Makita EA4300 Woes

[darkimpulse]

Well, I was really excited that I was gifted a new EA4300 for my birthday, finally got time today to open it up and look it over. This was ordered off Amazon and so far as I can tell was NIB, but I've found two problems.

First is that the throttle linkage and lever has a lot of interference with the fuel line that goes to the primer bulb. There is no slack in the line whatsoever from the fuel tank so I can't move it out of the way. I would have to replace it with longer line to clear the linkage.

Second problem I found was as advertised the bar and chain are .325 0.50, but the drive sprocket on the clutch drum is 3/8. It is stamped 3/8, but I was in denial and after trying the .325 chain on it, it is definitely a 3/8 sprocket.

So thanks for letting me rant, just wanted to put this info out there.

 

[darkimpulse]

Update: Was bored and called Makita Canada customer service, to give them a chance resolve the problem just to see what they could do. Was told to just return it to Amazon and get the money back. They wouldn't send out any replacement parts, ie: new bar or chain to get me up and running.

Update 2: After two days of back and forth with Amazon they were able to resolve the issue, and I'll be keeping the saw. They refunded enough to cover the cost of a new bar and chain.

 

[whitesnake]

I don't think (I could be wrong) that any 421/4300 were .325 factory. I'm running .325 but it was a conversion involving sprocket, shim, b&c, etc. Don't give up yet if those are your only issues. These are great saws. I reach for mine often even though I have plenty of small and big saws. Remove the cat from the muffler, retune, and let it rip. Your saw is set up with 3/8 LP currently. There are some good chains out for that set up. And the saw won't work as hard in the cut...you may find you like it.

 

[Hulsty]

So it came with 0.325 chain and bar but a 3/8 sprocket? Mine was all 0.325 from the factory.

If I get a chance later I will check the linkage clearance too.

 

[00wyk]

Is the linkage sticking or showing any signs of operational issues? I recall it being tight on one I recently ported, but worked just fine.
I suspect the supplier from Amazon made the error on the B&C. I would contact them and ask for the correct sprocket.
Having said that, a new sprocket is only a few bucks if you need to get started asap.

 

[whitesnake]

Ahh is this a outside the states thing? I thought they were all 3/8 lp stock in the states. .325 is usually a conversion.

 

[darkimpulse]

Ahh is this a outside the states thing? I thought they were all 3/8 lp stock in the states. .325 is usually a conversion.

Yes this was bought in Canada. As far as I can tell .325 is a conversion, you're correct.

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

The Maruyama MCV42 I have, which is the same saw, came standard with the .325 set up. The other ones are 3/8LP. I’m sure it’s just a mix up. I’d just decide on whatever set up you want to run, and sell the other parts to fund the replacements.
Oops, just read your update above. Good deal.

Does your throttle linkage make a clicking sound, and kind of flop to the side, when you pull the trigger?

 

[darkimpulse]

Does your throttle linkage make a clicking sound, and kind of flop to the side, when you pull the trigger?

Yes it makes that sound, the linkage at the carb tends to flop to the side a bit yes. It was quite loose where the linkage went through the throttle arm, I've bent the linkage some more so it's more of an S, which helped some with the clearance with the fuel line.

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

Yes it makes that sound, the linkage at the carb tends to flop to the side a bit yes. It was quite loose where the linkage went through the throttle arm, I've bent the linkage some more so it's more of an S, which helped some with the clearance with the fuel line.

Cool. They all seem to make that sound and do that. Good thing is it’s not noticeable at all when running the saw. I’m glad you decided to keep it. It’s a great little saw, and does very well for its displacement. It’s the first saw I grab, unless I know the wood is too big.

 

[00wyk]

The Maruyama MCV42 I have, which is the same saw, came standard with the .325 set up. The other ones are 3/8LP. I’m sure it’s just a mix up. I’d just decide on whatever set up you want to run, and sell the other parts to fund the replacements.
Oops, just read your update above. Good deal.

Does your throttle linkage make a clicking sound, and kind of flop to the side, when you pull the trigger?

The Maruyama colours are sexy AF, tho.
Here in Europe, I have see 4300's in both 325 and 3/8.
Groundsmen I know prefer 325 as it lasts longer. I personally notice my small saws also tend to throw 325 less often in brush or limbing than 3/8LP. I also prefer 325 as it does last much longer than 3/8LP, especially in dirty conditions. But for farm use, I don't think it matters so much.

 

[SOS Ridgerider]

The Maruyama colours are sexy AF, tho.

This one is still new. Never fueled. Got it for a ridiculous price.

 

[OldJack]

It looks like a 72 link 95 VP chain is standard in Canada.
https://www.kmstools.com/makita-18-chainsaw-chain-175177

 

[00wyk]

This one is still new. Never fueled. Got it for a ridiculous price.

View attachment 261943 View attachment 261944 View attachment 261945 View attachment 261946

I nearly bought the one in the classifieds to have shipped all the way to Ireland for the colours alone!

Here's mine. I ported this for Andrew, then ported another one much better, so this is back in my lap. I own it, tho. Got it for a fair price