Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Small Engine GasTank, diaphragm valve, diaphragm pump

Question
Hi P.K.,

I have a Craftsman 16" chain saw that is about 25 years old. The model # is 358.354810. Recently is stopped running and would not restart. I drained the gas out and when I was dumping it out, a filter on a piece of plastic tubing also came out of the tank. I took some of the covers off and found that the gas tank tubing was shot. It was very brittle and broke in many places. I could see that I needed to get the gas tank out which was no small chore in itself. The tank was very tight. I could get the general direction the plastic tubing was going but it was broke in several places. I had to put a pair of pliers on the tank and pull it out and the tubing went everywhere. The piece of tubing with the filter came through the tank with a fitting and into the side of the carburetor(I think). So finally the question. The tank has two small holes in it for tubing and before I pulled the tank out it looked like this piece tubing ran down the side of the tank. When I got the tank out I can see no place the tubing could have run to. Do you have any ideas or can you point me in the right direction? I know that is alot of information for this question so THANK YOU for any help you can provide.

Again, THANK YOU,

Mike

Answer
I can't tell you the routing through the saw body offhand as there are just too many different styles.  I can tell you the line with the filter on it will go to the fitting on the carb that is nearer to the middle of the body of the carb and the return line will go to the fitting that is closer to the plate with either 2 or 4 screws. The fuel flows in through the side with one screw, the diaphragm valve, and out where the diaphragm pump is.

Looking at the parts list, I imagine the line runs on the flywheel side and through a couple of holes in the body of the saw.  If you haven't already, take the starter off and you should be able to see the routing, or at least where it goes into the carburetor chamber of the body.  I wish I could be of more help.  Thanks, PK.