I bought a 5 dollar parts chainsaw (echo cs302) still had compression and I ended up putting it back together and it’s been a trusty little saw for the last 4 years, still runs strong. Best 5 dollars I spent.
My buddy got a 048 for free one time from his buddy who got it for free. His buddy changed the carb but when he put it back together he didnt put one of the fuel lines back on. Still runs awesome.
One of the finest videos from Don! Great tips, especially the “walk away” part! So many details that are important during the pre-purchase inspection that could save a customer from wasting their money. Thanks again for keeping us informed 😀
Great advice. I lucked out on an old Homelite 150 Automatic from the 70s. I got it for a few bucks. I took it apart a year ago. Just put it back together after rebuilding the carb and replacing the fuel lines. Started on the third pull and runs like a champ. I honestly couldn’t believe it.
Great advice, but when you pull the cover inspect the debris on the air filter. A coating of very fine saw dust means the saw was used with a dull chain and poorly maintained. That leads to engine overheating and possible cylinder piston scoring. If the debris is primarily chips/course sawdust, then that's an indication the owner cut with a well maintained sharp chain.
I picked up a garage sale Stihl 026 for $25, well used but had good compression. Found it would fire if you put fuel directly into fly thru spark plug hole. Installed an aftermarket $15 carb. Now it's my favorite saw!
Great saws. I have my late father's 026 and an ms260 pro to abuse, and both work without any major work other than cleaning and maintaining the bars and running them.
Here in Northern Michigan, chainsaws are at a premium. I agree with you concerning buying new. If it is something you are going to need on your property, its worth the investment to buy new. I generally refuse to work on the cheap disposable saws that Walmart sold. I explain those saws are sold as emergency cleanup after a storm and generally do not last long. I refer to them as a Bic lighter chainsaw, once they run out of fuel, you throw them out.
Those types have needed so many little fussy repairs like the fuel hoses and burned clutches where I work. So I had them buy a decent Stihl ms 271 and it's been good so far but we need to keep idiots from using it on nail filled pallets because they can't tell where it's okay to cut and miss the metal.
Great tips. Definitely remove the muffler and take a look. A can of brake cleaner with the red tip to spray into the crank seals and around the brake boot works well too.
I'm pretty handy with small engines and like working on them, especially two strokes, so I've bought more than a few "junkers" just to mess around with and eventually fix. I have two in various states of tear-down and repair on my garage table right now. My advise to anyone who isn't knowledgeable on what to look for or confident in diagnosing issues on a used one is to just buy a new one, and make it a Stihl or Husky, if you can. Especially if you're looking at keeping it for awhile versus just buying for a short project/clean up. And when buying used being able to evaluate the seller is often just as important as being able to evaluate the chainsaw.
I got very lucky with buying used saws, not so much about low priced bargains but excellent condition for the price. I bought an older red eye 066 magnum that a group similar to the Amish had for sale and the saw apparently bit one of their people when the chain came off so they got scared, I replaced the chain catch and bought a new 36" bar and chain and I used it to mill a lot of free large logs, the size that many people don't know how to get rid of with there little plastic saws.
I just bought a sthil 290 for $50 piston was scared bad. Replaced the top head and piston my self never done this type of mechanical work before. Paid around $50 for new head and piston. Saw works great now. Just don’t be scared to try something new and fix it yourself if you want to. worked out good for me.
290 is the BEST chainsaw to buy used!!......it's Stihls most mass-produced chainsaw ever.......parts are practically Free on ebay. And you can drop a ms390 Top End in too.....I've put my 290 threw WAY heavier jobs than it should have handled.....literally bogging threw 40inch Oak, caught the Grass on fire a few times.....I have some Bigger saws, but the 290 is a good Safe bet to get most jobs done.....yes they are heavy, crap ergonomics, bla bla, but they are Tanks.
I bought a used ms290 3 years ago. Surprisingly the owner let take the muffler off and the piston, rings and cylinder were in good shape. I even cut down a small tree with it and it still runs and cuts just fine
I bought a chainsaw for parts, seller said the motor was seized. Take it home and find a piston stop instead of a spark plug in the cylinder😄 no wonder it didn't turn over. Check the piston and cylinder are in excellent condition, put a spark plug in and it runs like new👍
Superb video showing objectively what to look for. Love the tip about running it on it's side to check for worn crank seals, that was a real nugget! Many thanks 👍👌👏
I'm definitely leaning towards a new saw as my first saw acter watching this. Although i do have mechanical experience on 2 stroke dirtbikes. It would be fun to buy a damaged saw for peanuts, then rebuild it.
So glad I viewed; Won't get screwed - By Allen, Robertson Phillips or Torx; Dude. DonyBoy be the man. Chains, Plugs, seals Showing best he can. Sprockets, clutch; deals? Hot , cold - does it start? Oil line an' fuel fine; mice? Do not your money part, Without DonyBoy's advice.
I quit looking at eBay for running saws after that Poulan Pro S25AV. I sent you a pick of that saw on FB messenger. I stick to trusted people I know now.
Extremely well put Don, at Eliminator we suggest they purchase new if their equipment has any piston scoring or parts are no longer available. If they do not cut a lot of wood we suggest the newer battery operated chainsaws . Just saw mowermedic1 give you credit for the dielectric grease tip to keep silicone tubes soft great tip buddy.
I bought a used Husqvarna 445 from a saw shop. Half price of new. The saw still runs after 4 years. The chain was pretty worn but I got 3 more years out of it.
Great advice Don I like to look down the spark plug hole it seems a little less invasive than the muffler being removed and at the same time you can see the air cleaner and carburetor compartment. I like to wiggle the clutch assembly to see if the bearing is loose as well. I bought a husqvarna awhile ago the saw looked clean and the story I hear a lot is it ran great but has been sitting a couple of years now it won't start and that could be a iffy situation but I have bought saws in that situation and sometimes they need alittle more than meets the eye. The thing is though I pay about $40.00 for them.
Thank you for the long term storage tip! Wondering if the oil in the system is necessary for just over winter storage ? Let us know if you find a way to store fuel without it absorbing H2O
That really goes across brands, they are supposed to reduce the amount of overspill oil from cutting and place the oil more efficiently. But I still feel like it creates too much extra heat.
Great tips. I plan to buy a Stihl 064 for some 500$. Despite being in immaculate condition (used 2-3 times), it is some 25 years old. I am skeptical. All rubber parts will need replacement to start with without excluding any surprises. Any advice on whether is it worth it or not? The alternative is to buy a new MS 251 or MS 271. Thx.
On an older Stihl 026, should the fuel hose be an airtight seal at the point where it is inserted into the tank (just below the carb)? I see the rubber connection point gets a little wet with fuel when I turn the saw on its side. Could even a small fuel leak cause running problems?
I'd add that if the chain is very dull and the bar groove is loose the saw has probably been run very hot as the user forced the saw to cut... Same goes for a bar that shows a lot of heavy use near the the bumper spikes (dogs) and the rest of the bar looks Okay... that means the user was fond of forcing the saw to cut by digging in the spikes and rotating around them.
The cold air hot air shield should also be in the saw. I've seen them missing on for sale, used power saws. I have a saw missing that and until it's replaced the saw will stay put away.
The same should not only go for buying used saws, but also new saws. You should do a video on what saw and bar and chain requirements should I be using for my line of work and load range of my saw. Many Small engine supply outlet stores that sell lawnmowers saws etc only sell the power head of the saws and bar and chain systems separately, because the saw itself has a wide range of performance features. And sometimes the bar and chain that are sold on that saw may not be the right demands for the work one does. Many outlets don't match the tuning aspects of the saws range anymore because of upselling and they'll put the cheapest bar and chain on. It's not just cut and go anymore like it was in the past. A lot of these newbie techies don't have any field experience with saws and are glued to a blue screen to find the right parts for you and only recommend what the product has to offer. I've seen people buy saws from these places and payed for upgrades to meet their demands, only to find some greenhorn put a so called better component in and forgot to increase the oiling demands for the bar and chain. There are also a variety of chain applications for cutting different kinds of wood and bar applications as well. Just because the shoe fits doesn't mean it will perform the same. Also it's best to go to place that deal with mostly chainsaws of better name brands or other products the same companies make like stihl Husqvarna and maybe Echo. Not a conglomeration of the cheap with the good. Here's another thing. A lot of these stores forget to throw in the Oregon bar tip greaser and keep them hidden from customers view because they want you to buy a new bar and chain in short order. Remember when buying a new saw ask for a tip greaser. They're only $11 and can save on the wear of the bar sprocket in short order.
I would check compression (you can tell by pulling it), condition of the bar and chain, and condition of the carburetor. The first one makes it junk if it has no compression, the second two are fixable, but will cost you money, so you price accordingly.
Another easy way to check the compression is what I call the "drop test". You first hold the chainsaw by both the handle and the recoil handle and let go of the handle. If the chainsaw doesn't move downward or moves downward very, very, very slowly, then chances are it has decent compression.
Thanks for the video it was really informative. I rang a guy today regarding a Husky 35 on Craigs, I asked if it had good compression and if he would mind if I took off the muffler when I came to view it? He said no I couldn't take it off, but assures me it has good compression,what do you think? Is it worth it buying it to rebuild if I need to? Thanks in advance......
I just avoided the whole thing and bought new. Luckily I don't have anyone who wants to borrow anything. Unfortunately..... I guess, I never sell anything since I usually buy new and most want to nickle and dime you right down to garage sale prices.
My son bought a spares or repair Husky 350. We knew it needed bits. I’ve had a lot of saws over the years and have a good collection of spares. We still had to buy some, carb kit, chain adjuster. If we’d had to buy all the bits, it wouldn’t have been worth it. The advice you have given is spot on, buyer beware.
Before skipping on a saw due to no compression, make sure the spark plug is installed correctly. It may have boogered threads that can be an easy fix and an excellent piece of information to get it for almost free
I check one that they had put gear oil in cly to increase compression When the man came out of house I asked him about it He said to keep rust out Lolo Yea right 😮
I don’t ask the seller if I can pull things apart to check the item I’m buying over the phone.Regardless of it’s a saw,car,outboard,bike,etc if they say no I don’t even go to the next step.Never been burnt using this method.
under poulan names , they are 2 grades , one is better built , the other is built for .....recycle , I have the better grade ( orange colour ) for 15 years ( 100 hours used yearly) , still running great , my point is " maintenance " pay attention to any issue ! Thanks for listening !
@@the_mowron I understand those 2 great names own by the same company , my chain saw is 15 years young and coloured " orange " , during the years they came out a light green one named " wild cat ? " , that was the beginning of the down falls ! Yes Husqvarna also colour orange as well , I aware of that , thanks for the mentioning ! By the way , poulan pro , that is the one I currently own and still able to find in stores everywhere ! Have a good day !
I rebuild all kinds of small motors, encluding outboard motors. I know for a fact your better off just buying new on chainsaws. When the bar is worn out, so is the clutch and several other parts as well. Thats alot of cost to repair.Sell the saw and get a new one
What kinda cheap junk do you buy? I have a ms460 & ms462, I can replace the bar, chain, clutch and clutch drum many times and would never get anywhere near the cost of replacing the saw. Even my ms270 is a $480 saw, not cheap equipment and worth repairing.
I found you don't want to buy if it was used commercially. Most guys, at least here in SW Florida, have no clue how to maintain anything and beat the crap out of their equipment until it dies. Residential users use it once or twice and leave the old regular gas to wreck the fuel lines and such. But they're basically new machines otherwise.
Great video Donyboy73,this video is just what I needed.Customer brought me a Stihl 025 chainsaw for repair had to replace the sprocket chain roller bearing.Started the chainsaw and the oiler would not work,found that the little plug missing in front on the left side of the muffler.Can you help me on the P/N for that plug.Thank you
There's a vidio on u tube correcting this no oil hole issue. He threads the whole and installs an Allen plug in it. As you install it beware not to install it to far, plunging the line. Good luck. Watch the video. He's the guy with Dental issues. You'll see what I mean, but a great mechanic. A joy to watch, very informative also.
@@daveschidlmeier6425 I saw the video on taryl fixes all, I afraid that I will crack the housing.Stihl has come out with a fix for this,it is common problem,I don't know the P/N. Thank You.
Extremely good video buddy you are a expert for sure my friend those Stihl chainsaw s are the best in my opinion it's the only kind I will have... very good video buddy
If you pull the starter rope, and the whole machine raises up in the air, with the starter rope, then compression is good. If you pull rope, and chainsaw does not lift off the ground on its own, and if it’s very very easy to pull the starter rope, then there’s a problem with compression.
Great advice as always. I always like to ask how long the seller has had it and why they are selling it. A lot of times sellers will give you some good indication about how they cared for it or... didn't. Compression is key, bad fuel lines, carbs and other items can be fixed.
Because the cylinder is not sleeved. You cannot bore hone them and expect to get good results. I used to repair snowmobiles and many times the sleeve was coated with Nicacil, a nickle coating that would prevent the rings from sticking due to heat. You couldn't bore hone them, they had to be pressed out and replaced. Mowers and snowblower had cast iron sleeves that could easily be bore honed and a new piston installed. Today's engines do not have cast sleeves and the whole block needs replaced, not worth the money.
They do for some saws but the oversize piston and rings are usually sold with an oversize cylinder as a big bore kit. My understanding is that for the purpose of repair, the cost of having an original cylinder bored and replated would exceed the cost of a replacement cylinder.
I generally don't like people come to house but I will have a log strapped to hitch cargo rack. Prefer to meet outside Police Station. One guy sd he couldn't meet there?? He had an outstanding warrant.
I've bought two used Stihl saws, an 066 magnum and an ms 260 pro and both will be used well and running well for a very long time, zero issues. My 066 magnum had made a cut through a hard Black Maple 31" inside the bark in just over 40 seconds. There's a reason there isn't a poulan timber sports series.
honestly when I'm buying a used chainsaw I just want it to be as cheap as possible.. parts for them are inexpensive not enough and it only takes like 20 minutes to completely rebuild 1
NOT happening in the real world, people aren't gonna let some stranger walk up and unbolt shit.....sorry that's just the REAL world. That's like saying you want to drain and test the motor oil before buying a car, LMAO. Yes i've had people show pictures of the cylinder, but most people are Not mechanically inclined enough to pull off a muffler, let alone let You do it. Chainsaws are a Gamble to buy, period.
@@94SexyStang the stihl ms 170 is a great saw that can last a lifetime! Quaity saw more then enuff power for a home owner! Sell for $179!! Stihl is not sold on the internet you have to go to dealers to get there product thats why most ppl dont know there prices!! I have a ms 660 ,440 few 271s ,201 and a pole saw! All from stihl so for you to say i dont know what im talking about is wrong! Opinions are like assholes every has 1
I bought a 5 dollar parts chainsaw (echo cs302) still had compression and I ended up putting it back together and it’s been a trusty little saw for the last 4 years, still runs strong. Best 5 dollars I spent.
Did the same with a Stihl but was free!
Nice when all the circumstances align. Enjoy your saw.
My buddy got a 048 for free one time from his buddy who got it for free. His buddy changed the carb but when he put it back together he didnt put one of the fuel lines back on. Still runs awesome.
One of the finest videos from Don! Great tips, especially the “walk away” part! So many details that are important during the pre-purchase inspection that could save a customer from wasting their money. Thanks again for keeping us informed 😀
Sir.. I have worked on 2cyl. For 20 plus years, chainsaws are my love! You nailed it on the head. I love it. You are a master mechanic!!
Great advice. I lucked out on an old Homelite 150 Automatic from the 70s. I got it for a few bucks. I took it apart a year ago. Just put it back together after rebuilding the carb and replacing the fuel lines. Started on the third pull and runs like a champ. I honestly couldn’t believe it.
Good on you.. The sound of satisfaction.
That’s the best
Great advice, but when you pull the cover inspect the debris on the air filter. A coating of very fine saw dust means the saw was used with a dull chain and poorly maintained. That leads to engine overheating and possible cylinder piston scoring. If the debris is primarily chips/course sawdust, then that's an indication the owner cut with a well maintained sharp chain.
I picked up a garage sale Stihl 026 for $25, well used but had good compression. Found it would fire if you put fuel directly into fly thru spark plug hole. Installed an aftermarket $15 carb. Now it's my favorite saw!
Great saws.
I have my late father's 026 and an ms260 pro to abuse, and both work without any major work other than cleaning and maintaining the bars and running them.
Why can't I ever come across deals like that.
$25.00 for an 026 is a bargain if it runs or not.
As always,wonderful advice.Looking at the outside can be a huge mistake...straight gassing can kill old and new!
Here in Northern Michigan, chainsaws are at a premium. I agree with you concerning buying new. If it is something you are going to need on your property, its worth the investment to buy new. I generally refuse to work on the cheap disposable saws that Walmart sold. I explain those saws are sold as emergency cleanup after a storm and generally do not last long. I refer to them as a Bic lighter chainsaw, once they run out of fuel, you throw them out.
Those types have needed so many little fussy repairs like the fuel hoses and burned clutches where I work.
So I had them buy a decent Stihl ms 271 and it's been good so far but we need to keep idiots from using it on nail filled pallets because they can't tell where it's okay to cut and miss the metal.
Great tips. Definitely remove the muffler and take a look. A can of brake cleaner with the red tip to spray into the crank seals and around the brake boot works well too.
I'm pretty handy with small engines and like working on them, especially two strokes, so I've bought more than a few "junkers" just to mess around with and eventually fix. I have two in various states of tear-down and repair on my garage table right now. My advise to anyone who isn't knowledgeable on what to look for or confident in diagnosing issues on a used one is to just buy a new one, and make it a Stihl or Husky, if you can. Especially if you're looking at keeping it for awhile versus just buying for a short project/clean up. And when buying used being able to evaluate the seller is often just as important as being able to evaluate the chainsaw.
I got very lucky with buying used saws, not so much about low priced bargains but excellent condition for the price.
I bought an older red eye 066 magnum that a group similar to the Amish had for sale and the saw apparently bit one of their people when the chain came off so they got scared, I replaced the chain catch and bought a new 36" bar and chain and I used it to mill a lot of free large logs, the size that many people don't know how to get rid of with there little plastic saws.
The saws I bought used have been awesome. I bought an 066 off a buddy for 250$ and an ms 200T for 300$,both have been great.
My older red eye 066 magnum had given me a great value also, as I bought it used.
Very strong saws.
Sage advice from a very knowledgeable source! Don is the man! 👍👍👍✌
I just bought a sthil 290 for $50 piston was scared bad. Replaced the top head and piston my self never done this type of mechanical work before. Paid around $50 for new head and piston. Saw works great now. Just don’t be scared to try something new and fix it yourself if you want to. worked out good for me.
290 is the BEST chainsaw to buy used!!......it's Stihls most mass-produced chainsaw ever.......parts are practically Free on ebay. And you can drop a ms390 Top End in too.....I've put my 290 threw WAY heavier jobs than it should have handled.....literally bogging threw 40inch Oak, caught the Grass on fire a few times.....I have some Bigger saws, but the 290 is a good Safe bet to get most jobs done.....yes they are heavy, crap ergonomics, bla bla, but they are Tanks.
Great video Don. Thanks for all the great tips.
Nice vid Don. You can do well second hand if you know what to look for. Buy brands with easy parts availability. Stihls are easy to work on
I bought a used ms290 3 years ago. Surprisingly the owner let take the muffler off and the piston, rings and cylinder were in good shape. I even cut down a small tree with it and it still runs and cuts just fine
I bought a chainsaw for parts, seller said the motor was seized. Take it home and find a piston stop instead of a spark plug in the cylinder😄 no wonder it didn't turn over. Check the piston and cylinder are in excellent condition, put a spark plug in and it runs like new👍
good find!
@@donyboy73 indeed it was.
Thanks for all the informative videos over the years.
Nice presentation. I would always pull the spark plug and read it. Thank you. Cheers!
Excellent!! I'm gradually graduating from Donyboy "U"! The University of Donyboy! 😊
Love your channel. Excellent info. I cut commercially but still learn things from you, my friend...
Superb video showing objectively what to look for. Love the tip about running it on it's side to check for worn crank seals, that was a real nugget!
Many thanks 👍👌👏
I'm definitely leaning towards a new saw as my first saw acter watching this. Although i do have mechanical experience on 2 stroke dirtbikes.
It would be fun to buy a damaged saw for peanuts, then rebuild it.
That was better than telling people not to buy second hand saws in your last video about that small Stihl chainsaw
Great content and sound advice as usual.
So glad I viewed;
Won't get screwed -
By Allen, Robertson
Phillips or Torx; Dude.
DonyBoy be the man.
Chains, Plugs, seals
Showing best he can.
Sprockets, clutch; deals?
Hot , cold - does it start?
Oil line an' fuel fine; mice?
Do not your money part,
Without DonyBoy's advice.
Don you may also if the owner lets you check for cracked fuel lines, cracked primer bulb or cracked fuel grommet😀😀
This was excellent information,the best chainsaw video from Don so far
One of your best videos, thanks !
I quit looking at eBay for running saws after that Poulan Pro S25AV. I sent you a pick of that saw on FB messenger.
I stick to trusted people I know now.
Thanks!! Very informative and helpful.
Extremely well put Don, at Eliminator we suggest they purchase new if their equipment has any piston scoring or parts are no longer available. If they do not cut a lot of wood we suggest the newer battery operated chainsaws . Just saw mowermedic1 give you credit for the dielectric grease tip to keep silicone tubes soft great tip buddy.
Don this video was very helpful 👍🏽👍🏽
I bought a used Husqvarna 445 from a saw shop. Half price of new. The saw still runs after 4 years. The chain was pretty worn but I got 3 more years out of it.
Bel video 👏👏grazie per i sottotitoli in italiano 😉👍
Thank for the information! This is a great channel
Great advice Don I like to look down the spark plug hole it seems a little less invasive than the muffler being removed and at the same time you can see the air cleaner and carburetor compartment. I like to wiggle the clutch assembly to see if the bearing is loose as well. I bought a husqvarna awhile ago the saw looked clean and the story I hear a lot is it ran great but has been sitting a couple of years now it won't start and that could be a iffy situation but I have bought saws in that situation and sometimes they need alittle more than meets the eye. The thing is though I pay about $40.00 for them.
Thank you for the long term storage tip! Wondering if the oil in the system is necessary for just over winter storage ? Let us know if you find a way to store fuel without it absorbing H2O
Excellent information! My Echo chainsaws never seem to oil enough which almost seems like a common issue with that brand.
That really goes across brands, they are supposed to reduce the amount of overspill oil from cutting and place the oil more efficiently. But I still feel like it creates too much extra heat.
Thank you for sharing these tips. ❤️🇨🇦
Great tips. I plan to buy a Stihl 064 for some 500$. Despite being in immaculate condition (used 2-3 times), it is some 25 years old. I am skeptical. All rubber parts will need replacement to start with without excluding any surprises. Any advice on whether is it worth it or not? The alternative is to buy a new MS 251 or MS 271. Thx.
On an older Stihl 026, should the fuel hose be an airtight seal at the point where it is inserted into the tank (just below the carb)? I see the rubber connection point gets a little wet with fuel when I turn the saw on its side. Could even a small fuel leak cause running problems?
I'd add that if the chain is very dull and the bar groove is loose the saw has probably been run very hot as the user forced the saw to cut... Same goes for a bar that shows a lot of heavy use near the the bumper spikes (dogs) and the rest of the bar looks Okay... that means the user was fond of forcing the saw to cut by digging in the spikes and rotating around them.
Great video and advice you have a good channel very interesting thanks for sharing your knowledge take care have a good day
The cold air hot air shield should also be in the saw. I've seen them missing on for sale, used power saws. I have a saw missing that and until it's replaced the saw will stay put away.
Sir Thank you for the video, Appreciate your excellent video. Stay Safe and God bless
Can you bore those out and put a new piston in them?
Great content 👍 Best advice s!
Thanks for some great advice.
Thank s.
The same should not only go for buying used saws, but also new saws. You should do a video on what saw and bar and chain requirements should I be using for my line of work and load range of my saw. Many Small engine supply outlet stores that sell lawnmowers saws etc only sell the power head of the saws and bar and chain systems separately, because the saw itself has a wide range of performance features. And sometimes the bar and chain that are sold on that saw may not be the right demands for the work one does. Many outlets don't match the tuning aspects of the saws range anymore because of upselling and they'll put the cheapest bar and chain on. It's not just cut and go anymore like it was in the past. A lot of these newbie techies don't have any field experience with saws and are glued to a blue screen to find the right parts for you and only recommend what the product has to offer. I've seen people buy saws from these places and payed for upgrades to meet their demands, only to find some greenhorn put a so called better component in and forgot to increase the oiling demands for the bar and chain. There are also a variety of chain applications for cutting different kinds of wood and bar applications as well. Just because the shoe fits doesn't mean it will perform the same. Also it's best to go to place that deal with mostly chainsaws of better name brands or other products the same companies make like stihl Husqvarna and maybe Echo. Not a conglomeration of the cheap with the good. Here's another thing. A lot of these stores forget to throw in the Oregon bar tip greaser and keep them hidden from customers view because they want you to buy a new bar and chain in short order. Remember when buying a new saw ask for a tip greaser. They're only $11 and can save on the wear of the bar sprocket in short order.
another brilliant vid, thanks mate
Top stuff Donny mate cheers from Australia etc.
I would check compression (you can tell by pulling it), condition of the bar and chain, and condition of the carburetor. The first one makes it junk if it has no compression, the second two are fixable, but will cost you money, so you price accordingly.
Another easy way to check the compression is what I call the "drop test". You first hold the chainsaw by both the handle and the recoil handle and let go of the handle. If the chainsaw doesn't move downward or moves downward very, very, very slowly, then chances are it has decent compression.
Thank you so much your good advise !! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻☕️
Thanks for the video it was really informative. I rang a guy today regarding a Husky 35 on Craigs, I asked if it had good compression and if he would mind if I took off the muffler when I came to view it? He said no I couldn't take it off, but assures me it has good compression,what do you think? Is it worth it buying it to rebuild if I need to? Thanks in advance......
Great video.
I just avoided the whole thing and bought new. Luckily I don't have anyone who wants to borrow anything. Unfortunately..... I guess, I never sell anything since I usually buy new and most want to nickle and dime you right down to garage sale prices.
My son bought a spares or repair Husky 350. We knew it needed bits. I’ve had a lot of saws over the years and have a good collection of spares. We still had to buy some, carb kit, chain adjuster. If we’d had to buy all the bits, it wouldn’t have been worth it. The advice you have given is spot on, buyer beware.
Before skipping on a saw due to no compression, make sure the spark plug is installed correctly. It may have boogered threads that can be an easy fix and an excellent piece of information to get it for almost free
Good info
Thank you for the video 👍🇿🇼
I got a free Husquvarna 51, cylinder and piston were all messed up. 50 bucks for a Chinese cylinder and piston and it runs great
Good information.
What is good feel when pulling on the cord ? for impression
good advice
I check one that they had put gear oil in cly to increase compression
When the man came out of house I asked him about it
He said to keep rust out
Lolo
Yea right 😮
Its a pity i hadn't seen this 5 years ago. I bought the biggest load of bull crap ever.. I've learned a lot since from watching you and Steve.. Thanks
Sprocket needed for Lynxx pole saw.
i don't. people don't clean the air filter and don't put good oil.
i checked a 034 yesterday.
no compression she was rushing to the ground
Hey do you have any old MS 361s maybe blown up for sale
I don’t ask the seller if I can pull things apart to check the item I’m buying over the phone.Regardless of it’s a saw,car,outboard,bike,etc if they say no I don’t even go to the next step.Never been burnt using this method.
If you do buy new, I suggest not getting one that is made by Poulan.
"Keep pullin on the Poulan"
only problem with them is the fuel lines ,,i have six easy an cheap to fix,,,
under poulan names , they are 2 grades , one is better built , the other is built for .....recycle , I have the better grade ( orange colour ) for 15 years ( 100 hours used yearly) , still running great , my point is " maintenance " pay attention to any issue ! Thanks for listening !
@@hermanchow1405 Wouldn't the better grade (orange color) be called a Husqvarna? It's all the same company.
@@the_mowron I understand those 2 great names own by the same company , my chain saw is 15 years young and coloured " orange " , during the years they came out a light green one named " wild cat ? " , that was the beginning of the down falls ! Yes Husqvarna also colour orange as well , I aware of that , thanks for the mentioning ! By the way , poulan pro , that is the one I currently own and still able to find in stores everywhere ! Have a good day !
I rebuild all kinds of small motors, encluding outboard motors. I know for a fact your better off just buying new on chainsaws. When the bar is worn out, so is the clutch and several other parts as well. Thats alot of cost to repair.Sell the saw and get a new one
What kinda cheap junk do you buy? I have a ms460 & ms462, I can replace the bar, chain, clutch and clutch drum many times and would never get anywhere near the cost of replacing the saw. Even my ms270 is a $480 saw, not cheap equipment and worth repairing.
I found you don't want to buy if it was used commercially. Most guys, at least here in SW Florida, have no clue how to maintain anything and beat the crap out of their equipment until it dies. Residential users use it once or twice and leave the old regular gas to wreck the fuel lines and such. But they're basically new machines otherwise.
Appreciate it :)
Great video Donyboy73,this video is just what I needed.Customer brought me a Stihl 025 chainsaw for repair had to replace the sprocket chain roller bearing.Started the chainsaw and the oiler would not work,found that the little plug missing in front on the left side of the muffler.Can you help me on the P/N for that plug.Thank you
There's a vidio on u tube correcting this no oil hole issue. He threads the whole and installs an Allen plug in it. As you install it beware not to install it to far, plunging the line. Good luck. Watch the video. He's the guy with Dental issues. You'll see what I mean, but a great mechanic. A joy to watch, very informative also.
@@daveschidlmeier6425 I saw the video on taryl fixes all, I afraid that I will crack the housing.Stihl has come out with a fix for this,it is common problem,I don't know the P/N.
Thank You.
Supposedly Stihl 0000 951 5815 grub screw is recommended for the repair.
@@J.E.Taylor Thank you for the P/N
I know someone who was given that model of saw and it's oiling of the chain was the problem, because the bar was toasted with burrs and discoloration
The used chainsaw market is usually insane and mostly you are better off buying new.
absolutely!
Top end rebuild kits are cheap. If you know what you’re doing its a great way to get chainsaws cheap
Certain models yes, because it seems the other models it just isn't worth it for the aftermarket companies to make kits for.
Extremely good video buddy you are a expert for sure my friend those Stihl chainsaw s are the best in my opinion it's the only kind I will have... very good video buddy
you mentioned "check compression" but I don't have a compression tester. what's the best way to check compression?
Pull over and put your finger over the spark plug holder if it stucks your finger it has compression i havent got compression tester either m8
If you pull the starter rope, and the whole machine raises up in the air, with the starter rope, then compression is good. If you pull rope, and chainsaw does not lift off the ground on its own, and if it’s very very easy to pull the starter rope, then there’s a problem with compression.
Great advice as always. I always like to ask how long the seller has had it and why they are selling it. A lot of times sellers will give you some good indication about how they cared for it or... didn't. Compression is key, bad fuel lines, carbs and other items can be fixed.
Still use my 1975, 041 super, full wrap. Starts on third pull in the spring, summer, and winter.
Why doesn't anybody make oversize piston and rings for chainsaw engines like other engines like mowers and snowblowers ?
Because the cylinder is not sleeved. You cannot bore hone them and expect to get good results. I used to repair snowmobiles and many times the sleeve was coated with Nicacil, a nickle coating that would prevent the rings from sticking due to heat. You couldn't bore hone them, they had to be pressed out and replaced. Mowers and snowblower had cast iron sleeves that could easily be bore honed and a new piston installed. Today's engines do not have cast sleeves and the whole block needs replaced, not worth the money.
They do for some saws but the oversize piston and rings are usually sold with an oversize cylinder as a big bore kit. My understanding is that for the purpose of repair, the cost of having an original cylinder bored and replated would exceed the cost of a replacement cylinder.
@@tonyz2897 Agree.
I generally don't like people come to house but I will have a log strapped to hitch cargo rack.
Prefer to meet outside Police Station. One guy sd he couldn't meet there?? He had an outstanding warrant.
If it's a stihl , walk away !
Your opinion is just that
@@larryreno8293 wasn't my opinion , as i only go by facts of the matter , as they tell the truth .
@@unknownpresident did you read that on a fortune cookie somewhere?
I've bought two used Stihl saws, an 066 magnum and an ms 260 pro and both will be used well and running well for a very long time, zero issues.
My 066 magnum had made a cut through a hard Black Maple 31" inside the bark in just over 40 seconds.
There's a reason there isn't a poulan timber sports series.
honestly when I'm buying a used chainsaw I just want it to be as cheap as possible.. parts for them are inexpensive not enough and it only takes like 20 minutes to completely rebuild 1
don't count on it, rebuilds can easily turn into a 1 or 2 day job.......shit breaks sometimes.
If the owner won't let you take the muffler or spark plug off to look at it I would walk.
NOT happening in the real world, people aren't gonna let some stranger walk up and unbolt shit.....sorry that's just the REAL world. That's like saying you want to drain and test the motor oil before buying a car, LMAO. Yes i've had people show pictures of the cylinder, but most people are Not mechanically inclined enough to pull off a muffler, let alone let You do it. Chainsaws are a Gamble to buy, period.
@@94SexyStang thanks for the deep thoughts expert! Merry Christmas
And dear God, the older Stihl saws that take points and condenser. Ruuuuuun like hell.
Never had an issue with all my points saws, 99% of the time, the problem is with NEWER saws!
Dont look for anything for gods sakes they have amazing saws brand new for 179!
yeah WRONG, you are clueless!! I wouldn't even LOOK at a new saw for less than $300, end of story!
@@94SexyStang the stihl ms 170 is a great saw that can last a lifetime! Quaity saw more then enuff power for a home owner! Sell for $179!! Stihl is not sold on the internet you have to go to dealers to get there product thats why most ppl dont know there prices!! I have a ms 660 ,440 few 271s ,201 and a pole saw! All from stihl so for you to say i dont know what im talking about is wrong! Opinions are like assholes every has 1
Thanks Don very helpful