The pull rope pulls freely when spark plug is loosened/removed. Compression was not a problem before I did all the change overs to new spark plug, air and fuel filters. I suspect that perhaps there is a mechanism involved in compression release involving the linkage in throttle/choke assemblies that I may have messed up upon replacement of air filter and or covers. Does anyone know if my guess has any merit?
Stihl 026 Chain Saw -Won't Start
- Thread starter csutton88
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Treemonkey1000
Veteran Member
I will have to check my 026. But the compression release would be obvious on top of the saw. Just a black button that you push down. Once it feels a strong push from the piston popping from being detonated then the release goes back into the compression mode. The throttle linkage and filters shouldn't affect how much compression you feel when cranking.
Since it is loose with the plug out that is good. I am trying to think of what else might cause excessive pull. When I have had that situation before it was the pull start rope mechanism having debris in it. I cleaned it out and lubricated it. Then the saw started with normal pressure to pull it.
Since it is loose with the plug out that is good. I am trying to think of what else might cause excessive pull. When I have had that situation before it was the pull start rope mechanism having debris in it. I cleaned it out and lubricated it. Then the saw started with normal pressure to pull it.
I took everything apart and did systematic checks on everything. No binding in pull-start rope when spark plug loosened or removed. Put it all back together and tried again. Was almost as hard as pulling Grandma outta that vat of molasses she fell into a winter ago. So, I took it down to my friendly Stihl dealership and had them take a look. The first guy, Denny, tried to tug a few times and got real religeous on me. Shouted out 'Jesus H. Christ' so many times, I thought I might be in church. Finally, he said 'We'll get Billy to take a look.' Now Billy walks in and had to duck coming thru the door. He's one of those boys that ate ALL of his corn when he was a kid. Billy took the covers off and took out the spark plug and saw it pulled great without it. He reassembled it all and took it in the back room. I couldn't see but I could hear it was trying to turnover and sounded like there was no compression problem at all. After a dozen pulls without a start, he came back in with it. I asked him what he did to overcome the compression problem. He said 'Nothing, I think the problem was you weren't pulling it hard enough.' Denny looked at me and rolled his eyes and his face turned a crimson kind of color. Before he exploded, I said 'Well heck, how long would it take for you boys to get this ol' 026 running real good? Billy said 'About a week or less.' I told them to go ahead on it as it would probably take that long for my shoulder to get right again. So, I'll wait and see what happens. Thank you all for your advice on this.
Eagleview
Veteran Member
How long was the reach on the new plug you put in ? I hope it's not too long and hitting the piston . Does it turn over at all or is it locked up ? Sounds strange it only did it after you put it back together . An 026 does not take much to spin over normaly .
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montanaman
Gold Member
Hey there Parched! I'm gonna ask you something that might not sit too well with you, but just how old are you? I know each day, I don't get younger!!
There is a good chance that they could put a compression release on that saw for you. On the cylinder cover, if you have a black rubber plug, there is a good chance there is a steel plug underneath it that could be replaced with a compression release. Just make sure the grommet is put in there that keeps the cooling air where it belongs!
Another great option would be to add an elasto-start rope. The elasto-start handle has a rubber section in it that will stretch and absorb the compression pulses.
Trust me, the elasto-start works great! I have two 044s, neither with compression release, and I can start them like nothing!
Please let us know how it all turns out.
Ken
There is a good chance that they could put a compression release on that saw for you. On the cylinder cover, if you have a black rubber plug, there is a good chance there is a steel plug underneath it that could be replaced with a compression release. Just make sure the grommet is put in there that keeps the cooling air where it belongs!
Another great option would be to add an elasto-start rope. The elasto-start handle has a rubber section in it that will stretch and absorb the compression pulses.
Trust me, the elasto-start works great! I have two 044s, neither with compression release, and I can start them like nothing!
Please let us know how it all turns out.
Ken
Treemonkey1000
Veteran Member
Great description Parched.! 
Let me know what they say. Compression release is nice on some of these saws. I have that on my 046. The big Husky saw that I have is 100cc's without a Compression release. That thing has a ton of compression and is no fun to start cold. The age factor is starting to figure into my saws also. I will be 51 soon. Still in good enough shape to work all day so far.
Let me know what they say. Compression release is nice on some of these saws. I have that on my 046. The big Husky saw that I have is 100cc's without a Compression release. That thing has a ton of compression and is no fun to start cold. The age factor is starting to figure into my saws also. I will be 51 soon. Still in good enough shape to work all day so far.The reach on the new plug was exactly the same as old plug, both being Bosh. No, it wasn't locked up. The turn over was similar to trying to start my MS460 without using the compression button. Yep, it perplexed me also as to why a compression problem after changing out with new parts that were exactly the same. Befuddled me even more when I put the old parts back on and still had the compression problem. That 026 was NEVER that tight before, which made me think that I must have messed up something in the process. Oh, please don't ask me how I know it was similar to trying to start my 460 without using the compression button.
Eagleview
Veteran Member
I don't suppose a mud wasp built a nest in the clylinder while it was apart ? Or another stab in the dark , the clutch is stuck and the chain brake is on while you are trying to turn it over ?
Hey Ken,
I'm a 54 year old youngin'... I retired from my day job about a year ago and have been busier than I ever was while working. It took me about 3 months to get out of the habit of getting up at 4am to get ready for work. Now, I get up at a more decent time of morn... about 4:30am or so. I spose I'm just getting to that point in life where very few things tend to upset me. Oh, ok... it is a bit unsettleing to watch the garbage man frisbee my lids three houses down the street. I spose there may be a bit of karma in play when he attempts to lift my 300 lb. garbage can next week. Heck, I haven't used that old weight set in years.
I can't see putting a compression button on my 026, it usually being my easiest saw to start. I can see the value in the elasti-start tho. Maybe it'll keep me from using steroids. I'll check that out. Thanks for the heads up.
Great description Parched.!
I agree, that compression button is nice, especially when you 'discover' it after about a dozen pulls.
I think age is relative to your mindset. I still feel like I'm 21, but the body tells me quickly what a liar I am. My 10-14 hour days have succumbed to the call of the shorter 8 hour days.
With my 026 in shop, I was left with only my 460. I can't think of anything worse than not having a back-up when you are on a job. When I was at my local Stihl dealer today, I broke down and got a 260 pro. I can't wait to put that baby into use tomorrow. I have a 50" diameter burr oak job. My 460 with 36" bar will take care of the felling. I'll use the 260 on limbing.
