[OT] Coocheer 20" chain saw

[eKretz]

Just like any other engine type, a secondhand 2-stroke engine can be evaluated to see if it's worn out. Compression can be checked, the muffler can be removed to check for cylinder scoring and piston scuffing, etc.

[Bob Engelhardt]

... For the same money, I probably could have bought a used Stihl or other brand name saw locally, ...

I am very leery of used 2-cycle anythings. Not that I have bought any, but the ones that I've taken home from the dump have been very hard, if not impossible, for me to get going. Buying a 2nd hand 2-cycle I wouldn't know how close it was to being a dump-level one. IMvHO

[PStechPaul]

Good point. For the same money, I probably could have bought a used Stihl or other brand name saw locally, and parts and service would be available. But considering my health situation, I probably won't be using this saw for more than a couple years. And I did purchase a two year "Square Trade" warranty via eBay. Not sure how well that will work, but it was only $9

[edit] Warranty reviews are mostly negative.

[I make chips]

We have been conditioned by these imported things and are drawn to the low price. Then we see reviews with the expected 'looks like good quality', 'runs great' and so on.
But where do you get parts for it. And if you're not versed in servicing it where do you get it fixed. Any local dealer will not touch this unsupported imported thing. I was at my dealer a couple months ago getting parts and a guy walks in with his "Wuhan Wonder" saw and the dealer wouldn't touch it. Wouldn't even sharpen the chain on it.

So there's now the high probability that a brand new mail order saw is unserviceable and you just pissed your purchasing money away. I service power equipment, bikes, ATV's etc at home for a few bucks.I'll sharpen a china saw chain but that's it. If I do something simple like adjust a carb and it comes back, it's my fault. Then so many of them will run a couple hours and peel the chrome off the bore and at that point you toss the whole saw as you can't get parts for it and it's not worth fixing.


*sez the guy (me) who constantly buys wuhanium tooling for his lathe and mill.

[PStechPaul]

I bought a gallon can of non-ethanol gasoline and a small jar of Stihl 2-cycle oil. Mixed up about a pint of 20:1 mix, and got the bitch running! It takes a really quick, sharp tug on the cord, and it runs well. I haven't cut much with it but I'm pleased with its performance.

John has been using the Vivi e-bike for a week or so and he likes it, although it is rather heavy (about 60 lb). And when the weather has been cold, the battery runs short on charge pretty quickly. Unfortunately my balance issues makes it too difficult for me to try riding it.

[PStechPaul]

Well, I tried adding a little 2-cycle oil to the quart can of 40:1 premix, and the saw does not even try to start. I might try mixing a small amount of fresh gas with a bit of oil to see if it works any better. If not, I'll make sure the plug is properly gapped and I'll check for spark. It was dark and cold and I was tired, so maybe tomorrow things will seem clearer and I'll be able to check things better. The rope starter turns the engine fairly easily but only a few revolutions per pull. Hopefully this is not a lemon - but it is yellow!

[barracudajoe]

I had a Craftsman/Poulan POS with a 16" bar and had nothing but trouble from it. By far the worse gas powered device I've ever owned! Had it in to Sears a couple of times and still wouldn't run when I needed it. I can't remember if I sold it or gave it away and bought a MacCulloch at Costco, took it home, installed the bar, added fuel, and pulled on the starter rope for about 4 hrs over two days and it never even popped! Took it back for a refund and bit the bullet and went to a local saw shop in town and bought a Husqvarna 52 w/20" bar. That was about 25 year ago and it still runs great! I can see how an electric saw or weedeater would be nice in town if you had a small yard but for where I live I've got to have gas powered tools.

[deltap]

I use only non-ehhanol gas for my small engines. It's called recreational gas here. I mix 2.6 oz per gallon (50:1) for the chain saws and use them a lot. They run fine and almost no smoke. Probably mandated by the epa like the tamper resistant mixture screws. Is there a California model chainsaw as in California mandated auto pollution standards?

[Willy]

Paul you do not need to use a 25:1 gas/oil ratio mix in these saws, unless you've got lots of mosquitos that you want to smoke out. LOL
These saws will run and live just fine on a 40:1 or 50:1 ratio if you use a quality 2 stroke oil. I've had all manner of these types of saws through the shop over the years and they can offer good value for the money. I have seen some of these saws work pretty hard and long just fine on a synthetic 50:1 mix.

If you look at the listing it suggests a 25:1 ratio using engine oil, this is what is commonly used in a lot of the planet that hasn't been blessed with good quality 2 cycle oils.
Most that I have seen usually suggest 30 weight engine oil. All this does is smoke up the neighborhood, foul spark plugs and cause hard starting while carboning up the engine and offering very little long term engine engine protection.

[PStechPaul]

Finch Services is a local John Deere dealer and they have the premix fuels, as well as VP Racing fuel which is $12/gallon. I got two gallons of regular gas but I think I'll try some of the 40:1 premix for now. I'll add about an ounce of 2 cycle oil.

[lynnl]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/COOCHEER-62CC-20-Gas-Chainsaw-2-Stroke-Handed-Petrol-Chain-Woodcutting-4-HP/274420681912?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=574550661935&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

"...The saw is provided with a safety device to keep it from being accidentally switched on ensuring the safety of the user...."
Oh how I have wished at times that a gas engine chain saw would just "accidentally" switch itself on!!

[tom_d]

I didn't think the armature gap was all that critical. I replaced the magneto and used a piece of thin cardboard to set the gap. It has a strong spark.Perhaps the gap affects ignition timing? I will be getting some fuel for the Coocheer soon, but they recommend alcohol free, with a 20:1 gas/oil mix for the first 20 hours, and then 25:1. I might get a can of the pre-mixed, but it is about $6 a quart, and only comes 40:1 and 50:1. Of course I can just add some oil. And I still have half a can from last year - it might still be good.

If you bought that can last year from one of the big box stores, that fuel generally will last about two years after opening. $6/ quart isn't all that bad a price for infrequent users of 2 stroke engines. Pales in comparison to buying pump gas with ethanol in it, adding oil, having it go sour in a few months, and then having to mess around with carb cleaning and or replacement.

Add a few drops of synthetic 2 stoke oil to the 40:1 premix if you want, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. If the carb has a mixture adjustment set it a little rich if it appears to be running lean and hot.

[oxford]

I am surprised to hear the mix ratio. I figured with today’s oils every thing would be 40:1 at the most.

[PStechPaul]

I didn't think the armature gap was all that critical. I replaced the magneto and used a piece of thin cardboard to set the gap. It has a strong spark.Perhaps the gap affects ignition timing? I will be getting some fuel for the Coocheer soon, but they recommend alcohol free, with a 20:1 gas/oil mix for the first 20 hours, and then 25:1. I might get a can of the pre-mixed, but it is about $6 a quart, and only comes 40:1 and 50:1. Of course I can just add some oil. And I still have half a can from last year - it might still be good.

[Greg_B]

I have one of those POS Poulan Pros, 20" bar.


At least I thought it was until I decided to dig into it.

Found that the Armature gap to the flywheel magnets was way to close compared to the specs I found online.

I bought it new, so it came from the factory that way.

Once adjusted starts a whole lot easier now, both hot and cold.

Still does not like to be run out of fuel though, Think as it runs out it gets lean and runs hot before it shuts off.

Which just means I have to take a break a little sooner 🙂