Stihl 028 Chainsaw! Won’t Idle! Do We Have A Crank Seal Leaking? Let’s Find Out!

Stihl 028 chainsaw that won’t idle / wants to stall out. Let’s go through this saw and do a full range of diagnostics and find the defects! Follow along with Erica and Tyler!
If you enjoy chainsaw repair content - check out of other videos! We try to add 1-2 videos per week to the collection!
Thank you for watching!
Here are some of the tools I Used in this video:
Pressure / Vac Pump : 0000 850 1300
T Handle T27: 5910 890 2415
8MM T Handle: 5910 890 2420
Crank Seal Puller Set : 5910 890 4400
Intake flange: 5910 850 4207
Fuel Line Hook: 5910 893 8800
Exhaust Block Off Plate: 5910 855 4201
Crank Seal Driver: 1118 893 2401
Fuel Line Removal Tool: 5910 890 4501

[@SimpleLife1971]

No one else on the internet does a better, more detailed explanation of a diagnosis and repair than you, simply the best and thank you Erica!!

[@martinflanagan2506]

100% Erica is the best teacher .

[@alext8828]

Not only an excellent teacher, she has the right tools to do the work. I like the seal puller. I see people drilling the seals and using slide hammers. Neanderthals, I tell ya. Here we have civilization at its finest.

[@ProfSimonHolland]

the customer will be so pleased to get his grandfather's saw in tip top condition

[@dantherentalman]

Those old fuel filters had replaceable inner filters, I was a Stihl dealer back in the 70’s.

[@pwkoert6594]

Never saw one before. But even before I saw the inside of the carb I thought "I want one of those..." 8-)

[@jimc9309]

Wow! You are one of the best instructors/teachers there is. Your slow methodical progression through the diagnosis and the orderly steps of the repair, is a thing of beauty. The filming is equally as great and makes your small engine channel the best I have ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us out here!

[@alanreynolds2125]

Love that swing press 😂😂

[@robertmailhos8159]

Night shift working on a chain saw 😊

[@hansbehrends7063]

The 028, Type 1118 was built from 1977 to 1993. The 028 Wood Boss was built from 1983 to 1993. It had more displacement and more power than the older ones : 51,5 cubic centimeters and 3,4 hp or 2,5 kw. Regards from Northern Germany.

[@johnsmith786]

STIHL Inc. is located on over 180 acres in Virginia Beach, with over one million square feet of manufacturing, warehouse, and office space. STIHL Inc. employs over 3,000 people nationwide, with over 2,700 employed at its manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach.

[@rtoguidver3651]

Wikipedia: Stihl is a German company, founded by the mechanical engineer Andreas Stihl in 1926, and headquartered in Baden-Württemberg, near Stuttgart, Germany. All of their early saws, including the first Stihl chainsaws, were manufactured there.

[@Damicske]

To add to this: "West Germany was the Federal Republic of Germany from its formation on 23 May 1949 until its reunification with East Germany on 3 October 1990"

[@kevinkruger4176]

Another stellar lesson on how to properly diagnose and repair a two stroke engine! You rock, keep the great chainsaw repair videos coming!

[@johnsmith786]

Stihl is a German manufacturer of chainsaws and other handheld power equipment including trimmers and blowers. Their headquarters are in Waiblingen, ... While the German founding company is still the nucleus of development of new products, the sales network and the international manufacturing network have undergone continuous expansion. Today, STIHL products are produced in seven countries worldwide.

[@dfbsgarage]

I have a Stihl 028 AV Super that I got under similar circumstances. As a very impressionable teen, I once watched this saw being put through its paces and it got me hooked on chainsaws. After the gentleman died, his wife gave it to me because she knew I would get it running again and look after it. I got it running again for purely sentimental reasons, but it's proven to be a such a great saw, seemingly running better than my brand-new MS 271. I have always screwed up my face the "they don't make em like the used to" thing, but this is so true for the 028. That's for the video!

[@paulmaxwell8851]

Yup, my two main saws are a 1973 Homelite XL-12 and a 1981 Stihl 028AV. Both of them are rugged, reliable saws.

[@travelswithbenny3328]

I really like the chainsaw vids. Step by step and commentary is great! Helps me alot.

[@BrucesShop]

That would be a good name for an all girl band "Eclipse Chicks" Their music would be FAR Out.

[@philliphall5198]

At it’s age seems best to replace the seals, fuel hoses and filters Anything worn need to be replaced 😊 Thank You for other great videos

[@REDLINERUNNER]

I'm here. When my favorite TV show ends, I'll watch...

[@garyalford9394]

Don't know your first name but nice job as usual, and thanks for showing us the vac & pressure gauge and readings.

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

My Name is Erica :)

[@garyalford9394]

@@marriedwithsmallengines You are the best stihl tech I have ever seen. Maybe sometime you could post the Tools you use, Thank you for sharing!

[@mikejerrett7354]

That runs great, the oil on the seal trick was pretty cool. You should take the pieces of your log out there and burn your logo onto them for souvenirs 😊

[@timkirkpatrick9155]

Yes, fuel filters used to have a replacement foam piece.

[@robertoruiz7069]

That was great!!! you've done the glass jar for fuel,and in this case it really showed how bad it was.Then you topped it off with the close up of the pressure /vacuum test and that was even BETTER!!!I've never seen that done,let along know it was important.Now it makes sense to me.Thank you for very valuable lessons.Your right up at the top.

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Nice view of the eclipse chicks. Great work on the saw. Makes for a perfect video. Thank you for sharing.👍

[@vk3awa]

Swing press…….chuckle chuckle….never heard that expression before….love it.👍

[@chrischiampo7647]

Awesome Saws And Yes Those Old Fuel Filters Were Serviceable You Could clean The Screen and Replace The Inner Filter Element and Reinstall The Cap on The End 😊😀 The West German Saws Were Made Until The Fall of The Berlin Wall When Germany Unified They Certain Models Were Changed to Say Made in Germany The Commercial Saws The Magnums and CutQuick’s Are Exclusively Made in Germany The 200T and 201T and 461 Rescue and Rock Boss as Examples 😊😀😊 Great Job on The Seal Diagnosis

[@ronbeatty9761]

That's a nicely made chicken coup!

[@philliphall5198]

It’s a super heavy duty one 😊

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Thank you!

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

I’ll watch it later tonight with a nice cup of coffee. Hope to see you and Tyler tomorrow!

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

We are having an open house tomorrow, stop by for a hot dog!

[@drmikeyb1]

Another fantastic video Erica. I have some rookie questions so I just emailed to you. Thank you for sharing.

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

I will check it out!

[@brenttamatea7578]

you should be sponsored by stihl as you recommend alot of there tools its good advertising for them and you do such good job at chainsaw repair really enjoyed your presentation brilliant

[@no2thenwo737]

My German father pronounces Stihl, "Shtil", lol. I'm really enjoying these videos. I'm glad there are so many. TY.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

I'm not sure what to think. We live in a farming/ranching area with many German, Austrian and Swiss immigrants. I've asked about this, and some insist Stihl is pronounced "shtill". Some insist it's "still" and others say it's "steel". No-one can agree. I say "shtill", and that seems as good as anything!

[@charlesdarwin180]

Yes, so much to learn in every video. I never knew there was an opposite to air pressure called vacuum.

[@REDLINERUNNER]

Congratulations!! It runs really well now! Just one advice. When you cut, let the saw lean itself at wood, don't fight it. Saw will do it's job without too much strain on your body or the engine. Love your videos so much!! Cheers from Croatia!!

[@jonclark1874]

Love the content. Can't get enough of the chainsaw stuff. Most other channels never mention vacuum/pressure testing but you're right on. keep it up

[@Rick-S-6063]

For some time I had figured the crank seals could be installed using a properly sized deep well socket, but I had often wondered how they would be extracted. Your video showed the right way to get things done. Thank you for clearing things up.

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Thanks!

[@littlethislittlethat456]

I think your customer will be very happy with his grandad's old saw. John from MI

[@leroydennis867]

STIHL opened their VA Beach Facility in 1974. They have since coaxed a bearing manufacturer into opening a facility in the early 90’s.

[@famasmaster2000]

Awesome fix ! Nice work 👍

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Thanks 👍

[@holzdubel386]

Nice Video! Nice Saw. Greetings from W. Germany 😊

[@mars_hikes967]

West Germany and East Germany existed until 1990. After that the former GDR (east Germany) became the "neue Bundesländer" as the GDR was reunited with West Germany (Wiedervereinigung), today there is just one Germany. I don't know when Stihl stoped to use the term West Germany but I assume in 1990.

[@bimsbarkas]

The Virginia Beach factory was only opened in 1974, so possibly this model was only produced in Germany at that time.

[@Paul1958R]

The fact that there hasnt been a 'West Germany' since 1990 tells you how old it is.

[@oldcarpenter2372]

The two Stihl saws I owned prior the the late 1970s were made in West Germany. If I remember correctly all Stihls were made in Europe prior to the mid 1970s. From the mid 1970s into early 1980s American made saws began showing up. I've owned 4 Stihls, one second hand and three new, over the past 50 years. I still own 2, one 30+ years old and one about 3 years old. The newest is the homeowner type, junk IMO.

[@madman432000]

This is how my 260 runs. Will only idle for some 10 seconds of so then dies or it dies when i just touch the trigger, all after warming up. Idle fine when cold. When at throttle it runs great. Took to shop but they just put a new plug in and said it ran for a half hour. Unfortunately that plug fouled or failed first time i took it out to cut a load of wood. Even after i pulled it and made sure it was clean, started back up and it died after i started it and wouldn't restart. Went back to town and got a new plug and it ran fine.

[@adelarsen9776]

Thank you for taking the time to put this video together. I enjoyed watching and I am sure that it will help people. :-)

[@stevengullison410]

Good afternoon, you are one smart lady, Steve from Nb st. Stephen

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Oh thank you

[@dougwelch7069]

very interesting, Awesome to watch

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ped8015]

LOVE IT. No blame, no shame, no DRAMA!!!!.

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

15:57. That tool is 24 bucks!! Should be spelled STEAL! Great video Erica, enjoy your open house tomorrow!

[@hilltopper600]

west Germany saws are colletable

[@philliphall5198]

I agree ☝️

[@dennisthemenace57]

Actually Stihl shows that part number as the limiter cap removal tool for some brush cutters and pole saws. But it works well for getting fuel lines off so I'm getting one!

[@REDLINERUNNER]

FYI in Europe on old style chainsaws these mesh air filters were always like that. I've never seen that yellow type that you use on old saws like 028 or newer MS models. Even my MS230 from 2005 has mesh air filter!! MY new MS311 has yellow filter...

[@robcole332]

Great diagnostics lady. Never change

[@themowershop5373]

Another great video Erica. I'm still waiting for an explanation for removing the compression release before the pressure/vac test. LOL

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

There is an explanation for removing and blocking off the decompression valve and I will cover that next time I do a saw video with a decompression valve / pressure vac test. Thanks for watching!

[@carljenne7675]

I have both a West Germany 024AV (bought in 1984) and 028 from my wife's late uncle. Great saws. Keep them well maintained but I did need to replace the carbs and fuel filters a few years ago (it "may" have been) and both run great. Just need one a little biger for the larger trees on my 30 acres of georgeous North Carolina mountain.

[@garyskowbo3564]

Hello Erica want to start saying that I enjoy your videos,and to thank you for sharing your knowledge and videos. And there’s nothing wrong with OCD(not trying to tell you how to do your job) however it was hard to watch you open up to saw while it was so dirty. (My OCD would have had it back at the wash bay first) just saying. Thanks again for sharing your videos, you have great troubleshooting skills. So please keep them coming as often as you are able. 👍😎

[@snakeman48]

I like how you show the steps you go through to trouble shoot and repair this saw back to running condition.

[@philliphall5198]

I carry my camera to garage sales and sockets Works great and has saved me lots of money 😊😊

[@claireotis5918]

Maybe this saw has been bought in Europe by the present owner's grandfather. I have ever seen in France an old 038 magnum (1988) which was made in west germany too.

[@tywebbgolfenthusiast8950]

As I watch these Stihl troubleshooting videos, I’m struck by how well engineered these saws are. Plus, completely rebuildable. Also, “swing press”…made me chuckle.

[@deutzmans1]

great explanation of a saw service ,028 were a fantastic saw i have a 028 av super and a 028 wood boss which I am having trouble getting to run consistently .I cleaned the carburetor and it started easy ran and idled perfectly but 2 days later when I tried it it was giving erratic idle again very annoying keep up the videos great info

[@daveodenbach6455]

The newer ones were built in VB. This saw is probably pre 1989 when the Iron Curtain came down. After the unification of Germany, the badges just said Germany .

[@magnuslindvall]

Just bought my press/vac tester, can’t Wait to try it! Looks so neat to know exactly what’s wrong.

[@DamagedDingo]

Was looking for why my cheap battery chainsaw leaks oil every time I go camping and have somehow gone down the rabbit hole of your vids even though they don’t relate at all. 😂

[@martinflanagan2506]

Erica you should start Stihl University, great content very well done. I learn every time I watch your video's. Thank you.

[@user-ff2bj9wc1e]

Well done keep it up 🙂

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Thanks 😊

[@hamilpoton-kl7hf]

A “swing press”!! Cute lil joke there! I see what you did there!🎉

[@drive67ray]

for me this was your. best video. keep going with your tutorials i'm learning all the time, saying thankyou doesn,t seem enough

[@ruuzulu8814]

Good video, very interesting. I haven’t ran into any seal issues on my amateur repair journey but now atleast I know how to repair and more importantly what tools I’ll need to change them out

[@29chevbolenschannel40]

Another great repair - thanks for sharing to logic process to determine the problem. Was wondering if the tool that you used to remove the fuel line off the carb nipple would also work to remove the fuel line from the tank rather than using the needle nose pliers? I imagine the needle nose pliers give you more leverage to pull the grommet portion of the line out of where it seals in the tank but I would think they could damage the fuel hose if someone was trying to save a fuel line if it was still in good shape. Really enjoy watching your videos.

[@SpruceGoose-qx8zj]

I'm gonna be comment number 101😁 This was an excellent tutorial you guys❤ I mean you can't beat a channel with a smart, pretty lady repairing chainsaws! Great work Erica and Tyler...on your way to 10K subs!!!

[@nebiertugrul5095]

Nice job 👍🏼

[@hans-wernermayer1312]

Hallo, I m from Germany , I live close to Stihl manufactury , and I visit your channel all the time. Hwm

[@ShainAndrews]

Many people can't justify a swing press for casual use.

[@tomessary4099]

Removing the seal without taking the engine apart is soooooooo awesome! Love the seal puller!! Do you need a metric “swing press”? 😊 Many thanks!!!!

[@briannelson4493]

Very informative Erica and you found the problem. Happy saw happy owner.

[@alexgratsch4194]

Changing crank seals is so much fun. I wish my aftermarket pulling tool would work a bit better though. Don‘t you use a sealing material like Dirko HT?

[@markphillips3341]

The older Stihl saws used 40:1 fuel mix. I'm guessing this is one of those. Is this the mix you used or is 50:1 with the newer oils okay to run these. Just asking as i have my father in-laws old 024AVS running 40:1. Great videos by the way.

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

I generally run 50:1

[@danastinson3271]

Learned a lot. Thanks!

[@DanStarTheFirst]

I bought one of these as "not running" also stamped Made in West Germany found out the carb was shot was just dumping fuel with the jets closes all the way and it would run fast one direction and die out the other. Got a carb from china (couldn't find an original anywhere) and new crank seals mine was shot on the flywheel side. Runs like a bad out of hell now just need a new recoil. It has a LOT of compression still has crosshatch which makes it a pain to pull and can carry it around by the pull cord.

[@robertcochran7103]

This is a great video, I enjoyed watching it. Your work on fixing chainsaws is quite interesting.

[@ninagamble9150]

Thank you for another excellent video!

[@johncourt4163]

If you have a west germany saw hang on to it. Seem to be quite a bit better imo.

[@curtsheriradel2049]

Good job ! 👌

[@P--O]

Great video on a great saw. I own one which have been in my family since new back in the late 70s and it is still working fine. Thanks for sharing you knowledge.

[@writewritewrite]

A beautiful saw, well worth the fix.

[@Juzzy520]

Good job! Bet customer is well pleased? Sentimental stuff from your elders is invaluble!!💪💪👍👍

[@timbrown2637]

By far the best video explanation of pressure and vacuum testing I have seen. Thank you and cold you list all the test equipment part numbers please?

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Thank you very much! There are part numbers in the video description box :)

[@steveriggenbach90]

Who has the most tools win. Great teaching channel. I noticed all hand tools, your opinion why please.

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

I enjoy using hand tools for filming. Its a change from my normal day to day

[@My_cats4748]

Enjoyed your video.good job. Liked seeing the new 🐥 so cute

[@hornetboy3694]

Awesome video, great work. Thank you

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Glad you liked it!

[@fhazen01]

First thing I noticed was this saw didn’t have the Frankenstein gas & oil tank covers. I wonder why they didn’t leave them this way, they were great. Another good video👍

[@hkcitation]

Ok I learned something new today, I really liked that oil trick on the seal test.

[@gashi.g1290]

Schön anzusehen wie,sie arbeiten. 🫡🇺🇸🇦🇱

[@matthijsverweijmeren6114]

Very good vid on leaks and general maintenance. Nice to see the oil being sucked in at the crankseal sealing surface at vacuumtesting. Keep it up. 😊

[@foxwood67]

Teamwork makes the dream work. As always great work. The saw had little use looked in excellent condition

[@notajp]

I’ve seen a very similar issue with the A/C system in my truck, but in reverse. I can pull a vacuum on the system and it holds just fine, but charge the system and it will all leak out. I suspect bad compressor seals will hold vacuum but not pressure.

[@GraySquirrel-374]

I’ve got an O34 AV Super. It also has made in West Germany on it. I’ve always assumed it is a pre 1989 saw. I don’t know the year of manufacture. I got the saw around 1991.

[@user-zj2nx1mo3u]

Thanks so much for the great video. I have one of these a friend gave me that had been severely neglected. I learned a lot from your video and wish it would have been available a year or so ago. I encountered some of the same issues bringing it back into serviceable condition. It's now one of my favorite power saws.

[@scottduffy808]

I live watching your channel! I have a 028 as well bought it brand new in 79! But what Iam interested in is your log holder that you cut your rounds on! Could you take a good picture of how it’s set up? I would love to be able to cut rounds by myself off the ground! Tank you

[@talesfromthebottle6314]

The ye olde swing press hey 😂😂😂 love it

[@d1gardner]

I'm a new subscriber.....I wish you well including MANY more subscribers!

[@marriedwithsmallengines]

Thanks for subbing!

[@olivierj.2435]

What is the reference of your intake block please ?

[@francoisrheaume4478]

Stihl❤❤❤