Chainsaw Repair

This is my first post here, but i have been lurking for quite a while.   I also lurk at some of the other saw forums, but i decided to try posting here first due to the nature of the post (repair). Plus, i like the layout of the forum, and most of the posts seem informative.

I'm pretty much a noob compared to most of you.  But, i have this unexplainable addiction to saws. 

Anyway, i've been looking for a cheap saw to tinker with, so that i can learn the ins and outs.  So, i have been searching craigslist for something reasonable to add to my collection.  I started on Husqvarna, so i have been sticking with them, even though i have nothing against Stihl saws or other brands. 

I found a 357xp locally.  Seller says it won't idle and may need a carb and fuel lines.  I went to see, pulled the plug and muffler, and the piston/cylinder look excellent.  No signs of scoring. I offered $75 and got it.  All plastic is in good shape (one small crack in upper plastic piece).  Saw came with a nice condition 18" bar and almost new Stihl 3/8 chain.  Saw had a new looking plug and filter.  Fuel lines in the tank look good (to my untrained eye)

I tinkered with it a little last night. Pulled the bar and chain.  Sprocket was in good shape (good sign i hope?). 

I think it has a significant air leak.  With the exhaust off, plug in (wire off), when cranking the saw, you can hear a hissing sound which sounds like it is coming from the rear (carb) or side.  I pulled out my 345 and, under the same conditions, the hissing noise is not present. 

Questions: 
How do i identify the date of this saw?  I can see the tag under the handle.  I suspect it's an 03.
What's the next step?  This is as far as i have disasembled a saw yet.  I'm thinking i'll pull the carb, take it apart to clean it, and look for an air leak. 

Let me know if you guys are willing to walk me through this first project of mine, or if i should look elsewhere.  Just looking to learn and have a bit of fun with it.  I'm fired up to get into this thing. 

I'll try to post up some pics tonight if i can figure out how.

Thanks in advance.

Ok, i downloaded the IPL from Husqvarna and went on parts tree to identify the parts.  The decompression valve may be what is leaking.  My saw has the decompression valve 537128-05, which has the banjo fitting and hose attached.  I don't really know how this works.  The hissing does sound like it is coming from there.

How do i do a crankcase pressure test?  Do i need special tools? I have a mity-vac, compressor, etc.  Most of my tools are car related.

The is another thing that was problematic on Husqvarna chainsaws of that era.

The clamp for the rubber carburetor boot at the cylinder was a plastic snap on affair.

The clamp tends to unsnap and the rubber boot then leaks at the cylinder causing all kinds of air leak symptoms.

The fix is to replace the plastic one with a later metal one. But it is not that simple for there is extra plastic on the baffle plate that must be removed for the metal clamp to fit properly or else by the later baffle plate that was used with the metal clamp.

I made some progress tonight.

I pulled the decomp valve off my 345 and it fit in the 357 nicely.  I plugged the hole in the hose temporarily and tried it. Note that i didn't plug it at the bottom, so it's possible that the hose has a leak.  What should i use to plug that hole permanently? 

The saw starts with the choke on.  Once the choke is off, the saw starts again, revs up and dies.  I tried changing the idle speed screw and low speed screw in multiple positions, with no luck.  Same symptoms, but different start up speed. 

I then put it back on the work bench and started tinkering again.  I found the fuel line from the carb to tank is very **** and leaking.  So, how do i go about replacing it?  Do i have to pull the tank?  Should i replace the other line while i am in there?  That one looks more difficult to access.

I pulled the carb.  It looks pretty clean.  I may disasemble it and clean it.  Should I?  Do they make a carb rebuild kit for this carb? 

Another problem is that the fuel tank leaks.  The saw has the older style fuel cap, which i like better than the new.  Do they sell the o-ring for this? 

Also, the saw has the older style (i think) limiters on the carb adjustments.  There is a one piece cap that covers both screws.  What is the best way to remove the limiters on this saw?

The clamp at the cylinder is plastic as mentioned.  I don't know if there is a leak yet. 

I have a few dealers nearby, but i've never visited them.  Do dealers typically carry parts like this (decomp valve, fuel hose, filter, etc)? 

Thanks again. 

Jon

I was able to find the repair manual.  I've read through it.  I used it to help pull the carb.

I'm putting together an order at Jack's Small Engine now.

Question:  From the diagrams, it appears that there are two separate hoses from the tank to the carb.  Is this correct?  There is a spiral hose in the tank (with filter), but i can't tell if it stops at a fitting somewhere inside or just outside the tank, or if it is the same piece of hose that goes to the carb. The diagrams show 2 seperate pieces. If that's true, the only cracks i can see are in the hose outside the tank.  Maybe i'll have to do more disassembly before i order. 

On my order i have:
Manual Decompression valve
New fuel cap
Fuel Filter
Fuel Hose 544325002
Fuel Hose 503400602
Partition wall intake 537251302 (comes with the metal clamp)
Impulse hose 544325101

Anything else i should order while i'm there? 

Big thanks for the help so far.  This is fun stuff.