Changing Fuel Lines: Craftsman Chainsaw Maintenance Guide

Changing the fuel lines on a Craftsman chainsaw is a dangerous and messy task, so it is important to wear safety equipment such as gloves, a jacket, and chaps. The first step is to prepare your chainsaw by placing it on a flat surface and removing the old fuel. Next, remove the cylinder cover, air filter, and air filter housing. After that, take out the fuel filter, fuel line, and vent line, and then remove the carburetor. Finally, install the new fuel line and close your chainsaw.

Prepare your chainsaw and remove the old fuel

Before you get to work, ensure you are wearing work gloves and safety goggles. It is also important to remember that this process might take some time, so you could expect to spend almost 30–45 minutes, or sometimes even longer when changing the fuel lines.

Firstly, you should ensure that your chainsaw is cold and that you have placed it 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.

The next step is 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 into it. 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.

Now, get an appropriately sized screwdriver from the toolkit 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.

Remove the cylinder cover and air filter

To remove the cylinder cover and air filter, you will need to get an appropriately-sized screwdriver and remove all the nuts on the cylinder shield. Craftsman chainsaw models typically have three or four nuts on the shield. Once these nuts are off, you can remove the cover.

Next, take out the air filter and check if it can be placed back once you have washed it with fuel. You might have to replace the fuel filter if it is dirty and isn't working anymore. It is also important to disconnect the spark plug at this stage.

Taking a photo of the arrangement before you remove the air filter housing can be helpful when it comes to reassembling the parts.

Take out the fuel filter

To take out the fuel filter from your Craftsman chainsaw, you'll need to use a steel coat hanger. Straighten out one end and then slide it inside the fuel tank to bring out the fuel filter. You should also detach the fuel line from the filter.

It's important to note that the fuel filter is located inside the fuel tank, so you'll need to be careful when removing it to avoid any spills or leaks. Make sure you have a container ready to catch any fuel that may come out when you remove the filter.

Additionally, as with any chainsaw maintenance, remember to wear the appropriate safety gear, including work gloves, eye protection, and a respirator.

• Before beginning any work on your chainsaw, ensure it is cold and not recently operated.
• Place the chainsaw on a flat surface, preferably a table at waist height, to avoid any discomfort while working.
• Keep the removed components nearby in a container to avoid misplacing them.
• Take pictures of the arrangement of parts with your phone, so you can refer to them when reassembling.
• If you notice any dirt or debris inside the fuel tank or on the fuel filter, be sure to clean them before reinstalling.

Remove the carburettor

To remove the carburettor from your Craftsman chainsaw, you will first need to prepare your chainsaw. Place it on a flat surface, preferably a waist-height table, and put on work gloves. Next, remove the old fuel from the chainsaw by emptying the contents of the gas tank into an old container. Keep this container nearby, as you can use the old fuel to clean the components you will be removing.

The next step is to remove the cylinder cover and air filter. Use a screwdriver to remove the nuts on the cylinder shield, and then take out the air filter. Check if the air filter can be cleaned and replaced, or if it needs to be replaced entirely. Disconnect the spark plug at this stage.

Now, you will need to remove the air filter housing. There are two bolts holding this in place, which you should remove, and then carefully inspect the throttle linkage attached to the backside of the air filter housing, as you will need to reattach this in the same way when reassembling the chainsaw. Taking a photo on your phone can be helpful here.

With the air filter housing removed, you can now take out the fuel filter. Straighten one end of a steel coat hanger and slide it into the fuel tank to retrieve the fuel filter. Detach the fuel line from the filter.

Now, you are ready to remove the carburettor. First, take out the fuel and vent line from the carburettor and primer using a flathead screwdriver. If the connections are rigid, use WD-40 to loosen them. Once the fuel lines and vent lines have been removed, pull the carburettor out. You do not need to remove it entirely, just pull it to the side.

With the carburettor out of the way, the fuel line will be visible. Use needle-nose pliers to pull the fuel line out.

Install the new fuel line and close the chainsaw

Now that you have removed the old fuel line, it is time to install the new one and close the chainsaw. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 10: Install the new fuel line

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 the other 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 into 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.

Craftsman Chainsaw Fuel Line Replacement

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.

Frequently asked questions