McCulloch Eager Beaver 2.0 CID Chainsaw - Will No Start

A subscriber asked me to take a look at his saw. It currently will not start. He has gone through the carburetor a few times and has had mixed results. Two stoke engines are not my strength, but lets have a look and see what the issue is.
I use Harbor Freight Super Heavy Duty Degreaser in my ultrasonic cleaner.
Visit My Amazon Store:
www.amazon.com/shop/jamescondon
Mityvac Vacuum/Pressure Pump: amzn.to/3v53Q13
Tachometer: amzn.to/3HeQIbY
Air Filter: 216905
Fuel Filter: 84956
Bench Test, Carb Clean, Carburetor, Chainsaw, Clogged Filter Screen, Clogged Fuel Filter, Disassembly, Eager Beaver 2.0 CID, Eager Beaver 2.0 C.I.D., Eager Beaver 2.0, Eagle Beaver, Fixed, Fuel Filter, Idle Speed, Jetting, McCulloch Chainsaw, McCulloch, MityVac, Needle Lever Height, Small Engine, Tachometer, Teardown, Troubleshooting, Ultrasonic Cleaner, Will Not Start

[@craiglahoud2535]

Wasn't anyone on the edge of their seat watching the handle of the vice dance and cheat disaster in front of the flywheel? Lucky man. Excellent video,very thorough. I'll be thinking twice before tearing mine apart. Thanks.

[@rexharvey8420]

Hello James. For my sins I am a Sthil man and have done countless hours with my saw and find it a well made, sensibly designed and very reliable tool, and the carb is relatively easy to work on and does at times need a bit of TLC. I have used a McCulloch many years ago, but never worked on one - thank God! What a very stupid design I have to say. Thanks for for all your great demonstrations on the many different machines of all types you tackle and work on. You are a fascinating inspiration. Stay safe and well.

[@WeboughtaplaneNZ]

OMG ,I threw one of these away for having the exact same problems , this was 25 years ago . James you are quickly becoming my go to guy , thanks again .

[@deandennis2838]

James, just ran across your channel. I’ve done small engine repair as a hobby all my 63 years. You’ve taught me more in the past few weeks than I’ve learned in my lifetime. Thank You!! I’m semi-retired and have always wanted to get into small engine repair. I’m a retired electrical engineer so the generator stuff is a Bonus! Thanks and God Bless.

[@birddog3566]

I thought for sure the handle from the vise was going to hit the flywheel while you were adjust the carb. Good job on the repair.

[@staind288]

I thought I was the only one lol it was getting really close there for a second

[@jcondon1]

Got lucky. I did not notice it until editing the video together. Could have turned into a larger repair.

[@adamasz54]

So director James starts putting thrilier moments into his films! I was asking the fatum then not to make the vice handle so LONG...

[@souleimansarris]

Me too!!

[@iamnoone.]

@@jcondon1 I was yelling at the video about the handle on the vice

[@RGD-Repairs]

There is a knack to starting McCulloch's.. I love McCulloch, and have many chainsaws.. Prime fuel - Full choke - Pull till it splutters - Half choke - Pull to start :) No throttle.. They can be a pain to start if throttle is applied..

[@TsunauticusIV]

I was thinking the same. Every one I’ve ever had would give a fit trying to start if you even breathed on the throttle. Lol

[@1pcfred]

Mine likes full throttle start.

[@mrderen1]

Everbody loves an eager beaver! Great video!!!

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

I can't imagine how much it would cost to have a shop do everything you did to get that saw running decent. After owning several 2 stroke powered saws and weed whackers, I am so glad I now have a battery powered saw and weed whacker, never a problem using them as long as the batteries are charged.

[@mikespain8655]

Until the expensive batteries die in 3-5 years and you have to replace them. Still have to sharpen and clean battery saw. Still have electronic and mechanical parts that fail.

[@robstone5333]

@@mikespain8655 Totally agree. but even shorter life span depending on use. Neighbor of mine drained the battery on his trimmer. Now the recharged battery doesn’t last very long. Has only owned it a few months. Replacement cost for the battery is exorbitant.

[@philliphall5198]

Our local skihl dealer changed a old woman for weed eater repair more than the price they are selling new ones for, that’s sorry crap

[@oldsranch]

Now he's the Chain Saw Whisperer too!

[@navvet4518]

I had a Mini Mac 10 years older than your saw that would go toe to toe with my Stihl Farm Boss. I loved that saw and I think I just plain wore it out. It handled a 24” bar a few times in its life too. Great video and I’m sure you are happy about not working on a generator for a change. Bravo Zulu sir.

[@MrLangDog]

I had mini mac too!! I got it running sweet and a tree surgeon dude bought it off me!! WIsh I had the saw rather than the $60 I made ☹ BTW..I got it for $10 not running 9-10 yrs ago and sold it a week later.

[@raymondpetrovits2336]

I had the same saw as well. You had to thumb pump the bar oil as you cut. A real loud and clumsy saw. I was a kid and thought I was Paul Bunyan at the time.

[@thedude8976]

@@raymondpetrovits2336 same here lol.

[@sunbeam8866]

I picked up an ancient one of these maybe 35 years ago, at a yard-sale for $5. I had to clean the carb, then found out how it and the engine were entombed - what a pain! I got it working that weekend.Then it got put away for years, and by the time I needed it again.... well, I had other choices. That old Mac is probably still somewhere in my parent's garage! 🙂

[@Willy12927]

Perfect example of why I have stopped working on other than my own chainsaws. At 74, I just don't have the patience any more to go through what it takes to get them apart just to be able to make the repairs.

[@orphandog51410]

I certainly admire your patience and ability to handle the tiniest parts. Thank you.

[@bgib23451]

I was running this saw for about 2 hours at about a 30-50% duty cycle kzbin.infoUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and it did a great job. I used the lever for the built in sharpener to clear chip buildup out more than to actually sharpen the chain. It managed to cut some hardwood stumps much larger than it's size without bothering the neighbors with hours of 2 stroke noise.

[@dirtyroofer3678]

I owned one of those , best beater chainsaw I ever owned dropped it in a frozen lake cutting ice , found it in the spring new fuel and oil 3 pulls started up

[@ni_wink84]

From no run to snappy and clean! Great video as always James! I always learn something watching your videos!

[@thethriftysuburbanite5251]

I don't think I've ever seen an old saw that clean inside!

[@barackobama5304]

Not a speck of sawdust ?!?!! Unbelievable.

[@1pcfred]

He said the owner had rebuilt the carburetor so they likely cleaned it while they were inside.

[@kenmitchell3784]

Always a good start to my morning to see that James has posted a new video, looks to be more complicated that stihl saw, good job

[@rocketj7449]

Excellent video James. You taught me that this carb cleaning project will be put to the side until I have more time LOL

[@rayshutsa6690]

James I like your approach to fixing something. Another great video also the viewer is going to be happy you got his chainsaw working. I have learnt more about the inner workings of a chainsaw.

[@breikowski]

That saw really makes me appreciate my old stihl. Great video, thanks!

[@jme36053]

A welcome addition to your repertoire. Great fix.

[@jonminer9891]

Hi, James. I am always impressed by the research you do on your projects. I guess it is supposed to be an obvious thing to do, but I have often taken on a project not knowing critical parameters. Trial and error were my only salvation. Good work on that li'l guy. Thanks for sharing! Stay Healthy!

[@wildefox1478]

Great video and nice work James! I have a Mcculloch Mini Mac 30 which is of similar design and doesn't have a chain brake, great lightweight little saws! I love vintage chainsaws and actually collect them, every saw in my collection runs, some already ran when I acquired them, the rest I repaired and got running.

[@williamblack7268]

Perfect video, sound, pics and verbal descriptions! Thnanks!

[@randykeech3557]

Ah the mini mac. Not many people want to fool with them. Hlad to see ya braught it back to life. Got 3 of those my self. Cool little top handles

[@adnacraigo6590]

My first saw was a Mcculloch Pro Mac 55 back in the early 70s. I liked watching you restore this one.

[@cliffordreynolds1835]

Sounds like the name of an Apple product lol.

[@eriknovak4785]

this is better than any TV show: its educational, with drama, failure and success. its excellent for oscar night: at least one learns something without wasting time on bad acting. love it. erki

[@richardbethel6590]

Thanks James! I've owned the same saw since new. Still runs perfectly. I handed down my Mac 10 to my son as I'm nearing 80 and it's getting too heavy for me. The Eager Beaver is just right for me around the property. A bit of trivia, When McCulloch sold the chainsaw business he brought the London Bridge to Lake Havasu in Arizona. Thanks for all the very informative videos!

[@aboveaveragejoe6291]

That little guy sounds great,runs smoothly!

[@chavescrave]

Great video Jim - having just starting working on my 80s vintage stihl saw it’s given me lots of good pointers. Thanks mate.

[@philmann3476]

I like your approach and technique -- clean things up, work in a clean organized environment, wear gloves if needed, delicate touch in handling fragile parts, patience in getting things lined up, etc. Too many repair videos involve pigsty workshops, grease/dirt everywhere, and a heavy-handed, "slap'er together an git'er dun" attitude. I much prefer this.

[@johncourtneidge]

Yes!

[@ericvaughn1126]

Great video and glad you got it running again for the owner. The design is absolutely wretched imo though if you have to disassemble it to get to the carb. I've not worked on one of these specific saws before, but will surely decline if given the opportunity!

[@jeffclark2725]

even worse than some of those small homelite 150,XL 2 series

[@ericvaughn1126]

@@jeffclark2725 yeah I saw someone else do a video on those, maybe DonyBoy, and that was another one I made a note to avoid.

[@jeffclark2725]

There were a lot of companies making those small gas saws back in the 70s, and 80s, I still see odd ones, "It was grandpas saw ,can't you get it going again", lots of family history machines out there That home lite 330, or the 360,lots of challenge

[@robertlarose4321]

are you a small engine mechanic? do you have your owe shop? then i think you should hang a "out of business" sign... if i come to your shop and have a few of these old one and you decline to work on them... do you think ill drop off my newer one for you to repair? not a chance, i will look for one shop who can handle all my needs. but good luck.

[@jeffclark2725]

@@robertlarose4321 Ive got plenty of old other macs around,330 and up,even a couple of 1/2 in chain home lite saws,i enjoy old saws,those mini macs were really worn out,do turn down a few

[@davethomas1950]

I just took one completely apart yesterday before watching this video. Perfect timing and thank you!

[@chillypalmer3458]

Very good video on MAC 120.. my late dad left us his old MAC 120, points & condenser model. I might revive that machine after watching this. Thank you so much!!!

[@tristanschaper281]

I grabbed a curbside year 1994 McCulloch weed wacker a few years ago. It was the largest 2-stroke cc engine made for a weed wacker. Total beast. Even after full carb work, it was always a total pain to get started. No compression release of course. So every pull was always hard and heavy. No matter what I did, it was always a challenge to get it started. Once started, it was a total beast. An absolute animal! It felt like it could cut down trees... Other than the novelty that I brought it back to life and had a bunch of hours of my labor into it, I hated it. lol Since it was so old and hard to start, nobody would want to buy it. So I fully disassembled it with my son helping, so he got quite an education on how a 2 stroke engine works. I kept the piston and head. I guess you could say that it gave it new life to science and education! :) Great video James! You are so calm and patient with everything you do. It's very easy to get frustrated, but you are always calm. (I'm sure there are plenty of moments that try your patience though) well done!

[@chrisrageNJ]

It's a shame you didn't save the motor to build a go-kart with your son, you could eliminate the pull start and make a drill starter out of some junk parts that works by driving a rod or something like that with a roll pin through it, then a pipe fixtured in a drill with spirals cut in it that fits over the rod/pin so once the motor fires it spits the drill off. Put a go-kart clutch on the other side, or if you're really good, cut the center out of a sprocket or v pulley and weld it to the clutch drum (carefully as to not warp it), then use that to drive the axle

[@butler386]

Another winner for you. Man that saw seemed rather complicated to me. I have one but I don't know if is going to be that difficult to take apart. Needs and oiler and carb I am sure. Maybe I will give it a try now that you have shown me how to do this one. Thanks for the video. The saw cut beautifully.

[@woolval52]

I love the set of coasters you made with the test cut. You're wife will be happy! "Condon Custom Coasters" Every time I watch you work I want to go out and work on one of my small engines. I enjoy watching your patience as you work thru everything. Excellent!

[@Roy_Tellason]

Coasters? I thought those were wooden wheels for those generators that came in without....

[@petev5545]

James; great video on a difficult saw to work on. I really enjoy watching all your videos. Keep up the good work and thanks.

[@w2dmw]

Chain saws are a pain. The labor is intense, and it's like working on a jigsaw puzzle. That fuel tank screen, Was a good find. Probably, in a commercial shop, the cost of a new saw would be $30 more than repair of the old one. Good Job, Jim, as usual....++++

[@1pcfred]

That's why you have to know how to fix them yourself.

[@joecenturion]

not all chain saws are a pain. I have an MS250 Stihl 18in and can clean the carb in 20 minutes. This MAC160s is ridiculous. Very poor design. I trash picked one and now I know why it was in the trash.

[@philliphall5198]

I love working on these saws and the sound they make while cutting is music 😊❤

[@ThePlayerToBeNamedLater]

Who needs a service manual when you have one of James' videos to reference!!

[@YukonHawk1]

Wow....a lot of work for sure. Excellent video.

[@steverhenius6734]

Very interesting. More please! The approach to these engines and their adjustment seems more complex than the generators.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Another interesting video. Glad you got this working again. I am glad my chainsaw is corded electric. I do not use it often, mostly cutting up log sections for turning. I like knowing that I just need to plug it in and hit the switch and it runs after long periods without use. Not as powerful as a gas chainsaw, but works for my present needs. I got a smile from the test cuts. You are making what wood turners call cookies, cross sections of a branch or log. These can make nice rustic coasters. Dave.

[@1pcfred]

The problem with corded electrics is there's no outlets to plug into in the woods.

[@RiverratGoRVing]

James, You do have that golden touch. Michael.

[@zrkn1]

You already know how much I enjoy your videos, so I will just say that's a perfect name for that home saw : ) and it's a happy lil saw now.

[@dougvaldivia3395]

had 1 they run well for what they are but i took it apart and gave up on it more trouble than its worth at the time...stumped me...glad you got back it top shape

[@Syncop8rNZ]

Great video! Clear and well-lit, well narrated too. I need to fix my 110 sometime...

[@derekworkman5404]

Appreciate the videos James. I've fixed two chainsaws so far from these videos.

[@robertruzanski5538]

Thank you for this video. Working on the same one for my father. Have some good things to try tomorrow. Thanks again!

[@arthurbiringer5676]

Another great job! Keep up the good work.

[@thebeardedstork432]

Interesting little saw. So much disassembly to get at the carb! You can see why taking this type of machine into a shop for repair would be pretty cost prohibitive. You are a very patient man, James!

[@1pcfred]

When I bought mine I think it was only $90 new? But that was a long time ago.

[@mowmastermitch6899]

Love my McCullough. I have this same saw and a Mac 120. Super easy to use. Limb all day with them.

[@carlcannedy2669]

Hello James. I wish I would have seen this video before I bought 0ne just like yours. That's too much peace s for me to take apart and remember how to get it back together. Thanks for sharing your experience. Carl

[@tedcorey3054]

How many times I've said "Don't wanna lose that spring", and then TING .Good job ,sounds pretty good .I have one,it works great .

[@repairitdontwreckit4257]

Hey James. Another great video. I like your common sense approach along with the technical information. I am sure you have inspired many people to repair these older saws that are probably sitting around not working.

[@rastagrastag7784]

Thats a tough saw to work on. Great job

[@AndyH-13]

Great video, your very thorough and explain what and why you are doing something really well.

[@buckchase1]

AHHHHHHH! Love the smell of two-stroke! Great vid

[@markyoung7470]

It seems like the smaller these power tools get the more complicated they become and difficult to work on. Great video James 👍

[@chrisrageNJ]

I've worked on plenty of saws, this one is a poor design. I took one apart yesterday (it's a basket case- I need to E6000 the pull start plastic back together and replace the broken pull start just to get started), and they just did stupid things. Previous models didn't even have access to the carburetor adjustments, you had to take it apart to tune it. This version has to be disassembled to do just about everything else. Another guy I watched left the case off, put the bar back on, clamped the bar in a vise, double nutted the flywheel side, and started it with a drill. That'll save you a lot of pulling when you're overhauling a saw or working on the carb/fuel system

[@hiphopman72]

Wow … very good explanation for that old leaker! I have my Mac 30 open because no fuel. Will look for a filter thanks

[@henrymurawskibigdogrepair]

James the handle on the vice looking like it’s going to hit the flywheel

[@jcondon1]

I'm lucky it didn't. Did not notice from my angle until editing the video together.

[@davedemo8229]

its fun trying to adjust them when they are jumping around. need another hand. nice change of pace

[@pycoed]

What a truly appalling design! I thought the wife's Ryobi strimmer was bad, with the pull start at the FRONT of the motor, but this takes the biscuit. I am really in awe of your patience & even temperament.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

There are advantages to having the pull start on the front vs rear of a strimmer. In terms of ease of operation, I prefer the front configuration and in terms of robust engine life, rear starter. That said, I'm still running my two 1990 Ryobi front-start strimmers and recently purchased their rear starter strimmer. One of the 1990 units was wiped out temporarily due to a lubrication issue, I was able to replace the destroyed crank bearings, surprisingly. Still runs great and makes lots of power.

[@davecc0000]

I check the oiler whenever I tune up my saw. It's important to me to know that the saw is pumping oil onto the bar & chain. I just point the tip of the bar at a piece of cardboard and revv up the saw and I will see a line of oil appear on the cardboard if all is well. If it's a manual (thumb-pump) oiler, I have to pump the bulb in order see the line of oil, of course. That means the bar & chain are getting oiled. 👍🏻

[@aintskairtolskol9520]

great little saw as long as you take 3 of them to the woods with you, complete pain in the back side to work on,hey but great for around the house work. you sure got lucky with the carb,that little knock out plug usally has junk under it, also you know it is right when it doesnt jump and walk across the ground,that how i set them in the field,great job mate i didnt even think they still made them

[@Tom-In-Ga]

Geez! When you said the engine had to come out, you weren't kidding.

[@bentwedgestanleybrand5818]

Good morning everyone

[@raymondj8768]

GOOD MORNING STAN :)

[@vmaxride06]

Nice repair James ...Enjoyed the Video lesson ....Thank You

[@MotoRestoFL]

I have an Echo about that size probably early 90’s which was my dad’s and it’s never been cracked open. Only replaced fuel line. I think it still has the original plug. Starts and runs every time. Made in Japan. Learned something though and I work on these also. Didn’t know the jet needle arm spec. I’ll file that one away. Cheers.

[@wrstew1272]

Looks like a topping saw- relatively modern because of the chain brake, I just bought one similar but zero safety measures. Having to remove the engine from the shrouding seems antique, but complicated due to the fuel setup…….glad you showed me how 😂. Sounds good, looks like new!

[@GuysPlayingWithTools]

Great video. At 6:38 I was thinking "yup, no fuel would slow it down a bit". I love 2 stroke motors but I completely understand not liking them. Great catch on the metering lever.

[@stevecharette4421]

Loctite is your best friend on these little mini macs.....

[@philliphall5198]

Yep for sure 😊

[@atubebuff]

22:43 I think you dodged a bullet with that Vice's rod and that spinning flywheel! Love your videos!

[@kb1gni]

Nice. My dad taught me how to run a chainsaw on an older version of the same saw. I don't think we ever had any problems with it. Nice basic saw and not so heavy it kills your back.

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Great share James .. If the guy had taken that to a shop down town , they would tell him it was not worth fixing and try to sell him a new Husky or Stihl .. Great save !!

[@78mack1]

Those things drove me crazy when I was younger. There is a good reason why they stopped making them!

[@dwightelvey645]

There are two things that need constant attention on a chainsaw. They are the chain and the carburetor. This design is almost criminal.

[@rodneysutton1433]

NICE great video as always

[@thankswillie]

thanks for detail,oh that the pump

[@carlcannedy2669]

James you got more patient than me. I had one just like your's, but I just put it in the trash. I like working on echo equipment. But thanks for a good video.

[@christophermarshall5765]

Good chainsaw. Pity they need to be completely taken apart to access the carb. I love 2 stroke engines!! I learned by fixing them. First one was an old Victa 2 stroke mower.

[@jeffclark2725]

Wow i just trashed about 8 of those, i could get them running, but mostly just complete shelf art, out on the west coast not common anymore, Yes, a complete tear apart is needed to do a carb service on, the older ones had its own unique carb, Great video

[@paulkonczak5270]

I had that little saw for many years and worked the heck out of it. Ran like a timed kept on ticking.

[@johnclarke6647]

I have a MAC 3216. I call it One Pull Charlie. I run my standard 50:1 Red Armor mix in it. It runs great and is a good little chainsaw. I rebuilt the carb and all of the standard maintenance I do to all of my saws. Nothing spectacula, just routine PM - clean spark arrestor, lubricate sprocket bearing, clean sprocket. Replace gas filter and clean carb.

[@MrBlaser51]

Awesome James !!!!

[@davidblake6889]

We had McCulloch chainsaws on the farm when I was a kid. They would NEVER start! We would spend more time getting them fixed than using them. I was a bit disappointed that you did not mention tensioning the chain and checking the chain oiler. I have been bitten by both of these quite recently. That was on a Stihl, though. Never had a problem starting those! Thanks for the great content, James. I wish you had been around in the 60's and 70's when we needed your expertise.

[@lloydwagner3709]

I bought my first chain-saw in about 1978. Back then there were still family-owned hardware stores, and the owner of the store told me that he had almost quit completely with McCulloch for the reasons that you say. But he did recommend the Pro-Mac 10-10 as still a good saw. I bought one of those and used it hard, for several years, cutting both firewood (in Northern Minnesota) and saw-logs that I had sawed into lumber for my house and out buildings on my farm. It was a pretty good saw, I'll say, though a bit heavy.

[@johnneufled8788]

Just to add Saw lives in my shed and starts at minus 30 A good go to saw that is ready for action ( after major rebuild every 2 years )

[@larrykelly2838]

Doc., great video, I need to do the same thing on my old chainsaw.

[@paulravitsky2898]

IMO that filter is the correct one. It needs to be slightly compressed to properly seal against that "washer" you noted not to forget. That saw is tiny and cute but a major jigsaw puzzle! Nice job!

[@imysteryman]

You helped me in the fact I will never own a McCulloch chainsaw even if someone tries to give one to me. From incredibly dumb design, fuel filter sucks, air filter sucks, to having to completely disassemble the saw to get to the carb. Totally unreal!

[@dickaslet6769]

That Beaver started out not very eager! Great job and a testimony to your patience.

[@lordjaashin]

eager beaver sounds like naughty Canadian woman lol

[@andrewgrace4410]

Nice fix James

[@ghettsumm7949]

The handle on your vise was making me very nervous while you had the engine running! YIKES!

[@gregorypiercesr.2769]

GREAT JOB! THIS IS WHAT I WILL BE SENDING TO EVERYONE I KNOW HAVING CHAINSAW ISSUES SO THEY BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT GOES INTO KEEPNG THEM RUNNING CORRECTLY!😉😉😉😉

[@marekzamora]

Have a mini Mac 110 I picked up and rebuilt carb for no start..awesome little saws when they run good..

[@barackobama5304]

They do pack a wallop for the size.

[@kthwkr]

My niece brought me a McCulloch that had been sitting outside barely protected from the rain for about 5 years. I put gas in it and pulled. It started right up and ran fine.

[@peterecklund886]

Great episode! I think this episode about chainsaws that won’t run and others like it would be something to add to your channel? Maybe when you run low of portable generators?

[@dandanthemechanicman4678]

I repaired that same Mcholluch with the 2.0 engine and it didn’t have spark due to the fact that when the red kill switch was in the up for starting, it turned out that it was still touching the kill terminal on the inside so I had to re-bend it to a correct position where it would be separated from the Kill switch so it wouldn’t ground out. I’m glad I watched this video though in case I have to take this chainsaw all the way apart.

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Thx for sharing! Another great tech tip I hadn’t run across yet. 👍🔧🧰

[@cowsgomooatme4845]

I have the same saw, it's powerful, and probably the loudest saw I own.