Stihl MS210 Cold Start Issues

[Ramsay]

Hi all,

I have a Stihl MS210 that is an absolute pig to start for years, but once warm is a great wee saw and restarts first pull. 
I’ve replaced the spark plug and tried full choke, half choke and no choke, with it often starting best on no choke. 
Any thoughts on how to adjust to improve cold start. 
Thanks

[Muddy42]

Does it start quicker with a shot of fuel in the spark plug hole?  If so Id guess it has a fuel delivery issue.  Have you checked the fuel tank vent is clear, replace fuel filter, check fuel lines are intact, or try replacing the air filter.  It could benefit from a carb kit and cleaning out the little filter in the carb.  

[Ramsay]

1 minute ago, Muddy42 said:

Does it start quicker with a shot of fuel in the spark plug hole?  If so Id guess it has a fuel delivery issue.  Have you checked the fuel tank vent is clear, replace fuel filter, check fuel lines are intact, or try replacing the air filter.  It could benefit from a carb kit and cleaning out the little filter in the carb.  

Thanks. 
I have cleaned all the filters, but not replaced. It runs really well for a long time when warm, so suspect nothing is blocked, but may replace them to be sure. 
I’ll try a drop of fuel in plug hole as well. 

[openspaceman]

Does the MS210 have a purge bulb?

[Stubby]

4 hours ago, Ramsay said:

Hi all,

I have a Stihl MS210 that is an absolute pig to start for years, but once warm is a great wee saw and restarts first pull. 
I’ve replaced the spark plug and tried full choke, half choke and no choke, with it often starting best on no choke. 
Any thoughts on how to adjust to improve cold start. 
Thanks

If it starts best on no choke from cold possibly its set a bit rich . Maybe the metering arm needs adjusting .

[spudulike]

Does the choke mechanism close the choke fully? Does the "Fast idle/ half choke position kick the throttle open as it should?

Other than that, it is possible the saw is running a bit lean but difficult to tell without seeing it. I would have thought that the saw wouldn't run well if the H&L screws were well out of adjustment.

Are you just missing the saw "pop" when on choke and then flooding it.

[Ramsay]

2 hours ago, openspaceman said:

Does the MS210 have a purge bulb?

No, too old for that. 

[Ramsay]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

If it starts best on no choke from cold possibly its set a bit rich . Maybe the metering arm needs adjusting .

Will give it a shot. 

[Ramsay]

16 minutes ago, spudulike said:

Does the choke mechanism close the choke fully? Does the "Fast idle/ half choke position kick the throttle open as it should?

Other than that, it is possible the saw is running a bit lean but difficult to tell without seeing it. I would have thought that the saw wouldn't run well if the H&L screws were well out of adjustment.

Are you just missing the saw "pop" when on choke and then flooding it.

Thanks. Definitely no pop on choke. Have used saws for 30 years (and currently have 3 others), but never had such a difficult one to start, that runs so well once it’s going. 

[openspaceman]

16 minutes ago, Ramsay said:

No, too old for that. 

I have old saws without bulbs too and they depend on the impulse from the crankcase to fill the carb diaphragm chamber, my youngest Husky 262 takes 11 good pulls to fire from cold if it hasn't been used for a day or two. I put it down to the pumping section in the carb being a bit weak.

 

However I would not drip fuel down the plug but rather spray it onto the air filter, I use an old scent spray with petroil in it.