Homelite XL2 automatic

[vtfireman85]

I posted on the “you suck” thread, but didnt seem like the place to be clogging up with questions. I bought this little homelite as an impulse because it looked all complete with the case and dealer stickers that had sentimental meaning to me. Never looked at a Homelite as a worthy saw, don’t know much about it, seem to have good compression but I haven’t put a gauge to it. What can anyone tel me about it, what's the automatic part? I assume they t isn’t worth much, which is good because i didn’t pay much. Any input?

 

[Clyde85]

I think the automatic part is for automatic oiler. I had a xl1 automatic for my first saw.

 

[Old2stroke]

A handy and reliable saw to have around for any time you need a saw you can use with one hand. The "automatic" is the oiler, make sure it works as there can be issues with it, lots of help on this site if there is.

 

[GeorgiaVol]

Great little saws. There is a reason so many were sold and there are still so many around.
I still use 2 of them. I like them because when they do have an issue, it is usually just a duck bill gone bad or missing.

 

[Okie]

Not really any need in checking the compression if it has a feel of such.
Give it a gas mix and crank. If it starts add some bar oil and see if it oils the bar.
If fails either test get back to us.

Nice lean looking saw but probably will need gas lines and duckbills. (they dry out due to old age)

 

[a. palmer jr.]

As mentioned, not much need to check compression. I have one of them that, by pulling the rope, you'd think there wasn't even a piston in there because you can't feel any compression but the thing never fails to start..

 

[Okie]

As mentioned, not much need to check compression. I have one of them that, by pulling the rope, you'd think there wasn't even a piston in there because you can't feel any compression but the thing never fails to start..

AS a palmer jr says. I've seen them type litlle saws start and run/cut good with 80psi pressure when all else is good.
You also have to use a small engine compression gauge THAT YOU KNOW READS CORRECTLY CONSISTENTLY on small CC engines or you taken down the wrong path very easily. (most gauges will read wrong and low)
Before I start to work on a new to me chainsaw, even if it starts good and I want to really know if it's healthy and a saw I might want to keep and so as to determine if it's a keeper I remove the muffler and take a close look at the piston to see if it has any major scoring. (instead of doing a compression test)
I've seen some chainsaws that compression tested ok and might be a keeper, but the piston and cylinder was eating itself and not going to last much longer.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

If one of these little saws quit working I can always head to the flea market and bring another one back. Mine have pretty good plastics on them so I'd probably just swap the engine out..

 

[Okie]

If one of these little saws quit working I can always head to the flea market and bring another one back. Mine have pretty good plastics on them so I'd probably just swap the engine out..

Yes, I've done that also, just swap the engine when plastics are good. If guy is going to keep one of them for personal use he should keep a eye and ear open for couple parts saws. Them little saws can get expensive if not careful, cost more than they are worth really fast when replacing bad parts, even for example the gas caps and their gaskets are overpriced. (and not all are the same) and things just go south all at once on old stuff.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I've got a pretty good stockpile of Homelite saws right now, I'll probably go south before my saws do..

 

[Okie]

That is a clean looking saw and I have two Homies that has that type carrying case.
The case has enough room that small doses of bar oil, gas mix, scrench and a file can be carried inside the case. I place old towel or rag under the saw as a cushion and to catch oil drips.
The case adds to the value of those saws.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I think I may have one or two of those cases, been using them to store spare Homelite parts.

 

[vtfireman85]

Not sure just what i want to do with it, i have an 015 I would much rather use if i were using a little saw, probably pass it along to someone who wants it more than me.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

The XL2 and Super 2 saws are very light, good to use around the house for senior citizens. The plastic ones being a bit lighter.

 

[Okie]

The XL2 and Super 2 saws are very light, good to use around the house for senior citizens. The plastic ones being a bit lighter.

and the top handle trigger makes them easy to use for trimming. Appears yours has a good chain, maybe low kickback type chain.
You have to be careful when re-installing the 5/16 hex head screws on the recoil rope side they will strip out easily (and some are already stripped by Bubba before you even start to remove them) and not user friendly to insert a helicoil due to holes open at the bottom on couple. Sometimes a longer screw can be used.

 

[JoeCookeWVU]

I posted on the “you suck” thread, but didnt seem like the place to be clogging up with questions. I bought this little homelite as an impulse because it looked all complete with the case and dealer stickers that had sentimental meaning to me. Never looked at a Homelite as a worthy saw, don’t know much about it, seem to have good compression but I haven’t put a gauge to it. What can anyone tel me about it, what's the automatic part? I assume they t isn’t worth much, which is good because i didn’t pay much. Any input?

I have one my dad bought new. It still runs like a new one. I think the automatic means oiling. They are easy to work on top two screws and bottom two and comes right out of case after you pull spark plug. Only issue I ever had was had to replace oil lines. Inside the oil tank is a duck bill valve that uses pressure to push oil out of tank to chain. Good little saws for just around the house.

 

[KCL]

I posted on the “you suck” thread, but didnt seem like the place to be clogging up with questions. I bought this little homelite as an impulse because it looked all complete with the case and dealer stickers that had sentimental meaning to me. Never looked at a Homelite as a worthy saw, don’t know much about it, seem to have good compression but I haven’t put a gauge to it. What can anyone tel me about it, what's the automatic part? I assume they t isn’t worth much, which is good because i didn’t pay much. Any input?

I purchased the same saw about a year ago because it was $25. It looks brand new, in the case, and complete so why not. After I cleaned the almost solid, gelatinous fuel from the tank/carb (and maybe put a new plug in it but don't remember lol) it runs like a champ. Fires first pull, and handles what you would expect from a little saw. I believe the automatic refers to the oiler, but I could be wrong. I want to know why they call it XL... extra little?

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I sold one not too long ago but I think I still have about 4 left, one doesn't run and I'm not sure why except maybe the carburetor is bad. It has spark and compression. Probably just use it as a parts saw since the plastics aren't the greatest on this one.

 

[Pioneer]

They are useful lightweight little saws but not without their quirks. The oiling system is one of them, the tanks may have inset screws or outside screws for the caps, and you can have a one trigger or two trigger handle.
There's also a version called the super II which is larger in displacement and quite a bit more powerful.
If you're curious as to how they go together, Leon's chainsaw parts and repair has some very good videos of them. A lot were made, so there's quite a few parts still floating around.