saw won't start, help please

[gensetsteve]

How old is the fuel . I know it's 2 stroke but I have a few 4 stroke engines about and after about four months they will not start often just draining the fuel bowl gets them started but change the fuel and they start first pull.

[spudulike]

As has been said by others, 3 main requirements. Fuel, Spark, Compression.

 

But in general we find around 80% of engine problems on handheld kit are Fuel related.

 

So, although this advice may now be a little late, the first thing I do on any small machine that comes in is to drain whatever fuel there is left into a clean glass jar.

 

If its perfectly clean and clear, with a good colour and smell, then the chances of fuel problems are less (except for fuel pipes). Proceed with the spark and compression tests as said by others.

 

But often the fuel sample will contain all sorts of contamination which will be clearly seen in the jar. It may be cloudy rather than clear. The cloudiness is suspended water, this will settle to the bottom after a while. There may already be water in the bottom under the cloudy fuel.

 

If this is the case you can pretty well guarantee the carb needs an overhaul and the test has only taken seconds to perform. In our case we try to do this in front of the customer when he brings the machine in.

 

Also worth noting that these Ryobi machines are indeed pretty cheaply made. If they work then all well and good. But the components are pretty low quality. After 5 years you can expect some significant piston/bore wear and you (low quality) fuel lines will almost certainly be perished.

 

Barrie - we are what the youth of today call "Old School":thumbup:

 

Wear it as a badge of honour rather than as a quick insult!

[GardenKit]

Barrie - we are what the youth of today call "Old School":thumbup:

 

Wear it as a badge of honour rather than as a quick insult!

Reckon I am more "Pre School"

[Stubby]

Reckon I am more "Pre School"

 

I have a Borstal Old Boys Tie