StihlyinEly
Addicted to ArboristSite
If you don't normally perform routing maintenance on your automobile and other small engines, i don't see the point in learning how to fix a carb on a saw now. Some folks just aren't cut out for fixing things, and there's nothing wrong with that.
If you're ready to try, expect to take 3 or 4 hours to do with that dealer charges 1/2 hour to do. There are lots of little quirks and kinks to getting a carb off and on with everything re-attached proper, and you might have to do it a couple times at first.
Otherwise do this: buy carb repair kit. rip it down trying to remember the locations and order of operations of each hickie. then try to separate the parts without ripping the gaskets-why? Because sooner or later you'll want to open one and be able to re-use gaskets and practice makes perfect. pull H/L screws, remove needle/pivot assembly spray or soak with carb/brake cleaner blow dry/through with compressed air. clean gasket surfaces. if you find more than a tad of corrosion, you may want to pitch the carb or learn how to go deeper with disassembly and cleaning.
with everything as clean and dry as you can get it, reassemble using kit components where you can. the jam it back on the machine, hook it all up. make sure you got it all hooked up right.
engage your starting ritual.
hth
WRT rudeness. NO WAY JOSE! There are too many fine and friendly folks who will take my dollar for similar, if not better services-while treating me like a person. There are very few things in life over which one has so much control as where he spends his dollars. A rude person may get my money once, but they'll not get it twice-even if it costs me more to shop elsewhere. I live this, I'll do without before I'll pay *&^%%^&'s.
Those who are rude to their customers don't want customers. If they are rude to me, I leave and am thankful for the opportunity to seek out and find folks of better disposition. This is also why some shops have a backlog with other shops in the same area don't. Just like food, the best it at the front of the _long_ line my friend.
A cheap digital camera with built-in flash can make this whole reassembly process MUCH easier. Take lots of pics of each step of the disassembly. Load them on the computer. When you put the carb back together, do it at your computer or, if you have a laptop, bring the laptop into your workshop so you can refer to the pics.
If you opt for that option, remember it's best to use the "macro" option on the camera, which allows you to focus closer, and not get TOO close to the carb when taking the pics. Review each set of pics to make sure they are sharp, not blurry, before moving onto the next step.