020AV Problems

[charlesfarm]

Hello,

I have my father's 020AV from 1976 that I am trying to get fixed for him.

The first problem was that the saw sat for a number of years with fuel in the tank. Fuel lines were collapsed, so I replaced those and rebuilt the carburetor.

Got the saw put back together and it will idle just fine, but will not accelerate at all -- just runs like a dog.

The saw does not have many hours on it at all (in fact the 16" bar is original and looks almost new). Probably only got used for cutting at most three or four cords of wood (I know, I know ... top handle saws are not safe for cuttin' on the ground ... but that's for another thread).

Any ideas on what to check next on this oldie but a goodie?

Thanks in advance!

God bless,
Chris

 

[bama]

Did you replace the fuel filter when you did the lines? If it dogs when you try to bring it up to full RPM, maybe you are out too rich on the high speed adjustment. I always start about one turn out with each and go from there.

 

[charlesfarm]

1 turn out on each screw initial setting.

Didn't replace the fuel filter, will try that first.

Thanks!

God bless,
Chris

 

[stihltech]

020

May be fuel, but sounds like a points and condenser problem.

 

[charlesfarm]

Stihltech,

Thanks for the info. Would bad points and condensor make the saw sound like a chain brake was engaged when you try to "throttle up"? That's about the best way I can describe the problem.

By the way, did the 020's in the 1970's have inertia type chain brakes?

EDIT: Also, how do you set the points correctly. I believe that the timing is critical on those 020's and is dependent on the point gap in relation to the lobe on the crank??

God bless,
Chris

 

[maccall]

By the way, did the 020's in the 1970's have inertia type chain brakes?

To my understanding the chain brake was optional. At least mine (wich is a -74 or earlier), doesn't have a chain brake at all.

And since the inertia chain brake more or less works by the law gravity, any chain brake should, more or less maybe, be an inertia one...

 

[charlesfarm]

thanks for all the replies. Does anybody know what ratio mix should be run through this saw? (020av made in 1976)

Thanks!

-Chris

 

[Ed*L]

thanks for all the replies. Does anybody know what ratio mix should be run through this saw? (020av made in 1976)

Thanks!

-Chris

50:1 or 40:1 is fine. My dad's 020 is close to the same vintage, no problems with the mixture.
Those old 020's can be a huge pita to make run correctly. I won't even mess with dads........I just take it to the dealer.

Ed

 

[maccall]

Does anybody know what ratio mix should be run through this saw? (020av made in 1976)

Ouch, don't know if I dare to express an opinion on this topic...

Let's just say that I'll report three observations:

1: My manual says 1:25
2: The sticker on the saw says 1:25
3: When speaking to my dealer about modern oils and going like "all other engines I have runs 1:50, wouldn't this also..." his only reply was "If you're told to run it on 1:25 by the manufacturer of the engine, you should take great care in running on 1:25".

So I cowardly do what I'm told...

 

[charlesfarm]

50:1 or 40:1 is fine. My dad's 020 is close to the same vintage, no problems with the mixture.
Those old 020's can be a huge pita to make run correctly. I won't even mess with dads........I just take it to the dealer.

Ed

In that case, I'll probably just run 40:1 in it.

They are a real pain to work on! Below is a pretty long story of the saws history:

In 1976, my mom went to the local Stihl dealer and wanted to buy a surprise for my dad. I don't know why any dealer in their right mind would recommend a 020AV top handle saw for a homeowner wanting to do on the ground firewood cutting, but that's another thread waiting to happen. She brought it home and had it sitting on the kitchen table when my dad got home from work.

When I was a kid, the saw was left sitting for a couple years with fuel in the tank and everything ended up gummed-up in it. (obviously my folks didn't heat much with wood -- maybe because Dad's wrists got hurting so badly bucking wood all day with a top handle??)

Anyway, for a surprise Christmas present when I was in High School, I scraped together about $100 (from mowing lawns, etc.) and took his saw into the dealer to have them go through it. Christmas Day, my dad was just elated and almost brought to tears he was so happy. Problem was, the saw still didn't run right, but my dad didn't have the heart to tell me it wasn't fixed correctly with this being his Christmas present and all.

Fast forward 15 years and my dad finally told me what had happened and asked me if I would be able to fix it. It's in my garage with new fuel lines, rebuilt carburetor, but runs like a dog. I haven't done anything to it lately, mainly because I found out about the Northern Chain grinder and I'm kept busy with that. But, I'm still hopeful I can get it running good and get it back to him.

God bless,
Chris

 

[charlesfarm]

Ouch, don't know if I dare to express an opinion on this topic...

Let's just say that I'll report three observations:

1: My manual says 1:25
2: The sticker on the saw says 1:25
3: When speaking to my dealer about modern oils and going like "all other engines I have runs 1:50, wouldn't this also..." his only reply was "If you're told to run it on 1:25 by the manufacturer of the engine, you should take great care in running on 1:25".

So I cowardly do what I'm told...

Doesn't 1:25 make the entire neighborhood turn blue from the exhaust??

 

[maccall]

Doesn't 1:25 make the entire neighborhood turn blue from the exhaust??

You bet it does...

But otoh, after some 35 years or so of use (well, not continuously...) the piston is as smooth and shiny as ever. Looks like it's been polished with baby-oil or so...