. It is shot the grooves are cut in to the sprocket about an 1/8 inch. I am going to see if I can order a new sprocket.
Thank you SD Steve for letting me hijack your thread and thank you jo191145 and Screwloose for your input. What a great place this FHC is.