Stihl 026 Questions

[SkiWhiz]

Hi Steve here, I like trying different chainsaws every few years and recently sold my Echo CS 440 and bought a Stihl 026. The Echo had a 18" bar and chain and the Stihl has a 16" bar and chain. I can't compare the two saws fairly yet as the Echo had a new chain on it and the Stihl's chain is almost wore out. While looking the 026 over I noticed that gas must of leaked as there was a spot on my pants from sitting it on my lap as I looked it over. I am not chainsaw repair smart but have used many different saws for many years, and what I am thinking is the fuel came from the vent on top of the gas tank. What it looks like is a filter that resembles an upside down thimble, I am thinking that there should be a cover or something over that "thimble looking" filter/vent. Two things I noticed quick from only using the saw twice is that it is much louder than the Echo and it smokes and has fumes that you can really smell while you are running it and that wasn't an issue with the Echo. I am using the same gas and oil mixture as I did with the Echo 50:1. When starting the Stihl it revs high and stays that way for awhile until it warms up, for some reason I can not move the screw that controls the idle. It seems to idle about where it should when it is warmed up. Maybe I should of kept the Echo but heard and read good things about the Stihl 026. I paid $150.00 for it and sold the Echo for $170.00 Would love to hear your thoughts on what might be up with my 026, whether it might have a problem or its the nature of the beast. You can tell it has been used but doesn't look like it has been abused. You can reply here or get in touch with me at my email address [email protected] Thanks! Steve (dairy farmer in upstate New York).

 

[w8ye]

I have a Stihl 026 PRO with a 3/8" X 16" bar with Stihl RSC chain. I do not have any of the problems you are talking about with it.

 

[kevin j]

Is it staying on high idle when you move the choke off? The stihl controls and echo are dfferent. move choke off, blip throttle once, should drop to low idle.

I don't understand the part about 'liking to try a different chainsaw every few years.' You may have to 'splain that to the people here.

 

[josh1981]

Us the gas cap on tight? Take a screwdriver and make sure it's tight...

Btw where in ny? I use to live in Champlain valley...

 

[FastGame]

I think you need to service the saw (gas lines, filters, spark plug) and start with a fresh tune. My 026 runs fine & dandy with 18" bar and .325 RSC chain.

 

[H 2 H]

I'm rebuilding a 026 right now the new lines (fuel and oil) and piston/rings etc. have come in but still waiting on a new carb and boot :msp_biggrin:

This one has a 3/8" 20" b/c :msp_biggrin:

 

[w8ye]

This is my 026. It has new impulse & fuel lines, fuel filter, rings, and BPMR7A spark plug.

It had sat in the sun a lot. I got rid of a lot of the fade on the cover with fine sand paper and rubbing compound.

 

[H 2 H]

This is my 026. It has new impulse & fuel lines, fuel filter, rings, and BPMR7A spark plug.

It had sat in the sun a lot. I got rid of a lot of the fade on the cover with fine sand paper and rubbing compound.

Great idea about the cover THX :msp_biggrin:

 

[w8ye]

I think the 026 is a nice limbing saw once you get yours straightened out?

It is very compact and light weight for its power.

I think mine has the WT-194 carb with twin needles if I remember correctly.

The non PRO version doesn't come with a compression release or adjustable oil pump from the factory.

Some 026's have a single needle carburetor with just a low speed mixture and idle speed adjusters.

I also have a 025 with .325 X 16" chain. It is not exactly in the same category as the 026 but stihl a very likeable chainsaw.

 

[H 2 H]

I think the 026 is a nice limbing saw once you get yours straightened out?

It is very compact and light weight for its power.

I think mine has the WT-194 carb with twin needles if I remember correctly.

The non PRO version doesn't come with a compression release or adjustable oil pump from the factory.

Some 026's have a single needle carburetor with just a low speed mixture and idle speed adjusters.

I also have a 025 with .325 X 16" chain. It is not exactly in the same category as the 026 but stihl a very likeable chainsaw.

That's why i'm changing the carb

 

[SkiWhiz]

Is it staying on high idle when you move the choke off? The stihl controls and echo are dfferent. move choke off, blip throttle once, should drop to low idle.

I don't understand the part about 'liking to try a different chainsaw every few years.' You may have to 'splain that to the people here.

Yes it stays at a high rev for longer than it should after releasing the choke and after blipping the throttle. I cleaned the air filter it was pretty dirty, I see how it runs asap. Mine is not the Pro model. What I meant was, I buy a saw use it for a couple years sell it and buy something else, I like trying different brands and models. I am in upstate N.Y. just outside the Ogdensburg area. Thanks everyone. Steve.

 

[D&B Mack]

Yes it stays at a high rev for longer than it should after releasing the choke and after blipping the throttle. I cleaned the air filter it was pretty dirty, I see how it runs asap. Mine is not the Pro model. What I meant was, I buy a saw use it for a couple years sell it and buy something else, I like trying different brands and models. I am in upstate N.Y. just outside the Ogdensburg area. Thanks everyone. Steve.

You may have a gunked up carb, cleaning or rebuilding may be necessary.

Yeah, most people on here buy a new saw every year (at least), but they don't sell the old one. Maybe you have a new strain of CAD?

 

[SkiWhiz]

You may have a gunked up carb, cleaning or rebuilding may be necessary.

Yeah, most people on here buy a new saw every year (at least), but they don't sell the old one. Maybe you have a new strain of CAD?

Probably those aren't dairy farmers that buy a new saw every year and don't sell the old one, I have to sell the one I have in order to afford a different one. I know we all complain about what we make but us farmers really have it bad these days. If I keep the saw I might get a can of Sea Foam I hear that is miracle stuff.

 

[stihlvince]

Hey Steve, I've got a 13 year old 026 pro that has been a very reliable saw, until the year. Stalling and fuel leaking like yours. I chalked it up to age and
moreso alcohol gas...figured it was time to renew the rubber lines, impulse and fuel lines. also wanted to upgrade the carb so I had a hi speed ajustment. I noticed when changing out the carb, the old one has a plastic elbow on the fuel pickup. It was cracked. When the saw sat there unused,
pressure in the tank would push fuel up the line to the carb and leak out this cracked elbow. Son of a gun would just about empty the tank. I thought
I had a cracked fuel tank....anyway, I know it's a long shot, but it maybe part of your problem, worth a look.....BTW now that little saw is running
Like NEW. Oh yea that thimble thing on the tank is one way valve to let air in the fuel tank so it does not go into a vacuum,,,I changed that out too.
Good luck.

 

[kevin j]

stays at a high rev for longer than it should after releasing the choke and after blipping the throttle. I cleaned the air filter it was pretty dirty, I see how it runs asap. Mine is not the Pro model. What I meant was, I buy a saw use it for a couple years sell it and buy something



You may have an air leak. Time to do all the basics, carb rebuild, lines, filters, and maybe PV the crank seals and base gasket.

'every few years' comment is tongue in cheek. lot of people here have more and change more often saws than I have socks.

selling at 170 and buying at 150 is definitely the trend in the right direction.