Stihl HT101 very hard cord pull after long storage

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ychainsaw

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I'm trying to get my old Stihl HT101 running after it'd been stored for years. I cleaned it up and added fresh 50:1 (gas tank was emptied before storage). Had to refresh my memory about starting procedure with the original owner's manual. Went through all the steps, but when I finally tried the starter cord it was very difficult to pull, much harder than I remember or is right. I can get the engine to turn one rev with great difficulty pulling the cord out a little way, but it's nothing like I remember.

I checked the air filter and it looked fine-- removing it made no difference. Took out the spark plug and the cord turns it over easily, almost no resistance (combustion chamber seemed clear). Cleaned plug and put it back in and it's very hard to pull again like before. I'm at a loss. The valves have a compression release mechanism... could that be it?

What else could it be? Am I overlooking/forgetting something basic?
 
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No idea- never worked on one.
But- is the chain trying to turn as the engine is turned over?
Could be a locked up clutch- bearing seized on crankshaft.

Totally blocked exhaust from insect nests.

Hydro locked, crankcase full of fluids.

Me, I would be unbolting things to see if it made any improvements- muffler- entire shaft- clutch........
 
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The muffler is one piece. The difficulty now is just getting it off! There's only one large screw I can see, down low on the muffler, and after removing it the muffler won't budge. Could there be one or two more screws accessed through the exhaust ports that I can't even see because of the mud? Something is holding it on tight and it's not dried mud.

Looked online and found no useful info about removing HT101 mufflers.

I spent a lot of time trying to clear the dried mud-- pick/wire tool to break it up, shop vac, wet Q tips, wet paper towels-- but I can't see any screw heads. May have to take it to the Stihl dealer in town and see if he can fix it, but that's admitting defeat.

BTW I've already had to put childproof protective caps on every outlet in the barn that's not in use, or the wasps will get in the ground holes, lay their eggs in there then block the hole with mud. But this muffler mayhem is on a much larger scale than that. When I store the saw next time I'm going to have to bag the engine to keep them out.

So you want to live in the country do ya?
 
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