Stihl 026 Air Filter Issue

[drf255]

So I just finished a ported 026. Compression around 225 psi right now. 104/119/74. WT194 carb.

I had a AM flocked air filter on it. It started Ok, but then started doing all sorts of weird stuff. So I swapped carbs, rebuilt 2 carbs, changed the plug. Finally I tried it with no air filter and it came to life.

I added a fine mesh metal filter and the saw ran fine. Brutal actually.

I'm having a hard time even breathing air through the fibers of the Air filter.

I don't think I'm pulling the choke closed, I have it set fairly rich and I'm only at 14,200 right now.

Are there any good aitfilters left for the poor 026, or is one relegated to either the (rare and expensive) metal filter of swapping over to a 260 filter and cover?

Damn saw drove me nuts for 3 hours.

 

[cutforfun]

After I ported my 026 it would not run with an aftermarket air filter. Put an OEM back on it ,and have not had a problem

 

[drf255]

I can buy 3 aftermarket Air boxes and filters for an MS260 for less than the price of the metal OEM 026 filter. And that's if you can find one.

The metal 024 filters are easier to find and look like they'd work just fine.

 

[jmssaws]

I need a pic of one and I'll dig through my parts,I may have one.

 

[Creeker]

The after market 026 filter I put on mine wasn't switching off the choke properly, it'd start initially but fail to
run on as it still had partial choke. (sourced from US)

After you have taken choke off in starting cycle check tab to see it's actually fully off is all I can suggest.

When I put the old filter back on it started ran just fine.

 

[anlrolfe]

I had an AM filter that did similar. Suspect spray glue that held flocking to the plastic frame got put on too thick. Almost like it got painted with varnish.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I have upgraded my personal 026`s to the mesh style 260 airfilters and filter covers. I had to modify the tall black tank vent to fit in under the wider filter, these filters can supply a ported 026 with plenty of air, the stock flocked filters could not.

 

[ccronin]

How did you modify the tank vent?

 

[pioneerguy600]

How did you modify the tank vent?

They can be cut down short enough to fit in under the wider filter.

 

[ccronin]

Thanks!

 

[Brewz]

The after market 026 filter I put on mine wasn't switching off the choke properly, it'd start initially but fail to
run on as it still had partial choke. (sourced from US)

After you have taken choke off in starting cycle check tab to see it's actually fully off is all I can suggest.

When I put the old filter back on it started ran just fine.

I had an AM filter that did similar. Suspect spray glue that held flocking to the plastic frame got put on too thick. Almost like it got painted with varnish.

I have a late 026 pro that has a 260 carb, air filter, tank vent etc.
I bought an aftermarket air filter from teh US and it did the same thing.
After a bit of playing around I found that when it is tightened down to the carb, it actually squeezes the filter in and there is a small plastic molding imperfection lip on the choke flap shaft that sticks and only lets it open back up half way.
I smoothed out the imperfection and it works fine now.

It also breathes FAR better than the OEM flocked filter, in fact it offers almost zero resistance when I put my mouth over the filter surface and blow.

 

[Mad Professor]

I refuse to run mesh filters as they let fines through.

Do 260 filters flow much better?

 

[Creeker]

Thanks brewz, I'll put the specs on and have another look

 

[Brewz]

I took some pics yesterday
I will post them later on when I am at my computer

 

[Rockjock]

I have a late 026 pro that has a 260 carb, air filter, tank vent etc.
I bought an aftermarket air filter from teh US and it did the same thing.
After a bit of playing around I found that when it is tightened down to the carb, it actually squeezes the filter in and there is a small plastic molding imperfection lip on the choke flap shaft that sticks and only lets it open back up half way.
I smoothed out the imperfection and it works fine now.

It also breathes FAR better than the OEM flocked filter, in fact it offers almost zero resistance when I put my mouth over the filter surface and blow.

IIRC that is a Winter filter you are running. It is a mesh screen type yeah? When it comes to a air filter I do not cheap out. They last a very long time and are over the long run cheap insurance.

Winter type

Flocked air filter.

 

[Creeker]

Good pic, thanks rockjock, the small protruding choke tab on the right was failing to return to the off
position, saw wouldn't run after starting.

The tab problem only came after tightening the two screws that hold a/filter on.

I think we are talking about the same thing brewz, I've been to busy to look at mine but will do so first
opportunity.

 

[bikemike]

IIRC that is a Winter filter you are running. It is a mesh screen type yeah? When it comes to a air filter I do not cheap out. They last a very long time and are over the long run cheap insurance.

I like that winter type. I'd run it year round.

Winter type

Flocked air filter.

 

[Rockjock]

Looking at it closely I can see it will pass some fine particles through the mesh so I think the flocked filter would be the safer one. while the mesh does look very tightly knitted I am not 100% sure if it would give me the the same amount of protection. Better safe than sorry as I have had no issues running the flocked filters.

 

[pioneerguy600]

All I am going to say is that I run the mesh filters on my saws and have done so since the early 80`s with no damage to the engines. Used them on the Sachs Dolmar and Stihl saws with some fairly high hours on them. The fine dust that some speak of has not hurt my saws any but we have moist conditions here most of the year.

 

[bikemike]

Felt and moisture is not a good combo