formariz 11,994 #1 Posted June 18, 2019 I have a large Makita chainsaw which is really a Dolmar. Saw is a total beast and has always started right away and been totally dependable. A little while ago it started flooding real easy. then one day just won't start. Cleaned carburetor to no avail. Replaced carburetor with new one, replaced fuel filter and lines, replaced spark plug. I have fuel going to combustion chamber and I have good spark. I have excellent compression. Nothing! Cannot get it started. Any ideas? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,370 #2 Posted June 18, 2019 This is probable completely off base, but... I have a Stihl 180 chain saw that is part aluminum crankcase part plastic crankcase. It developed a crankcase air leak between the plastic and aluminum parts. Some days it starts and runs 5 minutes then once warm won;t run, floods, etc and you can't set the carb, other days it won't even start. What I learned for this is a sealed crankcase is critical on 2 cycle engines. Could the seals on your saw have dried out? Can you rig up a way to pressurize the crankcase through the carb with something low pressure like a vacuum cleaner exhaust. Then soap the shaft seals and other cover gaskets to check if its leaking air. Just a long shot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 50,772 #3 Posted June 18, 2019 (edited) Welcome to my world of saws fellas. @wallfish is a vintage collector and saw buff maybe he can help. Dolmars have always been good to me tho, If it's flooding I would suspect something in the replacement carb might not be right? No never mind that was with the old carb right? Something in the ignition timeing? 0 Forgot to add Cas ..check with arborist sites those guys know saws like we know horses.. Edited June 18, 2019 by WHX24 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,502 #4 Posted June 18, 2019 1 hour ago, formariz said: I have a large Makita chainsaw which is really a Dolmar. Saw is a total beast and has always started right away and been totally dependable. A little while ago it started flooding real easy. then one day just won't start. Cleaned carburetor to no avail. Replaced carburetor with new one, replaced fuel filter and lines, replaced spark plug. I have fuel going to combustion chamber and I have good spark. I have excellent compression. Nothing! Cannot get it started. Any ideas? Pull the fuel line off the carb and crank that thing over quite a few times. That will tell you if it's still a flooding issue because as the fuel dries out it will start. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,927 #5 Posted June 18, 2019 Had a similar problem with a Stihl. Had spark but it was not sparking at the right time. Turned it to be a bad electronic ignition module. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,994 #6 Posted June 18, 2019 8 hours ago, rmaynard said: Had a similar problem with a Stihl. Had spark but it was not sparking at the right time. Turned it to be a bad electronic ignition module. Was thinking about replacing that. Last thing not replaced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
