Stihl 026 hard to pull

[Coyote machine]

Also, you might want to consider replacing the carb, IF it turns out to still be problematic after this current rebuild attempt. Sometimes things just can't be fixed, for whatever reason, and one's time has value, especially after all you've done to date. Just a thought to add to the equation...

 

[timsch75]

Here's a good step by step:
How to Rebuild a Stihl �26 Carburetor Wood Shop Mike

Thanks for this - just what I needed.

I'm embarrassed that I didn't search for rebuilding 026 carb before asking on the forum, since it shows up on the 1st page of the results.

Edit: reading Woodshop Mike's writeup, it dawned on me that I had checked what I thought was the impulse line, but was actually just the fuel line. I must have misinterpreted the info in the video I had watched a while back.

So---I've not actually checked the impulse line.

I searched for info on how to remove the impulse line, and I don't get many results that give me a good idea of how to do it. The most promising video manages to skip right over the removal part. Can anyone point me to a better source? thanks.

 

[newbury]

I may have missed it but did you try the "eye dropper of fuel MIX"?

Don't use straight gas, starter fluid or ether, just fresh mix, maybe even the EXPENSIVE store bought mix (the can comes in handy afterward).

 

[timsch75]

I may have missed it but did you try the "eye dropper of fuel MIX"?

Don't use straight gas, starter fluid or ether, just fresh mix, maybe even the EXPENSIVE store bought mix (the can comes in handy afterward).

I did forget to do that. I'll do that 1st thing after I clean the carb and put it all back together. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Ford850]

I did forget to do that. I'll do that 1st thing after I clean the carb and put it all back together. Thanks for the reminder.

I don't think you removed the needle valve before. If not, that might be the most critical place to clean.

 

[timsch75]

I don't think you removed the needle valve before. If not, that might be the most critical place to clean.

I just pulled the needle valve out and it all looks so clean that I think it may be a new carb installed by the PO. It sure doesn't look very used. I sprayed it off with carb cleaner anyway. I could see through the jet.

I'm still trying to figure out what's required to get to the impulse line.

 

[dfkrug]

Thanks for this - just what I needed.

I'm embarrassed that I didn't search for rebuilding 026 carb before asking on the forum, since it shows up on the 1st page of the results.

Edit: reading Woodshop Mike's writeup, it dawned on me that I had checked what I thought was the impulse line, but was actually just the fuel line. I must have misinterpreted the info in the video I had watched a while back.

So---I've not actually checked the impulse line.

I searched for info on how to remove the impulse line, and I don't get many results that give me a good idea of how to do it. The manages to skip right over the removal part. Can anyone point me to a better source? thanks.

I just saw this thread and I was going to mention that you were testing the fuel line, not impulse line.
The MikesWoodShop website clearly shows the impulse line just behind the fuel line. It holds the carb
in, so you have to tug a bit to get it out. Look at his 6th photo, with the yellow circles.

I have taken an 026 and replaced the cyl/piston with aftermarket one that has a compression-release
valve, making it very easy to start. Only the 026 "PRO" version has a CR valve from the factory.

 

[Coyote machine]

So it would seem that maybe the issue with no fuel to the plug has been the mix-up over the impulse line. If it's not working, or cracked or in anyway damaged, that could be the problem with the no start condition.
I suggest you follow through on wood shop mike's other thread about his replacing the piston, rings, and new head, with compression release feature, on his 026. You could easily have cylinder or ring damage, though it combined with a non-functioning impulse line could render your saw unable to start. Once you get the impulse line working/replaced, then you should have fuel delivery and a start condition- finally.

Just like I said- when you find the answer to WHY (no fuel), THEN you can resolve the issue. Now you're onto the why...soon to resolve the situation. If you can get it to start or at least deliver fuel, then you will be able to figure out IF you need to do further investigation into if your top end is good or marginal....

A few more steps....

Definitely try the eyedropper of fresh fuel and see what it tells us...

 

[Coyote machine]

Here's just one link about impulse line(s) and an 026. There are many, many threads on the net about the lines. Arborist.com is a well known site for all kinds of saw fixes, etc. Just use Google and type in how do chainsaw impulse lines work, or similar.

Stihl 26 Needs New Impulse Line | Hearth.com Forums Home

 

[timsch75]

Thanks again for the help, and the links. I've searched quite a bit for stihl impulse 026 (or similar) and did find the same Hearth.com post, but like many of the others, I didn't get a good picture of how to reinstall the impulse line. I gather that it can be pulled off from the side where the carb mounts, but getting it back on is where I'm still foggy. My technical service manual doesn't spell it out, and the Hearth post skips from someone recommending hemostats to the OP stating that he had to take it all apart afterall. I can see through the gap a part of the impulse line, which unfortunately looks pretty good, but can't see where it mounts. I assume it pushes onto a nipple. If I can't get to the nipple with a hemostat, I'll pull it apart, but would like an idea of what needs to come apart.

As far as the eyedropper goes, does the fuel go into the sparkplug port or through the carburator (filter removed)?