Super XL quits

[asharrow]

Have a yard sale Super XL that I could never get to start easily or run right and stay running.

Recently pulled the flywheel, dressed and set the points and reset the coil air gap, which was nonexistant.

Put back together and it started easily and ran well.

Today I felled a 12" maple, limbed it, hauled the log out of the snow-filled woods and bucked the log in to 24" firewood chunks, all with this saw. Saw had great power and cut well.

BUT, it kept quitting and got harder to start. Also seemed to use a tank of fuel pretty fast.

Does this sound like fuel or spark issues? Did quit dead when it quit.

Jim in Maine

 

[Crofter]

Lol! sure, it ran out of fuel. Was mixture correct. is air cleaner free. what does spark plug look like. does it have any spark now. will it run with a fuel dropped into carb bore. Need more info!

 

[asharrow]

Each time it quit, it started up again without refueling, so it had fuel and spark. After restarting, it sometimes cut wood for several minutes, then quit. Restart sometimes took lots of pulls, choking, or not. Didn't want to start or try except when choked when fuel was down to an inch or so in the tank. At that point, refueled and it started up, but still quit.

I know it's hard to guess why a saw acts like this when you can't be there to tinker with it. It's hard enough when I'm there.

Jim

 

[TonyM]

I think I would take a look at the fuel system, filter, line, carb. Probably could use a carb kit. Also make sure the gas tank vent is open. I think the Super XL has the vent in the cap.

 

[Crofter]

Fuel tank vents can get plugged or wrong caps (non vented) Try loosening the cap. When it is refusing to start, try dropping about half dozen drops of fuel directly down the carb bore to see it it fires up then. You might also pull the plug and check for ignition and or oily fouled plug.

 

[asharrow]

Thanks guys, I'll check the fuel things.

Jim in Maine

 

[asharrow]

Pretty tired when I started this thread and got a little confused. I have three Homelites in working or sort-of working condition. Trouble is, not one of them is a Super XL. It's a Super EZ I had the trouble with.

Good thing is I'm thinking all your advice fits that saw too. Same kind of fuel cap, for instance. Thanks and sorry for the misstatement.

Jim in Maine (and in a daze, I guess!)

 

[Dadatwins]

Check the fuel line. Where it goes thru the wall of the tank into the carb box might have softened enough to have a hole in it. The old homelite used the cheapest rubber components they could find in my opinion, and they always softening up and causing problems. Make sure you drain the fuel out and run it dry when you are going to let it sit a while. good luck.

 

[asharrow]

Fuel line seemed OK, except where it attached to the filter in the tank. Looked cracked. I cut off 1/4 inch and reattached it. Seemed to keep running better, but I haven't had it out working yet.

thanks all,

Jim in Maine

 

[asharrow]

Today I reset the coil air gap. Thought maybe I had not tightened the mounting screws enough first time. Saw performed well for several hours of cutting today. Will sit there and idle smoothly too. Pretty happy with it now. It saved the day because the recoil starter in my 330 gave out today. The helical post that the dog rides on broke into about 4 pieces. Next project, I guess.

Jim in Maine