Chainsaw Issues

WayneB · Jan 30, 2009

I agree with Egon and think you should consider replacing the saw. I myself would stick with Husky but Stihl makes a great saw too. I only switched to Husqvarna because there is a local dealership and they stock all parts. As for the 350 I am pretty sure that Husky is dropping that saw and now is offering a replacement called their 450? Hard to keep up with the model numbers these days.

RavensRoost · Jan 30, 2009

Unless you are experienced at replacing chainsaw piston/ring/cylinder and perhaps more, I suggest selling it a a "parts saw" and buying a new saw. The saw a lot of folks nowadays think is wonderful almost to the point of claiming it cures cancer is the Stihl MS361. This is a 60cc saw, may or may not be overkill for your needs.

RavensRoost

charliepff · Jan 30, 2009

Thank you for the suggestions guys. I think what happened is the spark plug came loose and it sucked air in to lean it out. That is why it happened. I am taking it apart tomorrow. Unfortunately I do not know anyone that does machine work around me so getting it honed might be a chore. I am looking at the Husky Ranch Saw and the Stihl MS 310 and 390. I have to get it approved by the wife before I can buy though. I will let you all know what I find tomorrow.

dqdave1 · Jan 30, 2009

Many 2 cycle engine makers now state in the owners manuals to use "premium" fuel only. Scrap the saw; you will put alot of money into it and it will never be the same. I think Stihl says to run premium; if you do not - warranty void.

Pilot · Feb 3, 2009

Do you have ethanol in the gas in your area? Avoid it if possible; it leans the mixture (it's an oxygenate) and causes other problems. Ethanol ruined a big (expensive, also) weedeater when they first started requiring it around here in the winter.

Avgas contains about 4 times as much lead as the old leaded car gas used to have. Yes, it is higher octane. If you want to use avgas, you might only want to use about a 25% mix. Avgas won't have ethanol.

srjones · Feb 4, 2009

BTW, for those in Oregon:

Oregon State Marine Board E-10 (Ethanol) in Gasoline and Where to Find Non-Blended Gas

Pilot · Feb 10, 2009

The Marine Board site doesn't list them all. Apparently, a seller has to know they can contact the board & get listed.

Diesel-ME · Feb 10, 2009

I'd be in the time to shop for a new saw camp...... if this were a larger saw that had an $800 replacement costs (like a 372xp) maybe I'd attempt the rebuild, but you can get a Rancher 55 (or 455 or whatever they call them now) for $399 or less. I had one of these some years back before I upgraded to a 357xp and liked it pretty well.

john_bud · Feb 10, 2009

charliepff said:
Unfortunately I do not know anyone that does machine work around me so getting it honed might be a chore.

w.

Harbor Freight has a cheap engine hone (like a brake cylinder hone, only larger) in the current cat for about 5-10 bucks.

jb

charliepff · Feb 10, 2009

Well, I have taken apart the saw over the weekend. There is no piston or cylinder damage. Just damage to the threads for the spark plug. I chased them with a new plug and there is enough threads left to hold the plug securely with no problems. The problem I have found is I can not get the screws out for the exhaust. So I can not remove the exhaust from the cylinder. I am really skeptical since it is 2 Allen head bolts that hold it on. So I will work on that Thursday and then start assembling the rest of the saw. I am still probably going to buy another saw.