Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): sears chainsaw, spark plug gap, sears craftsman

Question
QUESTION: doug,

 i am working on a stubborn chainsaw, sears craftsman model, 358.351810.  saw approximately 2 years old. the owner told me it is reluctant to start and then once running, difficult to keep running.  the "original" spark plug was fouled and puked so i replaced.  new plug provides mild spark, there is plenty of gas to the cylinder, machine won't start.  compression seems weak also.  do you think adjusting the air gap is in order?  if so, do you know the measurement and could you provide the same?  overall thoughts on this "mistake"?

ANSWER: Plug gap should be set at .025. It should be alright but it never hurts to check. Other things to check are the carb adjustment screws. Start at 3/4 turn each and work from there. It can be time consuming to get it set right, and you may end up with as much as a full turn or more on one or both by the time you are done, but this is a common thing. As far as low compression goes, the piston jug (cylinder housing) is prone to loosening up on 2-cycle engines. It should have 4 torx screws holding it down. If they are loose, simply tighten them up and that should solve the compression problem.

I hope this helps. Keep me posted if you have any further questions.

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QUESTION: thank you for the response, however you provided the spark plug gap and not the air gap.  i am not positive, but believe it to be 0.010".  can you verify?
also, the carburetor adjustment screws have been set to approximately 1 turn out and the plug is soaked with gas after pulling several times to coax a start.  got spark, got gas, but no attempts to even fire.  suggestions?

Answer
As far as air gap, you are right, but that is rarely an issue. If the plug is soaked with gasoline, it would be a good idea to check the diaphragm on the carb. It may be stretched, and in need of replacement. This is a very common repair on 2 cycle motors.