Chainsaw Problem

**Redback** · 11th November 2008, 06:34 AM

I have a Shindawa 16" bar Chainsaw that has been giving me grief since we bought it 6mths ago.

A few times it has refused to start, first time it was the spark plug and this last time it was (according to the chainsaw workshop both times) the fuel being over oiled

Now i'm no expert, but i thought that a 2 stroke would take a variety of mixtures from 20.1 to 40.1 with no probs, but bloody thing seems it need a specific mixture or it fouls the plug and won't start, the last time it fouled the plug i changed to a new plug and it still wouldn't start.

Now even if it fouled the plug and i used the same fuel for the new plug it still should have at least tried to start, but no it showed no signs of starting, now at the moment it has a flat spot, it also splutters when starting and once you get it going it has the flat spot at around 1/4 throttle and if i just pull the throttle it dies then picks up, to me this means too rich.

Any help would be good, i've never had a 2 stroke this fussy, my elcheapo McCulloch has never been apart in 3yrs, so i expect a saw thats 3 times the price to be much better.

Baz.

**JDNSW** · 11th November 2008, 07:00 AM

Buildup of carbon round the exhaust port? Some two strokes are very sensitive to the shape of the port, and don't like even small modifications to the shape of it.

I'm not familiar with that saw, but it is probably fairly easy to take off the muffler and look at this.

John

**waynep** · 11th November 2008, 07:08 AM

How often do you mix up your fuel ?
2 stroke, in fact any stored fuel, will go "off" after a relatively short time ( or so I'm told ).

Have you got the mix ratios right ? 40:1 is 25ml of oil per litre of petrol

**Redback** · 11th November 2008, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Buildup of carbon round the exhaust port? Some two strokes are very sensitive to the shape of the port, and don't like even small modifications to the shape of it.

I'm not familiar with that saw, but it is probably fairly easy to take off the muffler and look at this.

John

Thanks John,

Only mod done to the exhaust was the spark arrestor was taken off, otherwise the exhaust is good and it's original shape.

**Tusker** · 11th November 2008, 07:12 AM

I've got the same saw, and from the dealer, they can be cranky to start. Got the same flat spot when its cold. I think its easy to flood if you keep trying with the choke out. Mine needs choke, no-choke, choke, & then it fires.

Notwithstanding mine's a couple of years old now, never failed to get it going, still on the same plug. Yours does seem to be abnormally temperamental.

Regards
Max P

**Redback** · 11th November 2008, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by waynep

How often do you mix up your fuel ?
2 stroke, in fact any stored fuel, will go "off" after a relatively short time ( or so I'm told ).

Have you got the mix ratios right ? 40:1 is 25ml of oil per litre of petrol

I split the diff and run it around 30 to 35.1 approx 30ml to 1lt.

Baz.

**crump** · 11th November 2008, 07:26 AM

just make sure that when you get it started that you wear your chaps, gloves, steelcaps, helmet, face shield, safety glasses, sunscreen, ear muffs, long sleeved shirt tucked in, epirb, spotter,have watched the video"Understanding Chainsaw Safety", possess the current competency,zero blood alcohol, are not taking any medications that might make you drowsy, are fully hydrated, blah, blah, blah!!!!

(and dont mention it on the AULRO forum!!)

**Redback** · 11th November 2008, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by crump

just make sure that when you get it started that you wear your chaps, gloves, steelcaps, helmet, face shield, safety glasses, sunscreen, ear muffs, long sleeved shirt tucked in, epirb, spotter,have watched the video"Understanding Chainsaw Safety", possess the current competency,zero blood alcohol, are not taking any medications that might make you drowsy, are fully hydrated, blah, blah, blah!!!!

(and dont mention it on the AULRO forum!!)

Yep do all that, it's a pain if i can't get it started though, cause i have to take all the gear off again, then put it back on again when i try again

**bblaze** · 11th November 2008, 08:57 AM

trick I used in my younger days with a hard to start lawn mower was to throw it at the shed wall (seemed to work)
Now serious, try changing the brand of 2 stroke oil you are using
cheers
blaze

**Xavie** · 11th November 2008, 08:58 AM

Not being failiar with the saw I find that on my saws if I follow how the manual says to start they would never start either. I usually do a few pulls with the choke and then go no choke and if it is not starting with no choke I go half.

When cold all my saws have had a flat spot but it sounds like yours happens all the time that just means always use full throttle

Hope you sort it out. They are always spoken of so highly.

Xav

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