Actually, pretty typical failure for that generation of saws. If you get a 50 series Homelite, better figure on changing the boot and hoses. They don't hold up like Stihls of the same time frame. I have had plenty of 045s and 031s and 056s pass thru my hands, none of them have ever had rotted or melted boots. Damaged from being torn or pulled apart, sure, but not from fuel.Wow....looks like ethanol damage.
I as well hate the rubber intake boots, mostly for this reason. They just always seem to need replacement.The only time I've seen carb / intake rubber parts turned to melted snot like that was rubber CV carb diaphragms on motorcycles that had been attacked by ethanol, so that's what I assumed. That intake boot on that Homelite is smoked! I can't believe they just deteriorated that bad but damn.
Just my opinion but personally I've never seen the benefit of a flexible intake boot versus a rigid manifold with gaskets.
Just my opinion but personally I've never seen the benefit of a flexible intake boot versus a rigid manifold with gaskets.
There are plenty of saws out there with anti vibe that have a solid carb mount.Homelite is notorious for using poor quality material for their intake boots. That applies to any of their saws that use one.
Can't have anti-vibration without a flexible intake assembly of some type. Flexible intakes became the norm in one fashion or another as part of evolving anti-vibration systems. Same holds true today.
Pioneer P series, poulan 5500/6000, homelite with a lot of the VI saws, husky with the cd and other series.I as well hate the rubber intake boots, mostly for this reason. They just always seem to need replacement.
I will admit. Whatever Homelite used for rubber was not the greatest. AV mounts as well.Touche' on those and good enuff. But we're talking very early forays into a/v systems. The evolution to flexible intake assemblies clearly prevailed for very sound reasons..., some just a lot worse than others, particularly Homelite.
I have a couple "old technology" saws with a primitive AV but the carb is rigid mounted. My Mac SP40 is nothing but a souped-up Mini Mac with a rear handle and rubber mounts on the handles. The throttle linkage allows a little movement.Homelite is notorious for using poor quality material for their intake boots. That applies to any of their saws that use one.
Can't have anti-vibration without a flexible intake assembly of some type. Flexible intakes became the norm in one fashion or another as part of evolving anti-vibration systems. Same holds true today.
That's a familiar sight. Here's what my 550's intake boot looked like.Well I figured out why the 550 would only fire on prime. Gonna need to replace that pile of mush haha
Looks like you are doing better than I am. The one on my 450 is actually still intact. Its starting to get a little stiff though.That's a familiar sight. Here's what my 550's intake boot looked like.
View attachment 924000
This reminds me that I took a short video of the 550 doing a few test cuts right after I finished putting it back together a few months ago. I should upload it.
Proline makes some pretty good stuff ,I've bought some seals and fuel line from them and no problems.Anyone use the proline intake boots for the 450/550? How are they compared to OEM? Was thinking of trying them as I'm sure even though they OEM haven't seen fuel etc, the rubber has probably broken down some just from storage, uv etc.
LOL sounds good. I ordered 2 to try out.Proline makes some pretty good stuff ,I've bought some seals and fuel line from them and no problems.
As far as oem ...?? Do you mean does it come melted amd goopy ? No its better.
Ditto on Proline being a decent quality aftermarket option. I've used Proline fuel lines for Homelites and they've seemed to be very nice quality with a very good fit. If anything like the fuel lines, I think you'll be surprised at the quality of the boots.Anyone use the proline intake boots for the 450/550? How are they compared to OEM?
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