How long should an 026 last?

[Acer]

I've only recently found this forum. I was looking for a bit of advice on my 026. I've had this for 5 years or so, it hasn't been run flat out for all of that time. I've found it to be excellent. It copes with most tasks even fitted with a little 13" bar. However, I ran into problems recently, and was looking for tips on how to avoid more problems.

About a year ago, I noticed it was a bit down on power, wouldn't idle well, and was hard to start after it had cut out. You had to put it on half throttle to get it fired up again. I struggled on with it, tried retuning, even took it into a dealer to have it serviced, but it made little difference. Then, this February, it ran out of fuel on one occasion and refused to start. I had to take it to a dealer, as I was too busy to do the work myself. On his advice, we replaced the piston - he told me that the old one was scored, and the ring was "stuck in" (whatever that means). He also noted that the exhaust port was heavy with carbon, which may have caused the scoring.. Now it runs fine again, idles OK, back to it's old self.

I know thisis a bit like "How long is a peice of string?", but... is this sort of wear typical in a saw that's only 5 years old? The bloke who replaced the piston reckons the saw's about finished (but he was pretty keen to flog me a replacement!!) I believe I've looked after it, I've changed the fuel pickup regularly, am strict on my daily maintenance, I only use Stihl 2stroke oil, never richer than 50:1. I keep the chain sharp as well (I can't bear to use a blunt saw). It's been used for small tree felling, snedding, with some work in the tree until I got my 020T. I'd use 2-3 tanks of fuel on a typical day. It's had periods when it hasn't been used at all, when I've worked for other people who provide the tools. I do have one habit which may be a problem. I often use it on part load. A lot of my work involves accurate cuts (eg, pruning and hedgelaying) which I find easier at less than full revs. Would this cause carbon buildup?

 

[sedanman]

Always make all cuts at full throttle! Several factors come into play, the first and foremost is cooling. The saw is air cooled ,the fan and shrouds are designed to flow air at max speed. Also the fuel mixture is adjusted at idle and again at full throttle not in between, accurate fuel air ratio cannot be guaranteed at part throttle. Lastly horsepower is a function of engine speed, these newer saws lack real torque, they rely on high rpm to develop useable horsepower.

 

[johnb]

It's a matter of money!

Acer, how long they last is up to you and parts availability. Maintenance can get expensive when ya get to pistons and rings or lower end repair. It sounds to me that maybe the carb is out of adjustment and that maybe increasing your mix ratio to 45:1 or 40:1 and adjust the saw to that mix will help from damaging rings and pistons. Yea it might smoke alittle more but these little machines deserve the added lubercation. Good luck with your saw. don't give up on it!

The Hoosier

 

[Methoss084]

Acer, as I read your description of problems I noticed that you mentioned that you brought it to one dealer that didn't fix the problem and then to another dealer who replaced only the piston and rings? What about the cylinder? Was it still within tolerance after sending the hone through it? It is not uncommon for your 026 exhibit the problems with carbon build up on the exhaust port especially after 5 years of moderate service. You should be fine with the 50:1 mix and a sharp chain. As part of your regular maintenance you might want to pull the muffler and inspect the exhaust port. Also, did the person who repaired your saw check for worn crank bearings and crank seals?

 

[NevadaWalrus]

As Sedanman stated, your half throttle running is possibly your problem. With the jetting being incorrect for half throttle it will tend to run rich and cause the carbon build up in the port. Anytime you have carbon build up there is the chance some will flake off and score up the piston and cylinder.

Maybe the saw manufacturers should think of designing the throttle mechanisms so they only have two positions, idle and full rev. Never happen, they wanna sell parts.

 

[Methoss084]

Well I have to disagree with the "Full Throttle" all the time theory, I know its true that is the way manufactures want you to run the equipment, but in the real world that is not possible unless your bucking logs all day long. And most of us don't spend our day out at the wood pile.

 

[NevadaWalrus]

I understand that. For those who do a lot of half throttle running and never really blow it out, a little preventative maintenace time keeping the exhaust system cleaned would be in order.

 

[Acer]

Well, thanks for all the replies. The half throttle thing is or was probably the problem. When I got it back from the dealer, I had to reset the carb settings, as it was obviously too rich (which goes to show the standard of the dealers over here - No. 1 fails to spot the real problem, No.2 hands it back with all the settings screwed up). I set it up by ear, and carried on with my hedgelaying work (again, lots of part throttle to make those accurate cuts) and checked the sparkplug - it was black. I couldn't set the high screw any leaner, as it sounded like it was running a bit too fast at full power unloaded.

Anyway, I checked the sparkplug again today - I last used the saw to log up an old plum tree I'd taken down, making sure I was on full throttle for each cut. It was running as sweet as it had ever done, so I assume the settings are OK. The sparkplug is now a biscuit brown, just like those pictures you get in some car manuals. So there's the answer as to the carbon buildup, I suppose.

As far as the cylinder goes, I doubt if the dealer did anything like measuring or honing. I assume he just checked for scoring. Like I say, theyre not very good round here. I'm hoping to get a new saw next autumn, probably an 036, and relegate the 026 to backup. Then, next time something goes wrong, I can do the work myself and still have a saw if I mess it up!

 

[tony marks]

sounds to me like u use it about as much as most pros. 5 yrs is a good lifetime for a saw under heavy use. in your case a service trip
and your saws back like new.sounds like a pretty good saw to me.IMHO