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qsaghar_gw

chainsaw craftsman 2-cycle motor problem

qsaghar
13 years ago

I have a 42cc 2-cycle craftsman 16" saw that's worked fine until I let it sit for a few months. I put in fresh gas with 40:1 mix 2-cycle oil. When I pull the rope start, it pulls easily the first try, then becomes increasingly harder to pull. I can't pull-start the motor fast enought to start it. It pulls easily with the spark plug removed. Is it a clogged muffler or clogged exhaust port? I changed the plug as well, but no luck!

Comments (7)

  • handymac
    13 years ago

    How did you mix the fuel? One can/bottle of 2 cycle oil to one gallon of gas or two gallons. What are the instructions on the oil; container?

    Was there gas in the saw when it sat?

    Was the gas 100% gas or was it gasohol(10% alcohol)?

    Several months is how long?

    What were the temperatures during the sitting period?

    Sounds like there is varnish in the carburetor or there is a problem with the carb adjustment. There probably are no user adjustments on the carb, so a professional has to make any adjustments(legally). Those adjustments can be made if a person knows how and has the proper tools.

    I repaired chain saws for 22 years. All those questions are necessary to have answered to have any chance of long distance advice being any good.

  • qsaghar
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    I used 3.2 oz (measured with a cup) of quality 2-cycle oil in a gallon of regular gas from Shell station. not sure if it had ethanol in it. I use the same gas for other 2-cycle motors, no problem. Chainsaw sat in garage over winter with average Central Florida temperatures. I tried spraying starting fluid in the intake as well, no luck. I don't think its a fuel problem. As I mentioned the motor is hard to turn with pull rope after first pull. Feels like too much compression building up!

  • tim45z10
    13 years ago

    Take off the muffler, put the plug back in and test. Maybe something moved in during that time.

  • hunter11
    13 years ago

    I am also having a problem starting my saw when I put gas in the spark plug hole it will run for a minute any ideas what this could be

  • MongoCT
    13 years ago

    Does your chainsaw have a compression release button to press prior to starting?

  • hermanj
    11 years ago

    Message: I have a chain saw model #358-350600 Craftsman 18 in. / 42cc bought the saw about
    2002 used it satisfactorily for some time and it does not have many
    hours on it, however in cutings some trees in the yard in about 2008 it
    quit for no apparent reason an it has not cranked since, I have had
    local shops to work on it, fuel lines have been redone,carb. replaced
    with new, it has good spark (blue) still not even a pop using starter
    fluid. I have search the web for help and I see some others having the
    same problem as myself. I went to the Sears shop but for them to check
    it out was almost as much as a new saw and I noticed while I was
    there they had lots of the 18in 42cc saw on the shelf that had been
    reconditioned, but I still can't find where Sears is giving us a
    solution for this problem and why so many are having the( will not crank
    problem). Does it have a printed circuit board that we can't find. I can
    buy a new saw but that does not fix this one. Can you give me some help,
    I have a problem with a motor that looks as good as this will not run
    and it is still in the original box. Thanks Herman Hill

  • handymac
    11 years ago

    Two things to try.

    Remove the flywheel and inspect the key that fits in the crankshaft slot. If it is sheared or bent, the motor is out of time. A new key will be a buck or so.

    Second thing is to remove the muffler and inspect the cylinder wall and piston. Any marks means the compression is wrong and the cylinder/jug need to be replaced. A new piston/jug will cost almost as much as a new saw.

    Unless the problem is a crank key, don't waste money fixing the saw and buy a real saw---Stihl, Husqvarna, or Echo.