Chainsaw advice

[cornishlongdog]

Looking for some advice regarding my chainsaw. I tried to cut up some firewoid the other day. The chainsaw started and worked fine until I put it down. It then cut out and wouldn't restart. I tried it again today and the same thing happened. It is an old Stihl 017. It has been serviced and I always run it dry before I put it away. I use it for firewood and coppicing so it hasn't been used for awhile. Any ideas? Cheers Tim 

[htb]

How old is the fuel

[cornishlongdog]

htb Ahh, good point. It has been lying around for quite awhile. Does it have the same effect as leaving it in the chainsaw? Tim

[openspaceman]

6 minutes ago, cornishlongdog said:

htb Ahh, good point. It has been lying around for quite awhile. Does it have the same effect as leaving it in the chainsaw? Tim

If it started from cold and ran for a while it's unlikely to be the fuel unless there is no oil in it.

 

It may be just a vapour lock from the fuel getting too hot.

 

A worn engine will often run from cold but play up when warm because the compression gets low as things expand and the oil thins out on the bore.

[htb]

Afraid so, If its older than 1 Month, I would bin it or into lawnmower.

Try fresh and you may get away with it, whats compression like. If you pick it up by starter handle how long does it take to drop down on the cord.If it drops to the floor straight away its not a good sign.

[cornishlongdog]

1 hour ago, openspaceman said:

If it started from cold and ran for a while it's unlikely to be the fuel unless there is no oil in it.

 

It may be just a vapour lock from the fuel getting too hot.

 

A worn engine will often run from cold but play up when warm because the compression gets low as things expand and the oil thins out on the bore.

It did start ok but cut out as soon as I put it down. Hadn't been running very long. Tim

[cornishlongdog]

1 hour ago, htb said:

Afraid so, If its older than 1 Month, I would bin it or into lawnmower.

Try fresh and you may get away with it, whats compression like. If you pick it up by starter handle how long does it take to drop down on the cord.If it drops to the floor straight away its not a good sign.

Thanks. The compression seems ok so I'll take your advice and bin the fuel. Tim

[Alycidon]

You could also change the spark plug,  I had an issue today with a 560XP that had been running fine then after lunch just would not start.   Eventually it did start but a shut down for more fuel and it refused totally to play,  new plug in and away it went.    

 

A

[neiln]

do the easy things first, check the fuel, check the plug (is it clean? and gap?) and check he air filter.  then check the fuel filter.

when running, was the idle ok or slow?  could just need a carb adjustment.  it cut out when put down?  is the ground sloped at all and did it matter which way around you put it?