I am a newbie to this forum and the world of chain saws. My current saw (which is my first) is a Stihl 031 AV, which up until yesterday has run great. I was using it yesterday and was just about to make another cut when it stalled out on me. Since then I have been unable to get it restarted. I thought maybe the fuel line was clogged so I cleaned the carb with some carb cleaner and also checked that the spark plug was working. When I try to start it now on the first couple of pulls it will fire and maybe run for a second or two but as soon as I turn the choke off or touch the throttle it dies out (if I do nothing it also dies out). Repeat attempts to start it after that ends up in flooding the air cleaner. It also seems at times that the starter rope will grab or kick backing making it impossible to pull. I appreciate the help in advance. Thanks
Need help with 031 AV
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Fish
Tree Freak
Sounds like it is flooding out, so it could be fuel or ignition related.
After 30 years or so, the foam inserts in the fuel filters break up, and collect in the carb and cause all sorts of trouble, so going through the fuel system is
probably overdue anyway. But a weak ignition could give you similar trouble too, you have to be willing and able to do some "mechanic" work and
troubleshooting, and we will be glad to help.
First off, drain all of the fuel, then pull the rope a while. If it finally starts,
runs good for 5-10 seconds, then dies. Then the flooding is carb related.
If all you can get is an occaisional "vroom" momentarily, then the ignition seems to be a more likely culprit.
Let us know, and prepare to get your hands a little dirty.
This could be a team oriented, "binding", "Disney", kind of thread,
but I doubt it.
Anyway, try what I suggested and let us know.
After 30 years or so, the foam inserts in the fuel filters break up, and collect in the carb and cause all sorts of trouble, so going through the fuel system is
probably overdue anyway. But a weak ignition could give you similar trouble too, you have to be willing and able to do some "mechanic" work and
troubleshooting, and we will be glad to help.
First off, drain all of the fuel, then pull the rope a while. If it finally starts,
runs good for 5-10 seconds, then dies. Then the flooding is carb related.
If all you can get is an occaisional "vroom" momentarily, then the ignition seems to be a more likely culprit.
Let us know, and prepare to get your hands a little dirty.
This could be a team oriented, "binding", "Disney", kind of thread,
but I doubt it.
Anyway, try what I suggested and let us know.
Well I went through the fuel system and the carb and cleaned everything. All the components are in good shape. I got it back together and will try starting it today but don't have a lot of faith it will be any better than before.
THALL10326
The Champ
Thats a old saw, sounds like you may have lost a crankseal while sawing. If she's sucking air all the carb work will do you no good. Check those seal with a vac test before driving ya self mad.
Lakeside53
Stihl Wrenching
Parts are available - $6-$10, and easy to replace with the correct tool and often a pain if you don't have it.
If you are contemplating going in this deep, you need to get a service manual and have access to someone with a few special tools - like the Stihl flywheel puller.
I don't see many seal failures on an 031, but they do happen. I've has NO luck wih the cheaper 031/32 aftemarket seals... buy oem in this case.
Before you start replacing seals, I'd be doing a pressure test. Search AS for "pressure test"...
On the 031... the old style impulse hose is problematic where the carb plugs into it. They are only about $2.20, so replace it anyhow. Oh yes... such fun the first time you try
hint - take off the tank assy and/or the internal carb mount casting.
If you are contemplating going in this deep, you need to get a service manual and have access to someone with a few special tools - like the Stihl flywheel puller.
I don't see many seal failures on an 031, but they do happen. I've has NO luck wih the cheaper 031/32 aftemarket seals... buy oem in this case.
Before you start replacing seals, I'd be doing a pressure test. Search AS for "pressure test"...
On the 031... the old style impulse hose is problematic where the carb plugs into it. They are only about $2.20, so replace it anyhow. Oh yes... such fun the first time you try
hint - take off the tank assy and/or the internal carb mount casting.
fuel?
Sounds like you're simply out of fuel! All those other malfunctions mentioned would come on progressively, giving you a warning of problems. At worst, you may have a clogged fuel filter, but this, too, wouldn't cause not starting all of a sudden. These things often go thru a tank of gas faster than you'd expect. Always check the simplest and most obvious things first.
Good luck.
Sounds like you're simply out of fuel! All those other malfunctions mentioned would come on progressively, giving you a warning of problems. At worst, you may have a clogged fuel filter, but this, too, wouldn't cause not starting all of a sudden. These things often go thru a tank of gas faster than you'd expect. Always check the simplest and most obvious things first.
Good luck.
The impulse line, and fuel filter are all clean and there is lots of gas in it. Getting that impulse line on was a total pain, getting it off though was easy. I wasn't sure if taking the case assembly off on the other side would help or not. I will remember that trick the next time.
Lakeside53
Stihl Wrenching
In that case... you need to go over the ignition... but first pressure test your carb to make sure it's just not flooding due to a bad needle valve or a stiff diaphragm. heck, I'd rebuild the carb anyhow. Cleaning alone often isn't sufficient on an old carb.
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