Troubleshooting Stihl MS210c

[Jason280]

I may have switched sides today...

I have always been a Husqvarna guy, but today I came across a great deal on a Stihl MS210c that I couldn't pass up. I really like the set up of the saw, especially the easily adjustable chain and finger removeable oil/gas caps My only problem so far is getting the saw to run.

Here's the problem I am having. The saw doesn't seem to be getting a spark. The plug is good, and there is plenty of new gas in the tank. Compression is fine, but it seems the engine is flooding the cylinder. The engine will not fire up at all, and each time I have pulled the plug it has been wet.

So, how do I check and see if there is fire getting to the plug? Like I said, the plug is good and there is plenty of compression. It just seems as thought the sparkplug isn't firing and I really don't know how to troubleshoot it. Is this a carb or plug issue? Also, how many turns from bottom is a good place to set the idle (LA).

I am pretty sure I am going to love this saw, once I get it running!

 

[Fish]

First, so you know where you are Dump out all of the fuel, then if it has a primer, pump it until all of the gas is out of the carb. Next, pull the rope
with the throttle wide open until it finally starts, and then burns off all of the
fuel, in that way you start anew, and know that your problem is fuel related.

More than likely, if it is flooding, you have a loose welch plug inside the
carb, or a leaking, dirty needle.

 

[sugarbush]

Fish is probably right but take a jumper wire ( piece of wire with clips on each end ) and one end to nut on plug, other end to metal on saw for ground, pull over and check spark.

 

[Fish]

Sorry, didn't read the post close enough. I saw where he said the spark plug was good, so I assumed he had spark.
We have had many new saws with bad plugs in them, so yes, check
for spark first
Sorry.

 

[Pilsnaman]

You can either do what sugarbush said or hold the plug by the rubber boot (I am assuming the boot isn't cracked or damaged) and put the electrodes next to a ground on the saw (cooling fins work). With the on/off switch to the on position pull the cord at about half speed. You will see an arch to the ground if everything is working correctly.

Start with the carb needles unscrewed about 1 turn and go from there. Good luck.

 

[blis]

I may have switched sides today...

I have always been a Husqvarna guy, but today I came across a great deal on a Stihl MS210c that I couldn't pass up. I really like the set up of the saw, especially the easily adjustable chain and finger removeable oil/gas caps My only problem so far is getting the saw to run.

Here's the problem I am having. The saw doesn't seem to be getting a spark. The plug is good, and there is plenty of new gas in the tank. Compression is fine, but it seems the engine is flooding the cylinder. The engine will not fire up at all, and each time I have pulled the plug it has been wet.

So, how do I check and see if there is fire getting to the plug? Like I said, the plug is good and there is plenty of compression. It just seems as thought the sparkplug isn't firing and I really don't know how to troubleshoot it. Is this a carb or plug issue? Also, how many turns from bottom is a good place to set the idle (LA).

I am pretty sure I am going to love this saw, once I get it running!

man, whats with all that hype about stihl's toolless caps, husky has had them for 20 decades atleast....


but now, to the point, you might just be flooding the saw and if thats the case, dry the plug and try starting it without choke... But if its spark issue check that sparkwire is good and replace the plug with brand new one and try starting it... if that doesnt help (aka no spark) i'd suspect the coil...

 

[DGG]

You can either do what sugarbush said or hold the plug by the rubber boot (I am assuming the boot isn't cracked or damaged) and put the electrodes next to a ground on the saw (cooling fins work). With the on/off switch to the on position pull the cord at about half speed. You will see an arch to the ground if everything is working correctly.

Start with the carb needles unscrewed about 1 turn and go from there. Good luck.

Or just rest the connected plug threads on the cylinder head to ground it and you should see a spark jump across the electrode gap when you pull the starter.

Make sure the plug is properly gapped. Remember you are using mixed-fuel so you will always have some oil residue that can be confused with gas flooding.

I like the suggestion about dumping everything and flushing out the carb, then starting with new fresh gas.

Check air and gas filters to be sure they are new/clean.

Check lines for proper connection and cracks (assuming you get spark).

 

[Jason280]

The plug is fine, and is gapped properly (I have actually checked it in another saw to make sure). I haven't had a chance to ground the plug to see of its sparking, but I will do that later. All though I haven't gotten to the bottom of this problem, I just can't imagine there is a problem with the coil considering the condition of the saw (which was running up until it was put up).

One other thing, the gas in the tank is fresh, as the saw was completely dry when I picked it up. I can drain it and go from there, though, if I need to. Is it recommended to try starter fluid with 2-stroke motors to see if this saw will even turn over?

 

[SawTroll]

A 210, and a "c" into the bargain - I would say; Dumpster next........:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Log Splitter]

A 210, and a "c" into the bargain - I would say; Dumpster next........:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

SawTroll, you should change your handle to SawSnob.

 

[Lakeside53]

SAWSNOB - or maybe something worse???

 

[SawTroll]

SawTroll, you should change your handle to SawSnob.

I will consider it.......:sword:

 

[THALL10326]

A 210, and a "c" into the bargain - I would say; Dumpster next........:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

Not what Consumer Reports says,LOLOLOLOLOL, gotcha again,:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Jason280]

Ok, I finally got around to messing with the 210 again. I pulled plug, grounded it to a cooling fin, and found it was producing sufficient spark. Not knowing what else to do, I went ahead and pulled the carb and noticed the fuel line had a small pin hole in it. I knew this wasn't the cause of my problem, but I also knew it would be a problem once I did get the saw to actually run. So, I went to the local Stihl dealer and talked with the repair guy. I explained my problem, and he stated it was simply flooded. He recommended I pull the plug, turn it upside down, and leave it for a while to let the gas drain out. Sure enough, that was the problem! There was a good amount of gas that drained out, and I was able to get the saw to run once it was out of the head.

I ran the saw for about ten minutes, and I really like the feel of it. However, after I let it sit for a couple hours, it didn't want to start at first and took quite a few pulls to get it running again. Is it common for these saws to flood that easily? I want to like the saw, but its going to be difficult for me to replace my Husky with it if its going to be this difficult to crank!

 

[Log Splitter]

What's your starting technique, Jason?

You probably do not need to go back to full choke when restarting even after a 2 hour cooldown. Fast idle will most likely get you back in business without risk of flooding.

Also, when you are on full choke, switch back to fast idle after 3-4 pulls regardless of whether the saw has 'popped' or not.

 

[Jason280]

That's good to know! I'll have to keep that in mind next time I run the saw. I'm going to try and run it head to head with my 136 and see which one gets to hang around!