Questions about my Homelite Super XL automatic

[Mark71GTX]

Hello everybody. Let me start off by saying I do not know much about saws. I bought my Super XL at a pawn shop right after hurricane Fran (I'm in NC) - I got it for $75 because it only ran when it felt like it. When it would run it was strong as hell, but you could pull on it for an hour and it would never hit sometimes. I discovered the igniter is bad - It has I guess it is called a solid state ignition - no points and it has this light blue pertronix igniter. I have a parts saw that has points (found out that will not work the hard way). Where could I get another igniter (anyone have a used one?) The flywheel on my good saw is missing a fin or two - would the one from the points saw work on the s.s. saw - or would it throw it out of balance? It seems to leak bar oil all over the place during storage - how can I fix this? Is there anything I should know about this saw? I also want to get one of those spikes for the front of the saw - where could I get one of those? Thanks for your help!!

 

[Stumper]

Hoestly..... The besst thing you could do would be buy a good used saw-You'll probably spend the price of a running saw getting that one running. (and ..WELCOME to the site!)

 

[Mark71GTX]

You do not see many decent used saws around here - either they are junk or they are overpriced. To get a used saw that has the power of the SXL I think I would have to spend quite a bit. I think I can get new parts for it (coil + spike) for about $75 or less and I will do all of the work myself. I am kind of hoping someone here might have an old parts saw that has something I could use on it. Thanks for you input though - I am interested in seeing what some of the others have to say as well - I might be wrong - I am looking at another SXL on ebay right now - and it is pretty close to me too...

 

[Stumper]

Hey-you never know-It is quite possible that one of the guys has exactly what you need.:angel:

 

[glens]

contact info?

 

[Mange]

I cn not help thinking you could get a better worksaw, for the mony.
If the saw is only to be a tool not interest, I think you should see what else can be found.
Thease saws tend to want a little love and affection now and then.
If you like tinkering with saws i say you are on the right track.

Not sure I helped, but I tryed.

Mange

 

[glens]

Those are very serviceable saws in the context of technology of the time.  The only anti-vibe is rubber wraps on the handles.  They've got what Stihl needed to come up with Intellicarb to get back again after pulling the carb out of the airbox.  You can ejaculate a shot of oil to the bar with your thumb whenever the notion hits you.  And they've got that always-friendly reed-valve powerband and a healthy voice.

I'd rather use a dragged-through-the-mud 044, though.

Glen

 

[Mark71GTX]

I just bought a coil on ebay for around $50 shipped. I like to tinker and I like anything old. I really like this saw - for what I have in it (and having had it for the past 5 or more years) I think it has been a great saw - Thanks for the input - feel free to give any more suggestions - Thanks!

 

[Mange]

It is a lot of fun tinkering with the old ones.
The ones I have I have not run much, couple of tanks.

It is one off the good ones.

 

[weimedog]

I also have an old Homelite Super XL automatic. Its has a manual chain oiler as well.

I wouldn't waste time trying to stop the chain oiler from leaking...


Changing the ignition is a possibility. Usually the solid state types either have spark or they don't. Some simple things can give you the more random symptoms you described. The "on/off" switch with that cheesy wire can hit the case and do the random stuff, A bad spark plug cap connection to the ignition wire will, a partially fouled spark plug will. These are cheap and easy to check & fix.

Another thing to check it the airgap between the flywheel & ignition coil&trigger. Shoot for .005 to .010 of an inch. Just remember when you tighten the screws, that clearance will change so you may need to invovate a little to end up with the clearance after those screws are tight.

I would also spend the $6 dollars to get a carb diaphram & gasket kit. When they get streached that saw won't run well or even at all. Typically when its hard to start and/or the carb adjustment screws don't do what you expect..its either a bad fuelline/filter deal or a bad diaphram. (of course this assumes you have good compression!!!)

The ONE thing that has been a common problem with every one of my old Homelites is melted fuel lines. Just change them. Save yourself the aggravation.

With mine, the way it wants to work to be started is to "trigger lock" the throttle part on, give it full choke, pull until it fires & it imeadiatly stalls. put choke in aprox 1/2way and then it fires on first pull and will run....push the choke towards off a little at a time along with some throttle...wait until it warms before pushing the choke in all the way.

When that saw is right it actually cuts really well and its a smooth running little monster. I like mine, its been with me for many many years.

 

[tony marks]

well the most important thing is u having fun..i had one that i had nothin to compare it with.. to me it was just my saw.. i ll say one thing,,it never threw me no curves..[except when id filed the chain a time or two].. then it cut in circles..
it also got grunt,, if its still in fairshape..
that brings back a lot o memories ,of getting out the truck at days end ,and every step i took.. my leg muscles would lock up on me..it was good to be able,, to put a day in like that.an yes i wish i still could.. but
what would i do about working the next 3days..not much .. good luck wid u saw

 

[Mark71GTX]

Thanks for all of the info. I hope to get this saw back together soon. I hope they ship my parts out tomorrow... if I get it running before I get sent back out of town (I'm a journeyman welder) I'll post it here. Do they still make air filters for these saws? I sure could use one. Thanks!

 

[weimedog]

You can get filters, I bought one on line for around $9 dollars and then got one from my local saw store for $7!

Filters and carb rebuild kits are typically in stock for those things.

Look at ebay for the Homelite parts guys there are a few and they either have what you need or you can email them if there isn't an auction.

 

[Mark71GTX]

It Runs!!!

Well, I got my parts from Randy Duncan - I put the coil on and put the saw back together - It still wouldn't run - the freaking wire that connects the coil to the switch was broken - but it was still holding itself together by the insulation. I made a new wire and it fired right up. Anyhow I have a spare coil now... Thanks for the help!