OE 346xp primer bulb upgrade, is it worth it?

[rangerjim1999]

Hi, new to the site here- though I have been reading many posts and just starting to tinker a little bit on chainsaws. I have a 1999 346xp that I recently swapped the 42mm cylinder for the 44mm cylinder and replaced the plastic boot clamp with the metal one. I could not get the chain to stop turn at idle, and after messing with the carb screws, I took it to a shop to have them adjust the idle, or see what I did wrong. They said it passed their tests (compression, pressure, and vacuum) and said it needed a new carb. I thought, well its 20+ years old, so ok I'll take a new carb. Few weeks go by, so I call to check on the saw and the receptionist tells me they are waiting on parts, a screw, hose and bulb. I said, it didn't have a bulb on that saw, she said she said she didn't know anything about it and to call back to talk to another guy who wasn't in. Some more time goes by and she calls me back saying they are now waiting on a lining that won't be in for two months, but again the mechanic isn't there to talk to. At first, I was thinking it may be good to have the upgraded primer and carb, but then I started researching the two 346xp versions (we have one of each at work), and it looks like I'll have to swap out the base under the carb because the original doesn't have openings for the extra hoses, the elbow holding the filters (as well as the filters)is different, I'll need a nipple at the gas tank vent. Not sure if the tanks are different, is that nipple at the vent a gas return? If so, there is no hole on my current tank for gas to flow in. Basically, this looks like its going to cost a bit more than just replacing the original carb. Is it worth doing all that, or should I just find the original carb? Can I use the new carb and just bypass the primer?

Any help, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[huskihl]

The new carburetor that they ordered was probably for the newer style and has the primer connection elbow on it. All they need to do is add a small length of hose to the elbow and plug it with a screw and some sealant and it will work fine without adding the bubble

 

[rangerjim1999]

was able to talk to the mechanic and told him I didn't need the primer bulb upgrade and he went ahead and used the new carb and bypassed the primer. Figure I could always add it later if I want. The new carb doesn't have the limiters on the adjustment screws, so that may be an upgrade over the original. If I do add the primer down the road, is there a fuel return hose that goes back to the tank? Would I need to drill a hole through the tank vent filter for the nipple, or just replace the filter with that nipple?



Thanks for all the advise and suggestions.