What to Replace on Husqvarna Chainsaw Stored for 14 Years

Thanks in advance to everyone. I am military and have a Husqvarna 41 Chainsaw that has seen minimal use. However, I am 99% sure I will need to replace a bunch of stuff as it has gathered dust for around fourteen years of storage (no fuel or oil in it).

I have not tried to start it but am only assuming based on common sense that seals, gaskets, and rubber lines are going to need to be replaced and the carburetor likely rebuilt.

So my question is what would be the normal parts to replace or steps to take to bring this saw back to life? Also, any recommendations on where to get the required parts (I live in Tampa) would also be great. Thank you and Semper Fi.

Brewspartan

 

If it had no fuel in it, it may not need anything. Fuel is what hurts the carburetor and rubber parts. I'd look at the fuel lines and if they look good, I'd fill 'er up and see what happens. If it doesn't run, the carb may need work. That's about the most I'd expect to have to do.

 

Thank you Cheese! That is encouraging.

 

I would put a little oil down the sparkplug hole, oil the centrifugal clutch and it's bearing, oil the bar nose wheel and wash out the air filter, put in fresh fuel mix and bar oil and let it rip,

 

Thanks Knuckles for the advice. Prior to seeing your post I took some action. I wanted to get an idea what was what and what didn't look right. In doing so I discovered that the fuel line was crumbling from one end to the other to including inside the fuel tank. The air filter was still good and the carburetor looked good (which doesn't mean a thing).

I replaced the fuel line and spark plug. I then attempted to start. Without starter fluid (no dice) then with starter fluid. I was able to get it running for a few seconds then it would stop (when starter fluid was burned). I noticed no fuel was flowing through the fuel line. It turns out I had a kink between the tank and the engine. After fixing and getting most of the air out of the line, I again started but the engine continues to not take any fuel through the line.

I "think" I need to rebuild the carburetor since the engineering of the carburetor causes it to act as a fuel pump. Since no fuel is pumping, I am assuming there are bad parts in the carb. Does this make since? Thank you in advance for any assistance.


S/F,

Brewspartan

 

Yep, you need to open the carb and clean it and there's a good chance it may need a kit. Depends on if it had gas in it that dried out, and other factors. The diaphragms may be stiff and dried out or they may be fine. Inspection is the only way to know. Get a can of spray carb cleaner and open it up and see. You may just have stuck pump valves on the pump diaphragm, or pieces of crumbled fuel line clogging the inlet screen.

 

Keep it in mind that starter fluid doesn't have any lubricating properties and the bigend and piston/rings will be dry after those years in storage. Would be a pity to ruin the motor at this stage. At least you've found that the electricals and sparks are OK.

As for parts I'd ring a Husky dealer and get them posted to you.

 

Cheese-Thanks for the insite on pulling apart the carb/using some carb cleaner prior to replacing or rebuilding. I will try that this evening.

Knuckles-I will definately throw some oil/lube on all areas you identified.

Again, thank you for the assistance. I will keep you updated.


S/F,

Brewspartan

 

I took apart the carburetor to hit it with the carb cleaner. I must say that there were no brittle or broken diaphram. Everything "looked" fine. However, after a thorough spray down, wait, and assembly, the saw still wouldn't start (and continued to not pull gas through the gas line.

I guess the next step is to rebuild or replace the carb. Please let me know if anyone things otherwise. Thanks again for all the help.

 

Did you spray through all the passages and ports? Clean the inlet screen? You may have to put a kit in it or replace it as mentioned.

 

I located and purchased the recommended carb rebuild kit for under $11. I rebuilt the carb in about 10 minutes and slapped it back on the machine. The saw is now running like new. I still have a few other maintenance steps to take, but all and all the saw back in action.

Thank you all so much for all the assistance and guidance. It was a huge help.

S/F,

Brewspartan