Chainsaw 101 for novices!

Trials · Dec 23, 2015

Are you guys sure you aren't talking about VP race fuels : VP Racing Fuels - Always in Stock + National Delivery | Amber Racing Services

k0ua · Dec 23, 2015

Coyote machine said:
Depending on where one lives, NON-Ethanol gas may be available as a premium pump product. If so, it mixed with Stihl's Ultra oil makes for the best mix one can run for a reasonable price. That's all I use in ALL my saws and other 2 cycle mix engines.

Same here. Also run it in my 4 cycle small engines too. I use the E10 in the automobiles only. The no ethanol premium is about $2.12 per gallon here now.

varmint · Dec 23, 2015

As was properly pointed out, chainsaws are potentially very dangerous to use. Perhaps I shouldn't have posted to begin with... that said, I was simply reporting on my personal observations, trying to be helpful. Maybe that's better left to experts!
I had priced the VP racing fuels, and at $15+ a gallon, plus the travel involved to get it, the premix gas at $18 is my choice, until something more reasonable comes along for storage purposes.

Trials · Dec 23, 2015

For the Canadians, VP Race fuel is available through W.O.Stinson out of Ottawa and they will ship it to your your nearest local station where you can pick it up without delivery charges :thumbsup: If you have to ask how much it costs up here, you can't afford it.

Garandman · Dec 23, 2015

varmint said:
//As for pricey gas, I also hate wasting money, but when I was running with ethanol gas, even though I would run the saws dry before storage, they always gave me trouble the next time until whatever deposits were in the carbs got cleared. Switching to the liquid gold gas, no problems at all. So I will run the last tank, and the first tank, with the good stuff. Too bad we don't have any small airports close by.

My Stihl chainsaw didn't seem too picky about Ethanol gas, but we also have one of their four stroke (but premix) string trimmers. It started first pull last spring with the good stuff. Left ethanol fuel in it late summer and it took draining it out and refilling it with Mogas to get it going again.

varmint · Dec 23, 2015

Yah, maybe I wasn't clear about the gas... I am fine using the ethanol mix, it's just that when I let the saws, or any other 2 cycle engines, sit with it for a while, starting and running smoothly is always a gamble. Almost like it is gunking up the carbs. So I don't let them sit with ethanol gas, and I am good when I need them again.

dsgsr · Dec 23, 2015

varmint said:
Yah, maybe I wasn't clear about the gas... I am fine using the ethanol mix, it's just that when I let the saws, or any other 2 cycle engines, sit with it for a while, starting and running smoothly is always a gamble. Almost like it is gunking up the carbs. So I don't let them sit with ethanol gas, and I am good when I need them again.

Go out and buy the Marine Sta-bil. the green stuff. I've been using it for yrs. with no problems, even in the engines that sit over the winter. My wood splitter sat for two yrs. the gas dried up but started right up with new gas. The Marine Sta-bil doesn't allow the varnish to form that clogs up the carb.

David

varmint · Dec 23, 2015

I will get some of the Marine Sta-bil. It sounds better than the regular red stuff I have used for years, in any gas I bring home, just on principal. There are horror stories from outboard engine boaters using ethanol gas, so maybe this will help address that? I tend to leave gas in my generator, but I close the fuel valve and let it run dry. The next start, which can be 6 months down the road, usually starts on the first pull, so I am good with that.

Garandman · Dec 23, 2015

We used Stabil Marine Ethanol Formula, which is blue. Now called Stabil 360 Marine.

We always used the "storage dose" which is double the regular usage.

STA-BIL® 360* Marine for Boats & More

But the standard fuel stabilizer states it stabilizes fuel for up to 24 months instead of 12.

STA-BIL® Brand Fuel Stabilizer for Gasoline-Powered Equipment

dragoneggs · Dec 23, 2015

k0ua said:
The no ethanol premium is about $2.12 per gallon here now.

You are living right! Can't really find it let alone buy it here... and it won't be 2.12!

k0ua · Dec 23, 2015

dragoneggs said:
You are living right! Can't really find it let alone buy it here... and it won't be 2.12!

Makes up for the chiggers and ticks in the summer.

dragoneggs · Dec 23, 2015

k0ua said:
Makes up for the chiggers and ticks in the summer.

You have a point... I might pay an extra few nickels a gallon if it means no chiggers and ticks 'round here!

dsgsr · Dec 24, 2015

Garandman said:
We used Stabil Marine Ethanol Formula, which is blue. Now called Stabil 360 Marine.

We always used the "storage dose" which is double the regular usage.

STA-BIL® 360* Marine for Boats & More

But the standard fuel stabilizer states it stabilizes fuel for up to 24 months instead of 12.

STA-BIL® Brand Fuel Stabilizer for Gasoline-Powered Equipment

You are right Garandman. I just went out and looked at the color (The new jug is Blue) use to be green. I don't pay attention well as I get older

Hopefully this info. will help many folks with their fuel problems.

David

Oldpath05 · Dec 24, 2015

"Today I discovered NAPA has premixed non-ethanol premium 2-cycle gas for under $18 a gallon."
And to think I was complaining a couple years ago about $4.00/gal. for gas.

Here's one for all the chainsaw Novices that's not sitting around waiting for Santa>(Not sure what Novices really means)
I see a men's clothes commercial on TV today showing a big He-Man warring $300.00 boots, $100.00 shirt, $200.00 Carhart jacket, starting a $400.00 chainsaw, like the manual says> place the saw firmly on flat ground, firmly place foot in the front trigger handle, firmly place hand on the top handle, firmly pull starter cord with other hand. How many chainsaw novices here firmly start there saw like that, anyone> can I have a show hands?
Well how do I start my XP550 chainsaw? Good question glad you ask, I just grab the darn thing and crank it, and if I'm cranking more than 10 time's, I start speaking in tongues, I just wish I had an interpreter.

square1 · Dec 25, 2015

Except for the big He-Man warring $300.00 boots, $100.00 shirt, $200.00 Carhart jacket part

RollingsFarms · Dec 25, 2015

square1 said:
<raises hand> Except for the big He-Man warring $300.00 boots, $100.00 shirt, $200.00 Carhart jacket part

And thinks he's "too experienced" to wear safety chaps or face/eye protection.lol

To the OP, that's a nice saw! You should enjoy it for years to come. I'm like you, I wore out my factory chains and tossed them and upgraded. Haven't ported any of my saws yet though, just never got around to it. I have a MS260 and an MS440 magnum and I'm always grabbing the smaller, lighter saw.

motownbrowne · Dec 25, 2015

RollingsFarms said:
And thinks he's "too experienced" to wear safety chaps or face/eye protection.lol

To the OP, that's a nice saw! You should enjoy it for years to come. I'm like you, I wore out my factory chains and tossed them and upgraded. Haven't ported any of my saws yet though, just never got around to it. I have a MS260 and an MS440 magnum and I'm always grabbing the smaller, lighter saw.

I've heard the ported saw guys say they'd rather run a ported 50cc saw (like your 260) than a stock 70cc (your 440). Given the power difference stock, that's hard to believe, but those guys certainly can make a saw scream. There's a guy near me that's well regarded for port work. Maybe someday when I've got $250 in the saw budget again, I'll see what he can do to my ms460.

varmint · Dec 27, 2015

Yes, and the well-dressed gentleman sawyer remains perfectly clean as he works, unlike those of us who get covered in wood chips, oil, and dirt from hauling wood.

I got some Sta-bil 360 marine, so maybe I can avoid using much of my $18/gal. juice. Thanks for all the various advice posted. Weight was one reason I got the Echo- with its magnesium case, it's a fairly light saw for being a 50cc and 20", but still, I understand the idea of grabbing a lighter, smaller saw.

CobyRupert · Dec 27, 2015

I guess I do start it like the manual says, don't know for sure, cause I've never read it. Except I don't do the part about firmly placing hand on the top handle, I place my hand on the case. IMHO holding the top handle when pull starting stresses (and eventually rips) the rubber mounts that connect the handle to the saw more than anything else. That is the handle is not directly, err..solidly connected to the saw (At least on more modern saws, or at least on my Huskys.)