Dolmar 5100 will not start

coloradotrout

Dolmar 5100S
-- bought new in June 2009 (1.5 years ago)
-- only used 1 gallon of gas thusfar
-- OPTI2 oil mix.

How do I check the spark? I removed the plug and held the plug against the motor (metal). I see no spark when cranking. How visible would it be?

A few times when running at top rpm under no load it would seem to sputter a bit and then once or twice it would die. Yesterday when I was cutting it seemed to lose power and then just died. It seems almost like it's overheating and cutting-out by design. But this time it is not starting again.

Once I verify the spark -- it seems the only two likely components would be the plug and the pickup coil. Anything else? Why would either of these two be likely to fail within one gallon of gas

coloradotrout

Well, I found the procedure to check the spark in the manual (yeah.. read the manual.. I know novel idea).

I have no spark at the plug electrodes. So it seems the two most likely components are the plug or coil.

coloradotrout

Well -- upon further review, there is a spark. I believe I was not cranking fast enough before. Still no start however. There is no indication of combustion.

coloradotrout

Per Dealer there is cyclinder damage and this is their 2nd report of such an occurence. This would seem to be a design or component (air filter) defect. The dealer is speaking with Dolmar rep today. I've asked for a new replacement vs replacing the cylinder (which to me implies piston should be replaced, linkages, possibly carb, etc etc.).

At this point, I'd suggest Dolmar owners be advised. I'll post an update to the outcome. I love the saw when it's running, but unless this gets resolved squarely and quickly, that will change.

porsche965

I really enjoy my 5105. Is it possible that the fuel got bad and was run through the saw? Another possibility is that it was too lean. I had to pull my limiter caps to bring it to 14,000 to be safely below the 14,500. Saw pulls hard and well. Pulled the muffler and the piston is perfect after 8 tanks or so. I mix at 42:1 with Ultra.

These high performance saws take a bit richer mix IMO. Also they like a richer L screw.

Just what I've experienced with mine. Goodluck with your Dealer and getting another saw. Question though, what did the plug look like? And do you use a tach? I won't be without one.

__________________
Sawzilla 460,Sawzilla 441C-M,441C-M,440,362,361,Snellerized 261,261. Dolmar 5105,401. Husqvarna 44, Colt .45 Gold Cups.

coloradotrout

Dealer says dirt got into cylinder. So they have replaced the cyclinder and supposedly the piston. But they don't know how it happened. So what says it will not happen again? The dealer adjusted when I bought it. I only went through 1 gallon of top octane gas using Opti2 as specified by the dealer.

I did see a black film of dirt/oil inside the air filter. To me that seems wrong.

I'm not willing to accept a complete rebuild of a 1-gallon old saw. Dolmar should make it right and give me a new saw -- like the one I thought I bought.

I live in Stihl country -- and if Dolmar does not make this right, I will never buy another Dolmar and will do what I can to insure they never sell another.

Maybe Dolmar is reading this post. I made my buying decision based on positive reviews I read online. Likewise, I would think others will make theirs based on my experience I intend to shared.

coloradotrout

update:

Dealer has repaired by replacing the cyclinder/piston and noted that this has occurred on 6 other saws. Dolmar did not agree to replace the saw. Dealer felt the defect was clearly air filtration. He's not convinced the new air filters are going to resolve the problem. He's concerned about Dolmar quality.

I phoned Dolmar in GA. Went through the same discussion. My dealer recommended Opti 2 oil -- Dolmar was much less forgiving -- strongly recommending to use 50:1 Dolmar or equivalent oil. I left that by saying the dealer nearly insisted I use Opti 1 and their 1 gallon packet per gallon of gas. He agreed to talk with the distributor and the dealer. My point was that I bought a new saw -- and that after 1 gallon of gas, there is no way I should be handed a rebuilt saw. He noted I was out of warranty and that regardless of new saw or rebuilt I had no warranty left. I said fine, but I then want a saw that's new and not rebuilt. I noted I was in Stihl territory here, and as much as Dolmar made an initial impression on me, if this was not resolved to my satisifaction, I'd not be a proponent of Dolmar. He tried to flip that around and say that make him all the less desiring to want to work with me. He agreed to make the calls to the distributor and dealer and call me back by Wednesday.

Very hard for me to accept the fact that 1) the cause of failure if mfg defect and 2) the resolution is rebuilt saw. I cannot imagine driving a new auto for 1.5 years, putting 1000 miles on it, and the engine locks because the air filter failed, and the dealer/mfg offers to rebuild the engine. I can assure you, and most would agree -- that would be the last dealer/mfg I ever go to again, and just about everyone I talk to would hear my story.

Raincoast Builder

Have an identical problem/story with Dolmar. I was looking for Husqvarna or Stihl but the dealer convinced me to go Dolmar. Although I had the saw for three years it had very light use - less than a gallon of fuel. I am a general contractor and use the saw only occasionally to cut a brunch/small tree. However, I leave on an island and reliability is paramaunt. I am extremely disappointed in Dolmar quality and the position of the company when I reported the problem. They wanted me to pay parts and labour and after extensive negotiation by the dealer agreed to do parts but I still have to cover labor costs.

I'd appreciate a feedback about rebuild saws - is the new cylinder better and less prone to overheating?

What oil shall I use? I followed the dealer recommendation of 1:40 Husqvarna XP.

I also welcome other suggestions on how to minimise the possibility of overheating since I am stuck with Dolmar for the time being. I would never buy this brand again nor would I recommend it to anyone.

KevinE

My dealer told me to run my 7901 at 25:1 for the first few tanks. Seems to work so far, no probs other than the plug gets oiled up & needs cleaning. Never had that advice when buying a saw before. Maybe it should be in the users manual?

coloradotrout

Dolmar says dealer recommendation of Opti 2 oil mix is to blame. Dealer says Dolmar has air filter issue. Dolmar did agree to pay for dealer parts. Dealer will not charge me labor.

So I have a 1.5 year old saw, that will be re-built because of faulty design or bad dealer advice. Either way, I'm not a happy customer. I should get new saw or money back to go buy a Husq or Stihl.

Dolmar did say epa rules are tough on these saws. They run too lean. They said to run 50:1 full synthetic and that Husq oil is basically the same as theirs. He also said to avoid ethanol if possible. All good adice -- all too late.

coloradotrout

Dealer and Dolmar and Dolmar distributer continue to take sides. Dealer insists the air filter permitted dust to enter and caused the failure. The replacement filter has changed, so that's a fair argument to make. Dolmar contends that not being 50:1 was the cause of failure. Dealer and Opti counter that Opti 2 running in the "pouch" per gallon of about 70:1 is not the cause. Dolmar contends gas and oil and just about everything else is to blame. Clearly they do not want to admit that anything in the design is to blame. Distributor went so far as to say that dirt inside the filter is by design. Wow. A little dirt is good for your engine -- hmmm.

Dealer has agreed to give me a new 5105 -- or keep my rebuilt 5100. I'm planning to get the 05 and probably run the oil closer to 50:1 and if I could have them tune it richer. From what Dolmar said, though, it cannot be set richer without removing the limiters.

I really "want to" like this saw. All the positive comments here and elsewhere, but clearly something is wrong -- as my dealer and another in the area have 10 between them with similar issues.

sharkey

Truly this is nothing new with the 5100. The 5105 has improved top end cooling to help prevent this issue. I would go the other way on the oil using a 32:1 mix which is 4 ounces of oil per gallon of gas.

The gas we buy nowadays leaves alot to be desired especially when laced with ethanol. Dont mix up more fuel than you will use in a month. After the fuel is over a month old, dump it into your truck and buy new. The big problem with ethanol is that it will hold water. If the cap on the mix tank is loose, then the moisture from the air builds up in the mix just like dew on the grass. Stabil additive helps.

SawTroll

Remember that more oil in the gas makes the fuel to air mixture leaner with the same carb setting....

The "blow up" history is a long ald old one - and sorry to say, it has continued with the 5105.

I guess that is the reason they now come with 13,800 rpm coils and lower compression, but I am not really sure....

wrebelmachine

Make sure your dealer is setting the carb right. They are very lean on the factory setting to meet emissions. This is why you hear about the 5100 troubles. I have several that are run to death and just keep on going. But my dealer set them up from day 1 and I have had to do nothing to them but new chains and bars from time to time. Your opti fuel should be no problem to use. I have used it and now use amsoil at the 70:1 ratio. If you are unsure dolmar has there own 50:1 oil mix.

superfire

This why I always put V stacks on my saw no matter what brand.

I have heard several horror stories localy about dolmar air filters. I think if you buy one a person would be wise to custom fit the air filter. I had a new Husky with a similar issue and a I added a little ridge of high grade silicone around the outside of the air filter base it stopped the fine dust getting under the filter.

wrebelmachine

I have not had any trouble with air filters on my dolmars. We service them regularly and keep sharp chains on them they work great.