Ronald Montenieri
New Member
Hi Guys, I have a Stihl 031 AV chain saw that suddenly won't stay running. I put a new tank of freshly mixed gas (40:1), a new plug and cleaned the air filter, which really didn't need it. I thought it was the carb so I pulled it off and cleaned it and blew it out with compressed air. It looked perfect. Same thing.... starts and runs for a few seconds and shuts off. I took the carb apart again... no improvement. I pulled the muffler and checked for blockages... none. It is so old so there is no spark arrestor but the muffler was clean. The piston and rings look great and show no scoring or buildup of carbon. I also put in a new fuel line and filter.
Thoroughly frustrated, I did something I rarely do, I took it to 2 repair shops in mid-CT and was told by both to take it home and bury it because parts were no longer available. I know it is 40+ years old but it still looks almost new and ran like a race car until it quit. I ordered a new Walbro carb to replace the Tillitson carb... same thing, starts and dies. I started it without the gas cap too thinking it might be the vent. Still dies. It starts up immediately on starting fluid and runs fiercely for the 5 seconds, but still dies just like it does when the throttle is locked wide open and the choke is on, although it sounds like it wants to stay running longer when choked.
I SWEAR it's a fuel delivery problem but I don't know what to try next.......?????
This thing ran like a bear and doesn't even look its age. I bought it brand new and cared for it like a baby. Any suggestions before I buy a new suit for its burial would be greatly welcomed. Thanks, Ron
Thoroughly frustrated, I did something I rarely do, I took it to 2 repair shops in mid-CT and was told by both to take it home and bury it because parts were no longer available. I know it is 40+ years old but it still looks almost new and ran like a race car until it quit. I ordered a new Walbro carb to replace the Tillitson carb... same thing, starts and dies. I started it without the gas cap too thinking it might be the vent. Still dies. It starts up immediately on starting fluid and runs fiercely for the 5 seconds, but still dies just like it does when the throttle is locked wide open and the choke is on, although it sounds like it wants to stay running longer when choked.
I SWEAR it's a fuel delivery problem but I don't know what to try next.......?????
This thing ran like a bear and doesn't even look its age. I bought it brand new and cared for it like a baby. Any suggestions before I buy a new suit for its burial would be greatly welcomed. Thanks, Ron
