FarmerWill
Well-known member
Bought a Homelite chainsaw couple of years back, got it out. Won't start. Looks like carb issue. Lines have rotted. Air filter turned to mush. South Texas heat, humidity.... start over or repair? Is this worth it?
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Homelite chainsaw... question
- Thread starter FarmerWill
- Start date
dcg9381
Well-known member
More like ethanol gas.Looks like carb issue. Lines have rotted. Air filter turned to mush. South Texas heat, humidity.... start over or repair? Is this worth it?
Personally, I'd replace the lines, replace the carb and expect that thing to be good again. If you're handy you can "rebuild" the carb - but I've generally just started replacing them.
Keep ethanol out of that thing... Seriously, I've got a 10 year old Echo saw, it's never had a primer repair or fuel line repair as I don't run ethanol blended gas.
OP
FarmerWill
Well-known member
I used it to cut a pile of mesquite some months back. I am like depressed how bad this all is. Found the kit on Amazon, like $15. Ordered. Wow.More like ethanol gas.
Personally, I'd replace the lines, replace the carb and expect that thing to be good again. If you're handy you can "rebuild" the carb - but I've generally just started replacing them.
Keep ethanol out of that thing... Seriously, I've got a 10 year old Echo saw, it's never had a primer repair or fuel line repair as I don't run ethanol blended gas.
freudianfloyd
Well-known member
All depends on what model it is. If it is one of the newer plastic saws, then if it can't be fixed by replacing a few lines and cleaning the carb, I would go looking for a new saw. The old Homelites were tanks and worth saving.Bought a Homelite chainsaw couple of years back, got it out. Won't start. Looks like carb issue. Lines have rotted. Air filter turned to mush. South Texas heat, humidity.... start over or repair? Is this worth it?
mikeyr
Well-known member
I got tired of yearly rebuilding carbs on a chain saw I hardly ever use, even running the thing dry when done and it would not start a year later. I went electric and now gone battery so no more cords. If its a bigger job, I can rebuild the carb but not needed to do that since I got a battery unit 3 years ago. Beauty is now that i don't have to worry about gas or making it run, I grab the battery powered one more often during the year and don't have any major work to do once a year like before when i only gassed up the saw once a year. Granted the battery does not last long so I kept my gas saw just in case I have a bigger job someday.
c39er
Well-known member
I still have my XL12 1981 Homelite all metal 20" saw.
Have used it constantly on my 5 acres since 1981...
Have only used pump gas including ethanol for at least the last 15 years.
Still all original carb and saw.
A wonderful loud saw.
But I do have a really newer Echo limbing saw too...pump gas too...one carb rebuild 4 years ago.
Have used it constantly on my 5 acres since 1981...
Have only used pump gas including ethanol for at least the last 15 years.
Still all original carb and saw.
A wonderful loud saw.
But I do have a really newer Echo limbing saw too...pump gas too...one carb rebuild 4 years ago.
finn
Well-known member
I have, along with my Stihls and Husqvarnas, a n almost twenty year old Ryobi RY10532, which is a Chinese made copy of a Japanese Redmax with a Zendoa engine. The saw needed a worm gear to drive the oil pump.
After an internet search, I found that the bar oil pump was common with Chinese built Homelites and a number of clones sold under various other brand names.
Parts are common, and inexpensive for these saws.
I would throw a few parts at your Homelite, but you sound like the target market for the battery saws now available.
After an internet search, I found that the bar oil pump was common with Chinese built Homelites and a number of clones sold under various other brand names.
Parts are common, and inexpensive for these saws.
I would throw a few parts at your Homelite, but you sound like the target market for the battery saws now available.
jwilson645
Well-known member
I have a Homelite CS50 that I bought used a few years ago but it looked like new. It was always a 3 pull starter until the primer bulb dried out and popped. I put a new one and fuel lines on it but it would never start again. I "rebuilt" the carb as much as you can but it still wouldn't start. It's definitely a fuel issue. I would really like to put a new carb on it and try to get it running again.
I was a Homelite dealer. IMO, the older saws were tanks, but they were terrible saw, loud, vibration and slow cutting. Any modern saw will out cut them.All depends on what model it is. If it is one of the newer plastic saws, then if it can't be fixed by replacing a few lines and cleaning the carb, I would go looking for a new saw. The old Homelites were tanks and worth saving.
Years ago I had a Homelite 150. I had a couple tree to cut gown and started with it and a new chain. I wasnt happy with the progress so I grabbed a newer Poulan but with a smaller engine and it out cut that Homelite two to one. Faster engine RPM equaled higher chain speed. The Homelite got tossed to the curb on clean up week.
If it is a newer Homelite, for the most part they are made in China. Parts availability? Good question. Older saws are about impossible to get parts. Luckily the gas lines for most are a straight line and available in bulk from a good engine shop. Carb kits are similar, and good shop should be able to get you one, as some online companies. I would do a quick search for parts and if you can find something without too much pain maybe repair it, otherwise it is a wall hanger.
Homelite was bought out buy some large Chinese conglomerate, I think the same one that owns Ryobi and Milwaukee.
That can be said for most saws if you take care of them. I inherited my dad's Stihl 026. He used it to cut wood for heating his house and hunting cabin for years and it is still in great shape. I just went through it and cleaned it up, new chain and it is ready to go.I still have my XL12 1981 Homelite all metal 20" saw.
Have used it constantly on my 5 acres since 1981...
Have only used pump gas including ethanol for at least the last 15 years.
Still all original carb and saw.
A wonderful loud saw.
But I do have a really newer Echo limbing saw too...pump gas too...one carb rebuild 4 years ago.
I mentioned a Poulan I had. I finaly tossed it a year ago. I have had it since 1989. Granted I don't cut much wood, but I also will go help friends. I tried to keep it in shape and running. I finally tossed it as it needed some minor parts and a tune up. I put a carb kit in it and fuel lines and it still would not run. It also needed a bar and chains, It had run it's use fullness and I tossed it.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
First rule of small engines, never store one more than a couple of weeks with fuel in the carb. If it is more like a couple of months, drain the tank.
As for repairing it, I would, but I like this kind of challenge. Getting it apart is 40% of the battle. Reassembling it is 59%. The other 1% is fixing what is wrong. Fuel lines are easy. Use genuine Tygon fuel lines. They will last longer.
Stay away from non-OEM carbs. Most are junk. Rebuilding is not that difficult. Pay very close attention to EXACTLY how the gasket and diaphragms are placed on to the carb body.
As for repairing it, I would, but I like this kind of challenge. Getting it apart is 40% of the battle. Reassembling it is 59%. The other 1% is fixing what is wrong. Fuel lines are easy. Use genuine Tygon fuel lines. They will last longer.
Stay away from non-OEM carbs. Most are junk. Rebuilding is not that difficult. Pay very close attention to EXACTLY how the gasket and diaphragms are placed on to the carb body.
andyvh1959
Well-known member
Got my old Poulan 16" chain saw from a pawn store in Houghton MI for $40. Runs good, starts after about five pulls for as infrequently as I use it. I never use any E10 or E15 gas, only whole gas in the gas/oil mix. If it needs a carb rebuild I'll do it and keep it going.
OP
FarmerWill
Well-known member
Hey guys- quick update. Bought a carb/hose/filter kit from Amazon. Worked. Will post the link and such.
OP
FarmerWill
Well-known member
Okay this is the kit I bought.
Set me back $13. The vacuum port is SHORTER. A lot shorter. But, the thing works pretty well.
Set me back $13. The vacuum port is SHORTER. A lot shorter. But, the thing works pretty well.
supratreo
Well-known member
i used to rebuild carbs but these days a new chinese carb from amazon is cheaper than a carb kit and works everytime. i've started using Sta-bil and have had a lot less issues with my small engines. i actually just fired up my chainsaw yesterday after having it sit for at least a year and it fired up and ran fine.
SweetD
Well-known member
Marine Sta-Bil works really well to deter the effects of E-10 in modern fuel. I use it not only in my marine fuel but also for all of my small engine fuel.i used to rebuild carbs but these days a new chinese carb from amazon is cheaper than a carb kit and works everytime. i've started using Sta-bil and have had a lot less issues with my small engines. i actually just fired up my chainsaw yesterday after having it sit for at least a year and it fired up and ran fine.
supratreo
Well-known member
makes sense. good to know, thank you.