Chainsaw won't start! Husky 181SE....

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alex e

alex e

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It has gas and oil in it and I took out the plug and cleaned it. I also double checked my startup sequence; choke out, throttle lock engaged, chain brake off, and it will run for just a second or two and dies, usually after several pulls and compression is very good. I also pulled the starter rope out completely and had to fix that so I replaced it and it keeps coming undone from its pulley.

I purchased the saw on Mud and it has always just started right up and ran like a champ. I switched to a smaller Oregon laser tip bar and new chain. I replaced the full wrap grip with a half wrap. It need s new air filter very soon and other than that I have no idea!:doh:

Any thoughts?
 
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Is it.....

getting gas ? If not, I would check the fuel filter/line first.
 
No I have to crank it several times before it starts for that second or so then it dies. Does this every time I try to start it and ends with the pulley rope coming loose. My thought was the fuel line or filter since the saw is from 1983.
 
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The pull rope coming loose just means that the starter rewind spring needs clean.

It sounds like your impulse hose or passage may have a hole in it. The impulse hose comes from the bottom the crankcase below the intake boot and connects to the carburetor. The purpose of this is to allow the pulse from the up and down movement of the piston to move the fuel pump diaphragm in the carburetor.

Some Husqvarnas use a hose and others they have the line integrated into the intake manifold.
 
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Did you run it until empty when you last used it? ALWAYS run them dry or the fuel with varnish small holes in the carb and you might as well throw it away.

I hate two strokes that won't start. Once unclamped and let go of an Evinrude 4 hp that came with a sailboat I bought. It's still in the Alameda estuary at about 20 ft. of water out front of Fortmann's marina if anyone wants to go diving for it.
 
honk said:
Did you run it until empty when you last used it? ALWAYS run them dry or the fuel with varnish small holes in the carb and you might as well throw it away.
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Most quality 2-stroke oils have a fuel stabilizer in them. It will keep you fuel from turning to varnish for at least 6 months. It does nothing to preserve the octane of the fuel. Since his saw will start but die it means that the fuel he has is combustable in the saw.
 
alex e said:
... It need's a new air filter very soon...

Any thoughts?
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didja clean the air filter that's in it??

my wee stihl is a pain for clogged air fliters, I had a similar problem when I was less familiar with the saw. not sure how the airflow works on yours, but mine filtered from the bottom, so when you pull the filter cover, it looks fine, but pull the filter, and the underside is covered in gunge

anyhow, pull it and clean it, it's one easy thing to strike off the list of potential problems

next thought would be fuel filter, if it's got one
 
And here I was thinking he should'a bought a Stihl!

That's what I want after seeing the collection in D'animal's trailer.

Good luck with your saw!
 
New plug

Always put in a new plug to start. I have seen plugs that will fire, but will not run an engine.

I've had lots of 2 strokes. Motorcross bikes, atv's, outboard engines, chainsaws. Always start with the plug.

Just my .02

JR
 
My vote is the air filter, but D'beagle has the experience.

What's worked for me (learned it on Huskies actually) is to pull the filter and then start it. Run it w/out filter til it's running smooth (you'll prolly need to feather the throttle til it stops stuttering), reassemble, and start cutting.

Filters are cheap enuf anyway...
 
sirenmoses said:
What's worked for me (learned it on Huskies actually) is to pull the filter and then start it. Run it w/out filter til it's running smooth (you'll prolly need to feather the throttle til it stops stuttering), reassemble, and start cutting...
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That works really good if it's flooded.

Some air filters have the Choke integrated into them. If you take the filter off you will never get it started.
 
honk said:
Did you run it until empty when you last used it? ALWAYS run them dry or the fuel with varnish small holes in the carb and you might as well throw it away.

I hate two strokes that won't start. Once unclamped and let go of an Evinrude 4 hp that came with a sailboat I bought. It's still in the Alameda estuary at about 20 ft. of water out front of Fortmann's marina if anyone wants to go diving for it.
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I wouldn't throw them away, pull the carb apart and clean it. I usually use a small paper clip to clean out the passages. I just picked up a riding mower for free that was two years old because it wouldn't start, clean the carb and it runs pretty well.
 
fsusteve said:
I wouldn't throw them away, pull the carb apart and clean it. I usually use a small paper clip to clean out the passages. I just picked up a riding mower for free that was two years old because it wouldn't start, clean the carb and it runs pretty well.
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LOL!

You would be amazed how many really mechanically smart people start sweating and almost cry when they have to rebuild a carburetor the size of a golf ball.
 
D'Animal said:
LOL!

You would be amazed how many really mechanically smart people start sweating and almost cry when they have to rebuild a carburetor the size of a golf ball.
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Agreed including me. Working on a Briggs-Stratton 8 hp engine from a woodsplitter - engine is either always at top speed or it is off. Just replaced the carburetor vs. tinkering with it trying to unclog passages. Two pulls - fired right up and has been running (knock on wood) very well ever since.
 
if its a foam sorta filter, then pour a bit of petrol on it and put it back in :-)

or get a can of "start-ya-bastard" or similair

Sean
 
BiG BoB said:
or get a can of "start-ya-bastard" or similair

Sean
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never use starter fluid with a 2 stroke, you are starving the motor of lubrication.


D-animals suggestion of cracked/leaking intake plumbing is strong,
 
dump out the current gas and try some fresh premium 91 oct gas (with Premix) to see if that helps.
 
Put in a new spark plug. Try starting without filter then put filter on when running. I have to do this on my old stihl. Then rebuild the carb.
AIR FUEL SPARK. that's all there is to it.
 
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