Tuning a Chainsaw By Ear...Homelite Super XL Test Subject

The purpose of this video is to de-mystify tuning an old chainsaw. We'll talk about what to listen for and then go through the process on a Homelite Super XL. It is important to remember that if your saw has other problems (low compression, air leak, weak coil, bad condenser etc....), no amount of tuning will compensate. You've got to trust your work in the carburetor and some point and know when to start looking elsewhere.

[@hollywoodbusbin138]

Ive watched this video several times...its always my go back and refresher video for a fresh start on carbs people have been trying to tune on at home.. Thanks for the videos Leon...keep them coming

[@williamcolon3647]

Awesome video Leon 👍. Before you made this video, I learned how to tuned like your doing it by watching your hands with the screwdriver in every video you were tuning a chainsaw for someone and reading every little detail you pasted on the screen. Now with this video I know 100% . Thank you so much for taking the time Leon!!🙏

[@G-PA-2795]

Great video Leon. Exceptional advice at the end! Thanks

[@colvinwellborn]

This was very helpful. Tuning the carb (and making sure you've cleaned it out right and replaced the kit correctly) is the arcane art of chainsaw repair and something that is really frustrating when you just can't get it right. I've watched a ton of tuning videos and yours was very helpful.

[@mrj7872]

Thanks again Leaon your knowledge is always appreciated❤️🖤

[@badmonkeybushcraft4229]

Best carb tuning video I seen yet and it just so happens that I have that saw. Thank you.

[@theschmidtshop7026]

Leon, thanks for the video. This is awesome stuff. Tuning a carburetor one thing that I always wished I was better at and what to listen for. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@DaveofAllTrades75]

Ty for this Leon I was hoping you would do one of these videos. Very well done now I feel a bit more comfortable trying this myself.

[@TheCrittercam001]

Thank you for doing this one and for really going into detail with the explanations Leon. I have a number of saws that I plan to use this info on.

[@weets69]

Great vid. Excellent explanation and demo👍

[@adamballer5150]

Leon: my son and I absolutely love your videos! Thank you! Because of your channel we now have a hobby of collecting vintage saws and are in SW WA. We recently bought a Homelite 330 at a garage sale and was able to get it to run. Question: where should the idle screw be set at before start? We can get it to start based off your low and high settings but stalls when I let off the gas. Maybe I send you the saw and you can diagnose on your future video? Keep doing what you’re doing! Your videos are a treat and better than the crap on TV!

[@NWOutdoorsman541]

Leon thank you for your videos,just got my first early 80's super xl and these video are a life saver!

[@gregorynelson6816]

Dude your videos are awesome.

[@robertdillon9989]

Excellent tutorial!!!

[@176truckdriver]

This video helped me a whole lot I sure do appreciate it and I've subscribed

[@RamboMims]

Great video!!! Helped me out a lot!!

[@paulrhodes482]

New to the channel and really have enjoyed all the amazing videos! I was in a accident a few years ago and left with some peralazation and I lost my job after 25 years in the same field of work. I have worked on small engiens some off and on for many years just not chainsaws much but you sure have inspired me. Been pretty down latley about my situation and not being able to provide a decent living for my family any longer but finding your channel has been a blessing and has encoraged me to learn more about chain saws. Byt eh way do you have a video or anything on the swival chainsaw stand you use on your bench? Having a stand sure would make my life so much easier. Thank you for all oyu do for us newbies I appreciate all your hard work to make these amazing videos. Have a great week.

[@hilltopper600]

great teaching video-thanks

[@patrickehlers9827]

Very easy to follow thanks

[@oologahgardentractorandcha3055]

Thanks for this video

[@roberthughes9032]

Ur da man. Thanks friend.

[@brewsterly2927]

Thanks so much Leon for the time and effort you put in this video. I don't know if it is even possible, but if you could edit (and fill in where it misses your words) the "CC" it would probably be the best Chainsaw tuning vid on the tube? Thumb up!

[@RandyXB9R]

My Homelite XL3000 Pro needed carb TLC today. Was cutting a small tree and the notch cut took so long I laid down and took a nap waiting for it to get home. This will help immensely. Has anyone else had issues with the screws moving in and out on their own over time? It seems like that was happening to me, but I can't be sure, particularly in regard to idle speed. Might also be temperatures (NW Montana) varying, fuel mix, etc. I'm headed outside right now to see what I can do. I know it'll run better for me than it did today. Thank you for taking the trouble to put this video together for us!

[@alexruwhiu7384]

All I can say Leon is .... Wow! great tutorial

[@joewenger1964]

Great advice

[@fu420b9]

Cool repair vise

[@k3ith29]

I was just given a Homelite super xl auto that didn't run. Replaced the ignition coil and it fired right up. It runs great.. just sounds like it needs a little bit of tweeking to get it just right.

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

What coil did you use ? and what flywheel did you have ?

[@brandong1990]

Will you do a video on your saw stand With measurements and how somebody could build that themselves... Because it is so cool

[@MoMoneyMeric518]

I run 30 to 1 and it smells nice

[@weets69]

So Amsoil Saber is 100 to 1 ratio. Are you saying this is safe for old Homelite saws? Ps. Awesome vid. Used your beginning high-low start adjustments on my 2 XL’s fired right up before fine tuning.👍

[@mainelyelectric]

How do I go about tuning my homelite XL little red to 40:1? Thanks Ben

[@markluxton3402]

LMAO I just had a funny thought. There are a lot of viewers/listeners out there, using their spy phones, and people with laptops, or having tiny speakers 😞 I have a fairly powerful set of computer speakers in my shop(Koss). I have 4.1 surround in my house for my main PC; using a decades old Creative Labs computer speaker system; ROCKS! Well I can tell you that my house speaker system can make it sound like Leon is tuning the saw in my living room! You want to really hear then listen with speakers that sound real. FYI ;-)

[@ford64lee]

Would it be the same adjustments on a 150 Homelite starting from scratch

[@colepegelow63]

I got a xl Lil red with an adjustable oiler on the side the adjuster completely fell apart from being broken, would you happen to have one of those new?

[@johnclarke6647]

I will set them loosely by ear but after a saw gets broken in - I set them by my tach. My ears aren’t good enough to differentiate between 12,000 and 13,000. Shot to many .50 M2 and M14’s. Not to forget M16’s and other high power rifles and shotguns, all without muffs for the most part. I grew up with a .22RF in my hands, back when these were a badge of manhood for a young boy.

[@mainelyelectric]

Also is it possible to lower the idle speed of my homelite xl little red? it seems a little fast!

[@christopherklosowski8213]

Leon , I have a Poulan chainsaw I inherited from my brother, and was wondering if the carb adjusts the same as my homelites? Love your videos, they have helped me to resurrect my Homelites back to productive life. Poulan is a Pro 4218. Thanks.

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

Yes pretty much the same

[@martin_is_l7061]

Hello, how to adjust carburetor on the homelite xl/sl chainsaw

[@chuckthebull]

be nice if i could understand what needle is what, L or H or idle,, manual shows two screws and the unit has three screws and NO one shows them specifically.. so im left to guess and fiddle and my arms tired from pulling that fing rope

[@MrLeeRossi]

I have a homelite super xL and I got it to run but then it quits like it is not getting gas to keep.it going.can you give me some thing to go on.

[@johncollins8304]

Please link to your tachometer.

[@linwoodwebb4259]

How exactly are ajusting the low

[@613kc]

Thx Leon! Also One can check sparkplug and spark arrester color against a sparkplug chart. Whitist spark arrester and the saw will not last. (fyi I use walmart 2 cycle oil 20:1) SEZ XL12 SXL

[@joeyduncan2582]

Mine runs when you put gas in the head, then dies and won't crank back until you put more gas in with a spark plug goes?

[@markluxton3402]

I found a place to get one of the tachometers that is said to be a good one, but is hard to find. I found it, and for a decent price, but did not order it along with my order for other stuff. Why? Well, I can hear the changes in the engine, so I am inclined to continue tuning by ear, and I doubt any saw runs exactly the same anyway. Setting with a tach. doesn't take into account slight variations in the saws. I am not saying one should not use a tach., I just don't like having to rely on a device. You could start setting with a tach., but I think one should finish tuning by ear and by how it cuts. I am no expert. I do have very good hearing and good pitch, and a very high mechanical aptitude though. Nevertheless, just the opinion of an amateur. I may still get a tachometer, an inductive one, because there are times knowing the RMP is useful, not just for chainsaws. Still, I would not want to rely on one. Wellll, and it may be a fun toy lol

[@rogervandergriff1851]

I have a XL12 And O can not get it right, what I mean is idles just fine but when you get into the throttle it falls on its but. What do I need to do.

[@613kc]

Per video, open the low

[@jackstrawfromwichita5016]

Link fir chainsaw tach?

[@rcoupe5796]

Which screw is high and low? Are they marked? Thanks for video.

[@LeonsChainsawPartsAndRepair]

Yeah, H & L

[@darrellepickering8433]

Beware of customers who tinker with the adjustments after they've picked it up. Years ago had a guy who kept fooling with those & then bitched at me for a lousy running saw. Caught him when I filled the adjustment screw slots with silicone.

[@bobrainy5324]

unfortunately I don't know how many adjustments he's using or where they are at.

[@tomryan9616]

I’m not sure but I thought we used 32:1 mix in our super xl’s.

[@gregeverett2290]

not starting an argument but the best oils i’ve experienced are klotz amsoil and maxima

[@josepha8759]

What is the brand and model # of your tachometer, please?

[@DaveofAllTrades75]

I believe it is this one Electronic Specialties 328 EZ Tach Plus www.amazon.com/dp/B002Z32OHW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_y5s-EbYAJ26VS

[@LeonsChainsawPartsAndRepair]

@@DaveofAllTrades75 is correct, that's the one!

[@elioselectric468]

Very good Leon. You are a natural teacher. Thank you

[@jackfrosty79ify]

Mine run good but die wont idle