Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: JohnG28 on March 07, 2014, 11:40:12 am

Title: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on March 07, 2014, 11:40:12 am
I just got a 257 from a buddy to go through. He said it wasn't running well the last few times he had run it. I gave it about a dozen pulls with no pop. Pulled the plastic off and see it needs an air filter bad. Also needs a carb kit, some dust and/or dirt in there. Piston looks good through intake and exhaust sides, no scoring or signs of wear really. Any other known issues or things to look at or check with these? This is the first one I've ever seen and I'd like to have it running well for him. Thanks for any advice.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 07, 2014, 12:08:25 pm
Check for spark, if good then
Squirt a little fuel in the carb and see if it will fire, if it fires probably carb or fuel delivery issue. If no spark then may need a coil, also make sure the ground wire is not rubbed raw somewhere on its way to the on/off switch. Factory coil is crazy money, best would be known good used oem or aftermarket. Used oem are redilly available from people like chainsawr.com.

Those saws are part of the 254-257-261-262 family and are actually quite nice saws. The 257 uses an internal pulse delivered through a small hole at the bottom of the intake through the manifold block to the carb. Make sure to check the impulse path out for obstructions. Also they use a gasket either side of the manifold block, do not mix them up.

I do a lot of work on that family of saws so if you have more questions post them or PM me.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 07, 2014, 12:19:35 pm
I have the workshop manual for that family of saws also. PM with a direct e-mail addr and I will send it to you.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on March 07, 2014, 07:05:07 pm
Thanks for that info. Sent you a pm with my email. Not a bad looking saw and he said it's got nice power. I'm going to have a go at it Monday when I'm off again. Thanks.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: SawTroll on March 08, 2014, 11:57:43 pm
Check for spark, if good then
Squirt a little fuel in the carb and see if it will fire, if it fires probably carb or fuel delivery issue. If no spark then may need a coil, also make sure the ground wire is not rubbed raw somewhere on its way to the on/off switch. Factory coil is crazy money, best would be known good used oem or aftermarket. Used oem are redilly available from people like chainsawr.com.

Those saws are part of the 254-257-261-262 family and are actually quite nice saws. The 257 uses an internal pulse delivered through a small hole at the bottom of the intake through the manifold block to the carb. Make sure to check the impulse path out for obstructions. Also they use a gasket either side of the manifold block, do not mix them up.

I do a lot of work on that family of saws so if you have more questions post them or PM me.

You forgot the 154, which was the first saw in that "family" of saws.  ;)

The 257 was the one with the lowest power rating, and the only one with an open port cylinder.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 09, 2014, 11:13:35 am
John, did you get the OM and WM for the 257 I sent?
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on March 09, 2014, 09:06:33 pm
Yes I got them, thank you very much!  Back to it tomorrow,  have to order a carb kit at least but I'm going to clean the carb for now and get it running. Going to look through the manual tonight though. Looks like an OK saw, but like I said, haven't run it yet. It does feel a little heavy for its size, but could be me. He's into carving and just uses it just to block up logs so guess it works for him.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on March 12, 2014, 10:31:50 am
John, www.mowers4u.com 315.753.0500 help@mowers4u.com has best prices on carb kits and super fast shipping. Nice folks to deal with.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on March 12, 2014, 02:03:03 pm
Thanks. Haven't dealt with them before but heard of them. I'll get one ordered this week. Not a big rush since he's not doing any work right now. Saw is a damn mess, doesn't look to have had any regular maintenance in a long time, so a good cleaning is in order too. Started some last night but some family stuff got in the way, as is the case today. Always tomorrow though!
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on April 15, 2014, 12:16:36 pm
Figured I should come back and update. Got the saw all done and ready to go out the door last week. Had a back ordered air filter hold it up. Carb was a mess, a good cleaning didn't get it running any better. Carb kit did the trick though, along with a 2nd good cleaning. Crud in H and L jets and the inlet needle was rounded on the tip and don't think it was seating well. Little tuning and she runs nice! New air filter, with the screw to hold it in place!  Chain sharpened and ready to go. Hope he takes care of it now so it keeps going. I think this might be a nice way to pass spare time and make a buck or two also.  ;) Thanks again for the shop manual KRL, much appreciated!  One more model I have experience with now too.
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on April 15, 2014, 12:19:41 pm
And meant to mention, the site you gave for the carb kit was great. Got the air filter from Baileys,  but they wanted almost 3x the price for the same carb kit!
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on April 15, 2014, 01:03:36 pm
Glad it is back together and running! They really are quite nice saws, with plenty of power and no EPA crap!
Title: Re: 257 info
Post by: JohnG28 on April 15, 2014, 01:35:44 pm
Yeah its not a bad running saw, or at least it is now. It was a dirty mess but inside the engine is like new. Don't matter what it looks like though, just how she runs. Thanks.