Stihl dillema - What would you do?

[Kaiser Soze]

I've inherited an old Stihl 034 Farm Boss from my Dad. It's about 20 years old and I've had a problem trying to start it. It had been sitting unused for about 1-2 years. It worked well once started the other week, but now will only fire once then flood.
So, off to the service bloke who specializes in all things 2 stroke.

Now this bloke is VERY abrupt and I got the impression that a life of working with weekend warriors had worn him down.

When they finally had a look at it he said the cylinder has 'gouges' in it so it probably had the wrong fuel put in at some point or wasps had got into the muffler and left dirt behind when it was started up. (My gut impression was I was being fobbed off! Strong vibes of, they didn't give a monkeys)

A new cylinder will cost as much as 2 new chinese crap saws (with carry box).

Now look, I only want to use it occasionally BUT I don't want to just dismiss the Stihl and get a crap one.

Should I persevere and get it fixed whatever the cost. Are Stihl really that good? Or shall I just ditch it and get a crappy one that only will last 20 hours (saw that in another post)

What would YOU do?

[damian]

Was he a stihl dealer ?

Either way take it somewhere else, to a proper stihl specialist. In my experience they are curteous and helpful and really know their stuff.

As for the chinese saws, I've been using mine regularly for what ? 12 months now. I've knocked down and chopped up quite a few trees. Starts easy and cuts like butter. $143 delivered. YMMV. I have stihl brushcutters and stuff and they are nice machines, just depends on what you want to do. The stihl is worth money even if not running.

[Kaiser Soze]

Was he a stihl dealer ?

Either way take it somewhere else, to a proper stihl specialist. In my experience they are curteous and helpful and really know their stuff.

As for the chinese saws, I've been using mine regularly for what ? 12 months now. I've knocked down and chopped up quite a few trees. Starts easy and cuts like butter. $143 delivered. YMMV. I have stihl brushcutters and stuff and they are nice machines, just depends on what you want to do. The stihl is worth money even if not running.

Good thoughts. What brand is your Chinese saw?

[damian]

It is the 52cc 22" bar one you got on ebay. The new ones are 60cc. I bought from princess trade because the combination of bid price, shipping and warrantee seemed the best at the time. I was very happy with what I got. It came with tools and some spares and a manual that wasn't totally useless. It does not start first pull if it's been lying for a while or I ran the carby dry, but pull is easy and 1/2 doz and it idles even cold.

As a friend said his stihl is $150 for an annual service so if I get 2 years out of it...the chain is a quality brand name item and the saw has gone through a iron bark at 200 diameter no worries. Not a huge tree but the hardest I've cut thus far. I knocked it into 12" fire size lengths after the trunk dried out for a few months so that's some indication. Softer trees have been no problem.

I don't expect it to last 20 years, but so far I've absolutely no complaints. YMMV....

[Kaiser Soze]

I hate the thought of giving up on the Stihl but I can get a McCulloch for $250 at Bunnies and it is brand new with Warranty. The Stihl is already 15 yrs old needs repair $200+ needs new bar and chain soon $100 and will need servicing in 12 months $150.

I've done the math, I'm off to Bunnies!! (and hating having to do it)

Thanks Damian

[damian]

I wouldn't buy a mccullock. I've got one under the house waiting for attention. IMO the chinese is better value.

I was looking at that $319 talon post hole digger at bunnings in teh catalogue. That's about the same money you pay on ebay for the little ones, assuming it comes with a couple of arbours.

[Quasimodo]

As a matter of interest, there's a second hand 034AV cylinder on Ebay for cheap at the moment. Item 120399442537.

Easy to check the cylinder by removing the muffler and having a look. If you said it ran ok a little while ago but now floods, sounds more like a carby problem which would be an easy fix.

Don't toss it anyway - someone may need it for parts.

[Rossluck]

I was at our local Stihl dealer once and heard the mechanic there tell a customer the same thing. The mixture in these machines (well, any 2 stroke) is crucial. A mixture without enough oil will cause those gouges.

I have a Bunnings McCulloch. My last chainsaw was a McCulloch. No complaints. Not as good as Stihl but for warriors, fine.

[martrix]

I
When they finally had a look at it he said the cylinder has 'gouges' in it so it probably had the wrong fuel put in at some point or wasps had got into the muffler and left dirt behind when it was started up. (My gut impression was I was being fobbed off! Strong vibes of, they didn't give a monkeys)

A new cylinder will cost as much as 2 new chinese crap saws (with carry box).

I would say he is possibly 100% correct. Mud wasps building nests in 2 stroke mufflers is more common than you think. Saw starts up, some of the mud dislodges and enters the cylinder, the rest is history. If this was the case, the gouges would be on the exhaust side of the piston. If it was bad, you would be best to get both a piston and head/jug. A compression test would tell you the piston/cylinder is stuffed.

Its a bit of work, but you can do it yourself for prolly US$140.

http://cgi.ebay.com/STIHL-034-SUPER-...3286.m20.l1116

[dennford]

Martrix,
Is that a tarsius?

[martrix]

Martrix,
Is that a tarsius?

Tarsier, yeah.

[weisyboy]

you can send teh old 034 to me if ya like i have 2 and another woudl be great.

are you sure its flooding? and not sompthign else.

if its floodign id say there is a problem with spark or the choke is stuck on. check teh spark and that the choke goes off when its switched off.

[dennford]

Tarsier, yeah.

Okay - Tarsier! did you visit Loboc?

Denn

[GraemeCook]

Now this bloke is VERY abrupt and I got the impression that a life of working with weekend warriors had worn him down.

When they finally had a look at it he said the cylinder has 'gouges' in it so it probably had the wrong fuel put in at some point or wasps had got into the muffler and left dirt behind when it was started up. (My gut impression was I was being fobbed off! Strong vibes of, they didn't give a monkeys)

Dirt could only get into the cylinder from the muffler if the engine sucked on the exhaust side.... Think you are dealing with a w@anker!.

If you have already bought the McCulloch you might like to keep the Stikl and consider taking it to a competent repairer when the McCullochs worn out.

Cheers

Graeme

[martrix]

Dirt could only get into the cylinder from the muffler if the engine sucked on the exhaust side.... Think you are dealing with a w@anker!.

If you have already bought the McCulloch you might like to keep the Stikl and consider taking it to a competent repairer when the McCullochs worn out.

Cheers

Graeme

careful throwing names around mate, do you actually know how a 2 stroke works?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_engine