I recently got my hands on an echo 346. The saw runs ok but because it was sitting for a while there is some varnish. The more I run the saw with the new gas the better it runs but I would like to clean some of the gunk out. What can I use to clean out the fuel passages and intake? I would think that carb cleaner would break down the oil in the mix which can't be good, even for short spurts. Is there a fuel additive for small 2 cycles like they have for cars? Thanks for the help.
Cleaning out the fuel/intake
- Thread starter Pilsnaman
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ShoerFast
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Get a carb kit and do the OH thoroughly, while it's apart, you can spray the tank and purge the hose with carb cleaner, and rinse with mix, replace the filter and re-tune the saw.
dtnodya
ArboristSite Operative
This is the 'correct' way to go about it.
But if for whatever reason you don't want to do that, get some seafoam and pour some into the tank. I once had a similar situation as you with a Mac 130. It would run and got better with each tank of fresh gas ... I poured a little seafoam in the tank and let it sit overnight just thinking that maybe it would help. The next day, it cranked up and ran perfectly. (with the exception of the insane seafoam smoke) ... I dumped it out, added fresh fuel and it ran like new.
I later took apart the carb and the insides were very clean. I'm not saying that seafoam will clean your carb perfectly .. just giving an example from an experience I had with it. The best way is to take the carb apart, especially if the gas gummed up real bad inside the carb.
Streblerm
Addicted to ArboristSite
I use seafoam in everything! They claim it is safe for two strokes. I have used it for years as a preventative maintenance. I have had to rebuild a few carbs in things over the years, but anything that I have run seafoam in has been clean inside when I took the carb apart. I would give it a shot.
Since I have been around here I have heard tell of another fuel additive miricle called "Fuel Activator, or FA"
Either one of them may solve your problem. If they don't, they probably won't hurt anything anyway.
Since I have been around here I have heard tell of another fuel additive miricle called "Fuel Activator, or FA"
Either one of them may solve your problem. If they don't, they probably won't hurt anything anyway.
Farley9n
ArboristSite Guru
Don't forget that what ever you put in the tank to clean the system as it runs also goes through the bearings, rings, and cylinder. Better by far to take it apart and then clean!!!!........Bob
That is exactly why I put this post up. Using carb cleaner seemed wrong because it would break down oil needed to lub the bearings, rings, and cylinder wall. I don't want to destroy the engine but don't really have the time to take the whole thing apart either. Once the saw would be apart I would just end up replacing parts because "I am already in there" but thats just because I know myself. There has got to be some fuel system cleaner that is safe for two cycles engines. I don't know much about the seafoam stuff but at least that is petroleum based, as is marvel mystery oil.
RangerX
New Member
Hey, new guy here. I have the same saw (Echo 346) and have a related question. I want to clean out the carb area, which is behind the air filter. There is a fair amount of sawdust that has found it's way past the air filter (!) and I'd like to clean out that whole space.
I don't know what to use. There are both plastic and rubber lines, plus the housing/enclosure is plastic. Looking at my collection of garage spray chemicals, brake cleaner and electric parts cleaners both say not to use on plastic or rubber. Purple or green cleaners seem like a bad idea, as they are water based? and may seep into the carb. The saw is fairly new, so I don't want to tear it down.
Any suggestions?
I don't know what to use. There are both plastic and rubber lines, plus the housing/enclosure is plastic. Looking at my collection of garage spray chemicals, brake cleaner and electric parts cleaners both say not to use on plastic or rubber. Purple or green cleaners seem like a bad idea, as they are water based? and may seep into the carb. The saw is fairly new, so I don't want to tear it down.
Any suggestions?
Welcome to AS. I would recommend removing as much dirt as possible without actually running it through the engine. Take the carb off of the saw and then blow it off with compressed air and/or wipe it down with lint free rags. Deep Creep is the aerosol version of SeaFoam. Squirt it out with that. I use SeaFoam regularly and was turned on to it by a Stihl dealer.
RangerX
New Member
Thanks, Urbicide. I got some Deep Creek and sprayed out the area, without removing the carb, though. Stuff works great. I took the opportunity to spray some into the running carb while I was there. All's good and clean.
ASEMASTER
ArboristSite Operative
muffler mod !
I have one of these saws and the best thing I did was to get rid of all th junk in the muffler and while your in the carb area remove the mixture limiter caps so you can get a good adjustment on them. It would take as many as ten pulls to start the saw to where it would stay running, now one pull and it's off to cutting wood.
I bought this saw to use as a light liming saw and now use it for anything under 8 inches. it develpos a lot of power for a small cc saw. of corse a sharp chain helps.
I have one of these saws and the best thing I did was to get rid of all th junk in the muffler and while your in the carb area remove the mixture limiter caps so you can get a good adjustment on them. It would take as many as ten pulls to start the saw to where it would stay running, now one pull and it's off to cutting wood.
I bought this saw to use as a light liming saw and now use it for anything under 8 inches. it develpos a lot of power for a small cc saw. of corse a sharp chain helps.
