Problem starting Makita DCS 340

[Rentachimp]

Hello, poplar pickers.

 

I just got a saw off my landlord friend that I said I'd spruce up for him, as he had a problem with it stalling. There was a lot of chain-oil resin and sawdust build-up in the chainbrake casing, so I cleaned that off and fired her up and she was running fine.

 

Rather than give it back, I decided to do a service and notice that the starter wasn't returning properly. I pulled the flywheel off and the spring casing to check the spring was ok, but when I put it all together and tried to start it, the cord wouldn't return at all.

 

I took it apart again and noticed that the outer part of the spring had slipped out of its holding bracket, so I took the spring out, wound it back up and popped it back in.

 

Now it will turn back, but it's much worse than it was when I had it off him and won't turn the flywheel at all.

 

Any suggestions what I might have done wrong or overlooked?

[Rentachimp]

Sorted it out. I put the spring back in upside-down. Bit of methodological thinking saved the day.

[tree_beard]

take the spring out again, give it a wipe down with a lint-free cloth, or clean it with compressed air.... re-assemble. never grease or oil the spring, crub will only stick to it...

 

see if that helps

[tree_beard]

fixed as i was typing a reply... aint it always the way

[Rentachimp]

It sure is. I bought some engine cleaner and gave the metal parts a wipe down with it. I think I'll be getting a few free pints tonight!

[Rentachimp]

By the way, The spring being in backwards meant that the plastic bit that pivots out to engage the flywheel when the cord is pulled was pivoting out on the recoil, so, effectively, the recoil was pushing the flywheel.

 

Just in case it happens to another puny mortal in future