Farmboss question

[Code54]

It seems my Farmboss (MS250) is growing tired. It can be fussy to start but run OK once started. It does seem a little down on power so I was thinking it may need a refresh. I have rebuilt mowers but never a 2 stroke chain saw so was kicking it around. I was not sure if I need to bore it then oversize the rings or do you normally just ring them with a hone?
Also is there a place that hops up the farm Boss saws a bit? I really don't need a larger saw but a little more power would not be a bad thing. I would consider sending it out if I would get something done to it reasonably. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[HillStreet]

Code54,

You sure it just isn't filters and plug. I just tuned up my twenty year old 029 with new plug, air filter, and gas hose & filter and it made a big difference. Also pulled off the spark arrester screen and that was pretty clean.

When I was in the Stihl dealer buying parts, I looked really hard at buying a new MS290 for $399. Really thought about selling my saw on Craigslist and buying the new one. I cut a cord yesterday and a cord today with no trouble at all, glad I did not buy new (even though new is always nice, my saw runs just fine).

 

[Coyote machine]

There's an in tank filter, which if you haven't changed it, try that and see how she runs then. You could port it and do muffler mods to get more power, if the filter and a tune-up don't cut it. Try the arborist web site or similar to find out more about mods before you do any teardown.

 

[Code54]

I bought a new air cleaner, new plug, and I will pull the filter in the tank and clean up the exhaust and see what happens... Maybe things are just plugged up.
THANKS for the ideas!

 

[94BULLITT]

Do you have a compression gauge? Check the compression on. It takes a lot of cutting to wear out a Stihl, even a non pro saw. For more power I would start with a muffler mod and retune the carb.

 

[TreePointer]

+1

Compression test, muff mod, and clean air filter.

A sharp full chisel chain (as opposed to semi-chisel) can make a noticeable difference.

 

[Code54]

Thanks
I do have a compression tester - about what should a good saw read? I am going to look into the muffler mod and just purchased a new filter. Later tonight I hope to get into it a bit and clean/tune it all up. Looking forward to seeing the results.
Thanks again for all the help and ideas

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks
I do have a compression tester - about what should a good saw read? I am going to look into the muffler mod and just purchased a new filter. Later tonight I hope to get into it a bit and clean/tune it all up. Looking forward to seeing the results.
Thanks again for all the help and ideas

I'm not sure how much compression it should have. It varys from saw to saw. 100 is definitely too low. Somewhere in the 130-150 range is probably good. I tried downloading a manual for the ms250 but the website was down. When you screw the compression tester in TURN THE ENGINE OVER VERY SLOWLY. The threads of the tester may hit the piston and damage it. Once you see it turns over fine with the tester you can crank on it. I have a tester with an adapter that has a short set of threads that I use on saws. When you get ready to muffler mod it ask on here first, some of us may be able to give you some help. I have found there is a lot of good info on the older threads on Arborist site but most of the pictures are gone from the hacks. If you ask a simple question on AS the people are not very helpful.

 

[newbury]

Madsen's Welcome To Madsen's Online has some pretty good tutorials. Make sure you have the right compression tester. For instance with a long tube you lose a bunch of air, not so important in a 500cc cylinder, more so in a 50cc cylinder.

Mod the muffler regardless, that's surgery done at home with a Dremel and a cup of coffee. It's expensive to get a good piston mod compared to the base price of the saw.

I've 2 660's, one with a dual port muffler and one with a minor muffler mod and "wood tune" by Brad Snelling.
both seem to have a LOT more power than the stock 660. The DP was a simple add on from Bailey's, the other saw came "Snellerized" and I think the going rate is about $250/saw.

 

[94BULLITT]

Madsen's Welcome To Madsen's Online has some pretty good tutorials. Make sure you have the right compression tester. For instance with a long tube you lose a bunch of air, not so important in a 500cc cylinder, more so in a 50cc cylinder.

Mod the muffler regardless, that's surgery done at home with a Dremel and a cup of coffee. It's expensive to get a good piston mod compared to the base price of the saw.

I've 2 660's, one with a dual port muffler and one with a minor muffler mod and "wood tune" by Brad Snelling.
both seem to have a LOT more power than the stock 660. The DP was a simple add on from Bailey's, the other saw came "Snellerized" and I think the going rate is about $250/saw.

A compression tester should have the Schrader valve in the end of it.