I HATE CHAINSAWS! - HATE'EM!

[vic4news]

Dunno about the Pull-on, but with the Stihl, try this.

Set choke full on
Pull 2 to 3 times till you hear it fire once
Set choke to half and pull one or two more times till it starts

Don't know why, but every Stihl I've ever run starts that way.

That's exactly how my Dolmar starts. I looked at Stihl, but for the size saw I wanted I liked the Dolmar better.

 

[Bird]

In years past, I've owned 2 Poulans and my brother had a Stihl; never a problem with starting any of them.

 

[lilranch2001]

Dunno about the Pull-on, but with the Stihl, try this.

Set choke full on
Pull 2 to 3 times till you hear it fire once
Set choke to half and pull one or two more times till it starts


Don't know why, but every Stihl I've ever run starts that way.

That is correct!
Once you follow this I am pretty sure you will have a whole new feeling for your saw

 

[deerseeker001]

i do the same thing,and she starts every time.

 

[TCJatko]

Take 'em to the shop and get them running right. I have a small Poulan and a larger Craftsman; they both start quickly even after sitting for years.

 

[newbury]

I forgot to add that that I also have a Sthil HT 100 Pole Prunner and it starts fine just like the weedeaters and blowers. Someone commented that Stihl makes a great saw and I agree (after I get it started). Yes, I took the MS 170 into the Stihl dealer here in Kerrville and paid for them to do a complete tune-up. They said I had bad gas and a bad spark plug. They replaced the gas and plug. About 2 or 3 weeks later I tried to use the saw (with the dealer's gas) and I still had a tough time starting. Again, both of my saws run fine after starting and all of my other 2 cycle equipment start's and runs fine (using the same gas). Heck, I've even started using Seafoam to see if that helps. Nope!

I don't post very much on TBN - but - I read new posts almost daily and I really enjoy and respect you guys! I've learned a lot too. So, I felt like I could just share some frustrations!!!!!

Now - I feel better - again!

Gas that is 3 weeks old is marginal for the saw. I've bought about 4 of those quarts of premix at Walmart and used the fuel. Now I buy a gallon of non-ethanol gas, mix in the oil and a dash of Stabil and refill the quart metal cans. Seems to keep everything running great.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

Gas that is 3 weeks old is marginal for the saw. I've bought about 4 of those quarts of premix at Walmart and used the fuel. Now I buy a gallon of non-ethanol gas, mix in the oil and a dash of Stabil and refill the quart metal cans. Seems to keep everything running great.

My 20 year old 16" McCullough gets used about once a year. I don't drain the fuel... but it starts right up on year old gas the next time I need it. Same starting procedure as previously mentioned for a Stihl, but I press the primer button twice first.
It's probably not the best saw in the world, but it has never let me down.
My BIL had the same saw, he loved it... until he backed over it with his pickup. He replaced it with a Stihl, and has trouble starting it... has tore the starter rope out of it twice in 2 years.
I guess the best saw is the one that works good for you.

Pete

 

[arrow]

All I know is I have 2 - 29 year old Stihls, and 1-2 year old one, and the old ones will fire right up, and the new one is built as well as the old ones.

I know I would never buy another brand

When i was a logger, never had a saw more than two or three years before it was used up. Used whatever was available or if there was a deal I bought a couple of those. Used all the european ones and American Homelites , McCullochs and yes even Poulans. Never had a favorite (although always had a closeness to the Homelite 975) as they all started and ran like I needed them to so I guess they're all the same to me (professional saws that is)
What I did notice however was that everyone was cheapening up their saws. This had a two fold reasoning: 1. certainly for economy issues 2. there was a race as to who could make the lightest but still powerful saw so no, I could not say they were built with the same quality over a thirty year period no matter who was making the saw. It was simply impossible to keep the same durability that thicker plastic castings along with getting rid of metal casements if they were trying to lighten saws.

 

[arrow]

Gas that is 3 weeks old is marginal for the saw. I've bought about 4 of those quarts of premix at Walmart and used the fuel. Now I buy a gallon of non-ethanol gas, mix in the oil and a dash of Stabil and refill the quart metal cans. Seems to keep everything running great.

Don't know what you are using for oil but the high grade Stihl and Husky brands and probably some others already have stabilizer in them.

 

[madmax12]

I disagree.

Disclaimer: THAT is your opinion, and this is mine

LD1, if Mahindra made chainsaws, they would be the best. They don't make chainsaws, because they want to give someone else a chance to be the best at something.

(Note: 25.1 hrs and 12.5 weeks exp...)