Starting an old homelite XL12 saw

ottawarob · Feb 12, 2018

I picked up an old homelite XL12 saw. Nice little thing, I plan to use it for clearing underbrush. I found an old manual for it, where they say to start it, you should start it with the throttle in all the way and choke on. Is that right? I've had a hard time starting it, but up to this point I wasn't doing that. I'm going to pull the carburettor and clean it, because I've had a heck of a time starting it, but maybe I've just been starting it wrong.

ericm979 · Feb 12, 2018

Starting cold with the throttle open does not sound right. But they often need the throttle open part way. Modern saws do that for you. When I was running Super XL AO saws I'd put my foot in the handle and use my boot to open the throttle slightly when it needed it.

If you're not experienced running saws I'd recommend a newer saw with a chain brake.

RalphVa · Feb 12, 2018

Bless you, my son, as the priest might say. Those things won't start even only about a couple months old.

On an old Stihl I had, it needed full choke and full throttle. Almost any motor chain saws I've ever used needed that. If this doesn't work, turn off the choke and use starting fluid with full throttle.

Ralph

Sonny580 · Feb 12, 2018

Pull choke out squeeze throttle wide open, push lock button in on side of handle, and go!!!---If it sets a long time, you may have to either use starting fluid or dump a few drops of gas down the carb!---I have, and use super xl---super xlao, 410, and the big ole 8800! Have good luck with all of them.--If they sit a long time, ( 2 months or more) you have to prime them, because they don't have the bulbs that the new plastic saws do. thanks; sonny580

ottawarob · Feb 12, 2018

Sonny580 said:
Pull choke out squeeze throttle wide open, push lock button in on side of handle, and go!!!---If it sets a long time, you may have to either use starting fluid or dump a few drops of gas down the carb!---I have, and use super xl---super xlao, 410, and the big ole 8800! Have good luck with all of them.--If they sit a long time, ( 2 months or more) you have to prime them, because they don't have the bulbs that the new plastic saws do. thanks; sonny580

I'd have to check, but I don't think there's a lock button on the throttle on this one. It's sure a nice little saw, hope I can get it working better. Tried starting with the throttle depressed and choke on half. It keeps cutting out once it starts.

shaeff · Feb 12, 2018

All my father has ever used are XL12 saws. I use one, too. Mines the old blue style. Choke full out, throttle at half, give it a pull and it usually fires pretty quickly. I love these saws, they don't rev all that high but have a lot of torque so there isn't the need to rev to 687,000 rpm to cut haha!

Mine are 16" bars, but you can find larger if you really want. I just keep a 16 on it, great saws and have a great distinct sound.

My dad also has its big brother, don't remember the model but it's seriously a monster. Better hold onto it!

ottawarob · Feb 12, 2018

shaeff said:
All my father has ever used are XL12 saws. I use one, too. Mines the old blue style. Choke full out, throttle at half, give it a pull and it usually fires pretty quickly. I love these saws, they don't rev all that high but have a lot of torque so there isn't the need to rev to 687,000 rpm to cut haha!

Mine are 16" bars, but you can find larger if you really want. I just keep a 16 on it, great saws and have a great distinct sound.

My dad also has its big brother, don't remember the model but it's seriously a monster. Better hold onto it!

Mine is a 12" bar. I have a much bigger Stihl, but this thing such a nice size for clearing out thick brush and hiking back in the woods.

I'm taking a small engine repair class, so my plan is to really get into it in the shop and see what's going on, I'll post back here if I find anything interesting.

nybirdman · Feb 12, 2018

I had an old Homelite ;gave it away.Most frustrating saw ever.

2458n · Feb 12, 2018

Had a friend who told me if I bought a saw at auction that you could get to turn over with rope ,he could get running. He has since died and took a lot of wisdom with him. Oil can with some mixed gas in it helped many get running. He used to race motorcycles in the early 60s when racing equaled wrenching. Sadly missed.