... pull the plug, hold with the plug hole facing down, pull on the cord for a few secs, oil will come out, aparently it doesnt burn all the oil off, and it all doesnt make its way out the muffler . I put the spark plug back in the engine, and although I could pull the rope, it pulled very hard, but I could hear the compression, so I bought it. After getting it home, I took the spark plug out again, and sprayed some PB Blaster in the cyl. If it doesn't start after three pulls, I use engine starter fluid (available at auto supply and hardware stores). To check for a spark. Report This by Manage My Life. Touch the spark plugs electrode tip to a metal surface on the engine and pull the starter cord. If I remove the spark plug, can pull with one finger. (I blow mine off - both sides- at least every other tank-full of gas.) Locate the spark plug on your chainsaw and remove the cover. After starting it several more times it seems to have gone back to pulling like it did before. When I pull the start cord, it is jerky and doesn’t pull smooth, so I can’t start it up. My Stihl 290 chain saw cord pulls back real hard while trying to start it. With the spark plug pulled out, the starter cord pulls like normal. Kept the spark plug in and removed the muffler, still doesn't pull. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder and attach the spark plug wire to it. it has fresh gas and bar oil. >No obvious scars on the piston/rings. Replace spark plug annually. Put the plug back in, the pull cord doesn't move. Removing the muffler does not help. Removing the chain/bar did not help. Poulon 260 Pro chainsaw hard to pull. If the engine has sat for a good bit the first thing I would do if it’s difficult to pull is remove the spark plug and ease the compression until I was able to get oil to start lubricating the cylinder again. Unscrew the spark plug using a ratchet and screw the compression gauge in its place. Regular maintenance will help to ensure that your Stihl chain saw will always start. >I put a some oil on the piston/rings, no difference. Sometimes an adapter is needed to make a tight fit between the gauge and the chainsaw. Hmmm, if the saw pulls over easily with the plug out, but pulls hard and jerky with the plug in, this almost sounds normal to me. It’s relatively new, but hadn’t been used in a while. Greetings, There are a number of things that can cause a starter rope to get stuck. In addition, some storage steps can help with starting when the chainsaw has been left for an extended period. Problems starting a Stihl chain saw can be related to gasoline storage, spark plugs, and … I did a little more internet searching and I ended up taking out the spark plug and pull it a few times and then reinstalling the plug. If you aren't very familiar with saws, I would have someone that is give it a try and offer an opinion as to whether the resistance you're feeling is abnormal. If removing the spark plug allows it to easily spin over and it's not a April 16th, 2011. Another of my swap meet purchases : (This one is a Poulon chainsaw that is near impossible to pull to try and start. It has fuel and chain oil per the instruction manual. >I can barely pull the starter cord. When I remove the sparkplug, the cord frees up and it is easy to pull. Replace the plug and I can only get small increments. It has not been used in almost a year. I haven’t tried a new spark plug yet. Removed the spark plug and it pulls easy. Clean air filter often. Do not put the spark plug back into the cylinder. Save Share. and added some very light oil, like sewing >I'm at a loss. Not near enough of a full pull to make a spark. Cord is way too hard to pull. Chainsaw 358.350060 - starter rope hard to pull.