Stihl 036 Hard Starting

[Red Horse]

I have an 036..wife and kids bought it for me in like 1990-over 500 bucks then. Anyway been a good saw but now when I go to start it, almost like engine is frozen. Never had a fuel issue where I was too light on oil mix. New versions have a compression release but not this one. Been searching You Tube- no answers -except one "chainsaw gal" said words to effect ..."when you are old you have no business owning something like an 036, you don't have the strength to start it"...
Any opinions? and yes I'm old!

 

[Dman1981]

**** my bro in-law cannot even start his lawnmower
If the tv could
Mow he'd let it
Mine kicks me also but fires up

 

[goeduck]

Is someone else (say younger or stronger) able to start it without an issue? I know sometimes I now have to take my jacket off when I start my 70 cc on the first start of the day.

 

[dodge man]

I’m not sure if you are saying you can’t get it to move at all? If that’s the case take the spark plug out and see if you can turn it over.

 

[ericm979]

Carbon build up on the piston and combustion chamber can increase the compression ratio, making it harder to pull through.

 

[xyz123]

If everything checks out and not a stuck needle seat letting mix by or timing issue etc.

Read this. Husky xp266

Then this Husky 266xp part 2

I have had to do this for alot of older folks. Not to long ago on a 034 super - 036 too. I can understand why hard to start those. Back when they were made right to run like a mean hornet.

 

[Red Horse]

Well guys thx for comments...and sad fact it IS me! Took saw to friend a lot younger than me and he started it on second pull.

I am 80 and two years ago at age 78 I could do what most 58 year olds could not do. Then in Nov 21 I tested positive for covid. Did not bother me until 4-6 weeks later when I had no energy, and tired. After every test under the sun, my doc says I'm a "covid longhauler". If you have read anything about it, effects people differently..in my case strength/energy, tiredness. All kinds of articles about it but conclusion is always the same.."no clue".

 

[ericm979]

The Stihl Elastostart handle also makes pulling a little easier. The D handle may have an Elastostsart insert too, I haven't used one.

My small Echo starts extremely easily. I think it has a small passage from the cylinder above the exhaust port into the port to bleed off pressure. Some two stroke dirt bikes in the '70s had something similar. Once the engine has started it's too small to have a significant effect.

Retarding the timing slightly won't make it easier to pull through compression but will make it less likely to kick back.

You could change to a cylinder that can take a compression release, or if the space is there in the casting, have it milled drilled and threaded for a release.

 

[ernemats]

The chainsaw dealer I deal with told me when I asked about my Husky 395 being hard to start he told me too old , I said you mean the saw he said no the person pulling the rope. He is 81 and I am 80.

 

[Red Horse]

The chainsaw dealer I deal with told me when I asked about my Husky 395 being hard to start he told me too old , I said you mean the saw he said no the person pulling the rope. He is 81 and I am 80.

Hah..makes me feel better

 

[goeduck]

Well guys thx for comments...and sad fact it IS me! Took saw to friend a lot younger than me and he started it on second pull.

I am 80 and two years ago at age 78 I could do what most 58 year olds could not do. Then in Nov 21 I tested positive for covid. Did not bother me until 4-6 weeks later when I had no energy, and tired. After every test under the sun, my doc says I'm a "covid longhauler". If you have read anything about it, effects people differently..in my case strength/energy, tiredness. All kinds of articles about it but conclusion is always the same.."no clue".

Sorry to hear that. I have not heard of long haul with recent milder Covid strains. Was this the first infection you had and were you vaxed? If so, to what level?

 

[Red Horse]

Sorry to hear that. I have not heard of long haul with recent milder Covid strains. Was this the first infection you had and were you vaxed? If so, to what level?

GD
Both my wife and I had two Moderna shots but had not had a booster. I felt fine but was scheduled for a cortisone shot in my knee and when I got a screening call with the usual questions, I said I'm fine just I think my usual fall cold coming on. They canceled my appt. so that afternoon I went to my PC and got a test-next day I'm told I'm positive. I felt fine. Six days later my wife tests positive and in 16 days she is gone. And she had to get 10,000 steps a day on her Fitbit!

Didn't bother me until a month later when I started with the no energy, no strength issues, and since, 20 pds lighter than I was pre covid..and the 20 pds was not fat! So here I am 2 plus years later and as the thread says, can't start my 036!

 

[xyz123]

@Red Horse , JFYI. If you dont keep up with all the boosters. Like you found out you can still get it.

My son works in lab doing all the testing at one time for everything.
He said when this came out it will be just like the flu. Always mutating to change to another. He had been dead on that every since day one when announced.

So just like the flu shot changes every year. So will this.

If you take shots keep up with all the free boosters that is offered. This last strain folks that got it said it was a azz kicker.

 

[zzvyb6]

I went with a battery powered saw. Game over.

 

[goeduck]

When starting my 70 cc saw, I sure can't pull it like my 50 cc saw. The 70 cc needs a quicker along with harder pull if that makes sense.

 

[ericm979]

When I was riding big bore two stroke dirt bikes I learned to gently turn the engine over until it stopped from compression, then give it a healthy kick on the starter. That way you get a full rotation of the crank. The same trick works on saws.

 

[goeduck]

When I was riding big bore two stroke dirt bikes I learned to gently turn the engine over until it stopped from compression, then give it a healthy kick on the starter. That way you get a full rotation of the crank. The same trick works on saws.

Yes, and that is also how I start my air cooled Yanmar Diesel generator. Except I don't kick it. First pull every time.