Stihl 026 Chain Saw -Won't Start

[parched]

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?

 

[Treemonkey1000]

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.

 

[parched]

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]

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. Put it all back together and now compression is so tight, I can barely pull the rope. What must I do to alleviate this compression to be able to pull the rope?

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 .

 

[montanaman]

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

 

[Treemonkey1000]

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.

 

[parched]

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 .

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]

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 ?

 

[parched]

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

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.

 

[parched]

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.

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.

 

[parched]

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 ?

Nope, no nest. Chain brake was the first thing I checked. I'm kind of thinking there is a clog from the gas tank to carb or maybe in carb itself. Reason being, there was no gas in cylinder or carb. Could it be sucking air and that was causing the hard rope pull?

 

[638]

Those little saws have a lot of compression, thats why they have so much power. My Stihl has a wind up spring in it, just keep making short pulls on the rope and it will start. Not hard to pull at all. I'm not strong enough anymore to start a regular saw.

 

[slowzuki]

My MS260 starts really easy, I'm wondering if the recoil spool is jamming against something under load?

 

[pat32rf]

I found that the older it got the harder my 026 was to pull so I got myself a smaller saw and gave the 26 to my young helper. He has no problems cranking it over ;-)

 

[canucklehead]

My Stihl was working great and suddenly won't start. I put some gas in cylinder and it fires right up, but won't stay running. So it's starving for fuel.

Dumped out old gas and filter is very clean.Removed filter, disconnected fuel line from carb, and blew air thru it. good flow. ALSO, when I tilted saw, i could get fuel dripping.

I believe there is a vacuum line from cylinder (?) to intake, to help suck fuel. I can see pulling off that line at the cylinder end willbe a bit tricky to re-attach, so I've left it.

Took carb off and sprayed cleaner all over, also took off both caps and there might have been some crud, but I thot I got everything. I never removed the float needle tho, but I sprayed cleaner in that area with it open and closed.

any thoughts on what's preventing my fuel flow?

thanks

 

[Treemonkey1000]

There is a little screen under the diaphram in the carb that gets crudded up at times. You have to clean that out I think with all of the other things you have done. Another thing is fuel lines get either soft and spongy and collapse cutting off the fuel. Or they can get hard and brittle causing pin hole air leaks which doesn't help. Be very careful talking off the carb and the diaphram so as to not tear it.
The other thing I preach is the carb to cylinder head gasket. If it is leaking too much air you won't get the saw to run right.

 

[canucklehead]

i cleaned the screen...it's a full size cover, just under the 1 screw carb lid..kind of brass colored. it was very clean already.

 

[RobertN]

That is the impulse line. It acts on pressure/vaccum impulses from the crankcase, with the diaphragm in the carb as a fuel pump. If the line is bad, cracked, kinked, you will not get fuel. Also the diaphragm in the carb can dry out.

The fuel line could also be collapsing; they get soft, especially with the gas in use these days.

I believe there is a vacuum line from cylinder (?) to intake, to help suck fuel. I can see pulling off that line at the cylinder end willbe a bit tricky to re-attach, so I've left it.

 

[canucklehead]

i'd have to lean towards diaphragm, because i can blow air thru fuel line, and the impulse line looks good, no kinks or cracks. also, the fuel line drips fuel steady when I disconnect it from carb and rotate saw around.

what does a carb kit come with?

 

[RobertN]

But the carb will be pulling fuel thru the fuel line, so can collapse under vacuum/low pressure.

Diaphragm came in kits I have bought for 024's.

i'd have to lean towards diaphragm, because i can blow air thru fuel line, and the impulse line looks good, no kinks or cracks. also, the fuel line drips fuel steady when I disconnect it from carb and rotate saw around.

what does a carb kit come with?