Chain saw and hot weather

[Syncro]

I cut up some fire wood with my chain saw last week and had problems with re-starting it after it warmed up. The day was warm, mid 80's, and the saw seemed to 'vapor lock' after it sat a while, or at least it sure seemed to not be getting fuel. Its an almost new Echo 346 and fires right up when cold, could the warm weather be causing a fuel bubble? I tried cracking the gas cap, that released substantial vapor pressure, but still had a very hard time getting it going using the choke. It would fire and rev up then die as with no fuel. When it finally ran, it ran strong until it was shut off, then same thing over again. This is on a warm engine that has been stoped maybe 10 mins. Anybody have an Echo 346 do this?

 

[ronjhall]

A 2-stroke engine not starting after being shut off. May be the gas boiling out of fuel line. If fuel has boiled out. It will take several pulls with choke to get engine going again. Also check fuel line for bad connection or cracks.

 

[MossRoad]

I've found that starting a two stroke that is already hot, with choke, can be a hard thing. You usually end up flooding the engine. If you have a hard time starting it when hot, try this.

Turn the ignition OFF.
Turn the choke OFF.
Turn the throttle OFF.
Pull the cord hard six times.
That sends clean air and no fuel through the system and clears it out.

Now that it is clear, and the engine is still warm, you should need no choke to start a warm two stroke engine.

Turn the ignition ON.
Pull the throttle to FULL ON.
Pull the cord hard and it will start on the first or second pull.

If it fails to start by the third of fourth pull, and the engine is still warm, repeat the above procedure.

If that fails, run it through the clean out process mentioned above again and try to start it as you would when it's cold.
Full choke.
Full thottle.
Ignition on.
Pull until it coughs.
Choke off.
Full throttle.
Pull until it starts.

I've used this method for 30 years on lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, snow blowers, boat engines, single and twin cylinder two stroke motorcycles and it has never failed. If it does not work, there is something else wrong with the engine. Dirty air filter, old or bad plug, bad gas mixture, etc... give it a tune up.

 

[hazmat]

It's a sign - you're not supposed to cut wood when it's hot out.

I know I avoid chainsaw use in the summer as best I can or limit it to small projects. I get overheated with the helmet & chaps on. Don't like the idea of running that dangerous a power tool while delerious.

Ron has given you some good advice, also do you have a winter/summer setting on the carb? My Stihl does.

 

[kenmac]

I think something is wrong with your saw.Hot or cold out ,I have never had a hard time starting my husky . You say your saw is almost new, I would take it back.

 

[jbrumberg]

When my chainsaw does not start after being run in hot weather I usually flood the engine trying to start the little bugger . I then pull the sparkplug and pull the starter cord a couple of times. Then I let the chainsaw and myself cool down a little. I reinstall the sparkplug, start the saw without the choke if it is still warm at full throttle. The chainsaw usually starts . Jay

 

[scott_vt]

Now that it is clear, and the engine is still warm, you should need no choke to start a warm two stroke engine.

Turn the ignition ON.
Pull the throttle to FULL ON.
Pull the cord hard and it will start on the first or second pull.

If it fails to start by the third of fourth pull, and the engine is still warm, repeat the above procedure.



I've used this method for 30 years on lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, snow blowers, boat engines, single and twin cylinder two stroke motorcycles and it has never failed. If it does not work, there is something else wrong with the engine. Dirty air filter, old or bad plug, bad gas mixture, etc... give it a tune up.

Mornin Moss,
Only problem with your method is that on a Stihl, to have your throttle on, you need to be in full choke mode or partial choke mode !

BTW Im not disputing your method, because you bring up some good points!

 

[Syncro]

Thanks all, as for the engine being flooded I know where you're coming from, but in this case thats not it. The engine is starving for fuel, not flooded. Maybe the gas really is boiling out of the carb, sure has a lot of pressure in the fuel tank when I unscrew the cap.

I agree that a new saw probably should not do this regardless of weather, trouble is even though its new I've had it for a while, ~ 8 months, so it can't go back, but probably still under warenty. That brings up another problem as I bought it at Home Depot (mistake!) thinking there were no Echo dealers locally, I've since found a small engine shop down the road that is an authorized dealer, wonder how he would react bringing in a saw under warenty bought from a Big Box competetor. Guess I'm gonna find out.

 

[kenmac]

The factory is going to pay him for any repairs.So, It's not like he 's doing it for free. He may make repairs to other folkes equipment that was bought from him 1 st. I bought a redmax BP. blower off e bay. redmax had a recall on the blower . I took it to a local redmax dealer & he made the repairs at n/c to me. It may depend on the dealer but, like I said he's getting paid from echo.

 

[MossRoad]

...sure has a lot of pressure in the fuel tank when I unscrew the cap. ...

There should be no pressure when opening the cap, should there? Is there a plugged vent on the fuel tank/cap?