Chainsaw Help

[4 point]

Have a 1980era Husqvarna 16 'chainsaw that I haven't fired up in 20+ years. It was very low hours when used prior. I put in a new sparkplug but a Husqvarna dealer tells me the carburator will be varnished up and there is only a 50/50 chance it will start. Any tips anyone can offer to get this unit back in action. I am not going to pay to have carburator rebuilt as not worth the cost would just go new. Thanks.

[rocksteady]

First off, was the saw stored full of fuel?? If it was, it may have 2 issues. A) Carb varnish B) rotten fuel line in tank.

If it was drained and run dry of fuel prior to storage it could be okay.

You can buy carb solvent, that you put in teh tank, pull the cord a few times and it will get into the carb. Leave it sit and do its thing for a few days.. Fill with fresh fuel and give it a try.

I would also suggest putting some fuel directly into the cylinder head (1,2 tbsp in the spark plug hole) and give er a rip. If all is good, it should still fire...

[rocksteady]

If it was stored with fuel in it, a good bet that the in tank fuel filter and line are degraded into a big ball of rubbery cow snot. The gasoline degrades the rubber over time. Cheap and fairly easy fix though....

[kishman]

Check youtube for videos on rebuilding the carb on your particular saw. I found one for mine, made it an easy job.

[4 point]

No gas left in the tank while stored. I'll try steps you folks have suggested, thanks.

[itsy bitsy xj]

You may also find the gaskets for the carb are dried out and rotten. 20 years is a long time but I would think that $50 should get it back in good running order

[Allen50]

its cheper to have carb done then new,, new will be 300plus,, and the older saw will work just fine, i have older saws that work just fine after a bit of work,,,good luck,,,

[308Lover]

Try this if it's not too late. Uncover the carb. Spray CARB CLEANER and fire it up. Repeat four or five times until it sucks its own fuel. Worked for me twice on saws stored for two or more years with fuel in them.

[j270wsm]

Why not just take the carb off take it apart and clean it. A can of carb cleaner is only $12, probably find gaskets for around $25.

[sarg]

I can come up to ur place and take it off ur hands if need :) no one like a handache :) saw are very easy to work on, like other have side pull the cab and clean it up ( no much to them small ones) check the fuel line, fill her up with gas and start cutting wood :)

[barry1974w]

Carb kits are fairly cheap. I'd drain the fuel, put a carb kit in it (new gaskets and seals) and replace the fuel lines and spark plug. That should do it. Even getting it done at a saw shop should cost less than a $100.00