STIHL 044 chainsaw problems

[Andros2240]

New here to the forum, looking for some help with my stihl 044 chainsaw. Chainsaw runs fine with air filter off , but as soon as I put the filter back on, seems like it isn’t receiving any fuel and bogs down to the point where it can’t be used. Chain doesn’t spin with filter on either, sounds like it’s choked for air. Would changing the fuel filter help? I also did not winterize saw when I left home for the summer and wife didn’t know what I was talking about when tying to explain to her she needs to winterize the chainsaw. 044 sat for 6 months with mixed fuel.

I have used the 044 recently this year, and just now having problems. I always use supreme gasoline, mix in small batches and never add new gas to old mix.

I live overseas in South America half the year, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You, Andy

 

[Sig226y]

2 silly questions and no offense meant but is your air filter clean and are you pulling your chain brake to the off position? Back toward you.

 

[blacksmith]

Welcome to the site @Andros2240 it's nice to meet you.
Iam definitely no chainsaw wizard but the first thing that comes to my mind may be clogged filter or weak crankcase pressure. Impulse line may be cracked and just by putting filter is adding enough resistance that it won't run with it but will run without? Iam just spitballing here but wait for someone more knowledgeable to come along.

There are plenty of masters on this site that I know can probably tell you exactly what the issue is.
@drf256, @tree monkey and @Redfin just to name a few. I am sure someone will be along shortly.

 

[Andros2240]

Ok, affirm...chainbreak was disengaged and air filter is clean.

 

[Sig226y]

Welcome to the site @Andros2240 it's nice to meet you.
Iam definitely no chainsaw wizard but the first thing that comes to my mind may be clogged filter or weak crankcase pressure. Impulse line may be cracked and just by putting filter is adding enough resistance that it won't run with it but will run without? Iam just spitballing here but wait for someone more knowledgeable to come along.

There are plenty of masters on this site that I know can probably tell you exactly what the issue is.
@drf256, @tree monkey and @Redfin just to name a few. I am sure someone will be along shortly.

Yes they are the masters for sure.

 

[Sig226y]

Maybe carb got gummed up setting for those 6 months but yes i would look at the gas filter first. Sorry other than those items its above my pay grade but good luck!

 

[Leeroy]

Can you easily get a new filter locally? Hard to get a filter with many hrs on it as good as new.

 

[Andros2240]

Yes, they have stihl distributors locally here, easy to buy a new fuel filter

 

[Sig226y]

Thats really weird it runs with no air filter and wont run with air filter installed. Could something be blocking the venturi opening( the main opening where it gets air) think thats what its called anyway? I had rodent build a nest in my lawn mower air intake, made a mess and ants keep putting mud in my key hole, had to put duct tape over it.

 

[Leeroy]

Oh I meant an air filter Andy. I've had similar problems where I thought I had a clean air filter, but swapping in a new one solved it. Guess you'd have a spare if that didn't solve it.

 

[Andros2240]

I checked opening and nothing blocking air flow.

 

[Andros2240]

Ok, will replace both air and fuel filter

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Ok, will replace both air and fuel filter

Sorry to see that no follow up posts were made to know what the problem turned out to be nor what other things he might have eliminated on the way to the solution.

In my life of learning to fix things, I was always taught to diagnose before replacing parts and once you start replacing parts, only replace one at a time then test. If you put multiple parts on at the same time, you won't be able to confirm the cause.

My own education on saw repair actually begins in 1994 when I bought a brand new Echo String Trimmer and a Stihl 026 chainsaw. Both tools served me well every year with only normal maintenance until I got maybe 15 years of use out of both. Eventually the Echo trimmer would startt fine cold, but hard starting after I'd put a tank of gas through it. I had to ask a buddy's uncle to help me diagnose it. He showed me how to clean and replace the Carb parts and adjust the jets settings.

Next in line was my original new to me 1994, Stihl 026. I had no issues with it until sometime between 2000 and 2016 as it became an occasional use saw. I was not the best about storing it fuel wise. But, as I learned as the years aged me, I found out about the impacts of ethanol on the fuel systems as I began to teach myself more and more about small engine equipment. So, around 2016-17, I searched the web to learn all about how saws work, testing procedures, etc. The cause of my problem became obvious. I found out that the Fuel Lines and Impulse line were clogged or gummy from the fuel I fed the saw and how I left it stored in between uses over the decade.

I replaced the lines, and fuel filter, still no fire. I swapped in a known good WT 194 from my 2nd 026 saw and it ran like a champ. Bought a new WT 194 carb and swapped the original 2nd one back to that saw, and the new WT 194 was the ticket for my '94 saw.

From there on, nothing but OEM Stihl parts, filters, good oil and ethanol free fuel. Keep things clean and quality fuels and lubes, and the saws/ trimmers should last me another decade or more.