Dolmar 421problem

[woodbutcher56]

I am limited on dealers there's one about 15 mi. away that I checked out before I bought the saw , he has a lawnmower shop , said he sells Dolmar because no one else close by sells them so he has no competition. Didn't really say they were good saws . I asked if he checked the tune on his saws before they left the shop and he looked at me like I just peed in his cheerios and sternly replied NO don't need to they are tuned at the factory. So I checked him off my list. The guy who sold me the saw seemed knowledgeable ( builds racing snowmobiles) has a small father and son operation, was cordial , and willing to work with me.

 

[woodbutcher56]

I guess it's on me then for choosing the dealer ! Live and learn!! IF I purchase ,another Dolmar it won't be from there.

 

[woodbutcher56]

your dealer is the man not makita. it's up to the dealer to find and fix the problem not makita.

I absolutely agree!!! I really don't get why this is going the way it is!!!! I SURE don't think it's right!!

 

[bigbadbob]

Those little makita/dolmars are usually a bulletproof saw, I have a dcs 430 and had a 340?? The smaller one rode on the back of my atv for years, I would buy another in a heartbeat.
Subscribed to see the outcome,, a great thread.
BBB

 

[woodbutcher56]

Well 24 days in the shop this month 5 last month haven't heard from my dealer. I'm thinking of calling Makita myself. Any dealers out there want to weigh in on this move? Could I make things worse?? I'm thinking by the time this is over I have a reconditioned saw ! That's not what I bought! I bought a new saw.If this is indeed from factory defect in material or workmanship then I don't think it should be at my expense. I heat with wood and scrounge wood to cut . I was fortunate enough to find a farmer down the road who had some logging done that would allow me to cut up some oak tops for next winters heat. I went and bought another saw I couldn't really afford just so I could continue cutting. Advice on the call to Makita will be appreciated.

 

[woodbutcher56]

I have another question for you dealers. What criteria does one have to meet to be authorized to do warranty work ?? Do the manufacturers take any steps to make sure those performing these services are qualified and competent? Is there some assurance implied by the manufacturers that the work performed meets their standards? I'm not trying to bash anyone or question anyone's competency I just am looking for insight as to how this all works.

 

[merc_man]

If this wasnt resolved by now id be calling dollmar/ makita every morning at the same time. And ask for the same person to bi tch at. Id be the biggest pain in the @$$ by now.

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Tapatalk

 

[woodbutcher56]

I'm seriously considering doing that very thing!! Maybe file some complaints with some other agencies also!!

 

[CoreyB]

Warranty authorized varies but generally you and or your techs have to pass some forms of certification. I would politely let your dealer know you purchased the saw for use and not to sit in a shop. You would like a saw you can use. But again I have no idea what they are seeing or obstacles they have to deal with. But an open honest conversation can help clear the air and help you know exactly where things are sitting and what the next steps are and what time frame he expects those to be done.

 

[woodbutcher56]

I agree with the open conversation . My dealer seems hesitant to say anything. Short blunt answers. "Waiting on parts" is about the extent of it. Seems like he is mad that he has to work on it! Maybe I'll call tomorrow. I really am not comfortable with having the saw tore completely down and reassembled in his shop and returned to me . If the saw required that much work due to assembly error or defective parts it should have been replaced. And frankly no one even knows if this is the problem !!!! Thanks for the info on certification ,

 

[Chris-PA]

I really am not comfortable with having the saw tore completely down and reassembled in his shop and returned to me . If the saw required that much work due to assembly error or defective parts it should have been replaced. And frankly no one even knows if this is the problem !!!!

While it's pathetic he hasn't fixed it yet, keep in mind this is a power tool you used hard for a year. You really expect it to be replaced rather than repaired at that point? Even if he knew how to fix it, which seems doubtful, having whatever failed repaired would be reasonable. It's just a chainsaw, a simple piece of machinery - it won't lose it's virginity because some parts were replaced.

 

[woodbutcher56]

It is indeed a tool of which I have many . I do carpentry work . Have been in the construction field my whole life used many many tools. I have a Makita circular saw that's 15 years old. I wouldn't consider cutting 6-8cords of wood hard use. It is what it is . The saw won't be staying with me if/when I get it back. What would you consider the service life of a good chainsaw?? Used for firewood 6-8 cord a year.

 

[7sleeper]

... What would you consider the service life of a good chainsaw?? Used for firewood 6-8 cord a year.

If we are talking now about a 421, I would consider, with proper maintenance, the next 20-30 years absolutely realistic.

... It's just a chainsaw, a simple piece of machinery - it won't lose it's virginity because some parts were replaced.

7

 

[woodbutcher56]

If we are talking now about a 421, I would consider, with proper maintenance, the next 20-30 years absolutely realistic.

7

Well I don't know about that ! My equipment is well maintained. The wife says I'm anal about it. I was thinking at least 10 years, so crapping out at 1/10 of the service life, I don't think it's out of line to expect a replacement.

 

[Chris-PA]

Well I don't know about that ! My equipment is well maintained. The wife says I'm anal about it. I was thinking at least 10 years, so crapping out at 1/10 of the service life, I don't think it's out of line to expect a replacement.

I seriously doubt replacement with a new saw after a year of use was the terms of the warranty, and if not why would you expect it? Mass produced machines fail - sometimes through parts or assembly defects, or damage in use, or just wearing out. In this case it is apparent that this particular company does not have the support systems set up to fix your saw in a timely manner, at least in your area. Had you lived near one of the good dealers on this forum you would already had it fixed. If it had been a bearing or a seal or a fuel line, the part would have been replaced and it would have been just as good as ever.

It has not even been settled that the saw was defective. From the description it was never tuned and went lean when the plug was replaced. Perhaps it was a bad plug or it leaked, and the saw could have damage from that (yes I'm discounting everything the dealer said). If so Makita would not owe you anything. For those who cannot work on their own saws it is best to buy from a company with good support in your area and a dealer who is capable of fixing them. Otherwise you're stuck with some guy who might be incompetent. Frankly, owning any equipment you cannot work on yourself is inherently risky.

The other choice would be to go with the big box store approach where you can just bring it back for an exchange, but even there after a year of use I doubt they'd take it.

 

[woodbutcher56]

I get it you don't think they should replace the saw!
As far as dealer support goes perhaps the company should make sure there is good dealer support before granting a dealership. I have no control over that. As far as working on the saw myself I am prohibited from working on it myself during the warranty period. If as you say 1 year is too long to replace the saw ie... not cost effective then perhaps they should adjust the warranty period, again something I have no control over. As for the saw not being tuned I specifically asked the dealer if he checked the tune before the saw left his shop. He said he did that's one of the reasons I chose that dealer.You say one should be able to work on your own equipment and at the same time imply that me changing the spark plug, OE obtained from the dealer is somehow the root of this problem???? You are correct if the saw had been fixed right the first time in the shop all would be well. As far as damage goes running the saw with an air leak while trying to diagnose /troubleshoot is once again out of my control. I'm just a guy trying to heat my home with wood when I purchase something with a specific purpose , a chainsaw for cutting wood,I expect it to perform as as implied.

 

[CoreyB]

As a dealer a piece of equipment that has a year of use it have to figure out what the manufacturer defect is and make sure there was no user error. Like leaving pump fuel in the saw for more then 30 days. That is a user caused problem. Or if they didn't bring it in to check the tune after a 25 degree temp change. Again user caused. Or what ever the reason. If the problem is tricky then it takes some time especially if it is the first time they have ever seen it.

 

[woodbutcher56]

REALLY!! So here in Ohio I should take the saw in every time there's a temp variation of 25°?????
You know what they say , you can't reason with unreasonable people!!!!

 

[Chris-PA]

REALLY!! So here in Ohio I should take the saw in every time there's a temp variation of 25°?????
You know what they say , you can't reason with unreasonable people!!!!

That has actually been the state of the art in chainsaws for a long time. The mixture will lean out when the air temperature drops, so you can either readjust as needed or set it so it is rich when it's warm. Unfortunately all position carbs have some inherent limitations that make them less stable than other carbs, like in a lawn mower for example. People who used saws got used to it, but it surprises people with expectations based on other products.

These days you could buy an AutoTune or Mtronic saw that adjusts its own mixture, but these are more expensive.

I think chainsaws are a problematic tool to sell to people who cannot work on them. There is a lot to know and many things to adjust, and lots of opportunities for problems even beyond defects. Adusting the mixture should be something done by the operator on an as-needed basis at any time it's required - no different than adjusting a wood working tool to get the result you want.

 

[woodbutcher56]

I agree so let's do away with the limiters and tamper proof adjustment shapes on the jets. Remove from the manual the part that says the carb is not user adjustable and should only be adjusted buy an authorized service dealer!