Stihl 026 service schedule

1. Remove the plug, clean it if dirty and check the gap is 0.5 mm.
2. Fit a new plug at about 100 hours. Press the boot firmly onto the plug terminal; if the terminal has an SAE adapter nut, it must be fitted. A loose connection can arc and start a fire.
3. Fouling comes from a wrong carburettor setting, too much oil in the mix, a dirty air filter or a lot of part-throttle work.

Tools: Combination spanner, Feeler gauge 0.5 mm

1. Stihl says weekly. Engine off, gloves on. Remove the sprocket cover, chain and bar.
2. Clean the oil inlet hole, the oilway and the bar groove.
3. File off burrs on the rails.
4. Measure groove depth with the filing gauge scale. Minimum is 6.0 mm for .325 in Rapid, 3/8 in Picco and 3/8 in Rapid chains. Replace the bar if it is less.
5. Refit the bar turned over, refit and tension the chain.

Tools: Flat file, Filing gauge with groove depth scale, Gloves

1. Remove the sprocket cover, chain and bar. Pull the hand guard back to disengage the brake.
2. Check the wear marks: on the webs of a rim sprocket, or on the teeth of a spur sprocket. Replace if deeper than about 0.5 mm.
3. Rim sprocket: remove the E-clip, washer and rim sprocket. If the clutch drum splines are badly worn, fit a new drum too.
4. Clean the crankshaft stub and needle cage and grease them with Stihl grease.
5. Spur sprocket: pull off washer, sprocket and needle cage; after refitting turn the drum about one turn to engage the oil pump drive.
6. Fit a rim sprocket with its cavities facing outwards, then refit the washer and E-clip.
7. Use original Stihl clutch drums and sprockets so the chain brake works correctly.

Tools: Small screwdriver (E-clip), Combination spanner, Gloves

1. Monthly: drain and clean the fuel tank and chain oil tank.
2. Before work: check the chain throws off oil when running.
3. If the oil tank is still part full when the fuel runs out, check the oil passages and see a Stihl dealer if needed.
4. Do not use waste oil; it can cause skin cancer and harms the pump.

Tools: Rag, Approved fuel can

1. Engine off and cold.
2. Take out the screw and remove the spark arresting screen from the muffler.
3. Clean it. If it is damaged or coked up, fit a new one.
4. Refit in reverse order and check the muffler is secure and undamaged.

Tools: Screwdriver, Wire brush

1. Wear full chainsaw PPE: helmet, eye protection, ear defenders, gloves, cut-resistant trousers and safety boots.
2. Before work and at each refuel: run the engine at idle with the chain clear of the ground.
3. Push the hand guard towards the bar nose to engage the brake, then accelerate to full throttle for no more than 3 seconds. The chain must not turn.
4. Pull the hand guard back towards the front handle to release the brake.
5. The hand guard must be free of dirt and move freely. The brake only works if the hand guard has not been modified.
6. If the chain turns, do not use the saw: take it to a Stihl dealer.
7. Have the brake serviced by a dealer every 3, 6 or 12 months depending on how much you use the saw.

Tools: Chainsaw PPE (helmet, visor or goggles, ear defenders, saw gloves, chainsaw trousers, chainsaw boots)

1. Work outdoors away from flames.
2. Drain the tank, hook the pickup body out through the filler neck, fit the new one and push it back in.
3. Refuel with fresh 50:1 mix and check for leaks.

Tools: Wire hook, Approved fuel can, Gloves

1. Wear gloves. Lock the chain with the hand guard pushed forward; pull it back to move the chain on.
2. Clean the chain and check for cracks and damaged rivets; replace worn parts to match the rest.
3. Use a file holder. File at 30° (Rapid Micro and Rapid Super chains), holding the file level at right angles to the bar.
4. File from inside to outside, only on the forward stroke. Rotate the file now and then. Do not file tie straps or drive links.
5. File every cutter down to the length of the shortest one; uneven cutters can break the chain.
6. Check the depth gauges with the filing gauge after every sharpening. Setting for .325 in and 3/8 in chain: 0.65 mm. It may be increased by 0.2 mm for softwood in mild, frost-free weather.
7. Lower high depth gauges level with the gauge using a flat file, then round them off parallel to the stamped mark.
8. Clean off filings and dip the chain in oil.

Tools: Bar vice, Work gloves, Piece of hardwood to remove burrs

1. Turn the knob or lever above the rear handle 90° anticlockwise and lift off the carburettor box cover.
2. Clean away loose dirt, undo the slotted nuts and remove the filter. Separate the two halves.
3. Knock it out on your palm or blow it out from the inside with compressed air.
4. If it is stubborn, wash it in a non-flammable cleaner such as warm soapy water, then dry it. Never brush a fleece filter.
5. Replace a damaged filter. Check the choke shutter and spring are correctly fitted.
6. Refit the filter and cover. The manual offers a fabric filter for normal and winter use and a fleece filter for dry, dusty work.

Tools: Screwdriver for the slotted nuts, Warm soapy water, Compressed air (optional)

1. Check the buffers for splits and wear.
2. A spongy feel, more vibration or the saw bottoming out in normal use means worn or broken buffers.
3. Have them replaced as a set by a Stihl dealer.

1. Before work, check the catcher is in place and undamaged.
2. Replace it if damaged.

Tools: Screwdriver

1. Clean or replace the air filter and check the spark arresting screen first.
2. Standard setting: screw the low speed screw L gently down onto its seat, then open it one turn anticlockwise.
3. Warm up the engine. Turn screws only a little at a time; small changes have a big effect.
4. Engine stops at idle: turn the idle speed screw LA clockwise until the chain begins to run, then back it off a quarter turn.
5. Chain runs at idle: turn LA anticlockwise until the chain stops, then a further quarter turn.
6. Erratic idling or poor acceleration with L one turn open means the idle is too lean: turn L anticlockwise until it runs and accelerates smoothly. You usually need to reset LA after each L change.
7. If you cannot stop the chain turning at idle, do not use the saw: take it to a dealer.

Tools: Small screwdriver, Chainsaw PPE