Defective spark plug: troubleshooting methods
- Sometimes during the check it is possible to find out that the problem is a faulty spark plug. In this case, it is removed, then allowed to dry. Some owners may try to ignite it, but this should not be done, because otherwise this element will be damaged and after that it will only be necessary to throw it out. During troubleshooting, you will have to remove excess fuel by draining it through a special hole.
- You also need to keep in mind that the drying time should be at least half an hour. After completing a similar operation, you can return it to its place, and then test it in action.
- In some cases, the candle may fail due to the depletion of its resource. Usually, when this is confirmed, the only option left is to find a replacement for it. In this case, it does not hurt to have a spare candle, or even better, when you have a whole set of such elements at hand. In this case, you can always put a new plug instead of the existing one and make sure whether the broken plug is the cause of the breakdown.
- At the same time, the inability to start the chainsaw can be caused by a weak contact provided by the high-voltage wire and the end of the candle. The problem with starting the chainsaw may be due to the failure of the ignition unit. In such situations, the only solution to the problem is to replace the faulty unit, since it is not repairable.
Clockwork device
As with other saws, the carburetor acts as the main starting device. Considering in more detail the carburetor that the STIHL 180 chainsaw is equipped with, it should be noted that it has a single adjusting screw. In other words, it is a kind of idle speed adjustment screw. In this case, the nozzle, which has a full load, is stationary all the time.
In other words, the regulation is not applicable to it. In turn, there is no way to influence the full load in any way. You also need to pay attention to the factory settings, due to which the supply of the air-fuel mixture is carried out directly to the engine. over, this principle remains regardless of the operating conditions of the tool.
General information
The characteristics of this saw are a reason for the pride of the German manufacturer. In this case, the unit is a tool that is designed to perform a small amount of work. The tool is positioned for domestic use, which confirms the intensity of its use, which should not exceed 20 hours per month. Having such a unit at your disposal, it will not be difficult for you to maintain order in your garden, to prepare firewood for the winter, as well as to clear areas. At the same time, he will be able to help you in solving other problems, where there is no need to perform complex manipulations.
Saw won’t start: reasons and solutions
Other malfunctions
- For many owners, the question regarding the correct idle speed after emptying the fuel from the gasoline tanks is relevant for many owners. According to experts, there is no need to worry too much about this. However, if you have to deal with a similar problem often, then it is enough to manipulate the carburetor by reducing the engine speed in order to restore the normal operation of the tool.
- In some cases, the owner may need to clean the muffler as this part may be causing the malfunction. This operation is quite simple. It must be remembered that many owners are faced with problematic chainsaw operation due to a faulty carburetor.
- Although in some cases it may be quite simple to troubleshoot a malfunction, it is most preferable if specialists will repair this equipment. After all, not each of us has the necessary knowledge and skills, and this is fraught with the fact that during self-troubleshooting there is a risk of completely disabling the tool.
STIHL 180 chainsaw won’t start: main reasons
Today, many manufacturers are engaged in the production of units for agricultural and construction work, among which the most demanded is the equipment manufactured by STIHL. The high level of quality is not the only reason why the products of this manufacturer are popular in the market. This was also facilitated by the democratic price and optimal power that the models of this brand have.
It seems that many had to use a chainsaw of a similar brand. over, it is not easy to use, but regularly perform a wide variety of work and make sure of the high performance characteristics of this tool. Such a proliferation of these products is no coincidence, given that, in addition to power, this instrument stands out for its graceful design. However, one must remember that this is still a technique for which the resource of work is limited. Therefore, each owner of such a unit at some point is faced with the need for repair. Next, we will talk about the features of repairing the STIHL 180 chainsaw.
Main characteristics
The saw in question can be considered a compact option, because its weight is only 3.9 kg. At the same time, it has a large oil and fuel tank. A two-stroke engine helps the device perform its working functions, the power of which is sufficient for solving simple tasks. In addition to this, during operation, this instrument does not generate strong noise, the level of which does not exceed 98 dB. For ease of understanding, it is enough to say that a person’s speech creates noise at a level of 76 dB.
- The STIHL 180 chainsaw has a power of 2.6 watts. In principle, this is sufficient, bearing in mind that we are talking about a tool for household use.
- The capacity of the oil tank is 0.145 l, the fuel tank is 0.25 l.
- Designed tire measures 350mm with 0.325 ” pitch.
The chainsaw simplifies many operations. However, for a long time, she cannot demonstrate her original level of performance. Therefore, at some point, problems may arise. Naturally, the owner can eliminate some malfunctions on his own, but in any case there is a risk that he will incorrectly determine them, and this is fraught with the fact that by his actions he can completely disable the tool. Therefore, it is advisable not to take the initiative, but to entrust this work to a specialist.
Checking the fuel system
Fundamentally: do not purge the engine with the ignition on and there is an open flame nearby.
- Unscrew the candle;
- Turn the STIHL 180 chainsaw upside down and drain off excess fuel;
- In the inverted state, pull the chainsaw starter a couple of times (in this way, under the influence of compression, excess fuel will be removed from the cylinder);
- Install the plug and the cap of the high-voltage wire in place;
- Set the engine control lever to the hot start position;
- Pull the starter a couple of times and start the engine.
If with the STIHL chainsaw what remains to be done for our client is in order and the method of starting on a cool one was simply violated, then after “blowing” it should start. Otherwise, the fault must be found in the carburetor.
Clogged filters
The saw in this case runs idle, but when the gas is pressed, it stalls. Most often, this is caused by the use of low-quality gasoline. A clogged filter prevents fuel from entering the engine, so the saw stops under load.
One of the important parts of the tool is the air filter. The performance of a chainsaw depends on its cleanliness and the correct choice, which directly depends on the operating conditions of the tool:
- Cotton filter. installed on tools that are used as a saw in the warm season in dry air.
- The HD 2 filter is designed for use of the tool in winter or in dusty conditions (for example, during large-scale logging). Such parts are often equipped with a professional tool.
Expert advice
When repairing a carburetor, you must remember that it is a complex assembly, consisting of rings and many parts. This indicates that cleaning and repairs must be carried out with extreme care. If the tool stalls or does not start, then, in addition to the carburetor, it is necessary to check the spark plugs. If they are defective, they are unscrewed and dried.
CHAINSAW WON’T START STIHL MS 170
Excess fuel can be drained out through a special hole. Malfunctions of the STIHL 180 chainsaw and their elimination are described in part in the instructions. After reading the article, you can understand that the candles should be dried for at least half an hour, after this time, the candle can be installed in place by starting the unit.
Why does a chainsaw stall when you press the gas
Let’s say the chainsaw works normally at idle, but when the gas is pressed sharply, it stalls. What could be the reason? It is immediately clear that this is not about the ignition (no spark), because if the ignition is faulty and there is no spark, the tool would simply not start. This means that the fuel system remains.
There are a lot of malfunctions in the fuel system and in order to determine the exact reason why the STIHL 180 chainsaw stalls when you press the gas, it is necessary to carry out its full diagnostics. We recommend reading about common malfunctions of the STIHL 180 chainsaw and their elimination.
Dirty muffler
Carbon build-up in this part results in a loss of power in the tool. The muffler can become clogged if the wrong or poor quality oil is used. Adding too much lubricant to the gasoline can also cause clogging.
How to check the receipt of a pulse from the engine crankcase
The fuel pump is located in the carburetor. Its work is carried out due to the receipt of pulses from the engine crankcase through the pulse channel. The channel is located in a rubber tube through which the cylinder and carburetor communicate.
If the impulse channel becomes clogged, the quality of the fuel supply decreases or it does not come at all. To gain access to the pipe, you need to remove the air filter housing and carburetor. After that, using a metal wire, check or clean the channel.
Adjusting idle speed of the carburetor of the STIHL 180 chainsaw
The STIHL 180 chainsaw is designed with many rubber parts. All of them require systematic inspection for cracks and other defects. If any, parts are replaced with new ones.
Another reason for the lack of an impulse can be the depressurization of the crankcase of the STIHL chainsaw. In this case, the air supply to the pump decreases or completely stops.
The tightness is checked using a vacuum gauge. In his absence, a medical syringe will come to the rescue. The operation is carried out on the engine with the carburetor removed. A little engine oil is taken into the syringe and poured into the impulse channel, and then the starter handle is pulled.
If there is no pulse, oil will remain in the channel. You can fix this problem by disassembling the engine and replacing the oil seals. If the oil is squeezed out of the channel, the problem is probably a pump malfunction.
What to do if the chainsaw won’t start further?
If the initial inspection did not give anything or the defects were eliminated during the search, and the chainsaw does not start further, then you need to look for more serious reasons. It is best to identify and eliminate such breakdowns in a service center. However, with experience, you can find and eliminate them yourself. What to diagnose and check?
- Compression in the cylinder;
- Compression in the crankcase;
- Carburetor operation.
In the first case, checking the compression in the cylinder will allow you to find out the state of the cylinder-piston group (CPG) of a chainsaw that does not want to start cold. For this you need a compressometer. The device is screwed into place of the spark plug and the engine is idle. Measurement of readings allows you to judge the state of the CPG. In the absence of a compression gauge, the compression in the cylinder can be determined offhand as follows:
- Place your finger on the candle hole;
- Try to start the chainsaw engine.
By placing your finger on the spark plug hole and pulling the starter, you can check the compression in the cylinder.
If you feel that your finger is pulling strongly into the candle channel, then everything is in order with the compression. The absence of a vacuum in the chamber indicates a malfunction. The cylinder-piston group needs a more detailed inspection, which will give an idea of the condition of the piston and cylinder, piston rings and bearings.
The chainsaw may not start on a cold one due to the lack of compression in the engine crankcase. The main reason for this is damage to the gasket placed between the cylinder and the crankcase. It is quite easy to detect the lack of compression:
- Disconnect the upper tube from the carburetor;
- Pour gasoline into a regular cork;
- We immerse the removed tube in the fuel;
- We pull the starter several times.
If the fuel from the cap is sucked in when starting the chainsaw starter, then everything is in order with the compression. If not, see the gasket.
If the fuel is drawn in, then everything is in order. the gasket is intact. Otherwise, you will have to purchase a repair kit and replace it. How to do this watch the video why the Chinese chainsaw does not start:
Starting the tool can be complicated by improper operation of the carburetor or its breakage. It often happens that during the sawing process, the fastening screws are loosened and air is sucked into the cylinder. Check that the carburetor is securely fastened. Inspect it for fuel leaks. There can be a lot of reasons for the malfunction. It is possible to pinpoint the malfunction, eliminate it and fine-tune the carburetor only in a service center.
After going through the step-by-step troubleshooting of the chainsaw engine, you can find the malfunction, fix it yourself and successfully start your working tool. Do not take on jobs that you are not sure of. Entrust the troubleshooting to specialists from the service center.
Chain wedges
This happens when the drive or driven sprocket wears out. The chain usually starts to wedge under load. But without load, the saw can rotate. The photo below shows a worn chain saw drive sprocket.
The next photo shows that the reason why the chain wedges must be sought in the location of the driven sprocket.
But what to do if the chainsaw is completely jammed and all attempts to pull the starter are ineffective? Such a malfunction sometimes occurs on Chinese-made chainsaws. It is caused by the bolts that have loosened from vibration, which screw the engine to the plastic casing of the unit. These bolts are located directly under the flywheel (magneto). In the photo below, the arrows show the location of the problem bolts.
When they twist, they begin to rub against the flywheel and can completely wedge the chainsaw. The following photo shows a flywheel with existing bolt scuffs.
To eliminate the malfunction, you will need to remove the flywheel from the engine shaft and tighten the bolts.
How to identify and fix a defect in the crankshaft bearings
The STIHL MS 180 chainsaw may not start if the crankshaft bearings are defective. If they are present, there is a backlash in the crankshaft, which can be detected by swaying the flywheel from side to side. There are magnets on this element. And if the flywheel is in a movable state, it starts to come into contact with the contacts of the ignition module. This is the reason for the lack of a spark.
You can only replace bearings yourself if you have experience. In the absence of such, it is recommended to contact the service center.
How to check the receipt of a pulse from the engine crankcase
The fuel pump is located in the carburetor. Its work is carried out due to the receipt of pulses from the engine crankcase through the pulse channel. The channel is located in a rubber tube through which the cylinder and carburetor communicate.
If the impulse channel becomes clogged, the quality of the fuel supply decreases or it does not come at all. To gain access to the pipe, you need to remove the air filter housing and carburetor. After that, using a metal wire, check or clean the channel.
The STIHL 180 chainsaw is designed with many rubber parts. All of them require systematic inspection for cracks and other defects. If any, parts are replaced with new ones.
Another reason for the lack of an impulse can be the depressurization of the crankcase of the STIHL chainsaw. In this case, the air supply to the pump decreases or completely stops.
Fix a Stihl chainsaw that doesn’t start, model MS 170
The tightness is checked using a vacuum gauge. In his absence, a medical syringe will come to the rescue. The operation is carried out on the engine with the carburetor removed. A little engine oil is taken into the syringe and poured into the impulse channel, and then the starter handle is pulled.
If there is no pulse, oil will remain in the channel. You can fix this problem by disassembling the engine and replacing the oil seals. If the oil is squeezed out of the channel, the problem is probably a pump malfunction.
How to check if fuel comes in
If the spark plug is in good condition and has a spark on it, the problem is likely a lack of fuel supply. You can verify this if you do the following:
- unscrew the candle;
- draw 1–2 ml of fuel into the syringe and pour it into the plug hole;
- install the candle in place and put the cap of the high-voltage wire on it;
- set the control lever to the hot start position;
- pull the starter handle several times.
If these steps helped start the engine of the STIHL chainsaw, but it stalled almost immediately, then the problem really was a lack of fuel supply. To fix it, you need to check the fuel system.
What to do if floods a candle
The spark plug can be filled from the carburetor or improperly starting a cold engine. Before you climb into the carburetor, you need to “blow through” the engine. To carry out this operation, you will need to perform a certain sequence of actions:
- unscrew the candle;
- turn the STIHL chainsaw, drain the fuel;
- in the same state, pull the starter handle several times, removing the remaining fuel;
- screw the candle into place;
- set the engine control lever to the hot start position;
- pull the starter handle several times.
All these manipulations must be carried out with the ignition off, staying as far away from open fire as possible.
If the problem was a cold engine starting improperly, “purging” the engine will help restore your STIHL chainsaw to performance. If the STIHL 180 chainsaw does not start even after “purging”, you need to look for a solution to the problem in the carburetor.
How to check the performance of a candle
To check the spark plug for serviceability, it is inserted into the cap of the high-voltage wire and pressed against the engine cylinder. After that, pull the starter handle several times. It should be remembered that the spark plug is checked exclusively when the ignition is on.
Of course, every zealous owner takes care of his technique. Therefore, he always has new candles in stock. To make sure that the problem lies in the malfunction of the plug, you need to perform the above operation with a new plug. If a spark appears, then the faulty spark plug should be replaced with a good one. Otherwise, you should look for the problem in the ignition unit.
Problems in the ignition module
You will not be able to look inside the ignition unit. And the reason for this is the non-separable design. In service centers, its performance is checked using a special tool. You can fix problems at home if you replace the unit.
In service centers that repair the STIHL MS 180 chainsaw, set the gap using a special tool. If the desire to visit him in the near future is unlikely to appear, and the saw is needed urgently, you can check it with the help of scrap materials.
To do this, you need to perform the following manipulations:
- remove the starter;
- loosen the screws securing the ignition module;
- put a plate cut from an ordinary plastic bottle between the module and the flywheel;
- tighten the screws.
If all these manipulations lead to the appearance of a spark, the STIHL chainsaw is ready for further work. Otherwise, you will have to re-inspect. If, as a result of inspection, the absence of a gap is again revealed, you will have to look for the cause in the crankshaft bearings.
Checking the fuel system
First you need to check the condition of the fuel filter. To remove it, you need to unscrew the fuel tank cap. Next, an aluminum wire with a bent end will come to the rescue. With its help, remove the fuel hose, at the end of which the filter is located.
The condition of the filter can be checked by blowing into it. If air does not pass, then the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. If the air passes freely, you need to look for a blockage in the fuel hose by disconnecting it from the carburetor. The blockage can be removed mechanically or by replacing the hose.
If the fuel hose and filter are clean, and the fuel does not flow to the spark plug, this may be due to a malfunction of the air pulse to the fuel pump.