Stihl 028 WB

[mswabbie]

I am having a bit of a problem with my chainsaw recently. It runs fine until it is shut down. Then it will not restart. I have to let it sit until it cools down, then it will start again just fine. I have taken all of the shrounds off, cleaned it real good, the spark plug look clean and the setting is at .020 at the manual says. But after doing all the cleaning and checking it still will not start after it has been running for awhile, is there something more that I need to look at.

 

[treeclimber165]

How hot is it outside when you are working? Is it vapor locking (fuel)? If so, it may be running a touch too lean and therefore getting hot enough for the fuel to evaporate in the carb/ fuel line when you shut it down. Or is this just a problem here in Swelterville, Florida?

Another possibility is weak spark. Does that saw have electronic ignition or points? Check it out and see how strong the spark is.

 

[tony marks]

climbers rite ,sounds like vapor lock to me. but my 028 never gave me that problem.one o the things i like about it.
now if i could ever get the chain sharp. by the way russ that 3/8roller guide along with the 3/8 depth gauge guide, got me doing a pretty fair job on 3/8 chain.need a .325 file guide and depth gauge guide like that. let me know the cost and ill send it on dn . thanks much for the other stuff. later now tm

 

[Tony Snyder]

Some BS is at play here. Stihl 028s are noted for starting problems. Also they "master control lever" is a problematic mechanism.
The inward part of the saw are rock solid but the outer package is weak.

 

[treeclimber165]

Tony,
What is so different about the 028 master control switch as compared to every other Stihl saw? I've never owned an 028 but have owned many other Stihl saws and never had a single problem with any master switch except for a brand new 029 (homeowner saw) an employer had bought. I ended up returning it to the dealer and gave it to the landscape crew after it came back with a new switch.

Or do you just not like Stihls?

 

[Fish]

The saw likely has points which are likely dirty, and may be the
root of all of your evil.
But I may be wrong too....

 

[spreaderman]

master control lever

on mine the problem was it would not shut down, I would have to push it down to choke to ''drown it out . that was difficult and dangerous. The problem was the small bolt that grounds out the spark was loose. Also the wire leading to it was damaged. I fixed it all and it shuts down fine now. But the lever can be a area for problems

 

[tony marks]

tony with respect to u. ive bought a good many 028 s used [some very used] . the thing about them was ,no matter how abused or dirty,they usually still start an run alrite..
bought one that the filter was solidified wood. it was pretty old
and my bet is the owner never knew it had an air filter.
course i dont seeum coming in the door every day,like the mechanics . jmo.aint nothin humble about it.

 

[daveb]

master control lever

I hate that stupid master POS lever thing on my 028/038. Saws pretty good otherwise, a little heavy.

 

[stihltech]

028

Next time it quits, check spark immediatly. Points are a problem on some of these, I replace them with the aftermarket modules.
I would also check the vent on the fuel tank. It must pass air. Take it off and clean the 2 threaded inserts in the hose.

It may also be time to check the pulse and fuel hoses for cracks.
The 028 is noted for very good starting. When tuned correctly, it will start with 1 pull any time it has been warmed up.

As for the master control, It is the best idea I have seen. Once the operator is used to it, it is very trouble free. No shut down? check the switch wire and contact spring, also ground wire.
Most of the controls I replace are due to a broken fast idle cam due to the throttle not being raised when pushing the control to choke.

 

[Toneman]

Stihltech,
Are the modules a "bolt on" item, or are there some modifications required to retrofit a saw?

 

[stihltech]

module

Pretty straightforward installation. You may have to bend or modify the tab the module bolts to a bit, but nothing you can not handle.

 

[Tony Snyder]

It seems that people who did not buy these saws new, and have maybe not had the opportunity to read the manual, do not know to "raise the throttle" as Stihltech says and therefore damage the master control mechanism. At least that is the kind of thing I have found.

I find lost contact springs, and particularly the spring screw lost. Also the plastic lever all torn up. The first clue is the saw will not kill (ground out).

Of course this is not unique to the 028.

I believe this is not so much a poor design as it is a misunderstood mechanism by many users.

 

[JimL]

I get a few 028's with the master control lever bad in them. If I got a good one in the junk pile(man i junked alot of them this summer) i will put it on there...

Alot of times I see the bare ground wire on the older models broken. I just make a new one and put it on. Got a kit with all the connectors ect...