[nysepete]

...and I think it did --- is there any hope for it -- or...

Here is my story -- sad, but true...

And I'm not gonna lie about my mistakes -- I know I made them now.

But I'm a city boy now living in the country. And I am on a steep learning curve...

I have an Echo 352 Chainsaw.
I've used it, over the last 2-3 years -- 5-10 times or so at most. And never a particularly difficult or aggressive use -- small trees and such.

I have been using it with gasoline that I got at the local gas station.
* I know - BIG mistake #1

I have been using this oil: Pro-Select Premium Bar & Chain Oil

Up until the last 2 or 3 times I used it -- when I finally purchased:
Power Care 50:1 High Performance 2 Cycle Fuel - Ready to use Pre-Mix Gas Plus Oil - 92 Octane

I did not drain the gas tank before mixing the 2. But - I used it a couple times and it worked once using the right stuff.

Which brings me to last week:

I start the saw - I'm cutting small limbs -- and the chain comes off.
I shut down -- open it up - reinstall the chain.

I pull and pull and pull -- cannot get it to start.
** I flooded the engine - that much I am 98% sure of.
So I leave it for a while -- try again. There is some smoke -- smells like something is burning --- so I stop completely. Put it on the shelf.

Couple days later -- I open up a couple pieces -- give it a good cleaning with rags and q-tips. Close it all back up.

I hold the trigger and squeeze it --- this time, starting it properly for sure -- having read a bit and watched some videos -- knowing I obviously have been making lots of mistakes along the way.

I get it to start -- but it does not sound great. More smoke. And it dies.

I check the gas and oil - both have plenty in them.

Then -- I try again. Cannot pull the cord at all. Cannot move - not even budge, the chain lock.

I head over to Home Depot -- but the tech is off on Sunday. I ask if anyone there knows a lot about this stuff and speak to Arturo.

He takes a good look - pull off the spark plug -- says it is completely dry --- asks me some Qs I could not answer until I looked at home. But tells me he is relatively sure the motor seized.

Personally - it looked like there is a little potential scorching - but I have no point of reference.

So unless and until I bring it to someone -- I am wondering, is this the end of the road and time to lick my wounds and chalk it up to experience and buy something new?
Or can I save this guy?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Chris616]

Did you just forget to mention the part about mixing two-stroke oil with the gasoline that you were using prior to buying the pre-mixed fuel?

Chris

 

[joed]

Does the chain move by hand? Is the chain brake off?

 

[nysepete]

I never confused the oil vs gas chambers when adding liquids.

I the gas tank I originally added the gas from the gas station -- then the PowerCare 50:1

In the oil tank -- I only ever filled it with the oil I mentioned.

As far as the chain moving manually - I will have to check in morning.

The chain brake is completely stuck -- and since I had turned it off before this got so bad for me -- I presume the position it is stuck in as the "off" position

But if I were to exert the kind of force needed to move it -- my guess is it would "explode" in a million pieces, and that I would not even have enough strength in the first place. It is pretty well stuck in place.

 

[de-nagorg]

If you ran it with just gas at first, you killed it, if you ran a mix always, it might be salvageable.

check for a chain brake, release it, pull the spark plug, and give the rope a tug, if the rope pulls correct, try again with the sparkplug installed.

Worst case a pro can help for a price.


ED

P. s. All 2 cycle engines need a mixed fuel, most people buy a small can and add it to their fuel can at purchase.

 

[jbfan]

I read it as he used gas only and did not mix with oil.

 

[Old Thomas]

It is probably dead. That brand is disposable, not worth fixing.

 

[Chris616]

I never confused the oil vs gas chambers when adding liquids.

I the gas tank I originally added the gas from the gas station -- then the PowerCare 50:1

In the oil tank -- I only ever filled it with the oil I mentioned.

To be absolutely clear, chainsaws have two fluid tanks. One contains “bar oil” which lubricates the chain as it travels around the bar. It has nothing to do with the engine. The second tank contains the fuel for the engine. Since this is a 2-cycle engine, it has no engine oil reservoir like that in a car or lawnmower powered by a 4-cycle engine, so the oil that lubricates the engine has to be added to the fuel. You can buy a pre-mixed fuel, or you can mix your own, but if you have run straight gasoline with no oil for lubrication, well, like Ed wrote.

Chris

 

[nysepete]

OK -- well,

First of all -- thanks for the info. Unfortunately - as it goes, my warranty expired very recently.

There is a guy down the road who salvages all sorts of power tools etc and sells them from his driveway.
I guess this one will be his next donation -- and "lesson learned" for me.

Seems a bummer to think it's that easy to completely ruin something -- but it would not be the first time in my life...
And I'll have to take solace in knowing I fix more things than I break!

Thanks again.

 

[de-nagorg]

OK -- well,

First of all -- thanks for the info. Unfortunately - as it goes, my warranty expired very recently.

There is a guy down the road who salvages all sorts of power tools etc and sells them from his driveway.
I guess this one will be his next donation -- and "lesson learned" for me.

Seems a bummer to think it's that easy to completely ruin something -- but it would not be the first time in my life...
And I'll have to take solace in knowing I fix more things than I break!

Thanks again.

There is a simple remedy for this affliction.

READ the frikkin MANUAL first. :devil3:

I don't aim to sound mean, but those that don't take the time to learn, don't deserve to have the nice tools.


ED

 

[nysepete]

Are there parts I should strip and keep as salvage for potential future replacement part bin?

 

[daveb1]

Have to agree, you killed your saw.

Unless you buy the exact same model again, very few parts would be worth salvaging other than the chain and bar and starter recoil. And by the time your new saw needed them you'd probably not be able to find them.

Perhaps you can get some type of trade-in value for a used saw from your guy down the street.

 

[nysepete]

And by the time your new saw needed them you'd probably not be able to find them.

This is brilliant!

So I get it now... time for a new saw and just in time for Father's Day!

I am learning --- owning a chainsaw after spending the majority of my life in the big city was something new.

I think I'm ready to accept the responsibility of a new machine!

Recommendations? Something more powerful than this one...

 

[lenaitch]

Power is only part of the equation, the other is bar length. A lot depends on what you plan to do with it. Toppling might oaks is different than limbing or clearing small stuff. A decent dealer should be able to point out some options once they determine what you plan to use it for. Maybe even electric.


Folks have their own opinions but I'm partial to Stihl.


It has not come up in the discussion but safety is a big factor, both in usage and equipment. Our S-i-L is decidedly not handy and they bought their first place with trees and acreage a few years ago, and he wanted/needed a chain saw. I suggested checking to see if the local college had a short evening course or if the Ministry of Natural Resources offered courses. They ended up have a real arbourist crew in to take down some really large stuff and he paid the guy extra time and got a good lesson from him.

 

[nysepete]

Understood -- I am not felling mighty oaks..!

Normal suburban life. Point taken about safety vs power. And about chain length.

I think I should phrase it differently -- I guess "power" is the wrong word -- I guess I really mean "quality" -- Better quality.

When I watch videos of people using / repairing / etc chainsaws -- it's never an Echo in the video.

 

[Old Thomas]

I have a medium sized Huskvarna and a newer slightly larger Stihl. I bought the Stihl because of their reputation. The Stihl, even from new, never started as willingly as the Husky. The Stihl needs new fresh gas and 8 to 10 pulls. The Husky can have stale 3 year old gas in it and it starts with 2 or 3 pulls. The Husky fell off the truck and got run owner by my skid steer, and it still runs. The Husky, although a little smaller, will out cut the Stihl all day. I use the Husky and keep the Stihl in the truck as a backup saw.

 

[jbfan]

I have a Husqvarina which I have used for years, until I bought my dewalt 20v battery saw. I only use the gas one for the larger trees, and the battery for everything else.
I just grab it off the shelf, pop in a battery and go cut.
I never have to worry about it not starting. I also have plenty of batteries to use, so I could run it all day long.

 

[de-nagorg]

I too would look into a battery powered one, for light working , unless you anticipate felling mighty large ones.

Battery power don't need the hearing protection necessary for those loud gas ones.

Speaking as a nearly deaf "fool", that did not protect my hearing until it was nearly gone, you are using hearing protection aren't you?

If not, START.

Once it's gone you have to use hearing aids to enjoy almost everything.


ED

 

[nysepete]

I am so glad I asked you guys --- I like the Battery Option --- I want to go check that out.
Actually - I see a whole bunch of options.
Seems the 2 pack of Battery Back up for the Dewalt is actually more expensive than the actual saw!


Just so I am clear about "mighty large ones"
Is diameter of tree / log a good gauge?
Let's say -- unlikely I cut a whole lot bigger than 12" diameter -- if I had to guess.


I lost my hearing at concerts in the 80's, 90's and 00's --- but have enough to hear what my kids are up to and still be able to "pretend" I didn't hear them when they ask for something.

As far as hearing aids -- I've never used this chainsaw more than 10 minutes or so -- but point taken.

 

[de-nagorg]

I would consider a 10" diameter or larger too much for the smaller saws.

In my youth I worked a summer as a real lumberjack, carried a 36" Stihl up and down a mountain, Felling 80' tall 12" -15" diameter trees.

Which were shipped off to a log cabin "kit" sales manufacturer.

ED