How to Start a 026 Stihl Chainsaw Without Flooding It

I still remember the day I brought home my first Stihl 026. It was a used model, covered in sawdust and old bar oil. The guy I bought it from fired it right up. When I got it home, I pulled the cord until my shoulder ached. It simply would not start. I felt so frustrated.

I soon learned I was doing it all wrong. Figuring out how to start a 026 Stihl chainsaw is a rite of passage. This saw does not have a primer bulb like modern cheap saws. You have to know how the machine thinks. Once an old logger showed me the exact sequence, everything changed. Now, my trusty 026 starts on the second or third pull every single time. I am going to share exactly how to do it.

Getting to Know the Master Control Lever

Before you even pull the cord, you need to understand the main switch. Stihl calls this the Master Control Lever. It sits right under your right thumb.

This little switch controls everything. It handles the choke, the throttle lock, and the kill switch. If you put it in the wrong spot, the saw will not run. I used to just guess what the symbols meant. That was a huge mistake.

Switch Position	What It Means	When to Use It
Top (O)	Off / Stop	To turn the saw off.
Middle (I)	Normal Run	Once the saw is warm and running.
Lower Middle	Half Choke / Fast Idle	Right after the saw “pops” or “burps.”
Bottom	Full Choke	When the saw is completely cold.

Essential Checks Before You Pull the Cord

You should never try to start a dry saw. The 026 is a two-stroke machine. That means it takes a special mix of gas and oil.

If you use straight gas, you will destroy the engine in two minutes. I always double-check my fluids before I start working. It saves so much trouble later. Old gas is the number one reason these saws refuse to start.

Fluid Needed	Why It Matters
50:1 Mixed Fuel	Lubricates the engine while it burns.
Fresh Gasoline	Ethanol gas goes bad fast and clogs the carb.
Bar and Chain Oil	Keeps the chain from melting the guide bar.

How to Start a 026 Stihl Chainsaw From Cold

A cold start means the saw has not run today. The engine block is completely cold. This is where most people make mistakes and flood the engine.

Follow these steps exactly. Do not rush them.

Step 1: Engage the Chain Brake

Push the front hand guard away from you. You should hear a loud click. The chain brake is now on. This stops the chain from spinning when the engine fires up. It keeps you safe.

Step 2: Squeeze the Throttle and Set the Choke

You cannot push the switch to full choke unless you squeeze the throttle first. Grab the back handle. Squeeze the trigger. Now, push the Master Control Lever all the way down to the bottom position. This sets the choke and locks the throttle slightly open.

Step 3: Listen for the Pop

Put the saw on flat ground. Put your right foot inside the rear handle. Hold the front handlebar tight with your left hand. Pull the starter rope slowly until you feel resistance. Then, give it a sharp, quick pull.

You might pull it three or four times. Stop pulling as soon as you hear the saw “pop” or burp. It will sound like it wants to start, but it will die right away. Do not pull it again on full choke. If you do, you will flood it.

Step 4: Move to Half Choke

Once you hear that pop, move the Master Control Lever up one notch. It is now in the half-choke position.

Step 5: Start the Engine

Pull the rope again. It should start in one or two pulls. Because it is on fast idle, the engine will run loud and fast. The chain brake will keep the chain from moving.

Step 6: Blip the Throttle

As soon as the saw runs for a couple of seconds, quickly squeeze and release the throttle trigger. The Master Control Lever will jump up to the normal run position (I). The saw will calm down and idle quietly. You did it.

Start Phase	The Action I Take	The Sound I Expect
Full Choke	Pull the cord firmly.	A quick “burp” or false start.
Half Choke	Pull the cord again.	The engine roars to life.
Normal Run	Tap the throttle trigger.	A smooth, steady low idle.

The Warm Start Method

Starting a warm saw is much easier. If you just shut the saw off five minutes ago to move a log, do not use the choke.

If you use the choke on a hot saw, you will flood it instantly. I did this constantly when I first started cutting wood. I wasted hours waiting for my saw to dry out.

Keep It Simple for Warm Starts

Just set the Master Control Lever to the normal run position (I). Do not squeeze the trigger. Do not touch the choke. Make sure the chain brake is on. Give the cord a quick pull. It should fire right up.

If it acts stubborn after sitting for ten minutes, you can use the half-choke position. But never use full choke on a warm engine.

Engine State	Choke Position	Expected Result
Hot (Just ran)	Normal Run (I)	Starts on the first pull.
Warm (Sat for 15 mins)	Half Choke	Starts quickly, needs a throttle tap.
Cold (Sat overnight)	Full Choke	Needs to pop, then switch to half choke.

What to Do If You Flood the Engine

Flooding happens to everyone. You miss the “pop” sound and pull the cord three more times. Now the cylinder is full of raw liquid fuel. The spark plug is wet. The saw will not spark.

You can smell the unburned gas. Pulling the cord more will just make it worse. You have to clear the engine. It sounds scary, but it is actually very easy to fix.

The Quick Fix for a Flooded Saw

First, take a deep breath. Turn the Master Control Lever all the way up to the off position (O). We want no spark right now.

Next, take your scrench tool. Remove the top plastic cover. Unscrew the spark plug. It will likely be dripping with gas. Wipe it dry with a clean rag. Let it sit in the sun for a minute.

Now, flip the saw upside down. Pull the starter cord five or six times. You might see liquid gas spit out of the spark plug hole. This clears the cylinder.

Put the dry spark plug back in. Put the boot back on. Set the switch to the normal run position (I). Hold the throttle wide open and pull the cord. It might blow some white smoke, but it will start.

The Problem	Why It Happened	How I Fix It
Smells heavily of gas.	Pulled too many times on full choke.	Remove spark plug, dry it off.
Cord feels mushy.	Cylinder is full of liquid fuel.	Flip saw upside down, pull cord.
Wont start after break.	Used choke on a warm engine.	Hold throttle wide open, pull cord.

Mistakes I Made When I First Started

The Stihl 026 is an amazing tool. But it does not forgive lazy habits. I learned my lessons the hard way. I want to save you the headache.

When I first got my saw, I treated it like a cheap lawnmower. I left gas in it all winter. I never cleaned the air filter. I paid the price in blistered hands from pulling the cord.

Avoid These Common Traps

One big mistake is drop starting. That is when you hold the saw in one hand and drop it while yanking the cord with the other. It looks cool. It is also incredibly dangerous. The 026 has a lot of compression. It can easily kick back and hit you in the face. Always start it on the ground.

Another mistake is using cheap, old gas. Two-stroke engines need fresh, high-octane fuel mixed with quality oil. If gas sits in a plastic can for three months, do not put it in your Stihl. It will gum up the tiny screens inside the carburetor.

My Rookie Mistake	The Better Approach
Drop starting the saw in the air.	Ground starting with my foot in the handle.
Leaving old fuel in the tank all winter.	Running the tank completely dry before storing.
Ignoring the chain brake during starts.	Engaging the brake every single time.

Keeping Your Stihl 026 Running Great

Starting the saw is only half the battle. Keeping it eager to start requires a little bit of care. The 026 is famous for lasting decades. Many loggers consider it the best mid-sized saw Stihl ever built.

But it needs to breathe. Air, spark, and fuel. If you keep those three things clean, the saw will never let you down.

Basic Maintenance for Easy Starts

Check your air filter often. The 026 has a wire mesh or felt filter under the back cover. If it gets packed with fine sawdust, the engine runs rich. It acts like the choke is always stuck on. I clean mine with an air compressor or a soft brush after every big cutting session.

Keep an eye on the spark plug. If the metal tip looks black and crusty, it is time for a new one. A good spark plug costs five bucks. It is the cheapest insurance for an easy start.

Part to Check	What I Look For
Air Filter	Fine dust blocking the mesh screen.
Spark Plug	Black carbon buildup or worn tips.
Fuel Filter	Sits inside the gas tank. Look for brown slime.
Pull Cord	Frayed spots near the handle.

The Decompression Valve Secret

Some models, like the later 026 Pro versions, have a decompression valve. This is a tiny blue or black button on the top right of the cylinder head.

If your saw has one, use it. It is a game changer.

Saving Your Shoulder

Push the button in before you pull the cord. It releases some pressure from the engine. This makes the cord much easier to pull.

When the saw fires or pops, the button pops back out automatically. You have to push it back in every time you pull the rope. If your 026 does not have one, do not worry. Just pull the cord firmly. But if you have it, it saves a lot of wear on your shoulder and the starter rope.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to start a 026 Stihl chainsaw correctly takes a little practice. You just have to tune your ear to that initial engine pop. Once you respect the choke positions and use fresh fuel, this classic saw will work tirelessly for you. It is a legendary machine for a reason.

I hope my mistakes and tips help you out in the woods. Treat the saw well, keep it clean, and always wear your safety gear. There is nothing quite like the sound of a well-tuned 026 slicing through oak. Happy cutting.