How do you start a saw that won't start?

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No points. Has "solid state " ignition. Reset the gap b/n flywheel and armature to .016. Seems to have stronger spark now. I'm going to go back thru the carb to make sure I put the parts in correctly. I have high/low set to one full turn open. Think I may understand why recoil keeps getting hung up. I think the wrong size cord is in it now(too narrow) and when it recoils it gets overlapped/crossed on itself. I think it is supposed to be nearly as thick as the pully it runs into is wide.
 
It may be moot at this point, but start with a harsh thorough vigorous soapandwater cleaning ... for example, a weak or shorted ignition can sometimes be completely cured, merely by cleaning the oil film and sawdust/mineral grime off the spark plug wire, the cutoff wire and switch, the plug connector spring, and the plug.

Before pulling the carb to rebuild it, clean out the carb box and covers, so no stuff gets inside the intake opening.

For my 2-cents, bidding on an ebay saw should start out discounting that the saw is going need
(a) a harsh cleaning inside the oil and gas tanks *including the vent valves, inside the fuel, oil and pressure lines, and everywhere else you may never have thought of before ;
(b) a carb rebuild (new diaphrams and metering valve) $10 ;
(c) an oil pump rebuild $10 ;
(d) a new sprocket and probably a new clutch and maybe new clutch drum and bearing $5-$40 ;
(e) a new brake band and retainers $15 ;
(f) a new spark plug $3 ;
(g) a new air filter $15 ;
(h) a new fuel filter ($5) ;
(i) a bar dressing and probably a new nose sproket $15 ;
(j) a new chain, especially if the existing chain doesn't want to cut straight, say $10.

After that new crank seals, then new top end, piston rings, pistons, cylinders.

I'm the first to admit, 'tis still fun!
 
I'll try .012 then on the airgap. The plug unfortunately was crossed to an autolite 255 from a champ cj8, store was out of cj8 at the time. But its new and runs another saw fine. Gap is set to .025 on it.

Chrome cylinder? I'm not sure. model no 358.352350 2.3 power sharp.

Sometime today I need to pull the carb apart and make sure I put things back correctly. I've been known to put a gasket over a diaphram or vice versa.
:dizzy:
 
Another stab in the dark.If this is,in fact a Poulan,25 series,they had a pressurized oiler,I think.If this is the case,just perhaps the check valve is leaking and allowing the lube oil to be sucked up in the cylinder,thus coating the plug and not allowing it to fire.I have came across this twice.Once on a Lombard,with a pressure oiler and once on a cheap little Mac 120,with an impulse oiler.A dead give away is an oil coated plug.Again I say it's a stab in the dark.
 
Has a manual oiler. I have a few of the saws that the oiler functions via bleedoff pressure from the crankcase. I dont believe this is one of em.

Carb is correct, went back thru it.

Flywheel key looked fine the first time I took it off. Second time I took it off I lost it. Has new key now.

Will try a module from a Poulan 25 cv. Dad got from gov dumpster. If that dont work I'll use his. He has this same saw and his works.

If I didn't already mention it and if it may help someone else out, the reason the recoil kept getting hung up is the cord was is too narrow for the width of the pulley it runs into. It would wind back in and get crossed over itself and jam. Kinda like the way a weedwacker will. At least that's my diagnosis. I'll verify once I get some thicker cord.
 
Definately Poulan built with a craftsman name tag. The model number is further back in this thread. Its all metal saw prob from 70's early 80's.

Post a pic. Wish I could. My cpu was win98, had some problems, computer doc changed it out to win2000, now the fuji driver for my camera wont install. Have tried many times. Downloaded the lastest driver for my camera and win2000 with no luck. Bout ready to beat the shi? out of this box and camera too.
 
Just got a new to me ebay saw, stihl 044. The saw won't start. After 4 or 5 pulls there is mix coming out of the muffler. My neighbors 041 was doing the same thing. Suggestions?
 
Sounds like flooding issues. Good start would be to soak the carb in carb cleaner. Just be sure you remove all the soft parts first from carb before you soak it.


Also, in case anyone comes across this problem. I was having problems with recoil assembly wanting to hang up after 2/3 pulls. Took it apart several times spring as well. Thought diameter of cord was too small. WRONG!

The back of the plastic pulley had a hairline crack around the teeth. Evertime I would pull the cord it would cause the gap that the rope goes back into to expand and cause the rope to cross itself. Wouldn't have noticed probably if I hadn't worked on it in the sunshine. Anyway, slapped a spare one on and no hang ups. Still wont pop yet...BUT IT WILL! :angry:
 
sawdust said:
Just got a new to me ebay saw, stihl 044. The saw won't start. After 4 or 5 pulls there is mix coming out of the muffler. My neighbors 041 was doing the same thing. Suggestions?

The two basic things to look for when a saw won't start, are fuel and spark.
It seems you have fuel, perhaps too much, but first thing to do is check for spark.
Remove the spark plug, reconnect the wire, lay the metal part of the plug against a metal part of the saw, and pull it over a few times. You should see a good spark jump across the electrode.
Report back with your results and we'll tell you where to go from there.
 
Hay Gumneck,

Talking about Fuji cameras and drivers... I went through an ordeal with our new E550. Turned out the problem was the &@$*&!$@*& camera has to be in DSC mode to transfer pics to the computer! This was on some obscure page in the middle of the manual. Really wasted a bunch of time on this. Hope you get your's straightened out soon.

Dan
 
Magnet strength was definately there. Whether it is more/less than another saw didn't think about that. Will give it a try later today. I'm going to swab the ignition coil contacts off with alcohol also. I've cleaned them already but I'm going to be double sure it dont have something causing trouble.

Scott, did you read about the small crack in the pulley I found? That caused me such a headache. Crack will get ya everytime. :dizzy:
 
Pulley

Tom , good find . The sunlight is best to see details . You must be approaching 40 . Maybe if this is the saw that you got used someone could of put the wrong flywheel on it . Can you compare ignition modules and flywheel numbers with your dads saw ?
 
You know. He's got a parts saw Poulan super 250A which is the same basic saw. Looks identical to mine except its green. It has a brand new flywheel that matches up exactly to the one I'm working on.

His craftsman version (red top handle 2.3 cu in) has a flywheel with less cooling fins on it. Other than that I dont see any difference in them. I think his craftsman is newer than the one I'm working on now.
 

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