Go BottomStihl 026 chain saw does not start
 | DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ 
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2008-05-27 153992
I felled 5 trees a month ago with my Stihl 026 chain saw, limbing one of them and cutting it into fireplace links. I went out yesterday to finish the job and could not get the saw started, saw gave no sign of life. Cleaned the air filter with compressed air, rinsed it in gasoline. Still no go.
Today, I tried to start it after the over night rest and it still would not start!
I then tried Murfs suggestion of splashing a little gas on the filter. This got it going but only as long as the fuel in the filter allowed it to go. Repeated splashing the filter 3 times with same result, starts runs, then runs out of gas.
So I guess this means the electrical system is good but I have some problem in the fuel system.
The saw is 11 years old and I am wondering if I should chuck it and get a new one. The last time I went down this road and had the shop rebuild it, I only got a year out of it before I had problems again. Comments!
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-05-27 153995
Sounds to me like a case of crud in the fuel system.
As you said, if it lights up on gas from an external source then dies when it runs out, it's just not getting gas.
My best guess would be the in-tank filter or the carb itself.
Don't over look the impulse line, if it has a leak (like it's gone hard) it won't pump any gas.
Best of luck. ....
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 | greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky 
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2008-05-27 153997
Dennis, the fuel lines on both my McCullough and my Stihl are small gauge clear plastic tubing. Prolonged exposure to fuel will harden them to the point of actually cracking/breaking. For that reason, both McCullough and Stihl put extra fuel line inside the tank.
Expose the carb and fuel line, pull extra line out of the tank. Cut off the hardened line, refasten a fresh end to the carb
//greg// ....
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 | harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-05-28 154009
Sounds like a fuel issue. BUT before I ever do anything, when doesn't run, I replace the plug. ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-05-28 154017
Many years ago I worked with a gentleman who had terrible problems with his chain saw. After much the shop finally found water in the gas tank. Not much, but enough. The fuel should be checked as has been stated. kt ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2008-05-28 154022
I pulled the filter out of the tank, the screen was so clean that it looked brand new, no crud or debris, so that is not the problem. The fuel lines are flexible black corrugated material and look to be in like new condition as does the carburetor.
I pulled the plug and it is the original 11 year old one, pretty black but the electode in good shape and gap ok. Anyway it runs great with a splash of gas, but a new plug is cheap after 11 years ;)
I was thinking of pulling the gas line and filter out of the tank again and removing the filter end, and then sticking the nipple of my air compressor in the hose and pushing anything stuck in the line out. Is that a bad idea?
Then I was going to make some new gas mix up and give it a try.
I rebuilt many a automotive carburetor when I was a kid with uncertain results (meaning no improvement no worse).
The carb kit for the saw is only $14, but that saw now costs over $500 now so maybe having a shop mess with it is better approach. I only have some crapy schematics that don't really show how to disassemble the saw for this repair.
Getting an heating oil delivery today 300 gallons at $4.35 per gallon, about $1,300.00 bucks. So money goes fast these days, seems foolish to be pondering this item for so long, hey just the tinkering interest ;)
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 | neverforget
Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 n.c 
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2008-05-28 154024
go to arboristsite.com, chainsaw section. You will get more info. then you thought was available. If you search the site, use Google since the site search engine leaves a lot to be desired.
The saw is worth saving, don't dump it. Replace all those hoses and fuel pick up. New plug, and fresh mix.
Good luck and have a great one.
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2008-05-28 154037
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That Arboristsite is super paranoid over there, I registered yesterday. And complied with their email verification requirement. I did not think it was really necessary to give them my birth date and left many of their intrusive to me questions as "na" to be filled in later. I only registered so that I could see the referenced pix and pdf files and get more info on my 026. I never posted anything.
Well today I went there to find some more info on the Stihl 026, and found that I had been banned "forever" as a "spammer".
I wrote them an email explaining my situation gave them my name, address and phone number, and he replied he would have to discuss the matter with the other moderators.
My god what a crazy place!
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2008-05-28 154038
Ok
Today I put in a new Bosch spark plug (why not)
I pulled the in tank filter and tried to blow some compressed air thru the light weight tube. Oops! too much pressure broke off a piece.
Therefore I had to pull the carb to get the hose out. Blew compressed air all over it and jeez it looks like it just came off the production line.
Does anyone know if the impulse hose just pulls out with pin nose pliers, and shove a new one back in? It looked OK to me and I did not want to pull it out as if that is not the way to do it, it might be a real pain to put it back.
I guess I am lucky the local dealer has just one of the tank hoses in stock, I plan to put new hoses in and the carb back without rebuilding, get some fresh gas and give it a go. We will see, I did not see anything wrong so I am not optimistic.
I took a look at the Husavarna saws at Lowes and the 300 series seems to be made in Sweden, while the cheaper ones are assembled in the US. Sadly, many sites look at assembled in US as a detractor, mostly because of concern that Poulan may have more of the engineering sway there.
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| neverforget
Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 n.c
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2008-05-29 154040
Dennis,
There have been MANY trolls and spammers on the AS site so (heck, I was accused of "thread spamming" once and it was an innocent post (I am ENTS over there)) Yes,they do screen new registrations. Possibly your handle matched a previous offender (what handle did you use? (so I may inquire (not that I have any pull) as to why someone I referred was rejected). I'd be interested in knowing your out come. Did the person you conversed with identify themselves?
I'll see if I can get an IPL for that saw.
Later,
Just came back from AS. There is (amongst many "Dennis ...") one that has been banned. Possibly you id was close to that person and thus the reason for the reply you got.
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| neverforget
Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 n.c
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2008-05-29 154041
Dennis,
Go to Google, advance search put 026 in "all these words" and IPL in the "this exact wording..." and specify arboristsite.com in the domain. You will get many discussions and requests for service man. and IPLs. One discussion relates to the fuel lines.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=64679
This one has a PDF copy of IPL in it (I'd post the file but don't know how to on this site).
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=40136
If those above links do not work, just do the Google search and you'll get to them.
Later,
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-05-29 154045
Dennis, it is my understanding the prices on Husky equipment is the same regardless of who sells it. I would sure suggest buying where it could and would be serviced if you buy one.
Was helping a friend recently who has two Huskys. No idea the model but his smaller one was a real pain to crank. Another person who was also helping had one in the same size range and said he has same problem. They both said it was the design of the saw somehow and there was nothing to be done. I have a Husky hedge trimmer with at least as large engine and it starts fine. But my engine has one of the pump bulbs and their saws did not. kt
kt ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2008-05-29 154054
I went to the local Stihl dealer today to get the fuel tank hose, I also bought the carb kit .
I put a new plug in yesterday, today I got new gas mix, installed the new fuel line with the old tank filter, put the warbol carb back in without rebuilding it. Why mess with it and introduce new headaches unless it is a must.
Poured a tablespoon (used a paper cup to pour it in) of mix in the open carb throat, got a little bit of start but no go for constant run, repeated this 3 times, and got it going. Helped suck the fuel into the carb which I had blown out with compressed air yesterday.
Now it runs great! Very happy camper.
Total repair cost $10.
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 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2008-06-02 154155
Congratulations Dennis! Now you know how to fix the most common problem with the chain saws! ....
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 | Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4299 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2008-06-03 154172
Just a suggestion if you are not already doing this Dennis. Mix Stabil double strength in with your chainsaw gas mix. It DOES make a difference. Chainsaws get used a small amount of time during the year and set unused the rest of the time. Untreated gas can gum up the carb and cause problems over time. I also run a batch of Berryman's B12 or Seafoam in my first batch of 2 stroke gas mix for my saws to help keep the carbs clean.
Sounds to me like you need to keep your oil furnace as an emergency backup and change over to wood heat. If you have ducted heating, you can add on a wood furnace like this one.
This is the same wood furnace I use to heat my home but mine is a 1600M that I purchased from Tractor Supply Company.
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Link: Clayton 1600 Wood Furnace
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-06-03 154177
Chief brings up a good point, as usual.
It doesn't occur to me because 2 stroke mix never lasts long enough to go bad, but I know the fellas that run it in the Rotax-powered ultra-light aircraft at my airport say that they won't use it if it's more 60 days old!!
The instructor says he can feel the difference in the performance of the gas/oil mix after as little as a month of sitting around. He also uses nothing but the best gas and 2 stroke oil he can get his hands on!
You should also, BTW, NEVER use ethanol mix gas in any 2 stroke engine. Bad news.
Best of luck. ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2008-06-03 154178
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Chief I do use Stabil, never heard of Berryman's. I burned alot of wood last winter in my Jotul Stove, but it is hard to heat the whole house that way. We kept the oil furnace at a constant 61 degrees the entire winter.
Might need a smaller bungalo ;) to make living more practical.
Dennis ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2015-05-15 192781
Update seven years later....
Almost gave up on the 026 again this year. Even bought a new saw at Lowes, but also bought a new plug for the 026 as a last ditch effort to get her going again.
New plug new gas, resurrected. Returned new saw to Lowes.
That was 4 weeks ago. Got another tree to work on today. Will see if the 026 is ready to go.
Dennis ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2021-07-08 200417
Update : Have not run the saw since my last post in 2015.
Got new Premium gas, double stabil .
Got new Plug.
Poured 5 ml fuel into plug hole
Brief run couple seconds
Poured another 5 ml into sparkplug hole
Poured 5 ml fuel into plug hole
On the third attempt I had a running saw, used it to fell a tree running for several hours.
No new saw for me :-)
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| Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4299 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2021-07-08 200418
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Now that's what I'm talking about! Stihl saws just keep on runnin' if you take half way decent care of them. ....
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2709 NorthWest NJ
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2021-07-09 200420
Chief,
Great feeling when things go so well when after such a long dormant period things could have gone so wrong !
Dennis ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2021-07-09 200423
It can be a bit of a PITA sometimes but I've found a small pail can be the best tool for your handheld gas powered tools that are not regularly used.
When you're finished, take the cap off and drain out the remaining fuel into the pail and then back into the jerry can. Once drained restart the tool and run t until it starts to stall out then apply full choke.
An empty carb and fuel system can't plug up in storage.
Best of luck. ....
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| Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4299 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2021-07-09 200424
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I did something like that recently. I let my Stihl O-66 set for a few years. It was almost impossible to start. It like to wore a younger man out that tried to impress me with his "chainsaw starting skills". LOL! He got it started but I think he hurt himself doing it. I tried to start it a few days later and after about 45 minutes of pulling on the start rope, I was exhausted. I got few pops out of it but she would not start. I finally broke down and gave her a small wif of ether. Not much, just enough to get it started. I ran about 3 tanks a gas through it and now it starts fine. Letting them sit around with gas in them for long periods of time is asking for trouble. Better to drain the gas out like Murf said or at least start them up periodically and run them to keep them reliable. ....
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| harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2021-07-14 200427
Chief is still kickin, lost track. Back to saw. All said my only headache has been the fuel hose in tank with a crack oyher was the little strainer crusted over.
Always a new plug whenever... ....
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