026 Leaking Mix

[PA Plumber]

I have been using my 026 a lot more lately and am wondering if the fuel leak can be fixed, or is it the nature of the beast?

The mix leaks (only sometimes) when I prop the saw on its side to replace, adjust, or put the chain back on. No other issues with the saw at all. It almost seems as if the mix is coming out of the felt cone vent plastic breather thingy. Right after I replaced that felt cone breather thingy earlier today, it leaked fuel. I just went out and tried to get the saw to leak fuel and couldn't.

Could someone shed some light on this?

 

[blsnelling]

I'd start by replacing the valve on the tank vent and replacing the fuel line. Might as well throw a new filter in there while you're at it.

 

[PA Plumber]

I'd start by replacing the valve on the tank vent and replacing the fuel line. Might as well throw a new filter in there while you're at it.

I did put a new cone filter on the vent today. The fuel line is too short in the tank to pull it out far enough to get a new fuel filter on(I have a new filter on hand). Is this where needle nose pliers come in to play? I did look at the fuel filter today and it looks very clean.

I guess the tank vent valve is under the vent cone filter?

Thanks.

 

[PES+]

C'mon man....you're a plumber

Got a pic so I can see which vent you got
Stihl had some pretty ingenius ways of letting things leak over the years

 

[PA Plumber]

Give me a few minutes. I'll get a couple of pictures.

 

[PA Plumber]

First Pic: Saw
Second pic: Vent
Third Pic: Vent filter

 

[PA Plumber]

After looking over all this stuff, I'm guessing there is an air trap designed to keep the fuel in the vent cap. If I turn over the saw "just right" it allows fuel to escape. That may be why it only happens every now and then.

Or Not.

 

[Trigger-Time]

See this thread. Shows part number of valve, and a pic of what
you need.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=45911

 

[PA Plumber]

See this thread. Shows part number of valve, and a pic of what
you need.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=45911

Good thread. I even did a search and didn't see it. I'm going to try to get one picked up tomorrow.

The small nipple goes in from the fuel tank and gets pulled up into the vent opening? Is it likely my saw already has one of those installed that I will need to replace?

Thanks.

 

[PES+]

He beat me too it....

I stihl love lakeside blaming the epa for stihl's inability to manage a vent that will not leak for any length of time

 

[PA Plumber]

Thanks for the help.
I'll get some rep out as soon as I get some ammo.

 

[blsnelling]

This is the same part I had to replace in my saw. http://www.arboristsite.com/showpost.php?p=626614&postcount=24

 

[Lakeside53]

He beat me too it....

I stihl love lakeside blaming the epa for stihl's inability to manage a vent that will not leak for any length of time

I did?

The old vents leaked like sieves.. but worked great (as vents).

 

[PA Plumber]

I'm guessing this shouldn't be too difficult but...

I took out the old black gas tank vent. Tried to install the new orange flapper vent, but the hole in the tank for the old vent is too large to get the new flapper to stay. Also, there appears to be a ridge on the bottom side of the tank molded into the plastic.

First, tried to install new vent from bottom of tank up. Would not stay in place.

Second, installed flapper on vent filter side and leaks worse than the old tank vent.

Is there a chance I'm doomed to a leaky 026?

 

[PA Plumber]

I had another idea. I cut off the tank side end of the old tank vent. Installed the new flapper style down through the old one and it seems to be working. I'm sure this is not engineered this way, but ran the saw for a couple of minutes. It didn't stall and stayed very responsive. No more mix leak. I'll try it for a few days and maybe it will work like that.

BTW, I did order another regular vent from a local shop as a back up.

 

[Lakeside53]

Have you changed saws? The prior pics showed a white tank vent and now you're talking black?


You can also epoxy a nipple into the tank vent hole, then mount the same vent as used on an MS290 (and almost all new) Stihl's. They don't leak..

 

[PA Plumber]

Have you changed saws? The prior pics showed a white tank vent and now you're talking black?


You can also epoxy a nipple into the tank vent hole, then mount the same vent as used on an MS290 (and almost all new) Stihl's. They don't leak..

Nope, same saw. The rubber piece inside the vent (check valve) is black. Maybe I didn't explain it correctly. The new flapper (orange) is too small to stay in the existing hole in the gas tank. I installed the new flapper (large disc part inside the vent filter and nipple into the tank) into the existing check valve. Seems to work, but I'm not comfortable with it. The local saw shop called the old check valve a "duck bill."

 

[PA Plumber]

Well, I ran almost a tank of fuel through the check valve flapper modded 026 today. Narry a leak and the thing starts a lot better. 3 pulls from cold and it was running. Before today, the last time it was fired up was Saturday afternoon. It looks a little funny to have a check valve stuffed inside a check valve, but it is working okay to this point and I can't see it with the cover on.:greenchainsaw: