Stihl 044 Mystery--HELP

[Scott Laflamme]

I am currently working on a Stihl 044 that will idle but dies on WOT. Below is what I have done /discovered.

--Replaced crankcase gasket
--Replaced crank seals
--Replaced fuel line
--Replaced air filter
--Replaced fuel
--Replaced spark plug

--Cleaned and Installed carb kit
--Pressure tested carb--Good

--Conducted pressure test --held 7psi
--Conducted vacuum test--held 10 psi
--Conducted vacuum/pressure test on impulse line--good

I got the saw to idle at 2500 rpm and then when I start putting a load on it, it sounds like it is going run fine and then 5-10 seconds of running at about 10,000 rpm it will start to bog and die--almost like it is starving for fuel.

Has anyone run into similar situations; and, if so, were you able to fix it?

 

[Moparmyway]

Did you Replace or clean the small fine screen at the fuel inlet ?

 

[Scott Laflamme]

Did you Replace or clean the small fine screen at the fuel inlet ?

Are you talking about the one in the carb? I did replace that when I detailed the carburetor.

 

[GPX433Todd]

New fuel filter? Also tank vent could be plugged.

 

[jk14]

I assume you replaced the filter along with the new fuel line. Sounds like tank vent I'd start there.

 

[sld961]

Like was mentioned, tank vent is the next thing to check. Does the saw start right back up after it dies, or does it need to sit for a while?

 

[SteveSS]

Tank vent would be my next choice also.

 

[MustangMike]

Tank vent or float in the carb not adjusted or working correctly.

Could also be the coil.

If not the vent, I would try a different carb, then a different coil.

 

[TJ the Chainsaw Mechanic]

Run it...and when it dies....put it at WOT and see if it will fire again...if it doesn't.....blow cold compressed air on the coil and repeat. If it fires...the coil is bad. If it doesn't then you have a fuel problem or something else. If that has an HD or C3m the float lever should be set level with the brim of the carb. Dumb question, but did you get the right kit? I've been able to grab kits that are the "wrong" one and they worked fine, but sometimes they don't. Check the tank vent for sure, normally if it's bad it'll leak....I've never had one plugged, but I always check.

 

[Scott Laflamme]

Thanks to all who made suggestions. I adjusted the metering lever on the needle side and the saw is running fine.

 

[sefh3]

Glad it was an easy fix.

 

[MustangMike]

Glad it worked out, and thank you for adding to our knowledge data base!

Hope you enjoy our site, the 044 is my favorite saw. Is she stock, or have you enhanced the performance a bit yet? It is very easy to do with that saw.

Also, my older daughter lives in NH.

 

[TJ the Chainsaw Mechanic]

Good to know it was a simple problem.