Lakeside53/Andy, I owe you a steak!!

[Mr_Super-hunky]

That's right Andy, you (unknowingly) saved my trusty little Stihl 021 today!.

You see, I have never done anythingthing to this saw in 10 years as it has always started up and ran great with no problems; but today was different.

Until very recently, we have lived in a much lower elevation in which the saw was always used. For the past few days ,since the chainsaw fire restrictions have just been lifted, I have been cutting dead standing trees for firewood in the forrest.

My saw was getting progressively slower and slower and more difficult to start until today, it would not start at all. Since I have never really had to dry out a flooded engine, I had no idea how to fix this situation.

After a brief search on the forum, I had found a reply on a thread by Andy on how to clear a flooded engine guarranteed. [You need to understand how many times I cranked that pull rope in stubborn desperation!!].:chainsawguy: :bang:

He explained how to remove the plug and then start the engine several times while the saw is upsidedown, therby squirrting out all the junky gas. After that, he described a way to start the saw while holding it WOT using your toes to hold up the throttle button.

While this system sounded a bit home brew, I decided to give his advice a try.

I did exacty what he said, step by step, and while holding the throttle wide open with my right big toe, I pulled the rope and on the very first pull......vvVVRRooMMM!!:biggrinbounce2:
The engine started right up; very first pull!.:biggrinbounce2:

While this must be old hat for many, if not most of the members here, for a very first saw repair, I was really happy with the outcome. The satisfaction of fixing it yourself is kind of rewarding; as little as it may seem.

So today Lakeside, you helped me breathe life back into my old little trusty saw and for that I owe you a juicy steak (or chicken I guess!). Whatever you want.

For now, I could just send you a scented, self autographed 8x10 glossy of yours truly to hold you over until you choose your reward. Just let me know where to send it.

As insignificant as it may seem, your reply to a thread resulted in me being able to fix and start my trusty saw again and was definitely the highlight of the day!.

Thanks.

 

[chainsawjunky]

That's right Andy, you (unknowingly) saved my trusty little Stihl 021 today!.

You see, I have never done anythingthing to this saw in 10 years as it has always started up and ran great with no problems; but today was different.

Until very recently, we have lived in a much lower elevation in which the saw was always used. For the past few days ,since the chainsaw fire restrictions have just been lifted, I have been cutting dead standing trees for firewood in the forrest.

My saw was getting progressively slower and slower and more difficult to start until today, it would not start at all. Since I have never really had to dry out a flooded engine, I had no idea how to fix this situation.

After a brief search on the forum, I had found a reply on a thread by Andy on how to clear a flooded engine guarranteed. [You need to understand how many times I cranked that pull rope in stubborn desperation!!].:chainsawguy: :bang:

He explained how to remove the plug and then start the engine several times while the saw is upsidedown, therby squirrting out all the junky gas. After that, he described a way to start the saw while holding it WOT using your toes to hold up the throttle button.

While this system sounded a bit home brew, I decided to give his advice a try.

I did exacty what he said, step by step, and while holding the throttle wide open with my right big toe, I pulled the rope and on the very first pull......vvVVRRooMMM!!:biggrinbounce2:
The engine started right up; very first pull!.:biggrinbounce2:

While this must be old hat for many, if not most of the members here, for a very first saw repair, I was really happy with the outcome. The satisfaction of fixing it yourself is kind of rewarding; as little as it may seem.

So today Lakeside, you helped me breathe life back into my old little trusty saw and for that I owe you a juicy steak (or chicken I guess!). Whatever you want.

For now, I could just send you a scented, self autographed 8x10 glossy of yours truly to hold you over until you choose your reward. Just let me know where to send it.

As insignificant as it may seem, your reply to a thread resulted in me being able to fix and start my trusty saw again and was definitely the highlight of the day!.

Thanks.

What does WOT mean? I've never picked up on the meaning of that.

Evan

 

[Lakeside53]

Hunky - You are now qualified to work at a saw shop! :biggrinbounce2:

 

[Mr_Super-hunky]

WOT = Wide open throttle.

 

[chainsawjunky]

WOT = Wide open throttle.

OK thank you.

Evan

 

[Peacock]

For now, I could just send you a scented, self autographed 8x10 glossy of yours truly to hold you over until you choose your reward.

LUCKY!!!

Dude, seriously that is just FUNNY!!!

 

[stihl025]

Until very recently, we have lived in a much lower elevation in which the saw was always used. For the past few days ,since the chainsaw fire restrictions have just been lifted, I have been cutting dead standing trees for firewood in the forrest.

My saw was getting progressively slower and slower and more difficult to start until today, it would not start at all.

Hey, just a thought here... but sounds like you are cutting at a much different elevation. Better recheck your air/fuel mixture so you don't blow up the saw.

Could be the reason why you are having some trouble starting it.

Andy, any input?

 

[andrethegiant70]

Mr. Super-Hunky. If you haven't, I'd pull the muffler and take a peek at your piston. It's easy to do. Generally speaking, if its beginning to start differently than it has in the past (easier to flood, apparently) you might want to think about what's giving your little saw grief. Might be simple (carb adjustment) might not be (low compression).

Is this the very same saw that has chiseled the bases of 30" Ponderosas until they fell over? The same saw that was buried in the back yard for a spell? This saw is quickly becoming the stuff of legends. Some of our more conservative members might raise their eyebrows in wonder that the saw has performed so well. Its only an 021, but you seem to like it..... it could probably use some medical attention.

Just spitballing.

 

[RiverRat2]

LUCKY!!!

Dude, seriously that is just FUNNY!!!

I thought ,,,,,, aw never mind!!!!!

 

[Mr_Super-hunky]

Mr. Super-Hunky. If you haven't, I'd pull the muffler and take a peek at your piston. It's easy to do. Generally speaking, if its beginning to start differently than it has in the past (easier to flood, apparently) you might want to think about what's giving your little saw grief. Might be simple (carb adjustment) might not be (low compression).

Is this the very same saw that has chiseled the bases of 30" Ponderosas until they fell over? The same saw that was buried in the back yard for a spell? This saw is quickly becoming the stuff of legends. Some of our more conservative members might raise their eyebrows in wonder that the saw has performed so well. Its only an 021, but you seem to like it..... it could probably use some medical attention.

Just spitballing.

Yes Andre, this IS my trusty little legendary saw. Its the only one I've ever had. I had been using it for years in Scottsdale (2000ft elev) for almost 10 years but now I am cutting at 7k-8k which probably explains the saw running too rich and getting all flooded out.

Since I have never cleared a flooded engine before, this was a rewarding task for me as insignificant as it may seem.

I am trying to get a jump on the woodcutting for this year as the forrest just opened up to chainsaws again a few days ago. Luckily, I found a huge stand of Oak just behind my house. While I am really looking forward to using my new Dolmar 5100 on this, I don't have it yet (being shipped) so my trusty little *legendary* Stihl 021 is all I have.

Andre, your 15 min away, why don't you stop on by and put some of these myths/legends to rest?,. The large trees I cut down (and pushed over with my backhoe) are still on the property, and if your lucky, I may even let you touch my legendary little stihl saw!. Heck, I'll even bring you inside the home to show you a slide show on the computer of the whole event!.

Anyway, this post was about thanking a member (Andy) for his useful advice that actually worked and can come in very handy for anyone who can't start there saw due to flooding.

P.S, Andre, I'm still waiting for a return p.m!

 

[RiverRat2]

Yes Andre, this IS my trusty little legendary saw. Its the only one I've ever had. I had been using it for years in Scottsdale (2000ft elev) for almost 10 years but now I am cutting at 7k-8k which probably explains the saw running too rich and getting all flooded out.

Since I have never cleared a flooded engine before, this was a rewarding task for me as insignificant as it may seem.

little *legendary* Stihl 021 is all I have.


P.S, Andre, I'm still waiting for a return p.m!

Mr. Hunky you and Andre have just touched on something and since Lakeside has deemed you worthy of being a saw tech,,,, sounds like from what I hear you need to lean your saw out just a smidge,,,, Reason being the air is thinner, less dense, @ you new elevation,,,, and most saws would react just like your trusty 021 is doing,,, it doesnt need all the fuel it's getting and that is most probably the reason behind the recent flooding,,, I would think if your saw was running fine before you moved up the mountain 6k ft. in elevation you probably need to pull the muffler just to look anyway, check the compression, look at your plug if the elctrode tip is worn get a new one for $2.00,,, then re-baseline your idle, L& H settings and if everything else aformentioned was good,,, your problems with flooding will probably go away!!!

Whos tuning your 5100 for ya when you get it?????

You savy saw tech You!!!!!

Are you really gonna send Lake a picture?????

 

[Mr_Super-hunky]

Hi Rat:

Yes, I would agree that the recent increase in elevation had caused my problems, however, this is the same location I had cut down many trees a few years ago so I can only assume that my saw has been gunking up over time.

My plug was not very black, but rather the brownish color that it should be. This is what I don't understand! If my mixture was too rich, should'nt I have a dark black sooty plug?. It's not!, however, the plug was soaked in gas.

I am familiar with proper plug burning colors (white-ish = too lean, brownish = perfect, black/sooty = too rich), however I seem to be flooding my saw with a brown burning plug!!.

Any thoughts?

 

[Fuzly]

Listen to Rat, I just learned how to tune a carb myself and it makes a big difference. It's my understanding the plug color is a good guide, but not the only indicator.

And thank you to Andy and all the other members who help those of us who are "mechanically challenged"

It is satisfying to do some minor stuff myself and a money/time saver to boot!

As for the 021, I'm impressed too. My daughter won our MS210 at the local high school when they were raising $ for new band uniforms. Only spent a few bucks for a good cause, and I got a neat little saw to play with. I thought it would be a dog. It's not my 036, but plenty for cutting up a little firewood, and weighs next to nothing.

 

[RiverRat2]

Hi Rat:

Yes, I would agree that the recent increase in elevation had caused my problems, however, this is the same location I had cut down many trees a few years ago so I can only assume that my saw has been gunking up over time.

My plug was not very black, but rather the brownish color that it should be. This is what I don't understand! If my mixture was too rich, should'nt I have a dark black sooty plug?. It's not!, however, the plug was soaked in gas.

I am familiar with proper plug burning colors (white-ish = too lean, brownish = perfect, black/sooty = too rich), however I seem to be flooding my saw with a brown burning plug!!.

Any thoughts?

Hmm,,, yeah one would think so on the tan colored plug,,, perhaps you got out of your normal starting routine and flooded it accidently,,, have you checked compression lately,,, it wont hurt,,, I would still reccomend pulling the muffler and having a look at the amount of carbon and inspect the piston and verify ring float,,,a fresh plug would certainly help for 2.00 or so why not,,, do you know how to base line your carb settings???? also consider switching to a good synthetic premix,,,, Ultra is a great one and if you have carbon build up the synthetic mix actually will help clean it up a bit,,,, someone had a thread about ultra not long ago and I posted some pics of one of my torn down 066 work saws in it,,,, the stuff works,,,,, and it dont have to be ultra,,, Mobil2 is good, Royal Purple is good,,,, I have several post on setting carbs,,,,, let me know... it could be you need a kit in the carb too???? if you cannot adjust it to the point it doesnt flood!!!!

River

 

[bcorradi]

Rat - I thought you said plugs were only $2.00 in an earlier post and now you say $2.50. Which is it? If the price keeps going up he isn't going to have enough money to buy andy a steak.

 

[RiverRat2]

Good catch Brad,,,,,

Rat - I thought you said plugs were only $2.00 in an earlier post and now you say $2.50. Which is it? If the price keeps going up he isn't going to have enough money to buy andy a steak.

Fixed,,, I must be slippin,,,,,

 

[Mr_Super-hunky]

Hi again Rat;

Just some quick info on my saw (the 021). I only use Amsoil 50:1 mix as it has always performed very good with all my other gas powered 2 stroke tools.

I pulled the muffler yesterday and everything seemed fine. The plug was also pulled and it was a medium brown as mentioned. The only iteam of suspect was the air filter as it seemed to be possibly clogged with saw dust. I say possibly, because while it was yellow-ish looking fine powder, it did not scrape off with a fingernail or even a pointy tool. I am just assuming that the yellow-ish colored filter was built up saw dust, but like I said, nothing would scrape off and maybe the element is just yellow colored to begin with; I don't know.

I don't know how to do any benchmark carb settings or anything like that. I know this may sound pathetic, but I really have not had any problems with any of my gas powered tools ever and all I do is keep the filters clean, use good gas, proper 50:1 mix (Amsoil), and thats it. I never even needed to replace the spark plug because I never had too; (although I agree, for $2.00, just do it!).

I could just bring my saw to a local dealer if something does'nt work, but that does not teach me anything other than to be at the mercy of a dealer should something go wrong.

I really like to understand what caused the problem in the first place, and know how to fix it. Unfortunately, I have not had much experience doing this with gas powered engines, but I have in many other situations.

I really appreciate your efforts in trying to figure out my flooding problems. Personally, I am very suspicious of the change in elevation as when we brought 2 stroke dirt bikes from 2000ft to 8000ft, we had to re-jet the carb as well as re-set the needle a notch or the bikes would run like crap!.

The part that is really stumping me is the brown plug!. I think .........WHOA, WAIT A MINUTE!, I may have just figured out the problem!.

Okay, new info. Sorry I left this out. Yesterday when we went out to cut wood, I thought that I had strapped my saw down in the bed for transporting, (which I usually do as the wife does not like the smell of gas in the truck).. Upon arriving to the cutting site, I realized that I forgot to strap the saw down and it has been rolling all over the place....I know..idiot!:monkey:

Anyway, I went through the normal starting procedure and it did not start right away as usual, but did eventually start and run. Even when the saw was hot, it took numerous pulls to get it to turn over. although I always got it to start.

A day later, the saw simply would not start which is what led me to Andy's flooding advice to begin with.

Since I have used this particular saw in the past at the higher elevation cutting down numerous trees with it, I believe that the carb setting/jetting may be okay. I am basing this on having a brown burning plug as well as having no problems in the past.

I now think the problem may have been with the saw getting tossed around in the back of the truck, unsecured...(my fault). This may somehow explain the unintended flooding of the engine and also why Andy's suggestion worked.

My little trusty (and somewhat legendary) saw now works well once again. I hope I did'nt do too much damage to it by allowing it to roll around in the truck.

At least now I learned how not to transport a chainsaw!

 

[SawTroll]

Put that air filter in the dish-washer the next time you use it.....

 

[RiverRat2]

Good info Mr Hunky,,,,

Hi again Rat;

Just some quick info on my saw (the 021). I only use Amsoil 50:1 mix as it has always performed very good with all my other gas powered 2 stroke tools.

I pulled the muffler yesterday and everything seemed fine. The plug was also pulled and it was a medium brown as mentioned. The only iteam of suspect was the air filter as it seemed to be possibly clogged with saw dust. I say possibly, because while it was yellow-ish looking fine powder, it did not scrape off with a fingernail or even a pointy tool. I am just assuming that the yellow-ish colored filter was built up saw dust, but like I said, nothing would scrape off and maybe the element is just yellow colored to begin with; I don't know.

I don't know how to do any benchmark carb settings or anything like that. I know this may sound pathetic, but I really have not had any problems with any of my gas powered tools ever and all I do is keep the filters clean, use good gas, proper 50:1 mix (Amsoil), and thats it. I never even needed to replace the spark plug because I never had too; (although I agree, for $2.00, just do it!).

I could just bring my saw to a local dealer if something does'nt work, but that does not teach me anything other than to be at the mercy of a dealer should something go wrong.

I really like to understand what caused the problem in the first place, and know how to fix it. Unfortunately, I have not had much experience doing this with gas powered engines, but I have in many other situations.

I really appreciate your efforts in trying to figure out my flooding problems. Personally, I am very suspicious of the change in elevation as when we brought 2 stroke dirt bikes from 2000ft to 8000ft, we had to re-jet the carb as well as re-set the needle a notch or the bikes would run like crap!.

The part that is really stumping me is the brown plug!. I think .........WHOA, WAIT A MINUTE!, I may have just figured out the problem!.

Okay, new info. Sorry I left this out. Yesterday when we went out to cut wood, I thought that I had strapped my saw down in the bed for transporting, (which I usually do as the wife does not like the smell of gas in the truck).. Upon arriving to the cutting site, I realized that I forgot to strap the saw down and it has been rolling all over the place....I know..idiot!:monkey:

Anyway, I went through the normal starting procedure and it did not start right away as usual, but did eventually start and run. Even when the saw was hot, it took numerous pulls to get it to turn over. although I always got it to start.

A day later, the saw simply would not start which is what led me to Andy's flooding advice to begin with.

Since I have used this particular saw in the past at the higher elevation cutting down numerous trees with it, I believe that the carb setting/jetting may be okay. I am basing this on having a brown burning plug as well as having no problems in the past.

I now think the problem may have been with the saw getting tossed around in the back of the truck, unsecured...(my fault). This may somehow explain the unintended flooding of the engine and also why Andy's suggestion worked.

My little trusty (and somewhat legendary) saw now works well once again. I hope I did'nt do too much damage to it by allowing it to roll around in the truck.

At least now I learned how not to transport a chainsaw!

The Amsoil is perfect,,,
I think your diagnosis is relativly good but not sure how rolling the saw around in the truck did anything you ought to see the beating my bros saws take and they start right up) But, with the dirty air filter and old plug perhaps the tip is erroded and your gap may be out of tolerance so possibly your on the right track here is my take on the deal with the fine particles embedded in the filter your air/fuel ratio is skewed,,not enough airflow flow from an ecluded filter can cause an overly rich condition and was compounded by the thinner air and well used plug,,,, spot on reccomendation from da SawTroll gave some great advice and your new info was a great help,,, Never scrape those filters with any thing soapy water or the dish washer (good tip Niko) is a great way to clean them, do not blast with compressed air to dry either,,, naturally dry your fliter,,, try those things first cause they are easy,,,curious to see andy's take,,,,,I have a 10-12 yr. old 023 w/16b/c that is a ripping little saw,,,ugly as a mud fence but it really runs good,,,,I use it clearing saplings on my property and fence rows and such a light little saw

 

[andrethegiant70]

Oooohh, don't you worry, Mr. Super-Hunky, the Giant is coming.....camera in tow. The only other guy on the site that is anywhere near me is AZlogger and I'm wonderin' what the heck he is cutting down there.. its all chaparral! For that matter, what the heck were you cutting in Scottsdale? Everything that isn't paved is a golf course!!

Oh, I saw the forest restrictions coming, and I got all my oak before they closed the forest. I'll probably get three cords or so of Juniper in August or September. The wife should be done splitting all that oak by then :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

You just have my 8x10 ready, buck-o.