How To Start An Old Husqvarna Chainsaw (With 2-3 Pulls)
The things that make an old Husqvarna chainsaw start hard are corroded plugs, damaged ignition coil, faulty recoil starter, bad fuel, or clogging of the carburetor, etc. The solutions are given below.
The Author
Starting an old Husqvarna chainsaw is not the same compared to a running new chainsaw.
Due to ethanol and fuel, you may sometime have problems starting an old chainsaw.
No matter how properly you store your chainsaw (if you did not store it, the situation would be worse), some internal parts, such as the spark plug, ignition coil, or recoil starter, may be worn a bit over time.
It will not work as intended if your old saw has fuel. This will add a new problem.
All these things make it hard to start an old chainsaw. Nothing to worry about.
Being the owner of 3 old chainsaws, I know a thing or two about how to start an old gas chainsaw without much trouble.
These are the exact methods I used to start 20-year old my dad’s chainsaw (after he passed).
I also used the same method on a friend’s Mcculloch 250 chainsaw (it came out of storage).
It took only 2-3 pulls of cord to start these old chainsaws.
And today, I’m going to show you how I did it and how you can do the same thing.
First, follow the normal saw-starting process. If the saw does not get started, try to find the possible problems and their solutions below.
Common problems of old Chainsaws and solutions
Corroded Plugs
It is most likely for plugs to corrode inside old chainsaws due to wear and tear.
The plugs are very important in engine ignition.
They produce sparks which are used to initiate combustion within the cylinder.
You can check whether the plug can still produce a spark by removing it.
Use the plug wire to make contact with the metallic section of the plug to check if it will give a spark.
You can clean it using a steel brush if it does not give a spark.
Rub the steel brush gently on the area to remove rust and corrosion.
Check again for the spark.
You can replace the plug with a new one if there is no spark.
Damaged Ignition Coil
The ignition coil plays a very pivotal role in the chainsaw mechanical system.
It transfers voltage to the plug while the chainsaw engine is in operation.
The ignition coil should be suspected if your chainsaw fails to start after cleaning your plug or replacing it with a new one.
Your ignition coil may have been damaged, so you should use the ignition coil tester to check.
Go ahead and replace the ignition coil if it is damaged.
Faulty Recoil Starter
A collection of elements can deter your engine from starting.
The recoil starter, rewind spring, and starter pulley can all combine to stop your engine from working.
Faults to any of the elements can also stop the engine ignition.
For example, the chainsaw rope will not be able to recoil for the engine to start if the recoil starter is faulty.
You can solve this problem by buying a new recoil starter assembly.
Bad Fuel Or An Empty Tank
Checking the fuel tank is usually the first action by virtually everyone whenever their engines fail to start.
You have to follow the rule.
Simply check your fuel tank to ascertain if there is enough fuel therein.
The fuel may have dried after a long while of ”no use”. Refill the tank with fuel if it is empty.
In some cases, the fuel therein may have spoiled due to degradation.
Go ahead and pour them out and refill the tank with fresh fuel.
Clogging Of The Carburetor
Your chainsaw is old, so it’s likely that the fuel may have remained for too long in the tank.
The carburetor will clog as a result of this.
This is because the lighter part of the fuel will evaporate after some time leaving thick and foggy substances.
The clogging of the carburetor is caused by the thick residue.
You have to clean the Carburetor using the recommended cleaner.
If the engine fails to work after cleaning, then you should consider buying a new carb kit.
Final Thought
Fall is here, and if you are like me, you are starting to think about cutting up some firewood to prepare for winter.
I have a Husqvarna chainsaw that is about 13 years old. It runs like a champ, and I look forward to using it to cut and split some firewood.
I do have a few things that I do to prepare the chainsaw for the season.
Hopefully, these few tips will help you successfully get your chainsaw started for the season.
