Boosted3g
ArboristSite Lurker
Long time lurker but first time poster here. With the hundred threads with this swap done I can't believe I haven't solved this yet but here goes.
Background story. I blew out a few disks in my back and I just can't operate my 044 like I used to so I bought this lightweight ms180. I don't use this saw to pay the bills, just to keep trails at camp clear and keep some wood for the fire pit. I went with the dealers suggestion and had him fit it with a 16 inch bar with a thicker (he called it standard) carbide chain. He is where the fun starts
He fills the tanks and walks me through the operation of the saw. All is well. I cut for the first 2 weekends with it and put a few hours on it. It love the weight of the saw but I was too well behaved compared to my old saw. I read post after post about opening this saw up and decided to take the leap. I opened up the holes under the fish gills and added a few more all under the plate. I achieved 125% of the port size which was stated to be a good target for an all around saw. I fire the saw up and it sounds great but it is lean. I did not cut with it and decided to do the adjustable carb. I purchased a wt 215 carb from the dealer and followed the steps outlined in one of the many posts. The original impulse port was blocked, the brass plug pulled and air box was plugged. The linkages and fuel lines fit without a problem. The problem is that I cannot get this saw tuned. I can't get it to idle and starting it is a bear. I've tried everything from .5-4 turns out and messed with the idle speed. I pull a bunch of times and then it starts to cough and then fires up with a bunch of revs and smoke and then dies down. Most times when it dies down it will stall but on a few occasions it has surged back up before it comes back down and dies. I'll admit I got frustrated and forgot where the idle speed screw was originally located which may be my problem. I put the original Zama carb back on and it fires up correctly like a factory saw and idles perfect but it is not safe to cut with. I don't know how long they have been doing it but I have a leaner than usual 44 main jet in it. I've tried new NGK plugs and the saw has only ever seen tru fuel 50:1. I've pulled the muffler to look at the piston and it's perfect. Not even broke in yet. So there's my story. Can anyone offer some advice on where to go next? Any idea on where the idle speed screw should be?
Background story. I blew out a few disks in my back and I just can't operate my 044 like I used to so I bought this lightweight ms180. I don't use this saw to pay the bills, just to keep trails at camp clear and keep some wood for the fire pit. I went with the dealers suggestion and had him fit it with a 16 inch bar with a thicker (he called it standard) carbide chain. He is where the fun starts
He fills the tanks and walks me through the operation of the saw. All is well. I cut for the first 2 weekends with it and put a few hours on it. It love the weight of the saw but I was too well behaved compared to my old saw. I read post after post about opening this saw up and decided to take the leap. I opened up the holes under the fish gills and added a few more all under the plate. I achieved 125% of the port size which was stated to be a good target for an all around saw. I fire the saw up and it sounds great but it is lean. I did not cut with it and decided to do the adjustable carb. I purchased a wt 215 carb from the dealer and followed the steps outlined in one of the many posts. The original impulse port was blocked, the brass plug pulled and air box was plugged. The linkages and fuel lines fit without a problem. The problem is that I cannot get this saw tuned. I can't get it to idle and starting it is a bear. I've tried everything from .5-4 turns out and messed with the idle speed. I pull a bunch of times and then it starts to cough and then fires up with a bunch of revs and smoke and then dies down. Most times when it dies down it will stall but on a few occasions it has surged back up before it comes back down and dies. I'll admit I got frustrated and forgot where the idle speed screw was originally located which may be my problem. I put the original Zama carb back on and it fires up correctly like a factory saw and idles perfect but it is not safe to cut with. I don't know how long they have been doing it but I have a leaner than usual 44 main jet in it. I've tried new NGK plugs and the saw has only ever seen tru fuel 50:1. I've pulled the muffler to look at the piston and it's perfect. Not even broke in yet. So there's my story. Can anyone offer some advice on where to go next? Any idea on where the idle speed screw should be?
