been using my old Craftsman 42cc / 18" (~2003 model) a lot the past few days. was sitting idle a long time (no gas stored in tank). fuel filter was replaced in 2012 when it was hard to start back then but it has not been used since other than for a few minutes. air filter was cleaned out before starting my sawing a few days ago.
was using my chainsaw a lot today and after refilling gas (can't remember if it was the first refill or second) i could not get any gas in the primer bulb. i was doing some 18"-20" logs (for firewood) so the engine was fairly hot.
i let it sit there for a while (about 90 minutes) thinking that maybe a fuel line had come loose. the bulb seemed fine. just before i was going to take off the cover i decided too try priming again and voila! the bulb filled. and the saw started on the 1st or 2nd pull.
started googling around and general feeling i got for what i experienced is called vapor lock which happens when the engine is hot and seems to be common with Poulan and Craftsman brands. this may also explain why on previous days that the saw always seemed to be harder to start then when it was cold. also on those days i was alternating between log sizes so the saw was able to cool off or not run as continuous.
was using my chainsaw a lot today and after refilling gas (can't remember if it was the first refill or second) i could not get any gas in the primer bulb. i was doing some 18"-20" logs (for firewood) so the engine was fairly hot.
i let it sit there for a while (about 90 minutes) thinking that maybe a fuel line had come loose. the bulb seemed fine. just before i was going to take off the cover i decided too try priming again and voila! the bulb filled. and the saw started on the 1st or 2nd pull.
started googling around and general feeling i got for what i experienced is called vapor lock which happens when the engine is hot and seems to be common with Poulan and Craftsman brands. this may also explain why on previous days that the saw always seemed to be harder to start then when it was cold. also on those days i was alternating between log sizes so the saw was able to cool off or not run as continuous.
- does this seem like what i experienced, vapor lock?
- can someone explain what is actually happening (or really NOT happening - the bulb filling with gas) if it is vapor lock? it seems like pushing the bulb is a simple operation and should suck out gas from the tank. how does vapor lock prevent the bulb from priming?
- some other posts mentioned that a hole in the gas cap is plugged. should there be a vent hole? not sure if this is dependent on the manufacturer.