Replacing The Fuel Line On A Stihl 180 Chainsaw: A Step-By-Step Guide

If your Stihl 180 chainsaw is struggling to start, it might be time to replace the fuel line. In this article, we will walk you through the process of replacing the fuel line on your Stihl 180 chainsaw, step by step. We will cover everything from the tools you will need to the specific actions to take to ensure a successful replacement. This is a fairly easy fix that can save you a lot of money, so grab your tools and let's get started!

Stripping things down to get at the fuel line

To strip down a Stihl 180 chainsaw to get at the fuel line, you'll need to first empty the fuel tank.

Then, remove the top cover by turning the knob anti-clockwise with a screwdriver. Push the choke lever as far down as it will go so the cover can be removed. Turn the chainsaw on its side so the fuel and oil tank caps are facing up. Undo both caps and, using a piece of hooked wire or long-nose pliers, manoeuvre the cap retainers so that they can be removed.

You will then need to remove the starter handle cover. You should see four T27 Torx head bolts: three in the body and one securing the brake handle. Using a T27 Torx bit or screwdriver, unscrew these and put them to one side. Pull up on the brake handle and push it out of the way for side cover removal. The cover is now loose and can be manipulated until it's released. Put this to one side and replace the oil cap (not the fuel cap).

Next, move the choke lever from its snap-in mounting. To do this, get a screwdriver and use it as a lever to apply vertical pressure to release the lever. Follow the fuel line where it exits the tank—this is a push fit onto the nipple on the carburettor. With a screwdriver, just push this back and away from the nipple. The fuel line needs to come through the gap where the choke lever sits; you can use long-nose pliers for this. The fuel tank can now be pulled away from the chainsaw body.

Finally, the fuel filter needs to be removed. Using a metal hook or long-nose pliers, pull the filter out of the tank and, holding it, pull the fuel pipe off the filter. Discard the filter, and then the fuel pipe can be removed from the tank. Apply pressure and pull up to remove, twisting it as you do so.

Removing the fuel tank

To remove the fuel tank from your Stihl 180 chainsaw, you will first need to empty the fuel from the tank. If there is only a small amount of fuel in the tank, you can leave it. Next, remove the top cover by turning the knob anti-clockwise with a screwdriver and pushing the choke lever down so that the cover can be removed. Put the cover to one side.

Turn the chainsaw on its side so that the fuel and oil tank caps are facing up. Undo both the petrol and oil tank caps. Using a piece of hooked wire or long-nosed pliers, manoeuvre the cap retainers into a position where they can be removed. Put the retainers to one side.

Now, you need to remove the starter handle cover. You will see four T27 Torx head bolts—three in the body and one securing the brake handle. Using a T27 Torx bit or screwdriver, unscrew these and put them to one side. Pull up on the brake handle and push it out of the way so that you can remove the side cover.

The cover is now loose and can be manipulated until it is released. It may take a bit of manoeuvring to find the right angle, but it will come away. Put the cover to one side and replace the oil cap (not the fuel cap).

Next, you need to move the choke lever from its snap-in mounting. Take a photo of its position before moving it. Get a screwdriver and use it as a lever to apply vertical pressure to release the lever. Leave the lever like this.

Follow the fuel line where it exits the tank. This is a push fit onto the nipple on the carburettor. With a screwdriver, just push this back and away from the nipple. The fuel line needs to come through the gap where the choke lever sits. You can use long-nosed pliers to do this—it's tight, but the fuel line is flexible and can be moved easily. The fuel tank can now be pulled up and away from the chainsaw body.

Finally, the fuel filter needs to be removed. Using a metal hook or long-nosed pliers, pull the filter out of the tank. Hold the filter and pull the fuel pipe off, then discard the filter. The fuel pipe can now be removed from the tank by applying pressure and pulling it up and out. You can then discard the fuel pipe.

Removing the old fuel filter

To remove the old fuel filter from your Stihl MS180 chainsaw, you will need a T27 Torx screwdriver or bit, and some cloths to clean as you go.

First, make sure the fuel tank is empty. If there is fuel in the tank, empty it. You do not need to empty the oil tank. Next, remove the top cover by turning the knob anti-clockwise with a screwdriver and pushing the choke lever down as far as it will go. Put the cover to one side.

Turn the chainsaw on its side so that the fuel and oil tank caps are facing up. Undo both caps and, using a piece of hooked wire or long-nosed pliers, manoeuvre the cap retainers so that they can be removed. Put the retainers to one side.

Now, you will need to remove the starter handle cover. You should see four T27 Torx head bolts: three in the body and one securing the brake handle. Using the T27 bit or screwdriver, unscrew these and put them to one side. Pull up on the brake handle and push it out of the way so that you can remove the side cover.

The cover is now loose and can be manipulated until it is released. It may take some effort to find the right angle, but it will come away. Put the cover to one side and replace the oil cap (not the fuel cap).

The next step is to move the choke lever from its snap-in mounting. Take a photo of its position before you move it. Use a screwdriver as a lever to apply vertical pressure to release the lever, then leave it as it is.

Follow the fuel line where it exits the tank. It is a push fit onto the nipple on the carburettor. With a screwdriver, push it back and away from the nipple. The fuel line needs to come through the gap where the choke lever sits. You can use long-nosed pliers to do this; it's tight, but the fuel line is flexible and can be moved easily. The fuel tank can now be pulled up and away from the chainsaw body.

Finally, you can remove the fuel filter. Using a metal hook or long-nosed pliers, pull the filter out of the tank. Hold it and pull the fuel pipe off the filter, then discard the filter. The fuel pipe can now be removed from the tank. Apply pressure and pull up to remove it, twisting as you do so. Discard the fuel pipe.

Fitting the new fuel pipe and filter

Now that the old fuel line and filter have been removed, it's time to install the new ones. Take your new fuel line and push the end that needs to connect to the filter through the hole. Then, using something not too sharp, push the fuel pipe retaining part into the hole, ensuring that the tab faces the vent on the tank. Once that's in place, you can pull the end of the line out of the tank using long-nose pliers, and push the new filter onto it. Push the filter back into the tank.

Next, put the fuel tank back into its recess. To reattach the fuel line, push it back towards the fuel nipple and secure it in place. Be careful when doing this, and consider using long-nose pliers.

Now, push the choke lever mechanism back into its original position, using the photo you took earlier as a reference for the correct placement of the steel spring clip.

Finally, it's time to put the starter cover back on. Remove the oil tank cap and manipulate the cover back into position. Push the brake handle back onto its mount and tighten the four Torx screws. Don't forget to replace the oil cap.

Putting the chainsaw back together

Now that you have successfully removed the old fuel line and filter, it's time to put the new ones in and reassemble your Stihl 180 chainsaw. Here is a step-by-step guide to putting your chainsaw back together:

Step 1: Installing the New Fuel Line and Filter

Take the new fuel line and push the end that needs to connect to the filter through the hole. Gently use a non-sharp tool to push the fuel pipe retaining part into the hole. Ensure the tab is facing the vent on the tank. Now, pull the end of the line out of the tank using long-nose pliers, and attach the new filter to it. Finally, push the filter back into the tank.

Step 2: Refitting the Fuel Tank

Place the fuel tank back into its recess. Reconnect the fuel line to the fuel nipple, being careful to push it all the way in. You can use long-nose pliers for this step.

Step 3: Reattaching the Choke Lever

Snap the choke lever mechanism back into place, making sure it is in the same position as it was before you started. Refer to the photo you took earlier of the choke lever mounting.

Step 4: Reinstalling the Starter Cover

Remove the oil tank cap and manipulate the starter cover back into position. Push the brake handle back onto its mount. Tighten the four Torx screws and then replace the oil cap.

Step 5: Refitting the Top Cover

Push the front cover pins into the two-slot mounts. Depress the choke lever all the way down and push the top cover into position. Tighten the knob in a clockwise direction.

Step 6: Final Checks

Refill the fuel tank and replace the fuel cap. Your chainsaw is now ready for testing. Pull the cord with the choke lever in the fully down position. If your chainsaw starts up, revs well, and ticks over, you have successfully replaced the fuel line and filter!

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