Craftsman 42cc issues

[Jericho76]

So I have this piece o' junk saw that I got for free. Using it to learn the what what's of chainsaw Tom foolery. I finally got it sounding right(to my untrained ear) via carb adjustments
Here are the issues 1: Starts up well, idles well, makes a few cuts well, then all of a sudden when I hit throttle it doesn't respond. Hit trigger a few times and then it gets fuel and runs again.

Issue 2: sometimes when I release throttle, clutch stays engaged so chain keeps spinning. At least I assume its a clutch issue, right?

Any pointers, besides a gallon of gas and a box of matches?

I am new to tinkering on 2 strokes, so am using it as learner.

Thanks gents

 

[mattinky]

Issue 1: Have you put a new fuel line on it?

Issue 2: You say when you release the throttle the chain keeps turning... so when you release the throttle do the RPMs drop properly or does the saw stay revved up? If it stays revved up you might have an air leak, if the revs drop properly then I'd check the clutch spring first. If it's good to go then make sure the drum spins freely with the saw not running. If it doesn't then I'd check the bearing or maybe something got wound up behind the clutch

 

[Jericho76]

I think rpm stays up. Will check that. Thanks

 

[Chris-PA]

If it were the clutch bearing then the engine would be pulling the chain speed down when you let off the throttle, not holding it up. I'd suspect an air leak keeping the engine revs up.

 

[Jericho76]

I think I'm just going to replace the carb. They are cheap enough.

 

[dswensen]

I totally love this story.

Man meets saw. Man thinks saw is a piece of crap. Regardless of "crap" designation, man spends next several days (weeks?) sourcing parts and fixing saw. Man spends more than double the saws worth getting it to run - just for the challenge.

I have a BUNCH of saws because this same story played itself out in my garage about a dozen times.

 

[ckelp]

thats the way to go if your not good at tuning yet
take both the high and low back to 1 turn out and try to re-tune it
on the low side lean it it'll just before you start getting hesitation when pulling the trigger and on the high side go to WOT you'll hear it bouncing off the rev limiter richen it up till the RPM's drop a touch.
most of those saws are very forgiving with tuning

 

[Jericho76]

Hey, you can't put a price on pride and stubbornness. Lol.
Already tried tuning carb as prescribed and had some fair success, but still have those issues mentioned.
Did I also mention, this is one of those saws with the thumb wheel on the side to adjust chain. Have to tighten chain every five mins. Yeah, this saw is totally worth it.

 

[fearofpavement]

Education can be expensive. Kudos for hanging in there and learning as you go. You don't want to practice on an $800 saw. Filled your rep bucket for ya.

 

[Jericho76]

Thank you very much for the kind words.

 

[Chris-PA]

That may be a strato engined saw, not that it would change what you're doing much. You can change the clutch cover to one with a conventional adjuster.

 

[MechanicMatt]

With the new carb, make sure you replace the fuel line. Ive gotten my hands on two many of those saws where all they needed was 2 bucks worth of tygon and a lil love. Good luck, Matt

 

[Jericho76]

So, the story continues.
I replaced the fuel lines. Now my previously erratic problems are constant. Now the chain always runs when brake is off, specially if I turn saw on its side,then it speeds up. Tried throttle and carb adjustments, but only slows chain down a bit. What am I missing?:bang:

 

[Moparmyway]

Air leak, probably crank seals

 

[mitch95100]

Airleak- i seen you had said that you were new to this so i will explain as best as i can.
2 strokes mix the gas and oil and air together into a mist (which you already know) anyway when you havr an air leak you are screwing with the mix. To compensate you adjusted your carb to a crazy level that if was on a saw that didnt leak probably wouldnt run. When you turn it on its side it races beacouse of gravity and the air flow. It races becouse of the lean mixture and inconsistancy. I wouldnt run it much more becouse shell end up in the same state as heroshima did in WWII.


Sent from me to you using my fingers

 

[Jericho76]

Yup, I kinda thought the prognosis was gonna be bad. Maybe I should run it just to see what it looks like when it has catastrophic failure. For education, you know

 

[mitch95100]

Yup, I kinda thought the prognosis was gonna be bad. Maybe I should run it just to see what it looks like when it has catastrophic failure. For education, you know

Give her hell man! Just a crapsman.
Open the h needle all the way and zip tie the throttle open then give it a round through the block. Thats educational

Sent from me to you using my fingers

 

[Jericho76]

Give her hell man! Just a crapsman.
Open the h needle all the way and zip tie the throttle open then give it a round through the block. Thats educational

Sent from me to you using my fingers

Aaah yes, kindred spirits brother. I like the way you think. Might straight gas it with nitro-methane.

 

[mitch95100]

Video or it didnt happen!


Sent from me to you using my fingers

 

[Chris-PA]

It could also be an air leak between the carb and intake or the intake and the cylinder. There should be a gasket between each.