spuldup
ArboristSite Operative
Hi all, I have a Farmac F380W (038 Mag clone) purchased in 2023. Before even firing it I took the advice of the forum and removed the cylinder, inspected and cleaned up any casting flash (although there wasn't much) and replaced the sparkplug with NGK. I did a base gasket delete because squish was .032" (now .020"). I did not go into porting this one but did do a muffler mod after running it about 5 tanks.
I've used it 1.5 years in the warm months without issue, but needed it this winter (temps here 0-32F) for the first time. The problem is that once it fires on the first spark, it just stops rotation, possible reversing one rev (It pulls the cord back), and becomes impossible to pull over more than once. Without the elastostart I installed it'd rip my elbow out. When removing the plug, it rotates freely. Also with the plug in but ignition NOT hooked up up, it rotates freely (with compression of course). As an experiment I kept it inside the 75F wood furnace room Saturday night, and took it out Sunday. Fired on the first pull. I cut a load of wood (with multiple hot restarts in between), left the saw to split the wood, came back and again it fires first pull and stops/reverses. So something is happening upon ignition (i think causing the piston to reverse direction. I first though a partially sheared key but since it started and ran perfectly when warm this seems improbable.
I run 40:1 Red Armor and less than 1 month old 93 octane gas with stabil 360 in this and all saws.
Any ideas on how a 50F temperature difference would cause this?
I've used it 1.5 years in the warm months without issue, but needed it this winter (temps here 0-32F) for the first time. The problem is that once it fires on the first spark, it just stops rotation, possible reversing one rev (It pulls the cord back), and becomes impossible to pull over more than once. Without the elastostart I installed it'd rip my elbow out. When removing the plug, it rotates freely. Also with the plug in but ignition NOT hooked up up, it rotates freely (with compression of course). As an experiment I kept it inside the 75F wood furnace room Saturday night, and took it out Sunday. Fired on the first pull. I cut a load of wood (with multiple hot restarts in between), left the saw to split the wood, came back and again it fires first pull and stops/reverses. So something is happening upon ignition (i think causing the piston to reverse direction. I first though a partially sheared key but since it started and ran perfectly when warm this seems improbable.
I run 40:1 Red Armor and less than 1 month old 93 octane gas with stabil 360 in this and all saws.
Any ideas on how a 50F temperature difference would cause this?
