Stihl ms441 won't idle...Help please

[wreckman]

I need some help. I have a Stihl MS441 that will not idle. I have checked everything and i mean everything. Fuel lines are good,intake boot,carb you name it. The saw is only about 3 years old and not used very much,maybe 20 hrs. The only thing I can see now is that the spark seems weak and I don't visually see any unless I pull the saw over very fast with the plug out. I guess I am not sure how much spark I should see. Most generally in all my years if I have spark on engines they usually run. This one will run fine at high RPm's but as soon as you let it drop to idle it will just die like you shut it off. I have worked and fixed everything from bulldozers to Harleys and can't seem to get this one off my work bench. I appreciate any help or ideas.

 

[w8ye]

The low speed jet in the carb is plugged

I had a used Stihl 55 weed whacker that did this. There was moisture damage inside the carb idle circuit.

I bought a new carb and all was forgiven. Has worked fine ever since.

 

[wreckman]

I had been cutting firewood and using the saw this year prior to this issue. I pulled the EPA adjustment restictors off the h and l adjustment screws and pulled both needles and blew out the circuits to be sure there was not a speck of dirk in them. Still does the same thing. I hate to take it to the dealer and have them start through all the things I have already done and run up a big bill.

 

[w8ye]

If blowing it out didn't change it, your carb has some blockage underneath the plugs in the floor of the metering chamber.

The service man will have to start from scratch doing all the things you did to begin with.

You can pull the carb pump side cover and clean the lint and saw dust the screen.

You can pull the cover from the regulator side of the carb and clean the saw dust from the top of the metering diaphragm?

If that doesn't fix it . . . .

Your cheapest bet with your experience level would be a new carb?

 

[wreckman]

Thats kind of what I am thinking. I guess I just wanted someone to tell me so I can face the facts that a new top notch Stihl needs a new carb. Any advice as to where on line is the best place to buy one. I hate always paying dealers inflated prices.

 

[w8ye]

I would at least check with the local dealer(s) before purchasing. To my surprise, I usually get a better price from the local dealer than most of the hits that come up with Google on the Internet. There are seven Stihl dealers within 20 mi of my house.

I would make it a point to know all about my saw before I went to the dealer? For example, the serial # of the saw and what brand and model number of carb it has etc.

 

[saxman]

Something you might want to try is get it running and hold her WOT and as it gets peak RPMs put the choke on full and keep the throttle open. This will created suction in the carb that can pull a small piece of whatever out of where it shouldn't be. I have used this trick with various levels of success in the past. good luck

Steve

 

[jbighump]

find someone with an ultrasonic cleaner and run it through it a couple of times and if that and a kit dont fix it,,,,write it off and buy a new one

 

[wreckman]

Thanks Steve. I will try the choke trick. Nothing to loose at this point. Planning of ordering a new carb on Monday.

 

[jus2fat]

In another thread...dude (with carb problem) tried "Seafoam" and got better saw results.

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/182999.htm

Available at auto parts stores...I'd sure try it before buying a new carb...nothing to lose.

J2F

 

[Kebo57]

Hi had the won’t idle issues with a MS441 I’ve just bought spares repairs carb had been over riched about 3 turns on the high screw was blowing back through carb, anyway had carb off about 6-8 times cleaned set the needle hight blew out everything with 120psi air line so no jets blocked. Well I checked the idle jet with one core of some brass stranded wire it wouldn’t go through the hole in the jet looked ok but it wasn’t so gently pushed a 0.013” drill through it see pic
Idles ok now