Replacing Fuel Lines In Your 34Cc Snapper Chainsaw: Step-By-Step Guide

If your chainsaw is struggling to start, it might be time to replace the fuel lines. This is a messy and dangerous task, so it's important to wear safety gear such as gloves, a jacket and chaps. Before you begin, gather your tools: a screwdriver, pliers, a fuel container, paper towels or shop rags, and a manufacturer-recommended fuel line. You'll also need to ensure your chainsaw is cold and placed on a flat surface.

First, remove the old fuel from the tank. Then, remove the cylinder cover and air filter, followed by the air filter housing. Take out the fuel filter, and detach the fuel and vent lines from the carburetor and primer. Now, remove the carburetor and the fuel line.

To install the new fuel line, cut the line at an angle to help guide it into the tank. Push the large line about one inch into the tank, and pull the small line out through the mouth of the tank, cutting the end square. Reinstall the fuel filter, trim the fuel lines, and connect them to the carburetor.

Finally, reinstall the carburetor, air filter cover, and spark plug. Refill the fuel tank, and test your chainsaw to ensure it's running smoothly.

Prepare your chainsaw

To prepare your chainsaw for a fuel line replacement, you should first ensure that the chainsaw is switched off and cold. Place the chainsaw on a flat surface, such as a table, at waist height to avoid back strain. It is important to wear work gloves for this task to protect your hands.

The next step is to drain the old fuel from the tank. Grab an old container and empty the fuel tank into it. Keep this container close by, as you can use the old fuel to clean the inside of the components that you will be removing.

Now, use a screwdriver to remove the nuts on the cylinder shield. Most Craftsman chainsaw models have 3-4 nuts on the shield. Once the nuts are off, you can remove the cylinder shield and take out the air filter. Check if the air filter can be cleaned and replaced or if it needs to be replaced entirely. You might also need to replace the fuel filter if it is dirty. Additionally, disconnect the spark plug.

Take out the old fuel

To take out the old fuel from your 34 cc Snapper chainsaw, you should first grab an old container and empty the old fuel and other components from the gas tank into it. Keep this container close by. You can use the old fuel to remove accumulated dust and debris from the components that you will be removing in the next steps.

Next, get an appropriately-sized screwdriver 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.

Now, remove the two bolts that are holding the air filter housing. Pull out the air filter housing and keep it to the side. You should ensure that you are keeping the nuts and other equipment in a container so 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 when closing things down. As a hack, you can get your mobile phone and take a picture of the arrangement.

You can now make use of a steel coat hanger to take out the fuel filter from the chainsaw's fuel tank. Straighten out one end and then slide it inside the fuel tank to bring out the fuel filter. Moreover, you should detach the fuel line from it.

Now, take out the fuel 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 WD-40 to loosen them.

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

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.

Remove the cylinder cover and air filter

To remove the cylinder cover and air filter from your Snapper chainsaw, first, get a screwdriver that fits the nuts on the cylinder shield. Unscrew and remove all the nuts—most Snapper chainsaw models will have three or four nuts. Once the nuts are off, gently lift and remove the cylinder cover.

Next, take out the air filter. Check if it can be cleaned and placed back in the chainsaw, or if it needs to be replaced. If the filter is dirty and not working properly, you will need to replace it with a new one.

After removing the air filter, disconnect the spark plug.

Remove the carburetor

To remove the carburetor from your 34 cc Snapper chainsaw, you will need a 7/16-inch socket driver. This is the tool required to remove the two mounting nuts that secure the carburetor to the engine.

Before you begin this step, you should have already disconnected the spark plug wire, removed the air filter, and removed the fuel filter. You should also have emptied the fuel tank into an approved storage container.

Now, using your 7/16-inch socket driver, remove the two mounting nuts. Then, pull the air filter housing off the carburetor. Be careful not to bend the throttle linkage or damage the gas lines. You can take digital photos of the throttle linkage on the carburetor and the gas line connections to ensure accurate reassembly.

Once the mounting nuts are removed and the air filter housing is pulled off, you can carefully pull the carburetor from the engine block, sliding it along the mounting studs.

Install the new fuel line

To install the new fuel line, you will need a manufacturer-approved fuel line and a pair of scissors. Cut the new fuel line at an angle to help thread it into the tank. Push the large line about 1 inch into the tank. Push the small line into the tank and grab it with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Pull the small line out of the mouth of the tank and cut the end square. Install the fuel filter and pull the line back in so the filter rests at the bottom of the tank. Trim the fuel lines and connect them to the carburetor.

To ease threading, lubricate the fuel lines with a drop of oil.

Frequently asked questions