Difficult to Start Chainsaw Repair. McCulloch CS340

Lately, my chainsaw has been difficult to start. I have to pull the starter about 15-20 times before it fires. Time to take it apart and find the problem. Might be a dirty air filter or clogged fuel filter.

[@mihaithemystic2890]

if it doesn't want to start, or it finally starts and it is too weak, not cutting at all, then the problem can be that the chainsaw "can't breathe". i have a fairly similar chainsaw but with a different brand, and all i had to do was to unscrew the side where the smoke comes out, inside there is a small metallic panel with tiny holes, "sorry for bad english" this "metallic panel with tiny holes" was really dirty, greasy, burned oil on it, and it didn't let the smoke come out. now after cleaning it with a bit of gas and a steel brush, assembled all back, the chainsaw started. good luck.

[@davekennedy52]

Great tip thank you Mihai, the name of the metal plate with holes is a "spark arrestor"

[@pizzudos]

Thanks for the video! I have the same problem despite i'm a "cleaning maniac" of my chainsaw. I will try to clean the carburetor fuel filter and hope to solve the problem, before changing carburetore membranes.

[@davekennedy52]

you're welcome Stefano, hope it works for you

[@pizzudos]

@@davekennedy52 I have some updates! It was quite tricky but at the end I solved the problem, completely. Carburetor was the main problem, i cleaned, i changed membranes, I tryed also to change it with a new one carburetor but after a couples of days the problem come back. Solution: clean the muffler! Defective carburetor means also unburnt leavings and little by little they completely block the exhaust

[@davekennedy52]

Appreciate you giving an update and well done for sorting out your problem! I must admit that I never look at the muffler, maybe I should from now on

[@pizzudos]

@@davekennedy52 believe me, i was getting mad! I tryed everything but i didn't check the muffler, after 4 days without solutions I was thinking to throw it away. I had to be grateful to your video because give me the "inspiration" and now I can be happy of understanding what a defective carburetor means. I hope it can be useful for someone....thanks Dave!

[@davekennedy52]

Glad you found the video helpful, I'll definitely remember to add "muffler" to my check list

[@eoinbeakey]

Great video, thanks for making it 👍

[@davekennedy52]

Thank you Eoin, glad you enjoyed it and hope it helped

[@suleymankocdan1636]

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

[@davekennedy52]

You're welcome Suleyman, glad you enjoyed it

[@Kongzi93]

Thanks very much! Helped me alot !

[@davekennedy52]

Glad you enjoyed the video Philip, thanks for watching))

[@impavido967]

very very very good. tanks you from milano

[@davekennedy52]

grazie impavido, glad you enjoyed it

[@guntarspeks581]

There was no need to disassemble the carburetor. It was enough to clean the air filter and everything would work!!! No equipment can work with such a dirty filter.

[@davekennedy52]

Thanks Guntar, you're right, it was really dirty, and as you could see the fuel filter was pretty clear as well, but at least the whole saw got a good clean and I do that regularly now

[@DaveInBridport]

Reckon the dirty air filter was to blame.

[@davekennedy52]

You might be right, it was filthy dirty. Apart from an oil leak, its still running well

[@gaborordog1440]

Profi videó

[@davekennedy52]

Thanks for watching, Gabor:)

[@davidrayden8811]

Hi Dave, and thanks for the video. I've borrowed this from a neighbour and want to put a new chain as his is blunt, and it's the least I can do. That chain cover at the beginning 0:51 - it has a round clip that must go over the cog mechanism - but mine just sits tight on the edge. I can't seem to get it to "pop" over the housing at 9:25, and there's no obvious adjustment. Can you help? I don't want to just tighten it.

[@davekennedy52]

Hi David, I think I understand your problem. At 0:51, the round clip/ring is the brake and it should fit over the "cog mechanism" which is the clutch. The brake is activated by the big plastic hand guard at the front of the machine. You can see it at 0:58. at the moment your brake is on and the ring is activated and smaller than the clutch. Quite easy to deactivate it, you just have to see how and where it connects with the hand guard. If you still have a problem tomorrow, I'll take my cover off and see how its connected

[@davidrayden8811]

@@davekennedy52 Thanks so much for getting back to me! This makes so much sense. I'll try in a while and edit back.

[@davidrayden8811]

@@davekennedy52 Perhaps easier to reply - that was it! So easy when you know how. Thanks so much for the swift reply.

[@davekennedy52]

so pleased you got it sorted David, well done!

[@OnTheAir]

So sad to see all the plastic parts. My 45 year old Mac 10-10 is magnesium metal except for the throttle. It is a completely different tool.

[@davekennedy52]

I know what you mean John, I have a couple of videos of my 35 year old Kioritz strimmer; don't make them like that anymore

[@stefanocippone942]

Useful THX man

[@davekennedy52]

Glad you enjoyed it Stefano, thanks for watching

[@brettlee7060]

Were can I get a new cord for one of these I can't find one

[@davekennedy52]

Both ebay and Amazon have the cords. I've also never seen them in a shop, but then I've never looked for them:) Never had one break before but once I tried to burn the frayed edge and it didn't melt so its not nylon or polyester. Maybe its a cotton rope?

[@brettlee7060]

@@davekennedy52 thanks

[@brettlee7060]

@@davekennedy52 what are the cords called and do u know what the fuel mixture is

[@davekennedy52]

@@brettlee7060 try pull cord or starter rope for chainsaw. They come in different thicknesses too so check your old rope or I can check mine tomorrow if you've lost your rope. I use 4% mixture of oil to 95 octane petrol

[@brettlee7060]

@@davekennedy52 yes ok thanks if you could check the cord of your that would be great

[@danieltristao9570]

Hi there Awesome video. My chord is broken making it unable to start the chainsaw. Do you know or have any video on how to fix it? Thanks

[@davekennedy52]

Thank Daniel, is it the same as my machine? A broken cord is relatively easy to fix but it could also be that the spring inside is broken. Thats a lot more difficult but I can tell you how.

[@danieltristao9570]

@@davekennedy52 Hi Dave Thanks for the quick reply, the chord just broke don't know how about the spring until I open it up. If you could show me how that would be very much appreciated, even based on this video Thanks

[@danieltristao9570]

Yes exactly the same model

[@davekennedy52]

@@danieltristao9570 Hi Daniel I'll check it tomorrow (I'm in France so its midnight) and let you know.

[@davekennedy52]

Hi Daniel, remove the cover (4 screws) then take out the yellow plastic dust cover. Remove the small screw and washer on the plastic spool. Thread the new rope in from the side of the spool and up through the hole. The rope loops around the screw then under itself again. At this cross over point you could get a soldering iron and melt the nylon rope to make it secure. Then replace screw and washer to hold in place.Very important that your new rope is long enough. When starting never pull the rope all the way out until the end because your spring will definitely break. I've done that. So measure your old rope first. If you're thrown it away I have the measurement for you. Watch this guy for tips on initial threading and also winding rope on spool. If you need more help just shout. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ2lp3mjf7l3kNE

[@Andi1xx]

Hi, I've been searching for hours for a video for a Mcculloch CS 380 video/service, this video is as near as it comes, What make is this?) You should change the title to help with seaches including the name Mcculloch. My chainsaw wasn't starting up/ staying started. I let a "friend" have a look at it who said he knew what was wrong with it. He said a small piece of plastic fell out of it when he opened it, ( carb area) For the life of me I can't tell where this plastic goes, he seemed to think it was something to do with the choke, but after looking at the chain saw, and your video there is nothing I can see where it would go. so the video help. Ta :)

[@davekennedy52]

Hi Andi, you're spot on, its a McCulloch CS340. I'm really starting to like the brand, also have 2 McCulloch lawnmowers. And thats the worst when small plastic items or springs pop out of nowhere. Hope you get your chainsaw back in one piece. Also going to change the title at your suggestion-thanks")

[@Andi1xx]

@@davekennedy52 Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm not a big DIY, er so been searching for help on U tube. I have a Mcculloch CS 380 they must be very similar to the 340. I have worked out the plastics not off this product. Hurray. I have been having Starting problems with it starting then stopping after a few seconds. I have now noticed that when I take the fuel cap off I can hear a sucking noise as it sucks in air. But the cap doesn't seem to have a breather hole. However, Where the fuel line enters the fuel tank from the primer, (behind the carb) I can see a small round hole next to it which looks like a breather hole, it Looks like a round brass coloured filter. (does yours have one too?) Is this the breather hole that usually on the fuel cap? Can it become blocked and how would I clean it? I also noticed that when I purge the pump there is air bubbles in the two fuel lines from the primer. ( but not in the fuel line from the fuel tank to the carb) I have photos but can't send them on here. Any ideas of the problem? When I took off the carb I can see The fuel lines look ok. Although I have managed to change two, I can't seem to reach the 3rd fuel line that goes back to the fuel tank from the primer. Feeling bit frustrated as I know this problem is solvable without going to a repair man , and paying big bucks. PS; we live in France. Ta . You should do more detailed videos for this product, as I'm sure theres a market for it. LOL

[@davekennedy52]

@@Andi1xx Sorry, I've been awa y for 2 weeks, solved your problem yet? Not too sure if I have the filter on my fuel tank. Pretty sure your problem will be in your carb. If you take off the cover of the carb on the inlet side you'll find a little circular filter. Take it out with a needle or pin and clean it as when its blocked not enough fuel gets past causing cutting out and idle issues.

[@leejohn4966]

Bought it brand new the thing shuts off as soon as you apply a load. Had to let it warmed up for 5mins then it was good. Chainsaw also shuts off when cut sideway. My hardware store stop selling this brand. POS.

[@davekennedy52]

Never had a problem with McCulloch, I have chainsaws, strimmers and push mowers and a ride on. I think your chainsaw is starved of fuel so you should get it running, give a bit of throttle and adjust your high speed screw on your carb. Hope it helps

[@miikaoland]

To mutch oil in petrol

[@davekennedy52]

Thanks 999, it can be, the spark plug was quite black:) I use 4% mix

[@voya8480]

I just got an idea :NEVER TO BUY THIS !

[@davekennedy52]

Why not? Had it for 5 years and still going well. McCulloch is a trusted name and parts are readily available