Author Topic: Canned gas (update)  (Read 727 times)

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Offline Don R

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Canned gas (update)
« on: July 27, 2023, 04:42:07 PM »
 My black walnut tree has so many nuts that it pulled a limb off during the night and it swung back from over the street and landed on the fire hydrant. I needed to get my chain saw out and started.
  I've been using canned 2 stroke fuel in my weed eater and it always starts great. The chain saw ran poorly the last time it was out 2 years ago and the time before it didn't start at all. I filled it with fresh can fuel, added a dash of amzoil 2 stroke boat oil to get it above the 50-1 ratio the can has.
 Once it started the longer it ran the better it ran. I had to adjust the chain and flip the bar over after filing it flat. At any rate I got the job done.
 After I came in to cool off I ordered a tune-up kit to get a new primer bulb and air filter.
 My neighbor brought out his Stihl saw that he bought at an estate sale, and I discovered he has Stihl saws like I got 750's. He learned how to tune them up and I'm going to try to get him to sell me a nice one. I foresee more tree trimming in my future.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2025, 09:31:27 PM by Don R »
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
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Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2023, 04:48:04 PM »
Don…. bought my first Stihl on sale a few years ago. Came with oil, guard, case and a can of fuel. It’s smaller than some of my old Craftsman saws, but I gave them all away at a yard sale! That little saw is amazing!

Offline ekpent

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2023, 06:07:19 PM »
Ill give Echo saws a little shout out also. Have a couple of Stihls but been grabbing a little Echo cs-310 that cut way over its head. Got some bigger newer Echo's also. A couple of used ones I bought had been basically used for one tree a homeowner had to deal with. Kind of a buyers market for lots of things out there right now.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2023, 06:09:03 PM by ekpent »

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2023, 12:55:14 AM »
My black walnut tree has so many nuts that it pulled a limb off during the night and it swung back from over the street and landed on the fire hydrant. I needed to get my chain saw out and started.
  I've been using canned 2 stroke fuel in my weed eater and it always starts great. The chain saw ran poorly the last time it was out 2 years ago and the time before it didn't start at all. I filled it with fresh can fuel, added a dash of amzoil 2 stroke boat oil to get it above the 50-1 ratio the can has.
 Once it started the longer it ran the better it ran. I had to adjust the chain and flip the bar over after filing it flat. At any rate I got the job done.
 After I came in to cool off I ordered a tune-up kit to get a new primer bulb and air filter.
 My neighbor brought out his Stihl saw that he bought at an estate sale, and I discovered he has Stihl saws like I got 750's. He learned how to tune them up and I'm going to try to get him to sell me a nice one. I foresee more tree trimming in my future.

You’ll like the Stihls. I have two old 051av, an old 076av, (all three in the same crankcase family (heavy) and a current 391. My wife bought me a stihl telescopic pole saw. It’s literally a bicep buster but is everyone’s pricey favorite. . It’s so popular with my son and son in laws, I don’t usually have to store it here..The Stihls may not cut as quite as fast as the Husqies and the hot rods but they’ll cut tomorrow too.

You can borrow one of the 051s or the 076 if you want a 404 experience. 😇
We have a couple of Echo leave blowers that have been reliable. Bought them both non running at an auction for $20.00.
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Offline Don R

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2023, 02:14:19 PM »
 Mine is an old Poulan that I got in exchange for labor in a house clean-out. I can't really complain about it, I will start doing better maintenance on it. 
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline jgger

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2023, 03:31:09 PM »
I broke out my Stihl today and remembered that it didn't run very well last time out. So I started checking the plug and air filter. Took off the filter cover and it looked pretty fresh. Then had a " YOU STUPID DIPSTICK" moment when I realized it draws air from the BOTTOM, not the side directly under the cover! Pulled it out and flipped it over then my jaw hit the floor. I can't believe it even ran at all. Shows what a great saw it is in spite of me!

« Last Edit: July 30, 2023, 08:11:21 AM by jgger »
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Offline dave500

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2023, 01:23:49 AM »
old 80s stihls are great,i have an old 038av that hauls arse,heavy old saw but i reckon that helps the cut?

Offline Don R

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2023, 07:46:05 AM »
 Years ago, I inherited an old mini mac. It was running rough, and I dropped it at a family friends' shop. The mechanic told me the iron flywheel went bad. He couldn't properly set the air gap. Since I couldn't imagine a flywheel changing shape unless it exploded, I took it elsewhere.
 That guy cleaned the air filter and asked me why I didn't do that. L0L.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline jgger

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2023, 08:14:27 AM »
Yeah, I had to look around to see if anyone was looking.  I felt like such an idiot, and gave myself quite the tongue lashing that I  deserved!
"The SOHC4 uses a computer located about 2-3 ft above the seat.  Those sometimes need additional programming." -stolen from  Two Tired

The difference between an ass kisser and brown noser is merely depth perception.  Stolen from RAFster122s

Offline Don R

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2023, 08:56:00 AM »
 Imagine driving 20 miles and paying someone else to find that gem. I had to be laughing when I went back to get it. 
 A storm went through that night, and no more limbs fell off. I considered that lucky. 
« Last Edit: July 30, 2023, 08:57:53 AM by Don R »
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline Don R

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2025, 09:30:58 PM »
 The old Poulan chain saw still needed some work, the primer bulb was brittle and broken so I got a kit. When I pulled on the primer bulb all of the fuel lines popped into pieces so small that I couldn't even see the routing. After watching a few videos, the lines finally got replaced but it only starts on the primer and after a few seconds it dies. I assume the pump diaphragm is toast. While scanning the internet for carb kits I looked for Milwaukee battery saws. (I have other red tools).
 I did finally find some but then saw what I really wanted. It's an Oregon corded 15 amp, 110V saw. 18" bar, $114 and it's a beast. I only cut 5" branches so far, but it really rips into the wood and doesn't pull down even when on a hundred feet of heavy extension cord. No more gas mix, plugged carbs, fuel leaks etc. There isn't a tree on my property that I can't reach with a good cord or my Honda Generator. It has a "no tool" chain adjuster, automatic oiler, and even came in its own cardboard box.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2025, 09:32:46 PM by Don R »
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline willbird

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Re: Canned gas
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2025, 07:27:46 AM »
The old Poulan chain saw still needed some work, the primer bulb was brittle and broken so I got a kit. When I pulled on the primer bulb all of the fuel lines popped into pieces so small that I couldn't even see the routing. After watching a few videos, the lines finally got replaced but it only starts on the primer and after a few seconds it dies. I assume the pump diaphragm is toast. While scanning the internet for carb kits I looked for Milwaukee battery saws. (I have other red tools).
 I did finally find some but then saw what I really wanted. It's an Oregon corded 15 amp, 110V saw. 18" bar, $114 and it's a beast. I only cut 5" branches so far, but it really rips into the wood and doesn't pull down even when on a hundred feet of heavy extension cord. No more gas mix, plugged carbs, fuel leaks etc. There isn't a tree on my property that I can't reach with a good cord or my Honda Generator. It has a "no tool" chain adjuster, automatic oiler, and even came in its own cardboard box.

I bought the Ma8 saw, it is kinda meh really. The chain oiler is just gravity, they recommend vegetable oil. And something I saw online about them but had not noticed the first time I used is that they use a skip tooth chain. It WILL work every time I need it though. My former saw was a Poulan that was old in 1976 that my dad bought from a small engine dealer, it had been a trade in and he got it for $40 back then. It worked fine but modern fuels had swelled the plastic fuel cap. I seem to recall it used some insane ratio like 15:1 fuel:oil ?? My neighbor was playing with chain saws so I gave it to him, he is always avail when I need a hand doing stuff like dragging my K3 out of a shed and onto a trailer. The neighbor on down is a real PITA and he bought a 4 wheeler and a bunch of chain saws just to be equally annoying to them LOL.


Bill

Offline lash

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Re: Canned gas (update)
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2025, 05:09:43 PM »
I have a John Deere cs56 that I bought almost 30 yrs ago and still goin strong! Like this..
Analog mind in a digital world..

Offline Don R

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Re: Canned gas (update)
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2025, 06:01:56 PM »
 I started using the canned gas and thought it was the savior of the old 2 strokes, it ran better every time I used it, but the fuel lines and rubber carb parts were probably already brittle. The hoses are vinyl so what can you expect?
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.