The pull start cord on my chainsaw will not budge. Worked fine the last time I used it. I removed the spark plug and it will pull fine with plug out. Put the plug back in and it will not budge! Thanks in advance for any help.

David, May 2008

You could have liquid in the cylinder and it could be hydraulicing. Or the spark plug is the wrong one and it is to long and it is pushing against the piston

David Trowbridge, Service Tech., May 2008

If your saw will pull with the plug out, it is probably just compression holding it from turning over. Try putting your saw on the ground with your foot in the hand hold and giving it a pull. If you are unable to get you foot in the hand hold, try clamping the handhold in a vise and give it a pull. If it doesn't turn over at all, you will possibly have to take the engine apart and look for obstructions. I would think that it's just good compression though, especially if it is a nearly new saw that hasn't been run much.

Lew, May 2008