Rustyiron
Super Member
I'm guessing that it's largely operator error. Learning what the saw likes (like you described above) in certain temperatures and listening for the first "pop" and generally switching to no choke is really the key.
My Stihl MS 170 and 180 take 7 pulls to get the first pop when starting cold and will flood if you miss the pop. One pull to start when warm. My echo trimmer with a primer bulb always starts on the first pull with the choke on. Primer bulbs are a big help.
Carb kit might be needed. Dias get stiff. Also could be tuning issue if not Dias.
My dad's 180 I got it starting in a couple pulls for him.
Also if you dont have the newer green line look for cracking if run ethanol gas. Green ethanol resistant.
Couple carbs I was doing back then.
4x4moses
Bronze Member
I don't do a lot of cutting, so I'm no expert. I normally use my saw once or twice a year, to trim limbs. I have an old Craftsman (Poulan) that's almost 20 years old, and it still starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull. I traded for a NIB Husqvarna, with a 20" bar, a couple of years ago. After 7 or 8 pulls, my son-in-law took over. He pulled another 4 or 5 times. We finally got it started; but it has never been easy to start. I sold it, after only using it once! I'm back to the old 16" Craftsman for larger stuff; and a battery powered Greenworks for little stuff.
McCollough always one to two pulls, Stills, terrible, Husqvarna similar to the Mac.
My experience when cutting timber for a large company.
If you drain the fuel out after using it then run it dry you wont have problems.
In this throw away society no one takes care of anything.
My experience when cutting timber for a large company.
If you drain the fuel out after using it then run it dry you wont have problems.
In this throw away society no one takes care of anything.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I have 3 Stihl and two Husqvarna chainsaws that I've acquired over the last two decades. They are all different sizes and bought for different reasons. New, they all started easy and ran great. But it seems like every year, after sitting all Winter, they are harder and harder to start.
Eventually it just becomes impossible to start them, and I take them to the shop. I've been to four different repair shops. It could be that they are all bad, or it's me.
Every time, I'm told the same thing. The saw was flooded and I'm not doing it right when trying to start them. At the shop, I have them show me how to start the saw. Choke, pull easy two or three times until you hear the spark start. No choke and pull hard two or three times until it starts. Works every time at the shop. Worked at home the first time or two, and then it's back to pulling and pulling to get it to start. Once running, it's easy to start the rest of the day. But the following week, it's a struggle.
Three years ago I couldn't get anything to start. I read about Echo on here from other guys who had made the switch from Stihl. I had an Echo weed eater that was awesome, so I decided to buy an Echo chainsaw from Home Depot.
In three years, it's been easy to start and it's ran great. For me, easy to start is the most important thing with a chainsaw. A few surprises that I like is see through plastic gas tank that allows me to know how much gas I have in there. The way they tighten the chains is better than Stihl or Husqvarna. That amount of power it has is impressive!!!
I sharpen the chain with a file until it's too stretched to keep tight. I buy three packs of Echo chains from Amazon, and they last a very long time.
I buy the one-gallon cans of premixed 50:1 Husqvarna gasoline for it from Lowes, which is stupid expensive, but it works so I keep buying it.
I burn less than two cords of wood a year. I split it on a 27 ton log splitter with a Honda engine that's over ten years old and starts on the first or second pull. It's super easy to start!!!!
I appreciate everyone that has only had one brand of saw and they have been happy with it. But I would suggest looking at Echo if you ever have issues with that saw and consider changing brands. I think Echo makes the best chainsaws based on owning other brands.
Eventually it just becomes impossible to start them, and I take them to the shop. I've been to four different repair shops. It could be that they are all bad, or it's me.
Every time, I'm told the same thing. The saw was flooded and I'm not doing it right when trying to start them. At the shop, I have them show me how to start the saw. Choke, pull easy two or three times until you hear the spark start. No choke and pull hard two or three times until it starts. Works every time at the shop. Worked at home the first time or two, and then it's back to pulling and pulling to get it to start. Once running, it's easy to start the rest of the day. But the following week, it's a struggle.
Three years ago I couldn't get anything to start. I read about Echo on here from other guys who had made the switch from Stihl. I had an Echo weed eater that was awesome, so I decided to buy an Echo chainsaw from Home Depot.
In three years, it's been easy to start and it's ran great. For me, easy to start is the most important thing with a chainsaw. A few surprises that I like is see through plastic gas tank that allows me to know how much gas I have in there. The way they tighten the chains is better than Stihl or Husqvarna. That amount of power it has is impressive!!!
I sharpen the chain with a file until it's too stretched to keep tight. I buy three packs of Echo chains from Amazon, and they last a very long time.
I buy the one-gallon cans of premixed 50:1 Husqvarna gasoline for it from Lowes, which is stupid expensive, but it works so I keep buying it.
I burn less than two cords of wood a year. I split it on a 27 ton log splitter with a Honda engine that's over ten years old and starts on the first or second pull. It's super easy to start!!!!
I appreciate everyone that has only had one brand of saw and they have been happy with it. But I would suggest looking at Echo if you ever have issues with that saw and consider changing brands. I think Echo makes the best chainsaws based on owning other brands.
