Chainsaw with scored piston. How?

[ruffdog]

I decided to overhaul a couple of 2 strokers, a chain saw and weedeater. Afterwards, I decided that the only reason I was experiencing engine damage was that I wasn't getting enough lubrication. So, in buying new replacements, I still use synthetic oil and rather than 40 or 50:1, per the mfgrs recommendations, I run more like 25-30 to 1 (rather than a bottle to a gallon, I use a bottle and a half per gallon) and being synthetic, smoking is seldom visible. We'll see how that works out as the machines age.

Just remember, when you change the oil ratio, you are also changing the fuel/air ratio. With more oil, you are LEANING the amount of gasoline in the mix. Think of it this way, the fuel jet only allows so much liquid through it and if there are more oil molecules, there are less gas molecules. An already lean engine is really going to suffer with that oil ratio unless the carb is modified.

 

[EddieWalker]

Fix it yourself, pitch it or you can go this route...View attachment 581835

Amish chainsaw.

If I saw this for sale, I would probably buy it!!!!

 

[ericm979]

Yes, though the difference is small and should be in the range of the carb adjustment screws or M-tronic.

I've found that 50:1 with high quality synthetic oil works fine. For milling I'd use a somewhat richer oil ratio. 25:1 is a waste of oil and will cause excess carbon build up in the engine.

 

[TractorGuy]

No way I would spend $500 on a $725 saw.

I'm another proponent of cheap saws. I don't use a saw all that much but I've only owned 4 in my life.

The first of those was my granddad's old Whitehead bow saw. Couldn't find parts for it or I would still have it.

I bought a 16" Craftsman that still ran good but I could no longer buy the chain components for it's "Barracuda Chain". That was one badass little saw. Cost was less than $150.

I have a commercial grade Poulan bow saw in the shed that needs carb work but I have no need to use it. Bought it used for $40 and replaced fuel lines and chain when I bought it. It has so much compression I have no desire to try to start it any longer. When I had it running it would cut through water oak that was so hard the chain would throw sparks off the tree but it would walk right through it.

My 4th and final saw is a 18" Craftsman I bought 8 years ago for less than $150. It starts on the second or third pull every time I pull it out of the case. I mix my own fuel with ethanol free gas and whatever brand of 2 cycle oil I have laying around. Keep a sharp chain on and it will cut anything I want to mess with.

In summary I'm coming up on 67 and have invested less in saws in my lifetime than your dealer wants to repair this one.

 

[hawkeye08]

I have a chainsaw bought new 35 years ago, used it to get 10 cords of firewood for perhaps 10 years, converted to pellets, used saw occasionally. Last time I wanted to use it, it did not start right up (always put fresh gas in before use), figured the lines needed replacing. I might get a battery or electric one for my very occasional need. Dad wanted to take it to his mechanic and get it fixed, but hearing about work that mechanic does, didn't want to pay for a new saw in repairs.

When we bought our Stihl trimmer, the sales guy recommended priming every time the trimmer is started, even it is warm already. His story was it is important for lubrication more than fuel.. doesn't hurt anything that I can tell, so why not?

 

[stevem5215]

I have a CubCadet EFCO manufactuered saw. EFCO is the largest manufacturer of chainsaws in the world. Just not as popular over here in the states. Mine is a 52cc and has more hp per cc than the Stihl's do. It's a 20" bar on a Oregon with a D72 chain. It's really been a good saw. But one thing I always do and would recommend to anyone is to dump the old gas out and only use fresh newly mixed gas in anything 2 stroke. Old gas even a month old is junk and you get loss of Octane. That along with recommendations by saw manufacturers to use 91 Octane is important in such a small high revving engine. Also, oil is very important in them. I highly recommend Stihl Ultra as mentioned by another commenter on here who likes Stihl products. That oil has a stabilizer function in it as well and it is by far (and I've tried and ruined a lot of 2 stroke products along the way) the best oil available today. The oil and the stabilizer products used really make the carbs much more like the gas we used of old without Ethanol. If you follow these directions you will get the benefit of my years of 2 stroke use for free. I will virtually guarantee you less trouble. That and get yourself an EFCO. They make a good cutting saw. I just did 4 cords of firewood from our ice/snow storm event that stripped a bunch of trees here in Western PA. A bad deal all around. Lots of people had no power for a week. We were lucky it was ONLY out for 27hrs with a backup heating method in our basement. Others weren't so lucky.

Good luck and remember, Stihl ULTRA ! It's the way to go.

Steve

 

[Doofy]

I've never really noticed any big differences in 2-stroke oils. I use whatever is handy and tend to mix a little heavy. Homelite weedwacker is over 30 years old and the engine insides look like new. The last oil I mixed up was some Castrol from the early seventies...no problems.

 

[ArlyA]

Not sure I can tell the difference in 2 stroke oils either. How would you? The manufacturers do add chemicals so they mix well and many also a fuel stabilizer to them. We run the Echo oil variety that's partially syn and has a stabilizer added to it. Is it any better?? No idea!

I've never really noticed any big differences in 2-stroke oils. I use whatever is handy and tend to mix a little heavy. Homelite weedwacker is over 30 years old and the engine insides look like new. The last oil I mixed up was some Castrol from the early seventies...no problems.

 

[Jstpssng]

Fix it yourself, pitch it or you can go this route...View attachment 581835

Amish chainsaw.

That's a fun joke. Apparently though they are allowed to use them as long as the saw belongs to somebody else. I've been told that down in New York and Pennsylvania there are quite a few Amish woodcutters.

I've never really noticed any big differences in 2-stroke oils. I use whatever is handy and tend to mix a little heavy. Homelite weedwacker is over 30 years old and the engine insides look like new. The last oil I mixed up was some Castrol from the early seventies...no problems.

I'll keep using Husky oil until the warrantee runs out, then probably go cheaper. Although after 5 years I may want to upgrade anyways.

 

[Doofy]

It may seem odd but I like chainsaws. I still use the very first brand new Homelite Super EZ saw I purchased in 1979. I bought the Wife a Poulan 16" electric chainsaw and discovered I enjoyed the quietness when using. Several years ago, I bought a mess of saws off eBay and wound up with 3 electrics and 2 gas models that all run well. This year the Wife bought me my first cordless chainsaw. I'm 67 and don't understand the fetish.