Anyone of you know chainsaws?

[Neil]

After Ike passed through here I have a bunch of tree limbs to cut and clean up. So, borrowed a chainsaw from my father-in-law. It has been sitting in his shed for over three years un-used with a little fuel in the tank. I can't get the thing started!

Is there any way to get this started without taking the fuel tank, carburetor, etc. apart? Or, is that the only way to clean the gunk out of it so it will run?

[GomJabbar]

Hopefully just replacing the fuel with fresh fuel would do it. But three years is quite a long time. Go to the auto parts store and buy some carburator cleaner. Try that.

You also may need to clean the sparkplug, and verify that you have a spark from it when cranking the chainsaw.

[skitty4gzus]

yep, a couple things you gotta check first.
-dump all the old fuel
-see if it says what ratio to mix it at, most are like 40:1
-check fuel lines to see if their cracked
-make sure it's "choked"
-replace the plug anyways, their about $3 bucks
-pull the plug and while its out hook the plug wire to the plug and crank the motor. make sure its getting spark. you can hold plug and barely crank the motor, if its getting spark you'll get spiked a lil on your hand
-make sure your getting fuel. if no fuel, but spark pour a LITTLE fuel in the cylinder before you put the spark plug back in and crank on it

[joester]

I would recommend rinsing the old gas out of the tank with straight gas (no oil). Put about a half-cup in, cap it, and shake the chainsaw to loosen as much crud as you can. Dump and refill with proper ratio mix after ensuring you have spark.
Depending on the age of the chainsaw, there could be a filter inside the tank too.
Checking for spark - I remove the plug, and hold the base to the cooling fins and pull the rope. If the fins are shielded with a plastic housing or something, I use a wire with an alligator clip to make the ground connection. Wrap the bared wire around the base of the plug, and put the clip on any solid metal on the crank case.
If you've flooded the engine (over choked), remove the spark plug and let it air out for a while. If you have a propane torch, heat the business end of the spark plug to dry the ceramic. Don't get the anode hot enough to glow red. Just get it good and warm. When the plug is cooled off, the engine will have aired out.
Full choke and pull until it putts once, then half choke and feather the throttle as you pull the rope.
If the plug is consistently dry, you have either a plugged fuel line or the jet in the carb.

Joe

[Neil]

Thanks to all for your help. I've tried a few of your suggestions already, but still haven't got it to run. And what a pain this saw is to work with! The spark plug is enclosed by the body of the saw, which must be removed to gain access to the plug! To remove the body cover, the handle must be partially disconnected, and the bolt that hold the blade in place removed.

I'll be giving it another try today or tomorrow. Just got one sputter out of it last time I tried. Now I need to try joesters suggestions.

[GomJabbar]

You may have to disassemble the carburator and clean the jets and other orifices. If you can remove the carburator, you may be able to soak it in some solvent for awhile, then blow it out with compressed air. Shellac thinner may be a good thing to try for the solvent.