044 starting problems

[Conner]

I have a 044. Beast of a saw cutting really well. On starting occationally it appears to lock and pull the starting handle out of my fingers. This will happen a few times then the compression seams to drop and it pulls over and starts ok. Mixture looks ok, filters clean flywheel key ok.

A bit lost on this one. And sore fingers. No decompression fitted 1996 saw.

Any advice gratefully received.

[billpierce]

My 361 did this just before the coil packed in. It does sound the spark is too advanced. It be looking at coil gap, and double checking flywheel key

[Teemore]

On bigger saws with no de-comp, pull with commitment! With some higher compression saws, it can help to pull it to just before TDC and then, "Pull with commitment"! Have had unwary folk try to start my Jonsereds 80 or gasket delete 064 and they have been bitten....

[Conner]

Yes tried pulling just over TDC nice hard yank and handle straight out of hand swear at it next try easier than my 181. Will pull flywheel tomorrow after making a puller and set coil gap. Main prob is snapped cords so job held up

[spudulike]

The 044 is an old saw so probably doesn't have staged ignition advances and retardation like the modern ones do. Check the coil to flywheel gap and you may find it a bit small. Unlikely the key has gone as you tend to get a non running machine or big backfires with this.

You probably need to pull the rope with a bit more passion. Opening up the spark plug gap a little may also help.

[peatff]

My 044 is like that, you have to start it from cold by standing on the handle and with a bit of conviction. Once it's warm you can start it fairly easily. My 036 is easy in comparison, neither have decomp buttons.

[Conner]

This one will start ok when cold and seams to get worse when warm. Pulling with passion has lead to a snapped new starter cord. I’m am now thinking the coil may be on the way out and the timing drifting. Will have to investigate further on Thursday

[Conner]

Finally got round to having a closer look. Plug gap ok at 0.020” coil gap slightly close at 0.008”. Started to set up and found coil moving. Screws were loctited in so wouldn’t move but not right down . Cleaned down and set up now no hurty fingers it snapped string. But Santa came early new Makita ea5000p.
Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated.

[Conner]

Short update 044 was still a pain to start. Decided to run Makita on motomix as sometimes left for a few weeks. Filled 044 with it and starts fine now. Suspect old or poor petrol flooding and causing hydraulic on cold start . Loose coil affecting hot starts. Fresh juice would probably be the answer.
Running all saws on motomix now as local supplier.

[Khriss]

Small note on this, my physio on watching me start a saw  " oh yea, several pulls like that are the equivalent of a dislocated shoulder, you should stop doing that......"   ?  K