Homelite Chainsaws

[MacAttack]

Complete carb disassembly, cleaning and rebuild.
New ignition module.
Spark plug.
Fuel filter.

I finally got the piece of junk running again....

It seemed to be flooding, so I replaced the inlet needle. Now it seems to run OK.

I did get angry and throw the saw (just once), in the mud. No damage except my pride.

One final thought....in my personal experience, the older Zama carbs suck compared to Walbro. Yes, I said it. I've had by far more woes with the old Zamas. Give me a Walbro any day.

 

[heimannm]

I spent about 40 hours (or so it seemed...) on an XL the past couple of weeks. It would not hold pressure or vacuum so I replaced the crankshaft seals. I tried dunking it in the parts washer tank under pressure and always had a leak in the vicinity of the oil plunger so I even tried a solid rubber gasket in place of the oiler plunger and gaskets and rerouted the oil lines like the early models, always the same results with irregular idle no matter where I set the L jet.

Finally I tried a different carburetor with the fixed H, and the saw now works as it should albeit pig rich on the high side now. I reinstalled the oiler plunger and gaskets and returned the lines to the standard configuration since the direct approach pumped way too much oil.

I was not going to let this one defeat me. I have no idea why the carburetor (Walbro HDC) behaved so badly, I totally disassembled it multiple times, made sure everything was clean, new kit, check valve worked, idle ports were open, held pressure, no excessive play in the throttle or choke shafts...I am stumped on that carburetor.

Mark

 

[bob kern]

I spent about 40 hours (or so it seemed...) on an XL the past couple of weeks. It would not hold pressure or vacuum so I replaced the crankshaft seals. I tried dunking it in the parts washer tank under pressure and always had a leak in the vicinity of the oil plunger so I even tried a solid rubber gasket in place of the oiler plunger and gaskets and rerouted the oil lines like the early models, always the same results with irregular idle no matter where I set the L jet.

Finally I tried a different carburetor with the fixed H, and the saw now works as it should albeit pig rich on the high side now. I reinstalled the oiler plunger and gaskets and returned the lines to the standard configuration since the direct approach pumped way too much oil.

I was not going to let this one defeat me. I have no idea why the carburetor (Walbro HDC) behaved so badly, I totally disassembled it multiple times, made sure everything was clean, new kit, check valve worked, idle ports were open, held pressure, no excessive play in the throttle or choke shafts...I am stumped on that carburetor.

Mark

Things like that drive me crazy. Guys like us want to know what the issue is!

On another note, I received my brand new clutch drum for the 925. Hoping to get it 100 percent before my bil has a massive oak dropped.

 

[bob kern]

Got the drum changed but what I fight getting the clutch off. Tightest I've had. Tight enough it egg shaped the holes where the puller goes! Did heat ,tap tap tap ,the whole 9 yards.

 

[MacAttack]

I spent about 40 hours (or so it seemed...) on an XL the past couple of weeks. It would not hold pressure or vacuum so I replaced the crankshaft seals. I tried dunking it in the parts washer tank under pressure and always had a leak in the vicinity of the oil plunger so I even tried a solid rubber gasket in place of the oiler plunger and gaskets and rerouted the oil lines like the early models, always the same results with irregular idle no matter where I set the L jet.

Finally I tried a different carburetor with the fixed H, and the saw now works as it should albeit pig rich on the high side now. I reinstalled the oiler plunger and gaskets and returned the lines to the standard configuration since the direct approach pumped way too much oil.

I was not going to let this one defeat me. I have no idea why the carburetor (Walbro HDC) behaved so badly, I totally disassembled it multiple times, made sure everything was clean, new kit, check valve worked, idle ports were open, held pressure, no excessive play in the throttle or choke shafts...I am stumped on that carburetor.

Mark

Sounds like my Homelite 240, I was very close to giving up on that damn thing and possibly trying to find a replacement carb. And that's a Zama CIS - H4 carb.
Ultimately I think there was some junk in the fuel system that I couldn't get out that was causing the inlet needle to leak and flood the saw intermittently.
I did discover the stone element had fallen right off the fuel pickup, and also the small inlet screen inside the carb was getting plugged up with junk.
It seems...SEEMS to finally start and run like it should. And yet I can pull my old Mini Mac 30 off my shelf which in over 30 years I've never had apart, and it will start and run as perfect as ever.

 

[cbfarmall]

Been a month since anyone posted.

I repaired a couple here. XL123, had for years. Thought the top end was scored but turned out to be carbon staining. Installed new rings anyway as well new rod bearings. Carb liked to leak out of the throat, needle wouldn't hold back fuel. New kit and the saw finally took off. This must have been what dogged me all along. I dragged out a Super EZ that needed a carb kit, no other issues there. Pulled out a 925 for comparison.

 

[kshansen]

Not sure if I asked before on this tread but just to be sure I'll ask:

Anyone have an old Homelite Super 2 kicking about they would sell a part off of? What I'm looking for is the black plastic cover for the handle par number 69140-A.

I've had this saw since July of 1975! Cut lots of fire wood over the years and just this year it got dropped and broke the plastic cover for the handle. I know it's outlived it usefulness but then that could be said about me as well as I'm getting close to 75 years of age! I'm located in central NY but don't think shipping by US Mail from any where in the lower 48 states would cost much.

Just thought of a note I should include, this saw is one of the ones with two throttle triggers, I know I have seen pictures of some that have only on throttle trigger, not sure if one of those would fit!

 

[cbfarmall]

Maybe this guy can help. If you want to keep your saw going a good parts saw is the way to do it.

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/4-free-saws.376441/

 

[bob kern]

Not sure if I asked before on this tread but just to be sure I'll ask:

Anyone have an old Homelite Super 2 kicking about they would sell a part off of? What I'm looking for is the black plastic cover for the handle par number 69140-A.

I've had this saw since July of 1975! Cut lots of fire wood over the years and just this year it got dropped and broke the plastic cover for the handle. I know it's outlived it usefulness but then that could be said about me as well as I'm getting close to 75 years of age! I'm located in central NY but don't think shipping by US Mail from any where in the lower 48 states would cost much.

Just thought of a note I should include, this saw is one of the ones with two throttle triggers, I know I have seen pictures of some that have only on throttle trigger, not sure if one of those would fit!

I can look when I get out there next. Will be glad to help if I can.

 

[bob kern]

Sounds like my Homelite 240, I was very close to giving up on that damn thing and possibly trying to find a replacement carb. And that's a Zama CIS - H4 carb.
Ultimately I think there was some junk in the fuel system that I couldn't get out that was causing the inlet needle to leak and flood the saw intermittently.
I did discover the stone element had fallen right off the fuel pickup, and also the small inlet screen inside the carb was getting plugged up with junk.
It seems...SEEMS to finally start and run like it should. And yet I can pull my old Mini Mac 30 off my shelf which in over 30 years I've never had apart, and it will start and run as perfect as ever.