036 hard to pull starter cord

[flh69]

036 Stihl chainsaw bought new years ago. Lately it has become a beast to start. I used to be able to drop start it. But now it will yank the cord out of your when you try to start it. The only way now that I can start it is to place it on the ground with my foot on the handle to hold it down. Pretty hard on this old man’s back I checked the air gap and set it at .011. Checked the starter pawls & cord. I removed the muffler and spark plug and looked inside with a bore scope. The cylinder and piston skirt looks great. There is some carbon on top of the piston but I can not tell how much. Is there anyway to put something in on top of the piston that would dissolve the carbon? I do not want to tear the engine apart.

 

[Ryan Browne]

It might be worth checking the flywheel key to make sure it didn't shear allowing the timing to advance a little bit. I hear good things about echo red armor cleaning up carbon deposits.

 

[flh69]

I have been using Red Armour for a year or two. Wonder what it would do if I just put some on top of the piston?
I will check the flywheel key when it quits raining.