Great starting saws. Such a perk

[5000+]

That is nice to have one start in a few pulls when that cold. I cut some ash today about 12* F and it took 14 pulls to get the 262xpg going. It's a non decompression jug, it usually takes 4 or 5 pulls when it's above 30*F. Fresh mix and it hasn't sat more than a week since last ran.

 

[junkman]

Mine rip the pull cord out of your hand

 

[Terry Syd]

The inverted carb on my 029/390 drains the fuel out of the wet-side after sitting for a few days. I have to give it 12-15 pulls to get the carb primed, after that it is one pull during the day.

Thank Gawd I have a de-comp on it for starting. I'd mod the choke plate to help draw up the fuel, but I'd probably end up with a potential flooding problem. I just pull until it pops.

 

[Czed]

The homelite super xl i fixed for a guy one pull everytime .

 

[Wilhelm]

Dolmar PS-6400 & Dolmar PS-7900
First cold start after sitting for a prolonged time on the shelve up to 3 pulls on choke for them to sound off + 2 pulls no choke but half throttle to come to life.
After that 1 pull for restarts.
They have no carb primer bulbs nor DeCo valves.
Both saws seem to prefer ice cold weather over summer heats.
Both saws behave the same on cold starts.

For comparison my 1980's Sachs-Dolmar 108 needs an estimated 15-20 pulls just to sound off, and then I have to alternate part throttle and choke to keep her running till she warms up.
When she's warmed up she idles and runs nicely taking into account that she's a 30+ years old small saw that to my knowledge never got serviced.
I guess I could remedy the poor starting behavior by replacing the carb kit and possibly the single piston ring which is bound to be worn thin by now.
My Sachs-Dolmar 108 is equally hard to start in ice cold weather and extreme summer heat - good thing she's a small cc saw and can be easily repeatedly drop started.

 

[Stump Shot]

Ol' friend of mine came over with a saw he had just picked up, said it took too many pulls to start. So I said let me see that thing once. Pulled it over real slowly a few times, plup-plup-plup. Let it sit a couple seconds, choked it gave 'er a good pull and she fired right up. He thought that was a pretty good trick.
I'm getting older now so if I can add some trickery into the mix to make things easier I do. Why pull hard on a saw to prime the carburetor, when slow and easy works just as well? SS

 

[Nitehawk55]

Usually depends on how long a saw has sat and the condition of the pump and rest of the fuel system not to mention the crank seals too .

 

[trooney]

My 064 Stihl. 1 pull on choke to get her to pop, 1 or 2 pulls on fast idle to get her to rip. if shes warm it will start 1 pull every time. My best piece of OPE is my Echo trimmer. Starts everytime first pull.

 

[Mastermind]

I don't have any saws that run.

 

[Stump Shot]

I don't have any saws that run.

Less maintenance.

 

[Rob Stafari]

I don't have any saws that run.

We all know that's not true. You have quite a few saws that run, they just aren't yours. Too bad you're still doing the maintenance.

 

[Rob Stafari]

Seriously though, my most reliable starting saw is my go to 6401 makita.

 

[Simondo]

I have a wide range of saws from new to old....all start fine using the recommended procedure , if they have good fuel in them, decent compression and have been "maintained".
I would say the one that is the most "needy" due to its tendency to pull the cord back is a low use 1992 Husq 262 xp with the KS jug. You just need to be positive and all is well.
The saws that have primmer bulbs ...Dolmar 420 (just sold) and 6100 are the ones that cough the soonest ...but you would expect that with a primmer. Stihl 361..Dol 5105 ..Dol 111.. husq 42 special ..Hom XL 12.... just take a few pulls to get the fuel through and then your away. Hot....Dolmar has the crown there with regard to the fewest pulls due to the coil storing a charge and its ignition advance but no issues with the others if the hot/warm start procedure is used if needed.

 

[exSW]

The Dolmars always start easy. The 262's take a while. The 2186 is pretty good. The old saws the 850&925 are surprisingly good starters.

 

[Steve]

I need to tune my 6421 I guess. It is hell to start warm.

 

[Rob Stafari]

I need to tune my 6421 I guess. It is hell to start warm.

Does it have the stock 6421 muffler?

 

[Adirondackstihl]

Easiest = ZCS 346NE with ZAMA none the less
Hardest = PS421

 

[Steve]

Does it have the stock 6421 muffler?

The muffler is hollow. I took it off and I scared the cat. It ran away and I haven't seen it since.

 

[Wilhelm]

I need to tune my 6421 I guess. It is hell to start warm.

These should start one pull warm.

If it has a DeCo valve try starting Your 6421 without using it.

 

[Steve]

These should start one pull warm.

If it has a DeCo valve try starting Your 6421 without using it.

I'll do that next time I have it out. Thanks guys.