Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Homelite => Topic started by: martyinmi on January 19, 2013, 11:16:39 am

Title: CS 40 Issues
Post by: martyinmi on January 19, 2013, 11:16:39 am
My CS 40 has been acting up more and more lately. So much so that I haven't been using it for fear of damaging it. When it is cold, I prime it a few times and it starts right up, but it idles real high(4-6000 rpm's) and runs lean. I have to piddle around with it to get it to eventually idle properly, usually turning the L screw out an eighth or so, and then it is fine until I make a few cuts. At that point, it runs rich and will not idle unless I turn the L screw back in where it was. If I leave it set running for a few minutes to cool down, it will eventually start to rev up and run lean again.
These little saws don't have an intake boot, and the pump gets it's pulses from a small hole on the end of the carb that lines up with another hole in the cylinder. I had the carb cleaned and rebuilt, and that made no difference.
My thought process tells me that it is a crank seal, and I've ordered one.
Anyone else have any other ideas before I tear into it? 
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: martyinmi on January 22, 2013, 12:15:17 pm
Not even my favorite uncle Al_Smith has any advise? ???

I tracked my new seal. It should be here tomorrow.

I might need some help getting the clutch off, as I've never messed with one of these things before, so I'm sure ya'll haven't heard the last from me on this saw! ;D
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Cut4fun on January 22, 2013, 03:53:24 pm
I dont reply if I dont know squat about the saw.  I looked it up when you first posted thread. It was in green JD and Homelite made. All I know. 
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: 660magnum on January 22, 2013, 05:05:57 pm
I looked up John Deere CS40 . . . .
This one looks more like it might be a EFCO? If it is a Homie, it is older?

Then I looked up Homelite CS40 and only picture I saw was of Mitch blowing one up on You Tube. It was red with a black top.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA9dfGN-YJs
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: martyinmi on January 22, 2013, 06:02:10 pm
I THINK the CS 40 is just a re badged 250, or maybe visa-versa. ??? ???

Thanks for the efforts!
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Al Smith on January 23, 2013, 09:19:20 am
Well nephew Marty you know more about them than do because I've never even seen one .I would concure on the  suspect of a crankcase seal leak though as most likely the culprit .

You find most used saws on the cheap there is normally a reason they got shelved .

A thought occured to me though .If that little rascal uses a pressuzed oil tank it might be a fact that might have a leak too but I know nothing about the saw so that's just a WAG on my part .

Let me go through my Homelite IPL's and see if I have a break down or if I even have a listing on that model .
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Al Smith on January 23, 2013, 10:08:23 am
It appears I have IPl's for chainsaws ,weed wackers ,a compactor ,a bunch of geardrives ,generaters ,cut off saws ,a water pump with an X -12 engine and a bunch of stuff like a spot light of all things .Nary even the mention of a CS 40 or a kitchen sink for that matter .
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Al Smith on January 23, 2013, 12:09:51 pm
Aha it has a crankshaft driven oil pump ,disregard my former idea of an impulse pump .http://s30387.gridserver.com/partsDiagrams/Homelite%20CS%2040%20and%20CS%2050.pdf
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: martyinmi on January 23, 2013, 11:08:30 pm
Hey, thanks a bunch Al. My crank seal was supposed to be here today, but it didn't show.

I got some experience replacing the intake boot on one of my 360's today. They sure are easy little buggers to work on.

I think that the best running one of the three 360's will out run my muffler modded MS 310. In fact, I think it will quite handily hand it it's own butt! ;)

I'll give ya'll my report on Saturday.

Thanks again everyone!
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues **UPDATE**
Post by: martyinmi on February 03, 2013, 06:23:59 pm
Well, I replaced the crank seal today. The old one looked like new, and I shoulda just put it back in, but the new one was only 6 bucks shipping and all, so it's in there. I put a new piston ring in it while I had it apart(11 bucks with shipping). It runs about the same, maybe a touch more grunt. ???

I had our local Stihl dealer put a new kit in the carb a month or so ago. He charged me 13 bucks, and the kit came from ebay for 8 bucks. He also checked the compression for me and it was 140 psi. It feels a bit stronger now with the new ring.

I noticed today that after a few cuts it would idle rich, I'd piddle with the throttle to keep it running until I found a screwdriver, and all I'd have to do is just tap the "L" screw and the idle would change. Can the needles in the carbs just plain get worn out from too much adjustment? Or would that signify some crap in the carb?

Of all my working saws, this one is my favorite one. It's light, starts good, and cuts with an attitude like it thinks it's bigger than it really is(it's 40.2cc's)! I've got close to a hundred and fifty bucks into it now between the initial purchase price, new bar and chain, plus the  parts I've thrown at it.

Do I try to find a new carb for it, or just run it till it blows? Or have someone with a sonic cleaner clean this one and put it back together? Or maybe just admit defeat and mail it to uncle Al and have him look at it...for a nominal fee, of course!(I hear he works for beer ;D ;))

And... Is it common for these saws to NOT have a crankcase gasket? In the parts breakdown they show one, but this one didn't have one there. I just used a little bit of the transmission sealant that Case/IH recommends when I put it back together. :-\

Thanks for your patience gentlemen! :)
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Al Smith on February 03, 2013, 07:51:46 pm
Do not mail that thing to me for heavens sake .It's cold enough to freeze the  hooters off a dead witch .I hibernate in the winter any more .
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: 660magnum on February 03, 2013, 10:30:52 pm
Cut4fun and I were out running chainsaws after lunch. At first it was nice out there in the hazy sun and 4 mph wind. Along about 3 PM the wind increased to about 12 mph and the clouds got heavy - it was miserable if you were not right up against the down wind side of the barn. He had a space heater inside the shop so it wasn't bad there but it was too cold for bare hands laying on steel.
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: leec on September 11, 2013, 08:06:48 pm
I dont reply if I dont know squat about the saw.  I looked it up when you first posted thread. It was in green JD and Homelite made. All I know. 

These I believe are actually Solo saws  Check their web site and download the ipl for 540 or maybe 640 and you will recognize the saw

Regards,

Lee
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: brokenbudget on September 12, 2013, 07:01:55 am
These I believe are actually Solo saws  Check their web site and download the ipl for 540 or maybe 640 and you will recognize the saw
Regards, Lee

no. these were built by efco not solo.
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Cut4fun on September 12, 2013, 01:19:18 pm
I dont ever recall solo making saws for JD  ?  Did I miss something  ?
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: Cut4fun . on September 12, 2013, 02:29:35 pm
Who made John Deere chainsaws over the years. Here is what I found posted by peppone on JD chainsaws.

Quote
  peppone

Pioneer, Remington, Homelite, Echo and Efco-Oleomac.
in this progression.
Title: Re: CS 40 Issues
Post by: leec on September 26, 2013, 08:48:43 am
I dont ever recall solo making saws for JD  ?  Did I miss something  ?

These I believe are actually Solo saws  Check their web site and download the ipl for 540 or maybe 640 and you will recognize the saw

Regards,

Lee

Opps your absolutely right What was I thinking, and to make it worse I actually have a cs56 by John Deere! Very nice unit it is too!

Lee