Hitachi chainsaw poor starting ??

[jwales]

My co-worker has a chainsaw he wants me to "fix". I have not seen it yet, but is a Hitachi, commercial grade 16" bar. I thought they only made TV's and such?
Any way he says that when it is could out (winter) he cannot get it started outside. If he brings it inside for an hour to warm up it fires up on the first pull and runs great and idles great all day long. It works fine outside and will fire up with no problems when warm. He said he has no problems at all in the summer. It has a primer and he has "experimented" with priming less and more with no different results. I told him so bring it in the house or put it in the warm truck if you are going to use it in the winter and leave well enough alone.
Any ideas why the saw would act this way?? How is it that cold temps are affecting the saw at start up??

[KE4AVB]

A couple things to check. Try a new known good plug; plug may be just worn out. Second check the choking of the engine. An ineffective choke will effect starting when cold.

Your reporting he has tried different amount of priming. Has he tried direct priming; otherwords, a little fuel mix placed directly in the carburetor throat?

[motorhead64]

When it's warm, he is probably starting it with no choke. When cold, he is using full choke. Some 2 strokes flood very easily. Generally, as soon as it "pops" on a 2 stroke, you should go to 1/2 choke for subsequent starting attempts. I would have him try starting from the 1/2 choke position when cold and see if it makes a difference. MH

[Arkie]

What I try for a hard starting chainsaw when the engine is cold but runs and starts ok after warmed up:
See if that Model has any on-line reviews for it's issues.
(May need to consider getting a good chainsaw so as to not be whipping on a dead horse and throwing good money after bad) Don't hurt the messenger!


First, Install correct type NEW spark plug and gap set to specs will usually correct the cold start issue on a chainsaw, if it starts and runs ok when weather is warm. (make sure carb choke linkage and throttle advancement is operating) When choked the throttle should advance somewhat also.
If not and a prime of MIXED gas into the carb throat makes it start easier, I prime a chainsaw by priming thru the muffler. (easier than removing the air filter for a prime when getting ready to head to the woodlot or already at the woodlot) After priming do not choke because it will be flooded usually and should give a pop after few pulls. If priming makes it want to go and choke and linkages ok I would probably eventually give it a carb kit or another carb. (sometimes a e-bay carb can be purchased for the price of a carb kit)
Also leave the carb and fuel tank ready to go next day during cold weather. (do not run the saw (carb) out of gas for storage now days and do not use ethanol type gas. (Stihl plus some others has a real good fuel stabilizer in their 2 cycle mix oils in last few years and I therefore leave the saws stored with mixed fuel (non-ethanol mix) in the carb and tank.
You can research about the later versions of 2 cycle oil on-line about the built-in OEM fuel stabilizers for 2 cycles. (keeps gaskets lubed and when the fuel evaporates leaves a oily type film rather than the dry powder residue)