hangfirew8
ArboristSite Operative
Basic question is, how many turns out on a ZAMA C1Q-EL7 H&L to start tuning a 1998 Husqvarna "EPA". Saw starts with choke on and runs only with the choke feathered around half and then cuts out. Don't want to push it any further for fear of running it lean for too long.
The background...
I picked up an at a flea market for $50 a week ago. PO said it ran (yeah, right) and warned it was leaky and "just" needed a new fuel line (yeah, right). Too difficult to pull without engaging the compression release. New chain, well used bar with some life left in it, most of the saw utterly packed with oiled sawdust, airbox only a light film of dusty slime, semi-clogged air filter. I pulled it down and viewed piston from both sides, still unscuffed and covered with original machining marks, cylinder looks perfect from all 3 views. Top of piston looks like it was run rich for a while before I got it.
Cleaned it up. Everything looks like it's in really good shape, especially for a '98. Put a new Tygon and fuel filter on it (that was easy! compared to some other saws I've worked on). Then it would cough and pop a bit but was wet beyond imagination in the chamber, it was choking out. Had to pull the plug and let it air out just to get it to cough again. No gas anywhere else, it was the carb leaking.
So I got the Oregon 49-438 rebuild kit, pulled apart the carb and soaked it a while and put it all back together. Once I pulled enough to get gas sucked up into the carb (there's no primer bulb), it fired right up, but it won't run without about 1/2 choke and even then after 30 sec or a minute it dies. I can see fuel coming through the Tygon line so it's not fuel supply. Brand new plug is dry and so is chamber so the excessive rich condition seems to be fixed but now I'm worried it's running lean.
When I rebuilt the carb, only parts left over were a screen and the triangular foil. Try as I might I could not get the old foil off. Not sure if any of that matters.
Thanks for any help! I've been away from this site except for some occassional lurking and reading. I love chainsaws, but sometimes life intervenes. I've been rocking a little Husqvarna 435 that has met all my modest needs for the past several years. I've always wanted a decent 50 cube saw and I'm hoping this is it. Some of my trees are getting beyond mature and a few are threatening the house and neighbor's fence and have to come down soon. It would be nice to use the 55 if possible.
The background...
I picked up an at a flea market for $50 a week ago. PO said it ran (yeah, right) and warned it was leaky and "just" needed a new fuel line (yeah, right). Too difficult to pull without engaging the compression release. New chain, well used bar with some life left in it, most of the saw utterly packed with oiled sawdust, airbox only a light film of dusty slime, semi-clogged air filter. I pulled it down and viewed piston from both sides, still unscuffed and covered with original machining marks, cylinder looks perfect from all 3 views. Top of piston looks like it was run rich for a while before I got it.
Cleaned it up. Everything looks like it's in really good shape, especially for a '98. Put a new Tygon and fuel filter on it (that was easy! compared to some other saws I've worked on). Then it would cough and pop a bit but was wet beyond imagination in the chamber, it was choking out. Had to pull the plug and let it air out just to get it to cough again. No gas anywhere else, it was the carb leaking.
So I got the Oregon 49-438 rebuild kit, pulled apart the carb and soaked it a while and put it all back together. Once I pulled enough to get gas sucked up into the carb (there's no primer bulb), it fired right up, but it won't run without about 1/2 choke and even then after 30 sec or a minute it dies. I can see fuel coming through the Tygon line so it's not fuel supply. Brand new plug is dry and so is chamber so the excessive rich condition seems to be fixed but now I'm worried it's running lean.
When I rebuilt the carb, only parts left over were a screen and the triangular foil. Try as I might I could not get the old foil off. Not sure if any of that matters.
Thanks for any help! I've been away from this site except for some occassional lurking and reading. I love chainsaws, but sometimes life intervenes. I've been rocking a little Husqvarna 435 that has met all my modest needs for the past several years. I've always wanted a decent 50 cube saw and I'm hoping this is it. Some of my trees are getting beyond mature and a few are threatening the house and neighbor's fence and have to come down soon. It would be nice to use the 55 if possible.