Why is my 14 &20 chainsaw Model 8901/8902 having difficulty pulling cord. It seems to lock. What could be the problem?

That is a good and bad sign. When a motor wears out and looses compression it gets very easy to pull. New motors should pull hard and be choppy or seem to "lock" however - you *MUST* carefully review your fuel mixture to ensure you are adding enough oil to the mix - if you used straight gas without adding oil you will burn the motor up and experience difficult pulling. Simple test - remove the spark plug - give it a good pull it should be liquid smooth with no binding anywhere on the pull. Report your results.

I think you mean 120 volts.

Use a heavy guage extension cord and plug it into a GFCI if you have one outside your house. If no GFCI installed on house, buy a portable one at a hardware store.

The amp draw is on the nameplate on the saw. If it reads 10 amps, for example, you'll need a 16 guage extension cord. If it pulls more than 10 amps, you should use a 14 guage extension cord.

More info, let me know.

Charlie

One thing you could try is to remove exhaust cover and see if you have a carbon build up on the screen inside. If you have much carbon build up you can clean it easily with spray carb and choke cleaner and a fine wire brush. Clean it up good and see if that helps your backpressure problem. I hope this helps. Thank you

Try a new spark plug.If still does not fire you have a bad ignition coil.

Complete instruction and easy to follow.
R² Starter Rope by SmallEng.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRyy3MlsjVo

If you have more questions or need additional help please reply below and I will get back to you. HTH & Good Luck.
Lou
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Remove the starter cover, rewind or wind a new cord onto the spool. Turn the spool about 2 turns against the spring, thread the pull cord through the starter cover and reinstall the pull handle.
Lou

sound like hydraulic lock,try leaving the spark plug out and pull it quite a few times with the spark plug hole facing the ground, this should shoot the offending fluid out.
might work ?

only had one 20 years ago they were right hand nut side an left hand into block//used the two lock nuts tightened together to pull studs//like over tightening the lock nuts clockwise breaks stud threads loose ..install new same

Go to m-and-d.com then parts diagram then illustrated parts online then parts look up then select oem homelite then model no. hopefully this will show you correct way.

Hi Remove the fan housing with the starter mecanism.Pull the starter and check if it works properly.Try to turn by hand the flyweel.It is normaly to feel dificulty only when the piston comes up in the cilinder.If you feel difficulty all the time there is too much preasure on the cilinder walls(piston rings friction.Easy kick the end of the crankshaft with a hammer until the piston moves easier in the cilinder
please leave a rating.Thanks
cheers savumihai71.