Restoration project

[toolcraft4100]

Thanks for welcoming me to this forum!
I just got a Homelite XL-101 (sn 3023294), from the barn where my late stepfather kept all his treasures. It has been sitting there for at least 20 years. I need a chainsaw and I have a little mechanical knowledge, experience and confidence. So my hope is to get this saw running.
The bottom of the fuel tank is kinda sludgy but several drops of liquid dripped out when I turned it upside down. 
The pull start handle was hanging out several inches. It will pull a little more and rotate the motor, but still won't retract all the way again.
The chain is rusty but it will move around the bar.
I removed the cover containing the pull start mechanism and took the mechanism apart. Everything in this saw is caked with oil-saturated sawdust. The spring seems fine except that it is caked with semi-solid oily sawdust.
My tentative plan is to clean and reassemble the pull start, clean all the gunk off and out of the saw, replace the spark plug, put some fuel in it and see if it will fire.
Except that the fuel line disintegrated on contact between the fuel tank and the air filter/carburetor chamber. And when looked into the fuel tank I found about 6 inches of fuel line that also fell to pieces upon contact. 
So I am open to comments on this saw and the practicality of restoring it and using it. And I am looking for advice on how to rebuild the fuel line.
Thanks again !
Toolcraft4100 

[onlyhomelites]

Welcome!

The XL-101 is a good saw, but it has a few "challenges" you should be aware of. It only has a manual oiler, so for regular use you'll have to get used to using the pump frequently. Also these models had a sealed tank assembly; if the saw is jerked too hard in a pinched cut, it would break the seal and the tanks would leak.

I do have a fuel line kit on my website that would work for you: www.leonschainsawpartsandrepair.com/store/p6480/NOS_Homelite_Super_XL-130%2C_VI-123%2C_XL-76%2C_XL-113%2C_XL-114%2C_XL-122%2C_XL-123_Chainsaw_Aftermarket_Tygon_Fuel_Hose_Set_FLS25.html

DO you have any pics of the saw?

[edju1958]

Welcome to HoH! One of the first things you might want to do is put oil in the oil tank to see if you've got a leak.There is a kit that is sold for this repair.There are a few gaskets on Ebay as well.It does sound like the saw is going to need some work,but take one step at a time & with the help from other members here you'll have that saw in tip top shape in no time.You've already tackled one of your problems & that was the recoil.A bit of advice - don't use any type of petroleum lubricant on the recoil,it only attracts dirt.Use graphite flakes or powder.Good luck on your project!

                                                                          Ed

[toolcraft4100]

I guess I don’t know how to post pics. I have some “before” pics and now some “in progress” pics. After spend an hour trying to figure it out (I have done this on many lawnmowers, powerwashers and minibikes) I have no clue how to wind up the spring or, then, how to mount the whole thing on the chainsaw.

[toolcraft4100]

There is still some sludge in the bottom of the fuel tank, including the remnants of the fuel line. I cleaned the motor and stuff with kerosene and then filled the tank with kerosene. I hope that’s ok.
Looks like I need a new cap for the oil tank. Any advice on a source for that? Also is there a source for determining the year of the chainsaw based on the serial number?

[sweepleader]

Welcome to the House of Homelite. Post the sn and someone will decode it for you or check houseofhomelite.proboards.com/thread/6140/figuring-out-when-homelite-built

[5terrysupersaws]

Oct 27, 2019 16:16:03 GMT -5 toolcraft4100 said:

There is still some sludge in the bottom of the fuel tank, including the remnants of the fuel line. I cleaned the motor and stuff with kerosene and then filled the tank with kerosene. I hope that’s ok.
Looks like I need a new cap for the oil tank. Any advice on a source for that? Also is there a source for determining the year of the chainsaw based on the serial number?

 
 Kerosene is okay, but may not remove the sludge or remnants of the dissolved fuel hose.
The fuel filter is probably stuck in the goo at the bottom the tank, need to get all that out of there.

 Oil tank cap, if the original is present and is leaking, most likely needs a new duckbill check valve and
possibly an O-ring seal.

 Suggest removing the muffler and inspecting the piston, rings, and cylinder ... before proceeding.

 HOMELITE  XL-101  SN:3023294 .. Date of Manufacture; 1969

[toolcraft4100]

1969. Great year! Thanks.