Echo Cs-346 hard to Pull Over

[sundance]

I've had the little saw for a number of years and really like it for limbing and small stuff. It's become very hard to pull to the point I rarely use it. Once I can get it to start it runs well. I've pulled the plug and turned it over, pulled many times to make sure not hydro locked. Made no difference.
I'm wondering if something is out of whack in the recoil but they are no longer available.
Anyone have thoughts to share?
Thanks.

 

[Eagle1899]

Pull the muffler and take a look at the piston. Might be scored.

Could also be a slipped flywheel with too much timing advance.

 

[Normzilla]

Pull the muffler and take a look at the piston. Might be scored.

Could also be a slipped flywheel with too much timing advance.

I was thinking timing too

 

[sundance]

What I can see of the piston doesn't look bad.
I'll take a look at the flywheel.
Thanks.

 

[FergusonTO35]

The 346 should be nearly the same thing as the current CS-303T. Far as I know any recoil from that family of saws will work: CS-300, 301, 302, 303, 346, 3000, 3400 etc.

 

[sundance]

Flywheel looks challenging to remove. A bit buried and tight to the case. Have not attempted to remove.
Reset the coil gap and changed the plug. Seems to be pulling and starting easier. I haven't had a chance to really work with it yet so we'll see.
Anyone with flywheel removal suggestions?

 

[Bryan Newton]

I just replaced the starter assembly on my husqvarna 345 xp because it at times was hard to start came to find out the starter assembly was hanging up and making saw hard to pull
Tomorrow I am going to disassemble starter assembly to see why it's hanging up