XL-12 won't start -

[rieflin]

Greetings,

So glad to find this forum. I try to learn and be self-supporting but sometimes a word of advice is needed.

I have an XL-12 I inherited from my Dad. He was a good mechanic and I'm not. I put carb cleaner in the carb and it runs for a few seconds. I can blow up the gas line through the carb. But not from the gas line into the tank.

The tank has lots of old-gas-gooue in it. So, my operating assumption is that old-gas-gooue has clogged the line. The question is, how to get the gas tank open so I can clean it out.

I have taken the chain saw apart mostly (screws from each section in little baggies). I think that I don't know how to take the "fly wheel" off which will lead me to the remaining 8-12 screws. There is a 1/2" bolt/Nut on each side.

Not wanting to strip the thing and kill it, I tried gently to take it off normally (lefty-loosy) but no luck. Tried gently going in the wrong direction (righty-tighty) but no success. So, better to ask a Question than cry the blues.

Or perhaps the answer is "If you are an amateur don't try this at home." Feel free to say that also.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jim

[RBW]

Hi Jim, Welcome to the "House"!



I'm not sure that it is recommended that you take the tank apart on most of these saws. Some are permanently bonded at the factory and some were even welded.



What I would try first is to go to your local auto parts store and find a can of Carburetor soak (I forget the name), the stuff I used to use comes in a yellow can that had a parts tray inside.



Take the liquid that is in the can and pour it into the tank in question and and plug all of the openings then let it dissolve the gum and varnish, you could also spray an entire can of Carb spray in there if need be. ;D



Either way, let this sit for a week or more until it has dissolved most of the gum and you should be ready for new fuel lines and a new filter.



Let us know how you make out with this saw, those XL-12's are great saws!


Eric