DOLMAR 7900 - is it a piece of JUNK?

[Fnfal]

Bought me a Dolmar 7900 brand new last year. Wore out my shoulder trying to start the darn thing. FINALLY got her running, quite impressed after that. Used it once. Sat her down in my shed, leaked ALL the bar oil out onto my cedar floor just sitting there upright . WTF , over???? Just now got her back out for a day of woodcutting tomorrow. Put fresh gas in her, same thing -won't start. I know it's getting spark cause a little smoke was coming outta the muffler as I pulled and pulled and pulled......... Bout ready to throw the damn thing in the lake and buy me another Stihl. Is there some secret to starting these things? Paid a hefty sum for it, very dissapointed. Any hints or tips on how to get this finnicky thing running would be greatly appreciated. Had me a Stihl 056 for 30 years and NEVER had to pull on the rope more than twice, NEVER! What really sucks is I bragged to all my friends about it, 10 lbs. lighter than my 056 and about the same power. When it runs it's great, kinda hard to cut wood though when it won't fire up.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

I call dibs if you want to sell it. Seriously, just let me know.

I can't explain why it's not running right for you. So what procedure do you go through when starting it? Does it pop over with the choke on and then won't start or is it hard to even pop over?

 

[REJ2]

I wont deny first impressions are everything. Have felt your pain with another brand. Luck or lack of is my story!

 

[blsnelling]

More than likely, you're flooding it. They are a great saw, just give it a chance. Every brand has issues now and then.

 

[ndlawrence]

More than likely, you're flooding it. They are a great saw, just give it a chance. Every brand has issues now and then.

You think he's getting a "pop" then continuing to try and start with the choke on?

 

[Fnfal]

No Anthony, it did'nt even pop over once. No sign of any life whatsoever except for a little bit of smoke coming outta the muffler. I'm thinking maybe I'm using the wrong procedure for starting it, as I know some saws need a special starting procedure. I started off with choke pulled all the way out w/no throttle. Then I tried half choke w/no luck. Then after I realised it ain't gonna start I tried w/no choke and full throttle - still nothing. TOTALLY bummed I am, loved that saw the first day I used it after I got it running. Once running it ran like a rapedApe -very impressed. It's gotta be something simple, I would think. I hope. I'm gonna hang in there and try to figure out what it's darn problem(or mine) is. Appreciate the reply, thanks!

 

[blsnelling]

Have you pulled the plug, after trying to start it, to see if it's wet or dry?

 

[atlarge54]

You wouldn't be the first one to have the switch bass-ackwards. Pull with choke until it pops, then choke off---don't touch throttle and continue to pull. If it won't start check for a wet plug.

I just put one together and even warm it needs the choke pulled and released which sets the throttle part way open.

 

[Fnfal]

More than likely, you're flooding it. They are a great saw, just give it a chance. Every brand has issues now and then.

Why would it be flooded at the first pull? Second pull? I'm sure by the time I was done it was probably flooded - that's why I sat it back down to rest and came in to ask those who are "in the know" on this great forum. Maybe something is out of adjustment from the factory on the carb, I don't know? Possibly the choke is not adjusted properly, I think I'll check that in the morning. Once running that first day it was SUPERB! Was I correct to start off w/no throttle and choke pulled all the way out? I have no intention of getting rid of it - It's a great saw -just gotta figure it out, thanks for the input

 

[blsnelling]

Go pull the plug. If it's wet, leave it out, lock the throttle wide open, and pull it over rapidly several times to help clear it out. Then check for spark before reinstalling the plug. Reinstall the plug, leave on fast idle, no choke, and pull until it starts. If it still won't start, I'd pull the carb off and go through it.

 

[Fnfal]

You wouldn't be the first one to have the switch bass-ackwards. Pull with choke until it pops, then choke off---don't touch throttle and continue to pull. If it won't start check for a wet plug.

I just put one together and even warm it needs the choke pulled and released which sets the throttle part way open.

atlarge, switch backwards? Please explain, do you mean the on/off switch? I thought maybe so on the first pull then checked it and it was right. Kept the switch in the same position the whole time. Then when I saw a bit of smoke coming out I knew it had to have ignition. Or do you mean possibly the choke switch is unfunctional? As for a wet plug, I'm quite sure it was wet by the time I gave up but should not have been wet to begin with unless I had the on/off switch off at first which was not the case. It's been less than an hour and already have many replies trying to help me - THANK YOU ALL - with the great help I'm receiving I'm sure it'll get figured out. I'm leaning towards the choke adjustment being out of whack. Can't try it anymore tonight as my neighbors are getting up early to catch a plane, probably would'nt appreciate a saw next door. :msp_wink:

 

[Anthony_Va.]

Alot of saws are hard to start for the first time when new. If you only used it that one time and put it up for awhile then I feel your carb may be gunked up. How long did it sit? Did you drain the tank when you stored it? Ethanol in your fuel? If you did drain it, did you run it until completely empty?
I've had saws of mine that the ethanol gummed my carb up. I've heard it called "white rust" but it looks like lime deposits in your carb. My 660 would not even try to start until I took the carb apart and cleaned it, then put a carb kit in it.

I think you may need to do the same to yours after you figure out whether your getting spark and fuel.

 

[Fnfal]

huh? what? Oh, I'm sorry - I was in a trance staring at yer avatar, Anthony. Nope, did'nt run it outta fuel when I parked it back in late Sept. I think it was. But I did have ethanol free gas in her, drove 30 miles just to get the non-ethanol gas, I did. It was hard starting the first time I took her out last year for her virgin run. I know it's getting spark. I'm sure it's getting fuel cause I could smell it right at the end of my attempts to start it. Gotta be the carb I'm thinking - maybe the choke ain't working cause once it ran the first time , it ran great! Just getting her started at first was a #####,after she warmed up it restarted no problem every time.

Thank you, we'll get her figured out tomorrow I hope.

 

[3000 FPS]

I am willing to be that the low setting for the carb needs to be adjusted. Pull the top cover off and remove the plug. You need to determine if it is flooding or lean. If it is dry put a little squirt of gas down the carb and see if it pops. If it does then the low setting on the carb is probably to lean.

 

[wendell]

It could obviously just be a maladjusted carb but the 7900 does like a brisk pull to get started. A lesser attempt will lead to flooding.

I do believe it is just its attempt to make sure you are man enough to run it. :msp_smile:

 

[Fnfal]

Please excuse my ignorance 3000fps, low carb. setting? Is that the throttle setting that is supposedly set a bit above idle when the choke is pulled out? If so, that sounds quite logical to me - seems like it may possibly be the case the way it is acting.

As fer Wendol, yes I pull the sunafa##### a very quick brisk pull - I may be an old fugg but I know enough and can still give it a very fast, quick pull, thanks in part to the compression release thanks fer the input.

 

[CTYank]

Like comedy, it's all in the timing. Using fresh mix, when cold: ignition on, fast-idle set, choke on. Push purge bulb until essentially full of fuel; you don't mention this. Crank until first pop- listen CAREFULLY- smoke means it's been there. Choke off. Crank until it starts, no more than 3 cranks.
Should then be running @ fast idle.
If not, there's something wrong with the saw or you. Consult dealer for advice. Or ask a bud to try. Seems to me, you're just not picking up on what it's telling you. That includes reading the plug.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

huh? what? Oh, I'm sorry - I was in a trance staring at yer avatar, Anthony. Nope, did'nt run it outta fuel when I parked it back in late Sept. I think it was. But I did have ethanol free gas in her, drove 30 miles just to get the non-ethanol gas, I did. It was hard starting the first time I took her out last year for her virgin run. I know it's getting spark. I'm sure it's getting fuel cause I could smell it right at the end of my attempts to start it. Gotta be the carb I'm thinking - maybe the choke ain't working cause once it ran the first time , it ran great! Just getting her started at first was a #####,after she warmed up it restarted no problem every time.

Thank you, we'll get her figured out tomorrow I hope.

Start with checking your adjustments on your carb. See if they are set at the factory specs. If adjusting it doesnt help then it probably would'nt hurt to take the carb out and clean it out. If you have spark but she won't pop then it should be something to do with your carb, even though you can smell the fuel.

 

[buzz sawyer]

Have you tried another plug? I've seen cases where the plug will have spark at the gap until it's under compression and then it shorts out. Might be enough to cause a little smoke but not enough to run. Hold the plug vertical with the electrode down - I've seen the insulator break off, slide down and cover the gap.

 

[benp]

I take it you bought this new from a dealer, if so have you taken the saw back to them and described your problems?

Good luck