Stihl 038av - Just picked it up - Few ????

So I just picked up this 038 av electronic quickstop locally for $65. The guy said it would start on choke and run for a minute and die.
Compression 'felt' good on it. I could move the chain by hand. The brake worked, etc...The saw seemed to be in good shape except for maybe a carburetor problem.
Keep in mind, I'm no expert with saws (reference my other thread I have going on with my 036) and this was my initial analysis of the saw.

So I bring it home and take the muffler off to take a look at the piston. It looked really good. Also, there wasn't much carbon built up in the muffler, the screen was clean, as well as the fuel filter. Saw is quite clean overall, especially compared to my 036 I just tore apart.

What I noticed while looking at the piston through the muffler and pulling the rope, was gas coming down the skirt of the piston on the upstroke. It seems that maybe fuel is constantly flowing through the intake and into the cylinder. Hence causing the saw not to fire? Sparkplug was wet with gas.

I'm gonna go buy a compression tester tomorrow, (I've been needing one for all my motorized stuff anyway), and check that. I should be looking at 140-160 to be good?
If that checks out ok, I'm taking it to the shop and let them look at it. Hopefully the carb just needs rebuilt. I thought it was a good idea for me to check for some things myself just in case the shop wants to tell me I need a new piston, or I should junk it, or I'll give ya $50 for it, etc.... It's a very reputable dealer, but I'm paranoid about getting screwed over nonetheless.

What do yas think with the info I've given? Good chance that I got a helluva bargain? Maybe another $100 or less and I'll have a nice running saw?!

Sorry for the bad pics....digital camera was stolen a few days ago. The last pic was from the ad.

Well, just did the compression test on the saw and all it could muster was 120....
So what does that mean as far as a rebuild goes? Is it ok and the saw will run ok or is that too weak and definitely needs a piston/ring job?

After some more research on the site, I found that I may only need new rings if that. Possible stuck ring(s)? Piston looks good through the muffler, but I guess I need to take the cylinder off to really check.

I bought this from Autozone. I saw references to the Schraeder valve? on a compression tester? I'm assuming it's the needle valve at the end of the hose. Looks like an air needle in a valve stem? Just making sure this tester is ok for this application.

So I just checked for spark. Got plenty of that.
Decided to try and start it. Pulled it about 10 times and suddenly gas starting coming out from the front of the saw. Behind/under the muffler area. We're talking like a shot glass full of gas came out. Not just a coupla' of dribbles. It left a 10" puddle on the floor.

So I take the muffler off again and pull it a few times and the cylinder is just filling with fuel and getting pushed out through the exhaust port.

Diagnosis? Obviously a fuel/carb problem which is what I was told/was thinking when I bought the saw.

In a nutshell....I've got 'should run on' 120 compression, good spark, but way too much fuel. Next step would be take the carb off and check for broken lines/parts I assume. Probably needs a carb kit for sure, which from what I've read, I should leave that up to the experts.
And take the saw to the shop to have it tuned.

Sound about right? Get off the couch fellas, football's over for the day. Bengals lost-no other games matter. lol.

Thanks for the help guys.

southbound said:

I have a 038 did the same thing...

Was faster and cheaper to buy a after market carb on the bay...

Been a strong runner ever since....

They made style carbs for this saw you want the bing....

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/144410.htm

Click to expand...

Man, thanks. That is the same saw/carburetor I have. I went out and took the filter off and plug out and pulled it a few times and it appears to be leaking at that 'module plate' on the bottom of the carb.
Ebay it is.

southbound said:

I know nothing of the seller just that this is the type carb I would look for....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-038-M...573352237?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item20bad3212d

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Looking at that carb on ebay, the metal inlet/tube on the bottom of the carb that goes to the right, is different than my carb.
If my carb has that same tube/pipe, it must be pointing toward the cylinder and not visible without taking it off.

Is that pic on the ebay ad a generic pic of a carb and maybe not the exact carb that I wouldn't be getting?
My carb looks EXACTLY like the one you posted at the arboristsite.

Plastic tank. My carb doesn't have that bottom 'elbow' on it like the one in the ebay link.
Looking at the other carbs on ebay, they do have the Tilly replacements that look like mine without the elbow. I'll call that HL Supply from the ad tomorrow and find out if that pic of the carb in their ad is just a generic pic that they use for there stihl carb ads.

southbound said:

My saw now has one that looks just like the one on the bay.. It will bolt right up and out perform the Tilly...

Did you get my pm??? I sent some really good reading

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I did get the files and thank you. I browsed through them. Went to the carb section and the diagrams show that 'elbow' on the 'end cap' as it's referred to in the parts list. Just don't know why my saw doesn't have that carb that is pictured in the parts list.

I was thinking that the 'elbow' on the ebay carb ad had to have a line hooked up to it just by looking at it? You're saying it's not and that's good enough for me.
I will call them tomorrow nonetheless.

southbound said:

any luck???

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Bought the Bing carb from the link you posted. I did talk to them before I bought it this morning.
I will be getting the carb in the ad that does have that 'tube' on the bottom of the carb which apparently doesn't get hooked up to anything. He called it the 'compensation' valve or something to that effect. It' just part of the design. Not sure of the functionality of it.

Also said he's '0' problems with those carbs and that is what I need. They shipped it out before noon today. Will probably have Wednesday.

Now I need to decide if I should go ahead and buy a piston kit or maybe just rings or get it running lst and see how it treats me. I'm at 120 psi on the compression test. I should probably go ahead and do the piston.