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I have inherited two chainsaws from friends this year. Both saws have been sitting up for around ten years or so.

I have cleaned both coils and both saws to me give a good purple spark. New spark plugs and I have rebuilt both carbs, one is a Zama and the other is a WBL. Neither carb was dirty and each was cleaned with carb cleaner before the kits. Each carb was cleaned out with a super tiny wire gently pushed thru in all holes and blown out dry.

Both chainsaws fuel lines and filters were replaced, the tanks are clean and the primer bulbs replaced. Fuel line from the primer bulb sucks fuel thru the carb from the fuel tank filter and fuel reenters tank after passing primer bulb.

One is a MAC 3516, and the other is a Homelite 20. both are 16" bars. Both saws are very clean for their age and have had very little run time history because of their condition. Both saws were kept in their own big factory bulky chainsaw cases.

I cannot get either chainsaw to fire so I am looking for help.

I have watched several videos watching guys doing the same thing in the same way and their chain saws will spit, sputter and fire up.

There is something I'm missing. I have a new Craftsman Pro with a 16" bar that I've used for two years so my need is not a running saw, I want to either get them both running or toss them out of my way. We live in an 8 acre forest with only 1/2 acre cleared for the house, so I have a continues supply of fire wood.

I can't get either chainsaw engine to spit or sputter more or less start running.

I forgot to say, I also removed and cleaned the two High and Low adjustment screw ports and left them at about 1.25turns out from seat.

I'm open now to try anything.

Get you an old Dawn bottle and put some of you gas mix in it. You can squirt fuel out of there in almost any directon.

Take the filter off and squirt a lil in the carb. Then try and make it pop.

What part of La. you in Mon Ami ??

I am NOT familiar with YOUR engines, but years ago, waaaay back, I ran into a similar scenario with a 2cycle go-kart engine, it took a friend to inform me about the "reed-plate" in that engine, IF you have such item in yours check for damaged plate or reeds, mine was located right under the carburetor on the inlet, I'm just guessing but it might be a possibility... :confused2:

Boudreaux In Eunice La. said:

Get you an old Dawn bottle and put some of you gas mix in it. You can squirt fuel out of there in almost any directon.

Take the filter off and squirt a lil in the carb. Then try and make it pop.

What part of La. you in Mon Ami ??

Click to expand...

I'll try that tomorrow

Lots of things to check.
I like to start with the starter fluid / fuel down the plug hole etc.
Cleaning the coils is a waste of time .
Slip the muffler off and try starting again both on the carb and with fuel added.
If it runs for a short time then the carbs require attention.

Slip the carb off and blow some air throught it.
Best is a blower or one of those old high volume low pressure spray guns .
You can use compressed air but you need to drop the pressure way down low.

Blowing air through the venturii should lift fuel and blow it out the engine end.
If not then the carb is blocked.

PS do not smoke or do this anywhere near a heater.

while the muffler is off hane a good look at the rings and the bore.
Check for scratches and for stuck rings.

+1 on the muffler removal tactic.

It is possible that the spark arrestor screens are plugged with carbon, or
even that mud dobbers have plugged up the muffler exhaust port.
I had that happen on a weed whacker once-most embarrassing...
An engine that cannot exhaust will not run (remember the potato up the exhaust pipe stunt??

What are the shaft seals like, did you do a compression test..

Strike three I'm out.

I put some starting fluid in the plug port and tried to start it, no spit, sputter or any hit of starting.

I put some starting fluid thru the carb with the air cleaner off and tried to start it, no spit or sputter either.

I waited an hour and squirted a little mix gas into the plug port and pulled the starter, no spit or sputter. I tried squirting some mix gas down the carb and pulled the starter cord and again nothing.

Not even a spit like it wanted to start.
I pulled off the starter side and connected my reversing drill with a 1/2 inch socket and pulled the trigger. The little engine turned over dozens of times without a single spit or sputter from it.

I'm almost ready to toss them both out my barn door.

I'm beginning to believe the shop repair videos on the internet, where the guy opens up a long sitting chainsaw and does everything I've done twice, are not really true.
I have repaired four other engines this year without any issues. I replaced the carb on a Honda pressure washer. Replaced the carb on a smaller Tecumseh pressure washer. Replaced the interior governor shaft of a 5K generator and cleaned out the carb on a Troy-Bilt string trimmer. And they all run great.

These chainsaw engines have stopped me in my tracks.

I have a good spark and I have fuel but I have no fire.

What else could it be?

I forgot to say this Tennessee Hillbilly lives in Sunset Louisiana and married to a beautiful Cajun woman.

TheBishop said:

Strike three I'm out.

I put some starting fluid in the plug port and tried to start it, no spit, sputter or any hit of starting.

I put some starting fluid thru the carb with the air cleaner off and tried to start it, no spit or sputter either.

I waited an hour and squirted a little mix gas into the plug port and pulled the starter, no spit or sputter. I tried squirting some mix gas down the carb and pulled the starter cord and again nothing.

Not even a spit like it wanted to start.
I pulled off the starter side and connected my reversing drill with a 1/2 inch socket and pulled the trigger. The little engine turned over dozens of times without a single spit or sputter from it.

I'm almost ready to toss them both out my barn door.

I'm beginning to believe the shop repair videos on the internet, where the guy opens up a long sitting chainsaw and does everything I've done twice, are not really true.
I have repaired four other engines this year without any issues. I replaced the carb on a Honda pressure washer. Replaced the carb on a smaller Tecumseh pressure washer. Replaced the interior governor shaft of a 5K generator and cleaned out the carb on a Troy-Bilt string trimmer. And they all run great.

These chainsaw engines have stopped me in my tracks.

I have a good spark and I have fuel but I have no fire.

What else could it be?

Click to expand...

Have you removed the mufflers yet?

Yes, I pulled the muffler this evening and cleaned it from top to bottom. the spark screen was not clogged at all but I removed it and wire brushed it.

The engine is breathing it just does not have a heartbeat. I even added a ground wire today to the ground at the coil to the spark plug. A little wire just incase the ground at the coil is failing to make a solid contact.
With the plug in and the spark adapter tester on the tester shows a almost red spark. With the plug out and the little ground wire connected to the spark plug gives me a good purple spark.

I cannot tell if the plug is firing inside the engine.

TheBishop said:

Strike three I'm out.

I put some starting fluid in the plug port and tried to start it, no spit, sputter or any hit of starting.

I put some starting fluid thru the carb with the air cleaner off and tried to start it, no spit or sputter either.

I waited an hour and squirted a little mix gas into the plug port and pulled the starter, no spit or sputter. I tried squirting some mix gas down the carb and pulled the starter cord and again nothing.

Not even a spit like it wanted to start.
I pulled off the starter side and connected my reversing drill with a 1/2 inch socket and pulled the trigger. The little engine turned over dozens of times without a single spit or sputter from it.

I'm almost ready to toss them both out my barn door.

I'm beginning to believe the shop repair videos on the internet, where the guy opens up a long sitting chainsaw and does everything I've done twice, are not really true.
I have repaired four other engines this year without any issues. I replaced the carb on a Honda pressure washer. Replaced the carb on a smaller Tecumseh pressure washer. Replaced the interior governor shaft of a 5K generator and cleaned out the carb on a Troy-Bilt string trimmer. And they all run great.

These chainsaw engines have stopped me in my tracks.

I have a good spark and I have fuel but I have no fire.

What else could it be?

Click to expand...

Well ya got a few of us scratching heads, have you tried a NEW plug, ?? sometimes a plug will not fire under compression (if compression is there) and maybe possibly a timing issue ??

Bishop take the 30 drive my house and let me check it for you. Bring da wife so she can visit with my better half.

Call me I am up late most of the time 466 3685

Boudreaux In Eunice La. said:

Bishop take the 30 drive my house and let me check it for you. Bring da wife so she can visit with my better half.

Call me I am up late most of the time 466 3685

Click to expand...

And, no tellin' what he might have on the stove...........

Boobala said:

Well ya got a few of us scratching heads, have you tried a NEW plug, ?? sometimes a plug will not fire under compression (if compression is there) and maybe possibly a timing issue ??

Click to expand...

I was expecting to get a spit or pop out of the engine during one of the four fuel tries, but nothing.

I'm on my third and last new plug. Three different new plugs that all give a good spark out of the hole.

I keep a few extra new plugs on the wall, usually about a dozen or so. It's easy to pick up one every time we go to Walmart. I usually keep 4 styles of Champion on hand. I wish there was a better brand plug that one could use as a test plug only to check for firing, then replace it with a normal plug for running.
A spark plug that would burn up if used more than a few seconds, but would fire up the fuel in the chamber better than normal plugs.

Last night I was reading up on how in some cases some spark plugs will not fire under compression or certain fuel mixtures.
Today I'm going to pull the coil and test the ground contacts and verify the condition of the coil.

Does anyone have an idea how to check a coil with either a digital or analog meter for spark values. Not just resistance, but volume or range of fire?

Put one lead of a meter on the kill wire connection and the other on the metal part of the coil, do you get a reading, if so bin it...! if no reading put one lead of the meter inside the part that takes the spark plug, and again the metal part of the coil.....what is the reading..? I will ask again....did you do a compression test and a leak down test...? not seen you give an answer in your post.

"but volume or range of fire?" I have no idea what you mean by this, coils are measured for they resistance.

Bishop here is how you check primary and secondary........

One lead to plug boot other lead to ground....... should read around 2000 ohms... That is the secondary check.....

One lead to kill tab other lead to ground.......... should read 160 to 200 depending on your coil make. That is the primary check.

If either does not show a reading then you have a open circuit and a failed coil. You have spark and a strong one so your coil is good...

I can check your compression if you want to drive 30 minutes to Eunice ~!~! We just might get them running while you are here ~!~!

Ronno you are right about the food part. You know me well enough by now ~!~!

Success!

I improved the ground by placing a small strap or wire from the nut of the coil to the base of the spark plug and it fired when I pulled the starter.

It's a good thing I had the chain off because it surprised me so much because it fired up on the first pull. I almost dropped it as the chainsaw spun around in my hand. It fired and revved up so fast I was shocked.

With a little tweaking of the screws I got the idle set and the old girl runs great. I didn't expect it to work so I was not ready.
I let it run for a few minutes to get it hot enough and went to the nearest 3" limb and it cut fine and didn't bog at all.

Tomorrow or Saturday I'll sharpen the chain and put it back in it's case.

As soon as I can I'll open up the old MAC 3516, the other chainsaw, and give it a work over.
I was just about to give up, but you guys here gives help and information so freely it makes me carry on.

I'll try a pic.

Thanks again

Growing up in Tennessee I never knew food could have so much flavor. Our seafood in Nashville was Catfish. I never tasted Shrimp, Crawfish, Oysters or Alligator before I met my wife.

She opened up a world of spice flavor for me at the age of 29 I never knew existed. That was 39 years ago and she still cooking her heart out for me.

But when she gets mad about something............................................ RUN.

Good for you on getting it going.......... Is your ground wire going to the coil in place ???? You should not have to add a extra ground wire.

Do you know Siggy AKA Keith Signorelli ??

Not an acquaintance, who is that?

TheBishop said:

Success!

I improved the ground by placing a small strap or wire from the nut of the coil to the base of the spark plug and it fired when I pulled the starter.

It's a good thing I had the chain off because it surprised me so much because it fired up on the first pull. I almost dropped it as the chainsaw spun around in my hand. It fired and revved up so fast I was shocked.

With a little tweaking of the screws I got the idle set and the old girl runs great. I didn't expect it to work so I was not ready.
I let it run for a few minutes to get it hot enough and went to the nearest 3" limb and it cut fine and didn't bog at all.

Tomorrow or Saturday I'll sharpen the chain and put it back in it's case.

As soon as I can I'll open up the old MAC 3516, the other chainsaw, and give it a work over.
I was just about to give up, but you guys here gives help and information so freely it makes me carry on.

I'll try a pic.

Thanks again

Click to expand...

AHhhh FINALLY !
glad you got it runnin, I think all involved picked-up some good info. ( I sure did) , when you mentioned "strap" , it brought to mind, those old flat woven wire ground "straps" on the cars of old, anybody else remember those ?? (they can still be found in some aircraft and electronic components these days,) amazing, ... the problems created by a faulty ground wire !!

They have straps on lawn mower today. Look at diesel powered ones.

BlazNT said:

They have them on lawn mower today. Look at diesel powered ones.

Click to expand...

Hey thanks Chuck, I feel 50 years younger ! I feel so good, I think I'll go beat the hell outa that kid that always throws his empty food wrapper & soda cup on my lawn as he passes by after school !! ..:laughing:..:laughing:..:laughing:

TheBishop said:

Not an acquaintance, who is that?

Click to expand...

He is an old friend of mine that lives by the old Rooster Pit ~!~!

TheBishop said:

Strike three I'm out.

I put some starting fluid in the plug port and tried to start it, no spit, sputter or any hit of starting.

I put some starting fluid thru the carb with the air cleaner off and tried to start it, no spit or sputter either.

I waited an hour and squirted a little mix gas into the plug port and pulled the starter, no spit or sputter. I tried squirting some mix gas down the carb and pulled the starter cord and again nothing.

Not even a spit like it wanted to start.
I pulled off the starter side and connected my reversing drill with a 1/2 inch socket and pulled the trigger. The little engine turned over dozens of times without a single spit or sputter from it.

I'm almost ready to toss them both out my barn door.

I'm beginning to believe the shop repair videos on the internet, where the guy opens up a long sitting chainsaw and does everything I've done twice, are not really true.
I have repaired four other engines this year without any issues. I replaced the carb on a Honda pressure washer. Replaced the carb on a smaller Tecumseh pressure washer. Replaced the interior governor shaft of a 5K generator and cleaned out the carb on a Troy-Bilt string trimmer. And they all run great.

These chainsaw engines have stopped me in my tracks.

I have a good spark and I have fuel but I have no fire.

What else could it be?

Click to expand...

Compression is everything on a two cycle engine. A quick check for compression, is to set the chainsaw on the floor, grap starter handle, pull the chainsaw off the floor. With good compression the chainsaw will come off the floor as high as the handle is, as the weight of the chainsaw over comes compression the chainsaw will drop one revolution and hit compression stop and then drop again, doing over and over until the rope runs out. If the chainsaw just drops to the floor real quick it has low compression and will never start. As one person said remove the muffler, with the piston down look in the cylinder and check for scoring and galling of the cylinder wall, stuck rings, and check the piston what you can see for the same conditions. If all looks good the engine may be flooded, with a dry spark plug installed, try to start the engine, then remove the spark plug and see if the plug is wet, the engine is flooded. Now this is a trick I have used to help unflood a engine, you must very careful, you may or may not want to try this. Take a match, a small torch, or a piece of twisted paper. Remove spark plug, put the flame to the spark plug hole and lit on fire, sometimes the flame will jet out so keep fingers out of the way as well as flammable materials out of the way. Don't crank the engine over as this will also create a flame jet.

rgpsctl,,

The saw is running fine now..........

Fire around any part of a saw is LETHAL to your health... I might be a crazy Cajun, but not a stupid one LOL.. No one would ever try that trick...........

My brother-in-law Harry told me about a month ago how he test to see if an engine is getting a spark. Harry pulls the spark plug and puts a little gas down in the hole. He then holds the connected spark plug beside the hole, grounds out the plug and pulls the starter.
If a POP of fuel flames comes out of the hole, it's got a good spark from the coil.

That's not how I do it.