Another question for chainsaw experts

Kickinbull · Mar 10, 2014

I have a Husky saw that quit, won't start. Took it to dealer to diagnose. He tells me the piston rings have built up with carbon and expanded till it scratched the cylinder and scorched the piston. He gave me an estimate, which I haven't decided what to do with the saw yet. My question is, what caused the carbon buildup, and what can I do to prevent it from happening on this one if fixed or a different one that is replacement? Tnks.

boler76 · Mar 10, 2014

use opti-2; 2cycle oil for mixing

David G · Mar 10, 2014

What oil are you using?

Frankmn · Mar 10, 2014

check the price of parts online. maybe aftermarket.
Pretty east to change the piston and cylinder.

Dean · Mar 10, 2014

Too much oil or incorrect oil in fuel.

Dean

8v92guy · Mar 10, 2014

cause of carbon build up is low quality mix oil/fuel. In my experience scortched piston is caused by a lean condition which could be many things including but not limited to cracked intake boot, cracked gas line,ect. what model saw is it? if cyl is not scratch bad you may get away with just a new piston.

Kickinbull · Mar 10, 2014

235e is the model.

Kickinbull · Mar 10, 2014

When I first bought the saw, I already owned a Stihl, so I used their oil mix seeing as I already had some. About half way thru the time I've owned it I switched to Huskys oil.

David G · Mar 10, 2014

I use stihl or homelite oil, have not had a problem. I would suspect it is the husky oil or rich mixture if carbon.

Stihl gives an extra year of warranty if you use their oil. I do not know if that is a gimmick or helps.

D beatty · Mar 10, 2014

I go along with you with Opti-2. I have been using it for over 10 years and muffler screens look like new and plugs look great. Engines run very clean on it.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 11, 2014

Too much oil in the mix actually leans it out. I think Stihl oil is made by Castrol and Opti-2 is very good oil.

VADAVE · Mar 11, 2014

I have had a Stihl 028 for right at 30 years and have NEVER run the recomeneded 50:1 mix, always run 40:1. Also have an Echo blower and decided one day to run the recomended 50:1 mix that cost a new piston and cylinder because the cylinder walls were scrached and the piston BUT you get the experience of rebuilding a 2 cycle motor.

Bret4207 · Mar 11, 2014

If it scored on the exhaust side it could be carbon build up from a rich mix or from the spark arrester being clogged. On the intake side it's usually a lean mix and that can happen on the exhaust side too. Bad seals or a poor head to crankcase seal can cause leaning but it's usually some guy leaning it out so she "screams". Bad or dirty air cleaners can cause leaning or a rich condition depending on what you have. There are likely a few other reasons too.

IME any name brand oil, Stihl, Husky, Jred, Dolmar, Echo, will give good results if mixed properly and with correct carb settings when used with decent gas. Alcohol and oil don't mix well as a general rule, so I run 40ish -1 rather than 50-1.

If the saw is in otherwise decent shape, a piston or piston and jug may be worth it. Look around at what a replacement would cost and then decide.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 11, 2014

High Test gas will make a small engine carbon up

Another question for chainsaw experts

Kickinbull

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boler76

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David G

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Frankmn

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Dean

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8v92guy

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Kickinbull

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Kickinbull

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David G

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D beatty

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Anonymous-0

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VADAVE

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Bret4207

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Traditional Farmer

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