Stihl 029 problems

[CabinFever]

Hey guys, So my dad has an old stihl 029.  It is most likely 15-20 years old, has ran great for a long time but lately...not so much.  I know the basics for running saws but when it comes to other problems I need help.  The chain is sharp and we only run good gas.  It seems to bog down very easily now and once you run a tank through it it has a very hard time starting up again until it cools down.  The air filter smells of gas too.  Any thoughts with the above symptoms?

Thanks guys, your knowledge is appreciated!

[Ada Shaker]

Hey guys, So my dad has an old stihl 029.  It is most likely 15-20 years old, has ran great for a long time but lately...not so much.  I know the basics for running saws but when it comes to other problems I need help.  The chain is sharp and we only run good gas.  It seems to bog down very easily now and once you run a tank through it it has a very hard time starting up again until it cools down.  The air filter smells of gas too.  Any thoughts with the above symptoms?

Thanks guys, your knowledge is appreciated!

Hi CabinFever.
Sounds like the ignition coil might be on it's way out. Synonymous with the heating up and cooling down of the saw. Make sure the spark plug is clean first though, and you have a good strong spark. The smell/odour your getting is likely to be unburned fuel due to misfiring.

[joe_indi]

Three  possibilities
#1.The carb's H and L screw need to be adjusted
#2. 15-20 years later the metering needle and/or the metering diaphragm need to be replaced
#3. Saw dust accumulation between the cover and diaphragm on the metering side of the carb.
Joe 

[CabinFever]

Hey guys thanks for the wisdom!!

I will look into all of these options and see if I cant figure it out

[CabinFever]

So I cleaned the air filter, readjusted the H and L screws, and checked the spark plug.  Seemed to run a little better and sounded like it was revving up higher but once I tried to really dig it into some wood is bogged down again and eventually the chain would even stop, this is with putting an average amount of pressure on it where it should not be bogging down.  As I am pretty ignorant with some of this stuff how should I go about checking the metering needle and metering diaphragm? (youtube)

[luvmexfood]

Check the price on a new carb from Stihl. Bought one for my 029 a couple of years back and it wasn't really that bad best I remember. No where near what it had cost me in having a day to cut and saw wouldn't run.

[joe_indi]

Being such an old saw there are other things to check before you start replacing expensive 'hardware', such as the seals on both sides of the crankshaft, the filter in the fuel tank and the impulse hose. Next round of checks could be concentrated on the carb. Take it one step at a time, start with those seals. Since they are so old, just replace them. Joe

[5000+]

I suggest checking the spark arrester screen on the muffler for blockage. It is under the outlet, 3 nuts. While the nuts are off check the piston for scoring or stuck rings.

[5000+]

I forgot to add to slip the muffler off after the nuts are removed.

[luvmexfood]

I forgot to add to slip the muffler off after the nuts are removed.

If you do pull the muffler might as well have a couple of replacement bolts from Stihl. My 029 was older like yours and despite my best efforts I rung them in two getting them off.

[CabinFever]

So I ordered a new carburetor that comes with a new fuel filter and some other small pieces.  Have yet to receive it to install.  In the mean time I checked the spark arrester screen and it is very clean.  Looking at the piston, there were only 2 small scratches (not sure how bad that is?)  I also am not sure how to check if the rings are stuck?   

[CabinFever]

If I ordered a carburetor from amazon, do you think this will be an issue since it is not from a stihl dealer?