Is there a saw you never want to see again?

[Old2stroke]

Mine is the Poulan PP5020, one of the worst saws to get started I have ever seen. It comes with an E-Z start system that doesn't ever seem to work properly. When used correctly, the start spring doesn't kick the engine over fast enough to make a spark. The ignition module on these is marginal for making a spark at low rpm even when new, and quickly degrades to not making any unless the engine is really ripping over, so eventually you HAVE to drop start it to achieve that rpm and of course that destroys the E-Z start spring. The definitive cure is to eliminate the E-Z start by welding the spring coils together and I no longer have access to welding equipment that will do it right. Don't bring me another one.

 

[president]

Yes! a little 020avsuper .it has been a myriad of problems
had it apart many times, it runs well now but once the clutch is torqued
to speck the drum locks up and chain spins
I have a manual and IPLs that show all combos of
clutch washers etc fed up!

 

[Farmer_Nate]

P3314

 

[gumneck]

This Stihl 011AV is getting close.

 

[Bubster]

Stihl 031

 

[sean donato]

I have a few, but overwhelming a stihl 015L. Just hate them.

 

[Birchcrick]

Husqvarna 572. It was a hot start nightmare. I get mad just thinking about it.

 

[Scandy14]

Stihl 019T! The most difficult saw I ever worked on by far.

 

[Bill G]

There are many but any of the slant cylinder Stihls. I have no idea how in the heck they took a design as simple to work on as a 090 and flubbed it up with the slant cylinders. They are a nightmare.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Husqvarna 36 (or 136/137- or anything tarred with the same brush!)

Seem to be a lot of them show up here and they are just not built with the idea of repair!

 

[Dok]

My first saw, Homelite 150. No antivibe. At least partly responsible nerve damage in my fingers. Despite that it got me hooked on chainsaws for a lifetime, so can't hate it too much.

 

[cscltd]

T338xp and t540xp. And most of the above

 

[blackoak]

Any mini Macs

 

[ZeroJunk]

Stihl 019T! The most difficult saw I ever worked on by far.

It's like they hid the parts somewhere they should not be.

 

[IntegrityCarpentry]

This Stihl 011AV is getting close.View attachment 1057107

Hey I have one of those that frustrates me. What’s up with yours?

 

[Seachaser]

I had a rancher model 44 or something that was a bear to start 40 or so years ago. Also had a big Stihl bow saw that I was scared of. My father had a cheap homeowner Stihl he bought during Stihl days. I’m sure it was the cheapest one made. He took it back numerous times and it was a lemon.

 

[ZeroJunk]

This Stihl 011AV is getting close.View attachment 1057107

I have one that a rivet holding the reed valve came loose and destroyed the saw. PM me if you need anything.

 

[dmb2613]

any of the green plastic poulans

 

[IntegrityCarpentry]

I have one that a rivet holding the reed valve came loose and destroyed the saw. PM me if you need anything.

How long ago did that happen? That is not fun.

 

[gumneck]

Hey I have one of those that frustrates me. What’s up with yours?

It was a nonrunner "just needing a carb clean" but going through the carb several times to make sure I'm getting everything hole/passage sprayed out and back together, runs pretty good seems a little fussy on wanting flood easily. So with that, the metering lever was set way too high on the WT29 carb per research it should be .063" under level with the base. Compression is right at 130, all diaphragms are soft and pliable. So I have a carb kit on order to eliminate the wrong spring and needle valve assembly.
Was running it would accelerate and idle like it should and thinking I had it licked twice now. Next day would not start fire without drying plug etc. So until I know the last guy didn't put in the wrong spring, that's where I will focus to rule that out. Then its further opening up and testing seals etc.
Does have a CJ8 plug with great fire but calls for a RCJY7, doubt that's an issue but who knows. Dont have alot of Stihl experience but the old ones I have refurbished did seem very sensitive on the low idle setting vs other saws I usually take on.