Echo CS-345 Dies Under Load

[billygoat]

I picked up an older Echo CS-345 16” chainsaw that starts up and runs fine, but dies as soon as I start cutting with it. I replaced the fuel filter, put in fresh fuel, tried cracking the gas cap in case the breather was plugged…still no dice. I don’t get it. The carb looks spotless, not sure if it’s been replaced or was just kept clean. Any ideas?

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Your gonna want to rebuild that carb. Pretty standard practice for any saw that may have sat for a while, especially older ones.

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

Try opening the H screw 1/8 increments until it improves.

 

[coffeebrk]

Are the fuel lines new?

 

[billygoat]

Your gonna want to rebuild that carb. Pretty standard practice for any saw that may have sat for a while, especially older ones.

Is it a bad idea to replace it with a new one off Amazon instead of rebuilding it?

 

[billygoat]

Are the fuel lines new?

Nope. Do you think they might be collapsing or something?

 

[coffeebrk]

Nope. Do you think they might be collapsing or something?

If they are original, then cheap and easy to replace and eliminate those from the mix.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Is it a bad idea to replace it with a new one off Amazon instead of rebuilding it?

Aftermarket carbs are hit or miss at best. Rebuild the original carb.

 

[Titanman]

I picked up an older Echo CS-345 16” chainsaw that starts up and runs fine, but dies as soon as I start cutting with it. I replaced the fuel filter, put in fresh fuel, tried cracking the gas cap in case the breather was plugged…still no dice. I don’t get it. The carb looks spotless, not sure if it’s been replaced or was just kept clean. Any ideas?
View attachment 1013698

 

[Titanman]

Is the spark arrestor clean? Check carb adjustments. You could possibly be drawing air in somewhere also. When it's idling spray starting fluid or carb cleaner around the carb and intake and see if it dies immediately. Crank seals can also draw air in . If it has an air leak the saw can go lean and die. Air leaks can wreck a saw cylinder and piston. Good luck.

 

[dardis]

I just had the same issue. I think that saw has a slight design flaw in that the angle the fuel line has to take from the tank to the carb is too sharp and ends up folding. I put a loop in the fuel line, and I think that has fixed it. Time will tell.