chain saws

Northvale - PA · Nov 18, 2013

I was using my Stihl 029 a week ago, running fine for about 2 hours, then started losing power. I assume the fuel line cracked and started sucking air. So, this weekend I borrowed my dad's. Ran fine for about 2 hours, same thing. I mixed up fresh gas right from the station. No change. What are the odds both saws need new gas lines? I dropped both off at the local repair shop. No explanation yet.

Paul from MI · Nov 18, 2013

Might want to look at the air filters. Some saws seem to plug quicker than others.

D beatty · Nov 18, 2013

Did you use the same gas in both of them ? If so was the fuel fresh ( most Stihl dealer recommend keeping chainsaw gas for only 90 days)? You could have got a hold of some gas that was not fresh.

Dean · Nov 18, 2013

I have an 029 bought new in 1996. It's been a good one.

You must keep the air filter clean.

You should also check to see if the muffler screan is clogged if you do not carefully mix the fuel. Should not have any problems if fuel is properly mixed but the screen will clog, restricting the exhaust if you use too much oil as some do.

Dean

Dean · Nov 18, 2013

I routinely use mix that is over 12 months old without any issues.

I do use Stihl oil.

Dean

D beatty · Nov 18, 2013

Another thing to check is the fuel filter. My MS 250 acted up the other day and stopped and wouldn't restart. Took it home and air filter ok and spark ok on a 2 week old plug. I than dumped fuel and could see some dirt in it . I than flushed tank changed fuel filter and has run fine since then.

D beatty · Nov 18, 2013

I use Echo and Stihl chainsaws and both dealers told me to use a product that they sell that will combat the effects of ethanol gasoline and will stabilize the fuel for 2 years. I'am going to use it and see if it works. I use 92 octane gasoline with Opti-2 for over 10 years. One mix covers all saws.

ShadetreeRet · Nov 18, 2013

Any paranormal activity suspected around your place?

FBH44 · Nov 19, 2013

Dealer showed me this; Pull the muffler screen out, use a propane torch [not acetylene, too hot] and burn off all the carbon, then just stick it back in. Mine needs that every so often.

UncleTom · Nov 19, 2013

What D Beatty said about Opti-2. Good stuff. I have my dads old Stihl 031av. Cant get ignition coils or points or condensor. I installed and electronic ignition module from and old weadeater and it runs like a top. It use to die and wouldnt restart. Also with hotter spark it will sit on the ground and idle till your ready to go full throttle with it.

Bret4207 · Nov 19, 2013

I doubt the fuel lines would go at the same time in both. It's likely fuel related. I'd be looking at the filters and checking that mixed gas and see what it looks like. Water in the fuel will do what you describe.

Texasmark1 · Nov 19, 2013

I do too and it is stabilized.

Mark

D beatty · Nov 19, 2013

I use to use Stihl oil but went to Opti-2 over 10 years ago when I bought my first new Stihl saw. It has alway had a stabilizer in it .Opti-2 has no smoke and never an build up of carbon on screens of muffler. Nephew still uses Stihl oil in his saws and they smoke a lot and mufflers are dirty compared to using Opti-2. The major thing I like about Opti-2 is one mix for all makes and models of saws I don't have to carry several cans of gas.

Dean · Nov 19, 2013

My 029 is 18 years old.

I have always used Stihl oil.

It has never smoked and the muffler screan is clean as a whistle.

Of course, I do mix according to the instructions.

A friend of mine simply pours some oil into the tank when he adds gasoline. His mufflers are routinely plugged and his saws smoke like chimneys.

Dean

D beatty · Nov 19, 2013

I do as you do and mix to instructions but in summer when temps are hot I mix a little extra oil in mixture.I also use 92 octane gasoline and never buy gas from a cut rate filling stations ( got bad gas twice never go back again).

Part Time Pete · Nov 19, 2013

I used to use valvoline 2-cycle- Recently I used some Klotz (it's what my kid runs in his moto-cross bike). It's $20 a quart, but it makes a huge difference. Hi test gas also helps - I can get that around here without ethanol.

mkirsch · Nov 19, 2013

Same symptoms mean common causes.

The only thing in common was:

1. Fuel
2. Conditions

You said you mixed fresh fuel. What did you mix? Give specific amounts of specific products.

The saw shop will probably find two scored cylinders, which means it's something you did.

People will call BS on this, but too much oil is as bad as not enough. Sorry, it is true. It's science:

Oil displaces the fuel in the mix. The more oil you put in the less fuel you get. The less fuel you get, the leaner the mixture. Run too lean, and the engine gets hot and that's where you end up with scored pistons and cylinders.

Hopefully it's not scored, though, because then you owe your dad a new saw.

LarryH · Nov 19, 2013

it is called ethanol we see it every day and fix hundreds of small engines it is great for business

farmer boy · Nov 19, 2013

If the air filters on the 029's are the same as what's used on the MS250, they must be kept clean. They are an undersized filter that must be kept clean to supply enough air. They aren't that expensive. $6-7. Just replace it once a year and clean it out every 10 hours of operation. Only takes 2 minutes to clean, even faster if you blow it out (from the inside!) with compressed air. While it may be having fuel line issues, that's a problem normally reserved (on a large scale) for the MS series.

GVSII · Nov 19, 2013

The more oil you add the less fuel gets in leading to a lean mix.Thats when you richen the high speed screw.Every 2 stroke I have I'm running a little heavy on oil.I'm seeing no engine damage.A little more smoke but thats a plus during black fly season.

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