Stihl MS 310 very hard to crank

[TooSoonOld]

My Stihl, once it's running is just like new, but when I try to start it, it feels almost like the cylinder is full of water. When I remove the spark plug, the engine turns over completely easily, and the spark plug is dry. Put the plug back in, still pull rope real hard to get one revolution of engine. Do this for a very long time, and finally, though nothing seems different, the engine cranks normally and starts right up. What's going on? This saw does not have a manual compression relief knob. Any chance it has a fully automatic release that is fouled???

 

[sonny580]

My 310 has that stupid e-z start thingy on it but it takes a LOT of pulls before it starts turning better then starts up. Hard to start when hot at times too.

 

[TooSoonOld]

Well I gave up trying to diagnose the problem and took my saw to the local Stihl dealer. I showed the repairman the problem by trying to pull the rope and having the engine refuse to turn. He asked for the saw, and easily started it on the first pull.
Guess there's nothing wrong with the saw; the problem is my 73 year old right arm. Wonder how much cut, split, delivered, and stacked oak costs in this part of the world. And firewood cutting is something i've always looked forward to.