Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: qjoshh on December 01, 2015, 11:23:57 pm

Title: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 01, 2015, 11:23:57 pm: Hey all, new to the forum. I have a 141 that's about 11 years old, but with relatively few hours run time. Engine ran great, but chain would "bind up", so I replaced chain break... same problem. I removed sprocket to check for wear, and when I reassembled, all of a sudden saw wouldn't start... had never been a problem before. I took it to a dealer who diagnosed a bad coil, so i replaced the starter, but still won't start. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: Cut4fun . on December 01, 2015, 11:52:17 pm: starter recoil isnt the coil.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 02, 2015, 09:58:20 pm: Thanks, but not sure I follow. To be clear, the repair tech said it was a "Bad ignition module". He used "ignition module" and "starter coil" interchangeably.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: 3000 FPS on December 02, 2015, 10:55:36 pm: The pull rope is referred to as the starter recoil. The spark to the plug is generated by the ignition coil, magneto assembly. So which one did you replace so we can better understand your situation and get you running again.

There is also a small wire that comes off the coil that goes to the kill switch. Make sure that wire is not pinched any where or grounding out to the saw some where.

I would also take the plug out put the spark plug wire on it and set it sideways on top of the cylinder and pull the rope and see if you have spark. I would not take any body's word on what is wrong.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: 3000 FPS on December 02, 2015, 10:59:59 pm: I would also try a different spark plug and put the gap at .025".
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 03, 2015, 10:54:06 am: Thanks! I have so far replaced the ignition coil (the module that sits next to the fly wheel and sends charge to the spark plug), the wire to the kill switch, and the plug. I have removed the plug, attached it to the coil, and pulled the rope... there is spark. Cleaned the carb, checked to be sure fuel line was not pinched. Tried starter fluid, tried placing a spoonful of fuel in the cylinder; nothing... Given all that, would checking the gap on the plug and the gap between the coil and the flywheel make a difference?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: Cut4fun . on December 03, 2015, 11:38:21 am: Yes. How did you gap the ignition coil when you installed it?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 03, 2015, 01:22:16 pm: I didn't gap it... ignorance was bliss. Just saw a video on that today; use a business between coil and flywheel, tighten coil attachment screws, then remove card... is that right?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: Cut4fun . on December 03, 2015, 01:53:52 pm: Yep all I use is a business card with coil loose. Turn till coil sucks into magnets and tighten coil. Remove card. Giver her a try.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 03, 2015, 10:57:03 pm: Set the gaps on the plug and the coil, and it at least tried to turn over once, which is more than it's done up to this point, but nothing more. Next step?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: jmester on December 03, 2015, 11:16:09 pm: Is the plug wet with fuel?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: 1990husky262 on December 04, 2015, 09:17:15 am: How is compression? Might want to remove muffler and check for scoring
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 04, 2015, 10:13:54 pm: Removed the plug: yes, wet with fuel. Removed the muffler: yes, there does appear to be scoring...
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: Cut4fun . on December 04, 2015, 11:16:31 pm: Quote from: qjoshh on December 04, 2015, 10:13:54 pm
Removed the plug: yes, wet with fuel. Removed the muffler: yes, there does appear to be scoring...

Hmmm dealer said coil and never pulled muffler? Just wow.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 06, 2015, 08:16:58 am: Yep. Lesson learned.
I bought a new saw; I'm just curious to see if I can fix this one and have it for back-up. Would I need to replace the piston?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: Cut4fun . on December 06, 2015, 09:35:00 am: Pics of piston?

I have saved some ugly scored pistons in past. But a 141 piston probably can be found used cheap.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: wild262 on December 06, 2015, 03:22:04 pm: In my experience some of the small bore pistons are cheap enough just to replace for good measure. But if not scored or scratched to bad, the larger bores can be salvadged to save a few bucks if money is an issue. Just got to know when to draw the line, same as with the cylinders.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: qjoshh on December 07, 2015, 12:32:37 pm: Thanks All! Stay tuned - it's going to take me a few days to get back to this project and get that piston out. I'll send pics ASAP!
In the meantime, I'm puzzled as to why this thing started with one pull and ran just fine until I replaced the chain brake... is it possible that I could get it started again by making some carb adjustments? Is that what's causing the plug to get soaked?
If I CAN get it started, could the scoring on the piston explain why the chain was "bogging down" in the first place?
UPDATE: for $%^#s and giggles I tried adjusting carb settings... started right up, but won't run when throttled up. Will keep looking for resources on carb adjustments. Any recommendations?
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: Cat-Face Timber on December 15, 2015, 09:51:03 am: If you need a piston, I will give you one for shipping costs.
I know how it is working on saws and feeling frustrated..

Just send me a PM.
Title: Re: Husqvarna 141 won't start
Post by: 3000 FPS on December 15, 2015, 10:32:38 am: I had a feeling that as soon as you figured out you had spark and fuel that the compression was low.