stihl ms211c 'cylinder locking'.

[PDean]

looking for some advice.
can't pull the starter freely on my saw.
it's worked fine for years then all of a sudden it's so hard to pull.
can be pulled in all scenarios. ie with and with out muffler/ carb attached or removed, with individually or simultaneously.
but as soon as plug is inserted it's soooo hard to pull.
cylinder looks fine, no fluid comes out of spark plug hole when upside down and or pulled.
muffler is clear.
carb has been dismantled and cleaned.
I'm lost.

 

[epo]

looking for some advice.
can't pull the starter freely on my saw.

To be sure. Is this MS 211 C-BE or MS 211?

 

[cookies]

I would suspect the starter assembly being worn and binding under load

 

[PDean]

To be sure. Is this MS 211 C-BE or MS 211?

 

[PDean]

says ms211c on the handle

 

[epo]

says ms211c on the handle

So as @cookies wrote it would be worth looking into the starter assembly.