I have a stihl 026 that i got used. It started having idle trouble after 2 years of trouble free use. I put in a new carb kit then it began to flood like crazy. After that I put in a new meter needle and spring, which stopped some of the fuel leaks, but it still floods when i try to start it. It will run after about 20 pulls, but still won't idle at any adjustment and still spits fuel out of the exhaust. I removed the cylinder and it looks clean, while the piston has minor scoring on the exhaust side. The air filter, fuel pickup, carburetor and spark arrestor have all been cleaned. Any ideas anybody?
Thanks alot
If it's flooding the needle lever is probably set too high. Walbro sets level with top of carb.
Shep
You need to pressure test the carb first with Stihl carburetor/crankcase 11068502905 tester. They aren't expensive and are more important than a spline tool when working on a chainsaw.
Connect it to the fuel inlet on the carb and pressurize to 0.4bar (5.7psi), the needle should not move at all. NOT EVEN DROPPING EXTREMELY SLOW! I drop my carbs in some fuel under pressure and if the gaskets leak it will bubble, if the needle leaks the bubbles come out the bore from the main jet. Then you know if its carb or not.
If it's the needle leaking and you have replaced it, your setting on the needle fork (inlet control lever) may be wrong. Some carbs have plastic units and others metal, I don't recall what the 026 have, but if steel it can be set.
Remove the carb end cover, diaphragm and gasket. Then take a straight edge and scrape it over the carb were the gasket goes, the needle fork should just miss it with less than a hair. Assemble, pressure test, fit carb and set it.
Buy that tool you need it the moment the carb gets opened or you will never no if its ok.
Thanks to both of you, i'm looking into the pressure tester and will check my lever setting shortly. It is a metal lever, but I had not noticed it was adjustable. I'll update when I have news.
Link
You bend the fork.
Make sure the choke is closing in the air filter properly. You'll defiantly flood the cylinder if the choke is not closed all the way on start up.