372xp starting issues

[toolfreak]

Got the 372 out today to tear up dead apple tree. Have not had this saw out in quite a while. It took forever to get it running, took out the spark plug after about 12 pulls and the cylinder was really wet, more than I know it should be, I let her dry out, heated the plug, and it spooled right up. Even after an hour of cutting, set it down for a break, went back 15 minutes later to finish the tree off and it must have taken 6 or 8 pulls. I have never had any trouble with any of my other huskies doing this they generally take right off on the second or third pull when cold. The saw doesn't have 10 hours on it and I have never tore anything apart on this one yet, didn't figure I would have to for a while. I experienced this once before on this unit and had to use a different saw that day. I use a 50:1 mix, husky oil and 91 octane in all my saws. Anybody else have hard starting issues with the 372? Any ideas to resolve this problem would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[machinisttx]

Carb adjustment needed?

 

[AKDoug]

Did you use the fuel left in the saw from last time, or was it fresh?

 

[toolfreak]

It had a touch left it maybe a couple oz. Filled up with fresh on top of that!

 

[RedFir Down]

How old is the saw?
When was the last time you ran it?
Do you use fuel with Ethanol in it?

 

[angelo c]

Its clearly broke. I suggest you pack it in one of those "shove it in a one size box" and send it to NJ..where all junk goes to die ( and some really nice people too !)

 

[toolfreak]

The saw is only 1 year old, its not really even broke in. I ran it about 4 months ago, I am not sure if the 91 octane has ethanol or not. I know the E-85 here in Wyoming has 10 % ethanol.

 

[toolfreak]

Its clearly broke. I suggest you pack it in one of those "shove it in a one size box" and send it to NJ..where all junk goes to die ( and some really nice people too !)

I was waiting to see something like this! LOL

 

[angelo c]

I was waiting to see something like this! LOL

Oh it might not be "broke in" but its still "broke"....

Seriously, just because its "new" doesn't change the diagnosis procedure.
Compression-air-fuel...
Im betting the carb needs adjustment or the fuel metering lever is low. Sounds like its flooding itself.
Are you comfortable taking the carb apart ?

 

[RedFir Down]

The saw is only 1 year old, its not really even broke in. I ran it about 4 months ago, I am not sure if the 91 octane has ethanol or not. I know the E-85 here in Wyoming has 10 % ethanol.

I thought that E-85 meant that the fuel contains up to 85% ethanol?... Im not to sure I havent looked into it much.
First thing I would do is check what % of ethanol is in your fuel. Ethanol free is highly reccomended.
Here is a list of gas stations with non E fuel. http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WY
Im sure you know but ethanol is extremely hard on OPE fuel systems.
If still no luck it looks like a carb kit/rebuild is in order.

 

[KenJax Tree]

E85 means 85% ethanol. Regular,midgrade,and premium are btwn 10%-15% and varies from state to state.


Sent from my Autotune Carb

 

[ken morgan]

hate bringing up an old thread as one of my first posts, But i have starting problems and need advise.

I just bought a 2010 372xp w/20" bar on fleabay that was rebuilt with new top end (cylinder, piston and rings), also new walbro carb. Seller ran engine for 2 hours testing and break in but advised me to work in 10 minutes on 10 off for the first couple of hours to help finish break-in and seat the rings. he also advised 40:1 vice the 50:1 in so far as mix goes. he told me that he had set the saw at 1000' (his elevation).

My cabin is at 2700' so if anything the saw should be a tad rich. to date I had put about 2~3 hours of use at 10 minutes on and 10~20 off, it takes that long for me to move the logs around so that I can safely cut them.

saturday while cutting up a 14" oak log on about he 8th cut it dies right after I cut the last piece and lifted off of the throttle . I had another log prepared to cut so I went to give it a jerk to start it and it would not start. tried unsuccessfully for about 10 minutes and went and got my poulan to finish the work.

pulled the plug expecting to find it flooded, and while it seemed wet, it did not smell heavily of fuel like a 4 stroker does so I was like what the heck, zipp tied the throttle open, and cranked it with plug out. cleaned plug with wire brush just in case, and burned it with a lighter to burn of any fuel if present, checked gap .20 reinstalled no luck.

Said Self maybe plug is bad. went to the local small engine place and got a plug and no bueno, no start...pulled till I broke the rope *&^%** pulled the plug and it had a faint smell of gas.....

should I try adjusting the carbs, or just send it back to the seller and ask him to get it running?

Ken Morgan
USMC (former)
living in Japan

BTW no husky dealers in japan....

 

[Robin Wood]

does it got spark ?

 

[ken morgan]

does it got spark ?

it sparks, weather it's enough or not I am not experienced enough with 2 strokes to say.

 

[ken morgan]

after swapping plugs i cleaned the old plug and used it to test for spark, sorry but at 49 my eyesight is no longer that great but it was sparking, just not sure what is normal for these saws. my other saw I have been using for two years and done nothing more than put gas, bar oil and sharpen the chains, so this one has me scratching my head a bit.

 

[Robin Wood]

right after cleaning the spark plug and blowing compressed air into the plug hole if you have an air compressor
put back the plug in and try starting the saw and see if it starts or at least give a faint firing symptom
if it doesnt, you need to take the carb apart and see whats the issue
could be lotsa things, diapraghms, metering needle and etc
also you need to check if the ignition is giving enough spark, though i wouldn't rule out that possibilty
but this would be less likely

 

[ken morgan]

yeah I brought the saw back to my house tonight from the cabin and tried blowing out the cylinder but no burps, farts or even a faint backfire, thats what made me pull the plug and check for spark, so carb issues probably huh? that blows being a supposedly new carb.

any other thoughts?

 

[angelo c]

yeah I brought the saw back to my house tonight from the cabin and tried blowing out the cylinder but no burps, farts or even a faint backfire, thats what made me pull the plug and check for spark, so carb issues probably huh? that blows being a supposedly new carb.

any other thoughts?

pull the plug and drop a thimble full of fuel down the top of piston and see if it will hit.

if not pull the muffler and report back.

 

[ken morgan]

pull the plug and drop a thimble full of fuel down the top of piston and see if it will hit.

if not pull the muffler and report back.

OK have to do that tomorrow, its 2106 local time here in Japan,would probably seriously piss my neighbors off it I fired that mother up at bedtime Ask any former Marine...Murphy is a mother F++++er which means it is guaranteed to fire up if I try that as its past bedtime for most japanese.....

 

[ken morgan]

BTW thanks to both of you for tuning in, I don't get many chances to play with small engines since I semi retired here and to be honest I never had nor needed a chainsaw since I left Indiana and joined the corps back in 85.