Dolmar 100 filter question (noob!).

[Adamam]

Hello! Any help at all would be massively appreciated!

 

I'm fairly new to engines, although I'm generally 'handy' in other areas (electrical engineering/guitar builder etc).

 

Domestic user with a cheapo Einhell for regular log cutting etc

 

Anyway, I'm an obsessive tinkerer (aren't we all?) and I've just got a £30 Dolmar 100 spares/repair for kicks. It's supposedly a non-runner, but (with massive coaxing) I've had it running a couple of times.

 

Anyway, the (main) question I have is that it has a regular, plastic case style airfilter (like most modern saws seem to, that slots into a fitted hole), but there is also the remnants (massively deteriorated to the point where I can't see what shape it was) of a simple foam-type filter (with no plastic casing).

 

Is it normal to find two air filter types? Would I be ok to cut a filter to shape from a motorbike filter blank (a square piece of foam I'd cut with scissors)?

 

Sorry for the completely noob question!

 

Adam

[geoff]

I'm not familiar with this saw,but I cant see it being a problem to fabricate a new foam filter,if anything it would be better with it than without,(if it originaly had a pre-filter),as it would possibly run lean on the carburetion without the filter which is a situation best avoided as it can cause engine damage/failure.

No doubt someone who is familiar with the saw will post soon enough,meanwhile,welcome to Arbtalk.

[spudulike]

Try this - http://charlotte.preferredpower.com/dolmar/Documents/Chain%20Saws%20with%20Petrol%20Engines/100,%20100s,%20102,%20PS-33/995700065(1986-04).PDF

 

The saw has a slide in pre filter and a typical plastic case air filter.

 

Typical main problem with these saws is the coil failing.

[Adamam]

I'm not familiar with this saw,but I cant see it being a problem to fabricate a new foam filter,if anything it would be better with it than without,(if it originaly had a pre-filter),as it would possibly run lean on the carburetion without the filter which is a situation best avoided as it can cause engine damage/failure.

No doubt someone who is familiar with the saw will post soon enough,meanwhile,welcome to Arbtalk.

 

Thanks!

 

I can't imagine that something as rough and ready as this little saw would mind running with a bodged filter!

[spudulike]

Thanks!

 

I can't imagine that something as rough and ready as this little saw would mind running with a bodged filter!

 

Making a filter out of foam is OK as long as it is cleaned or replaced regularly, this saw isn't a particularly high performance model.

 

The faster machines have a zig zag arangement of filters that significantly increases the amount of air a filter can let through but your bodge should work and provide enough filtration.

[Adamam]

Making a filter out of foam is OK as long as it is cleaned or replaced regularly, this saw isn't a particularly high performance model.

 

The faster machines have a zig zag arangement of filters that significantly increases the amount of air a filter can let through but your bodge should work and provide enough filtration.

 

Thanks so much! I had already checked out the IPL, but there's a total omission regarding the foam (pre?) filter.

 

So kind to offer help advice! Thankyou!

 

The saw is absolutely filthy, inside and out, so I'm hoping that a full-on attack of carb cleaner, clean filters and new plug and I should at least be approaching a starting point...

 

Hopefully the pre filter failure (and use during/after by previous owner) hasn't killed the saw completely.

 

Given that I've managed to start it twice (albeit with complete failure to idle, but running fine while reving), can I assume the coil is functional?

 

Adam

[spudulike]

Thanks so much! I had already checked out the IPL, but there's a total omission regarding the foam (pre?) filter.

 

So kind to offer help advice! Thankyou!

 

The saw is absolutely filthy, inside and out, so I'm hoping that a full-on attack of carb cleaner, clean filters and new plug and I should at least be approaching a starting point...

 

Hopefully the pre filter failure (and use during/after by previous owner) hasn't killed the saw completely.

 

Given that I've managed to start it twice (albeit with complete failure to idle, but running fine while reving), can I assume the coil is functional?

 

Adam

 

If the saw has started then hopefully it is OK but I did have one that had a weak spark that was pretty intermittent. A simple check is to open up the electrode gap to 1 - 1.5mm and pull the saw over with the plug earthed on the cylinder head and see if it sparks. Make sure it is held away from th eplug hole as the fuel vapour can ignite!!

[Adamam]

If the saw has started then hopefully it is OK but I did have one that had a weak spark that was pretty intermittent. A simple check is to open up the electrode gap to 1 - 1.5mm and pull the saw over with the plug earthed on the cylinder head and see if it sparks. Make sure it is held away from th eplug hole as the fuel vapour can ignite!!

 

Thanks so much for this!

 

Today I bombed it with carb cleaner and blasted everything through. Started it after about 20 tries at half throttle (there was no idle at all), tuned the carb by ear and now it starts 2nd or 3rd pull (no throttle) and idles almost perfectly!

 

For £30 and (so far) no spare parts (I haven't installed the DIY filter yet), I reckon this is a tiny, fun-packed bargain!

 

Currently it has a 14" (original I think) bar, would it be more sensible to stick a 12" bar on it? It'll need a new bar anyway, the current one is fairly badly worn...

 

Thanks so much again for the tips!

 

Adam