Stihl 026 Chain Saw -Won't Start

[Egon]

Play with the little screws.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

clogged fuel filter in the tank
collapsed fuel line
pin hole in the primer bulb
gummed up carb.....

Ok some good news....I did put gas in the cylinder and it fired right up. It quit shortly after. It seems as though it definetly is not getting gas though. At least I was able to rule out a few things. I am going to investigate a little more when I have some free time.

Thanks for the information.

 

[smfcpacfp]

clogged fuel filter in the tank
collapsed fuel line
pin hole in the primer bulb
gummed up carb.....

Like Flatheadyyoungin said, check the above with the symptoms you described.

I would just get the carb rebuild kit. If it runs lean because of insufficient gas, you are likely to seize it, which would be more costly to repair.

 

[6sunset6]

I have one of those about 10 years of medium use. Once you get it running here is what I do every fall and have never had a problem getting running the next time I use it. Pour the gas out of the tank back into a fuel can.
Start the saw and let it run it self out. I think this clears the carburator.
I do this with all of my 2 cycle engines and they all seem to like it.
Thats all I do except put some gas saver in the fuel can.

 

[csutton88]

Well.....I started taking everything apart tonight fuel lines, carb, etc. I took the carburetor completely out. It was actually very easy. I checked the fuel line coming from the tank, I tipped the saw upside down and no gas would come out of this line. I think blew on the hose and could tell there was a blockage. I then tipped the saw upside down again and gas was flowing easily. The lines are in good shape with no signs of damage. I cleaned the carburetor off (saw dust) and noticed it has a top and bottom. I took the 4 small screws off and there was a rubber gasket and I did not want to pry it off but, it would not come off. I did not want to force it for fear or ruining this gasket. Should I try a little harder? I did take the other side of the carb off ( 1 large screw) and there is really nothing there that could be blocked. I cleaned it up with carb cleaner and there were no issues. I put everything back together and didn't try it too much because it is 9pm at night around here in a small subdivision and I didn't want to wake any neighbors. I think I will try it again tomorrow where I won't be afraid of waking anyone.

Should I try and get the one side of the carb off? Also the fuel line going from the carb towards the engine is there a way to get this clean?

I will keep trying it out but, I expected that the fuel line that had no fuel flowing would do the trick. I will try it again in the next few days.

Thanks again!

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Don't want to tick off the neighbors.....You mentioned that one time you got fuel flow and the tipped it and couldn't get the fuel to flow. It is a bit of a pain but not impossible to replace the fuel line from the filter in the tank to the carb. I maybe collapsing and kinking on you. That single screw that you took off on the carb is usually the diaphragm side. It doesn't take much gunk at all to block that up. I took that part of my carb off the other day because it was running poorly. Two tiny grains of sawdust were in there about the size of big grains of sand. That's all it takes sometimes. Just be careful with tearing that diaphragm. I would leave the side of the carb with the four screws until you have tried it out again. A carb rebuild kit is about $12 for those things. When you put the carb back on make sure that the boot is clean and pliable so that there is no air leaks. Don't tighten the carb mounting screws too tight also.

 

[csutton88]

Good afternoon all,

I thank you all for the help. I did just get the saw running. It turns out it was a blocked fuel line from the tank to the carb. I put everything back together and after about 10 to 15 pulls it started up. It since is starting up right at the first pull.

Thanks again for all the help.

-Chris

 

[Shmudda]

Well.....did you piss off the neighbors?????

Inquiring minds want to know! I know I would have.....hahahaha!

Craig

 

[Egon]

blocked fuel line

Reminds me of the time my son, bless his soul, poured a box of gelatin into the fuel tank on my Homolite saw!

Yes it did happen!

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

i think it's great how people on here help each other but i like the fact even more that people click on the link just hoping for an update.......like everyone is pulling for the other person to get something fixed without having to pay someone to do it!

good job....


and i don't know about you, but i sure don't care for those HOMOlite saws

 

[montanaman]

i think it's great how people on here help each other but i like the fact even more that people click on the link just hoping for an update.......like everyone is pulling for the other person to get something fixed without having to pay someone to do it!

good job....


and i don't know about you, but i sure don't care for those HOMOlite saws

Hey now watch it there! Some of us on here try to feed our kids with the money folks pay us for repairing things. I work very well with my customers, but I can't tell you how many times someone will bring something in and I wish they would have brought it to me before they tried to fix it. There is a simple but complete procedure that I follow when something comes in for repair. I have a lot of very special and expensive tools that help me save time, and my customers money on repairs.

On this 026, one of my favorite saws, a piston and cylinder is about $200. It pays to have a complete pressure check of the fuel system and also a pressure and vacuum check of the engine to make sure you don't lean it out and burn it up. I also do an RPM check on a saw when it is in for service to set the max RPMs where they should be with the high mixture.

Basic maint work like plugs and filters can be done by anyone, but I see a lot of saws burn up when people think they should be touching the carb adjustment screws.

Ken

 

[Willl]

Hey now watch it there! Some of us on here try to feed our kids with the money folks pay us for repairing things.

So you would rather we don't help folks who ask for help ?

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

i worked at a stihl dealership....

there will always be those that can't fix things, those that are willing to try and those that can......

i had a catchy little phrase, but i'm about to fall asleep and forgot it!

i was pointing out how people are willing to help people, not only that but to further it, will check back a LOT to see if there is success.....

you can offer that same type of commitment and giving a crap to the customers that come in your dealership......same thing, just a different level

 

[csutton88]

I appreciate the help. I did not mess with any adjustment screw! I have learned that much. I am an aircraft mechanic both militarily and civilian as well. I completely agree with the comment that sometimes things should be left to the professionals.

By the way......I have a HOMELITE chainsaw as well that is early 1960's era. I think it will be my project for the winter. I am going to be on the boards. It hasn't run in about 4 years or so.

That is a real chainsaw, it sounds like a thrashing machine and it takes everything you have just to carry it around.

Thanks again!

 

[zzvyb6]

Now I feel terrible. I got a brand new Stihl Ranchhand 10 years ago and never used it (started it up, only). Tomorrow I'll have to find out how bad it is....

My 1972 Homelite XL 14" is still running strong after cutting wood, concrete, steel wire, stones, an aluminum ladder and falling out of a tree. Sharpened only and a new chain a few times....

 

[montanaman]

So you would rather we don't help folks who ask for help ?

I'm glad for boards like these and I do add to a lot of threads. I was more or less joking about the way it was stated. I also spend a lot of time in my shop giving advise to folks and most of the time, they aren't people that I have ever made a dime off of. Just the other day I had a guy who I spent about a half an hour with call to tell me how happy he was that I told him exactly what was wrong with his saw so I gained nothing from this. At some point though, I do need to buy groceries

My main point was that I do see a ton of small jobs that turn into major dollars when not done properly. I have a saw in my shop now that needs a $300 crankshaft because an attempt was made to remove the clutch with an impact gun.................

Ken

 

[wushaw]

I'm glad for boards like these and I do add to a lot of threads. I was more or less joking about the way it was stated. I also spend a lot of time in my shop giving advise to folks and most of the time, they aren't people that I have ever made a dime off of. Just the other day I had a guy who I spent about a half an hour with call to tell me how happy he was that I told him exactly what was wrong with his saw so I gained nothing from this. At some point though, I do need to buy groceries

My main point was that I do see a ton of small jobs that turn into major dollars when not done properly. I have a saw in my shop now that needs a $300 crankshaft because an attempt was made to remove the clutch with an impact gun.................

Ken

The positive thing about that non-paying customer is all the people he will tell about his experience with you and they could very well turn into paying customers.

 

[forester2]

Replace the fuel line; I had one the the line turned to mush and the goo eventually will clog the carb

 

[parched]

I have a stihl 026 that sat for about 3 years. It wouldn't start. I replaced the spark plug, air filter, fuel filter and line to carb. I think the main problem was clogged fuel line since no gas was coming thru upon test when disassembled. Put it all back together and now compression is so tight, I can barely pull the rope. There is no compression release button on the 026 like there is on my 460. What must I do to alleviate this compression to be able to pull the rope? Anyone have an electronic ebook of repairing an 026 that would share?

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Try pulling the plug and see if it is still tight. If it is you may have rust on the cylinder walls. Spray some WD-40 down the hole and crank on it to see if that loosens it up. I wouldn't use a heavy oil as that could foul the plug when you do put it back in. The 026 can have a bit of compression to work against. If you still have problems then I would suspect your pull starter mechanism. Those need cleaning and lubricating at times as well. Just try not to pull out the recoil spring