Got a Little Stihl MS180 that my grandpa had sitting around. No fuel in it but sitting for years.
New carb, spark plug, fuel line and filter, fresh fuel mix (ethanol free), and oil.
Thing just does not want to start.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Black92LX, May 03, 2017 02:43 PM

Try a new spark plug? Make sure the on/off choke switch is in the run position? I have a 170 that has been awesome but it gets used at least twice a month all year.

Spray a bit of ether in the carb.
Hope that gits her goin.

Check the air filter to make sure it isn't stopped up. Also, the choke may be stuck either open or closed, so you may need to poke around in there a bit to see what's happening. Last thing to check (recheck) would be the new carb. If it's aftermarket, it may not be set up correctly, especially if it's a Chinese knockoff.

What symptoms is it giving you? Normally pretty easy to diagnose these things. Only problems are: Fuel, Air, or Fire. Check YouTube for diagnosis videos, plenty out there.

Is there a way to pull the plug and see if it is sparking ?

I have two Stihl saws.
The ms 170 I have had always given me problems starting. I did try a new plug, did not work.
Finally took it back to the dealer and told him I was tired of a saw that never wanted to start when I wanted or needed to use it.
When I got it back, it did not cost a lot and now it starts every time I go to use it. Not the first pull or two but it starts.
There is a pattern to start a Stihl. If you have the book, read it, if not go to a Stihl dealer and ask him to show you.

Get a teenage boy and offer him $30 if he'll keep pulling till it starts.

Start with the basics. Gas, spark & compression. If you have all three it's just getting the right starting sequence with the choke and trigger.
All my Stihl's get the primer bulb pumped first, then full choke for a pull or two until they fire once, then back to middle choke until warm. No throttle at first.

You may want to check to see if the pickup tube in the gas tank is rotted. It's rubber and could have deteriorated.

quote:

Originally posted by fiasconva:
You may want to check to see if the pickup tube in the gas tank is rotted. It's rubber and could have deteriorated.

Brand new just replaced it today.

It is getting fuel. Just need to figure out if it is getting spark.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Just need to figure out if it is getting spark.

Plug wire firmly seated? Plug properly gapped? Did you do all the work just today? Was it running prior?

I have 3 Stihl products (2 chainsaws and a blower). They definitely have a certain starting drill but if followed per the manual they start great everytime.

I've dealt with mine and my father's Stihl chainsaws. Finally figured out that they seem to flood very easily on full choke. When you first start to pull it on full choke, listen very carefully for any sound of it catching, even just a brief cough. Then put to half choke or even run. Usually starts on the next pull. If you keep pulling past that cough on full choke, it floods more often than not.

If you want to check spark, remove the plug, seat in wire boot, touch on head and pull the start rope. It's easier to see the tspark indoors low light. Should be a fairly strong flash. Check your head bolts too . If you are losing compression it won't run either.

My Stihl Farmboss doesn't have a purge bubble, so it starts using the same procedure as your saw. I have found that I shouldn't do more than 2 pulls on full choke, even if I didn't notice the engine catch or "burp." If nothing has happened after the 2nd full choke pull, I flip to half-choke and pull. 2-3 more tugs and she roars.


Don't give up on that 180 - it's a dandy little saw.

quote:

New carb, spark plug, fuel line and filter, fresh fuel mix (ethanol free), and oil.
Thing just does not want to start.

That's a 2-stroke engine so don't forget that there are other seemingly innocuous engine parts that are key to starting and running. For example, the crankshaft seals. They're critical to the engine vacuum that pulls air through the carb and fuel mix through the engine.

Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by ShneaSIG:
My Stihl Farmboss doesn't have a purge bubble, so it starts using the same procedure as your saw. I have found that I shouldn't do more than 2 pulls on full choke, even if I didn't notice the engine catch or "burp." If nothing has happened after the 2nd full choke pull, I flip to half-choke and pull. 2-3 more tugs and she roars.


Don't give up on that 180 - it's a dandy little saw.

Pretty much this on my Farm Boss. Although it generally indicates its ready to turn over after the second pull on full choke.

 
Also check the spark arrestor. When it gets clogged with soot/crap, the engine won't run worth a crap.
 

Went and rachecked everything. Shot a little WD40 in the plug hole and a touch in the carb.
Fired right up nicely and idled well. Let it idle of awhile and engaged the chain and it shut off.

Tried that again and happened 2 more times and now it won't start again.

Getting spark and fuel.

Make sure you really primed the bulb well.