How To Change Fuel Lines on a Craftsman Chainsaw

Are you a chainsaw user struggling to change the fuel lines on your chainsaw because you don’t know how to? If so, then this is just the right place for you to be.

Changing fuel lines on a Craftsman chainsaw is quite easy once you know the basic steps. To change the fuel lines on your chainsaw, you should prepare your chainsaw, take out the old fuel, remove the cylinder cover and air filter, remove the air filter housing, take out the fuel filter, take out the fuel and vent line off, take out the carburetor, and take out the fuel line. Once you have removed all these things, you should install the new fuel line and close your chainsaw.

Lastly, you should test your chainsaw to see if everything is running smoothly. Remember, this is a dangerous and messy task, so remember to wear safety equipment including gloves, jacket, chaps, etc. to carry it out safely and cleanly.

In this article, you will get to know all about fuel lines in Craftsman chainsaw, how to change fuel lines Craftsman chainsaw, the reasons why you might have to change the fuel lines, and more. Stick around to get all the answers that you are looking for.

Reasons Why You Might Need to Change Fuel Lines

Fuel lines on a Craftsman chainsaw are the rubber hoses that the fuel injection systems in chainsaws are equipped with. They are quite similar in appearance and function to regular fuel hoses. However, they’re strengthened with layers, which allow them to hold significantly higher pressures generated by the fuel injection systems.

Generally, fuel injection systems produce pressures of over 50 PSI, which is higher than what the regular fuel hoses are designed to hold. While this isn’t usually an issue, fuel lines do happen to be susceptible to issues in some situations. Aside from obvious gas leaks, bad fuel lines can also result in performance issues with the chainsaw or even render your chainsaw unusable. Usually, a failing or bad fuel line will produce these symptoms to alert you that there’s an underlying problem. 

1. Fuel odor

One of the first symptoms of a bad or failing fuel line is fuel odor coming from your chainsaw. Over time, the fuel lines can dry out and start leaking fuel vapors. Small leaks that emit fuel vapors tend to produce a faint or sometimes even strong odor of gas because of the leak. Generally, small leaks like these can end up as larger leaks, which can result in serious issues.

2. Engine misfires, stalling, and hard starting

Another common symptom of an issue with fuel lines is the performance of the engine. If any of your chainsaw’s fuel lines have any sort of leak, the performance of your fuel system and the engine will be compromised. A fuel leak, because of a worn out or damaged hose can result in your chainsaw experiencing issues like stalling, misfires, and hard starting, and can even prevent your chainsaw from running properly at all.

3. Fuel leakage

Another more serious symptom, an underlying issue with your chainsaw’s fuel lines, will be visible fuel leakage. If any of the lines have worn out and ruptured, it’ll cause the chainsaw to leak fuel. Leaky fuel lines tend to produce drip, or in some serious cases, puddles of fuel on the underside of your chainsaw. Depending on which fuel lines are leaking, the fuel leaks will usually be either at the front or rear of your chainsaw.

Usually, fuel leaks that are big enough to produce visible puddles can also result in performance issues. This is why they must be attended to as quickly as possible, as you’ll be able to prevent them from becoming a serious safety hazard.

While most fuel lines last for a while, they eventually wear out or break down and start causing issues. Since any sort of fuel line issue can lead to major problems down the line, any issue found must be immediately taken care of so that you can prevent them from turning into more serious issues, and even a major safety hazard. If you suspect that your chainsaw has issues with the fuel lines, you must immediately change the fuel lines and get them replaced.

How to Change Fuel Lines Craftsman Chainsaw

A chainsaw fuel line is an important component of a chainsaw. It is used for transporting fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor. If it gets clogged, crimped, or damaged, the carburetor won’t get fuel and your chainsaw will struggle to start. It is a major problem that stops your chainsaw from starting, while also preventing it from performing smoothly. Issues in the chainsaw fuel lines can develop naturally over time, from storing your chainsaw with fuel in it to using old gas and more. Here’s a guide on how to clean your chainsaw carburetor.

If you are experiencing such issues with your chainsaw, you will have to check and replace the fuel line. The good news for you is that you can easily change and replace fuel lines on your Craftsman chainsaw yourself without having to hire a professional. As long as you follow the steps mentioned below, you will be good to go. 

However, you must remember that this guide will only help you change fuel lines on the Craftsman chainsaws. If you have a unique model from any other brand, you should refer to the owner’s manual that comes with your chainsaw. So without further ado, let’s begin with the steps to change fuel lines on a Craftsman chainsaw.

Step 1: Gather the tools

You need to ensure that you’re reading all the steps before you get to work and following the safety precautions when changing the fuel line. Remember, a chainsaw is a dangerous tool, and you must follow the necessary safety protocols when dealing with a chainsaw.

This might take time, so you could expect to spend almost 30–45 minutes, or sometimes even more when changing the fuel lines. The tools needed for this process will be –

• Wrench
• Screwdriver kit
• Manufacturer-recommended fuel line
• Scissors
• Pliers (needle rose)
• Work gloves
• Paper towels
• Steel coat hanger
• WD-40
• Air filter 

Step 2: Prepare your chainsaw

Firstly, you should ensure that your chainsaw is cold before you get down to work. It would be best if you place your chainsaw on a flat surface, preferably a table that is waist height. This will help keep your back straight, and you won’t have to bend while working. Moreover, you need to be wearing work gloves.

Step 3: Take out the fuel

The next step would be to take out the old fuel from your chainsaw. Grab any old container and empty the old fuel and other components of the gas tank in it. You need to keep this container nearby. You can make use of the old fuel for removing accumulated dust and debris on the inside of the components that you’ll be removing in the next step.

Step 4: Remove the cylinder cover and air filter

Get an appropriately sized screwdriver from the tool kit and remove all the nuts on the cylinder shield. Most Craftsman chainsaw models come with 3–4 nuts on the shield. Once these nuts are off, you can remove the cover. Take out the air filter and then check if it can be placed back once you have washed it with fuel. You might have to replace the fuel filter too if it is dirty and isn’t working anymore. Further, you should also disconnect the spark plug.

Step 5: Remove the air filter housing

Now, you will have to remove the two bolts that are holding the air filter housing. Pull out the air filter housing and keep it nearby. You should ensure that you’re keeping the nuts and other equipment in a container such that you do not misplace them. A part of the throttle linkage will be attached to the backside of the air filter housing. You must inspect it carefully, as you’ll have to attach it in the same way while you’re closing the things down. As a hack, you can get your mobile phone and take a picture of the arrangement. This way, you will be able to remember the setting in which you have to arrange everything again.

Step 6: Take out the fuel filter

You can make use of a steel coat hanger to take out the fuel filter from the chainsaw’s fuel tank. You must straighten out one end and then slide it inside the fuel tank for bringing out the fuel filter. Moreover, you should detach the fuel line from it.

Step 7: Take out the fuel and vent line

Now, you’ll need to take out the fuel line and vent line from your carburetor and the primer. This needs to be done with the help of a flathead screwdriver. If the connections are rigid, you can use a WD-40 to make them loose.

Step 8: Take out the carburetor

The next step would be to remove the carburetor. Once the fuel lines and vent lines have been removed, you’ll be able to pull the carburetor out easily. You do not have to remove the carburetor. All you have to do is pull it on the side.

Step 9: Take out the fuel line

Once you’ve got the carburetor out of the way, the fuel line will become visible. Get the needle nose pliers and then pull the fuel line out.

Step 10: Install the new fuel line

You need to arrange for a manufacturer-approved fuel line to get the best performance. Even though a standard fuel line will make do, it is always better to use company-approved components in your Craftsman chainsaw. You should splice one end of the fuel line with one end with the help of scissors. It’ll go in easier in the hole for the fuel line. Do this carefully as feeding the fuel line in the hole will be slightly technical. Once you’ve got a hold of it from the other side, it will be much easier to pull it down.

You can compare the new fuel line with the old one to get a better idea of how much pipe you need to go into the carburetor. You should ensure that you have enough length of the line on the other side for attaching the fuel filter. Once you have attached the pipe to the carburetor and the primer bulb line, you’ll be in a position to attach the fuel line to the fuel filter before putting it inside the fuel tank.

Step 11: Close the chainsaw

Now comes the time to close the chainsaw. You should begin by placing the carburetor back in its place. Make sure that it fits perfectly on the studs. Then, attach the throttle linkage on the backside of the air filter housing. The photos you took from your smartphone in Step 5 will help you now. Then, put the air filter housing back in its place and tighten the bolts.

If everything has been placed perfectly in its allocated places, you won’t need to force anything when fitting the housing. Then, you should place the air filter in its place before connecting the spark plug. Now, you are left with screwing down the cylinder shield. You should make sure that you are removing any oil, dust, or grease on the inside of the shield and air filter housing.

Step 12: Test your chainsaw

Once you have closed everything, it’ll be time to test your newly installed fuel lines. Add fresh gas and start your Craftsman chainsaw. The chainsaw might require a couple of kicks, or you might have to turn on the choke to start it properly for the first time after replacing the fuel line. The air inside the chainsaw might have to be pushed out of the system. You should remember to push the throttle while starting the chainsaw after you have replaced the fuel line.

How to Replace the Fuel Lines in a Craftsman Chainsaw in 4 Easy Steps

Craftsman chainsaws run on a two-cycle gasoline mixture-powered engine. An external primer bulb is tasked with drawing fuel into the engine. This requires three areas of fuel lines –from the primer bulb to the fuel tank, from the carburetor to the primer bulb, and from the fuel tank to the carburetor. If a potential leak occurs, it can be from any of the three lines. If anything happens, it would be best to replace the entire fuel line system while your chainsaw is still worth saving. Here is how you can do that in four easy steps – 

Step 1: Remove the components

Use a screwdriver for removing the cover from your chainsaw. Unscrew and remove the air filter and starter rope, which block the primer bulb on most models. Moreover, remove the primer and carburetor too while also sliding the fuel lines. Make use of pliers for pulling the fuel filter and hose lines from inside the gas tank.

Step 2: Cut the tubes

Cut one end of the smaller line of the tubing in a 45° using scissors. It’ll make it easier for you to fish the tubes through the holes in the fuel tank. Now, repeat the same thing with the larger line of tubing. Pull both liens through the fuel tank such that a portion of it comes out of the top of the tank. Moreover, there should be a portion through the smaller tank holes.

Step 3: Attach the tube to the main tank hole

Now, you should attach the fuel filter to the smaller tube on the end that is coming out of the main tank hole. Then, you should slide the hose fitting into the end of the larger hose. Make use of pliers to pull the hoses through the small holes such that the filter and fitting are tight to the tank, sealing these small holes.

Step 4: Attach the smaller hose to the carburetor

Then, on the fuel pump side, you should attach the free end of the smaller hose to the carburetor, while trimming the hoses to the appropriate length with a straight cut. After that, you should attach the larger line from the fuel tank to the bulb primer. The last piece of the small fuel line should be attached between the bulb and the metering inlet of the carburetor. Lastly, reassemble the mower in reverse order.

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