How to start McCulloch 3516 chainsaw when cold? Once started, if LUCKY, can't start again when hot!?

Question

Can't ever get chainsaw to start easily. If I am lucky enough to get it started I don't dare shut down to rest as it will not start when hot. Have had some luck replacing the spark plug. Plug should last longer than an hour or two. A logger in the woods would starve to death trying to make wages with one of these infernal machines. HELP

Answer 1

I have the same saw. How old is it? Have you left it in the garage over the winter?
There are two carb screws one marked L for idle
One from H. I think high speed or end.
First check the primer bulb is it getting opac and stiff?
If it is, it may be starting to crack along with the fuel lines.
The primer line an fuel line are just pushed into the tank ,they seal themselves.Check em for cracks. The fuel filter is a screen in the tank. Make a hook from wire and fish it out and check it. Check the air filter also. Last if it is running on a lean mixture adjust the idle and high end screws quarter turn at a time,(try Idle, then maybe the high end if it needs it) the idle a half turn should be enough. But arm chair guessing at it,it sounds lean at the low end.

Answer 2

Funny that you have so many answers and yet no right answer. Whoever replaced your starter lied to you because your starter is still bad. If you turn the key and hear a 'click' then the solenoid of the starter is good an the brushes and/or armeture are bad. If you turn the key and hear nothing then either the solenoid of the starter and/or the connectons are bad. Either way, the solution is a new starter. In a 68 Cadi, the igniton pretty much directly interfaces the starter so there's no wiring to disrupt the signal to start. If you turn the key and she doesn't light then it's either the ignition switch (which when broken, is broken) or the starter (which is widely known to intermittently go bad when hot) A new starter for a 68 cadi should run about $40 plus labor. Don't get screwed on the labor though; a starter job is about as easy as it gets on those older cars. A decent mechanic should be able to complete the job in 30 minutes or less. It's almost as simple as changing the oil. If you live near Lubbock, I'll do it for a 30 pack.

Answer 3

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How to start McCulloch 3516 chainsaw when cold? Once started, if LUCKY, can't start again when hot!?
Can't ever get chainsaw to start easily. If I am lucky enough to get it started I don't dare shut down to rest as it will not start when hot. Have had some luck replacing the spark plug. Plug should last longer than an hour or two. A logger in the woods would starve to death trying to...

Answer 4

I have a similar problem with some of my gas operated tools. Try this, it worked for me: Take out the spark plug and spray inside spark plug hole with a little WD40 and replace the plug. That should give it a little more compression....Make sure you have pumped the carburator bulb at least 6 times.....On the carburator side, take off the shield and make sure the diaphram and filter are clean.....good luck