Click here for a NEW ChainSaw--- amzn.to/3cp1xKi Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ Click here for my Parts and Tools Store---- www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon
I bought a nice used chainsaw a few weeks ago. They said they are selling it for their neighbor and I knew better than that. It was cheap for a professional Stihl saw. I did everything that you showed us. Nothing wrong at all. After I brought it home I looked at it closer. That’s when I notice the chain was on backwards. That’s when I realized why the chainsaw was so cheap. What an easy fix for an awesome saw.
similar story with a batteriy drill. Bought a Bosh super cheap with a "broken chuck". It was only full of wood dust packed tight. A good cleaning and it was good as new!
Similar story for a VW engine I looked at. Guy was putting an engine in his Ghia(i think) but it didn't run for beans. I asked where he got it. Turned out the engine came out of a motocross rig that the seller had sold. The person buying didn't want the souped up engine. I watched this guy try to get the thing running. No go. I bought it. "Properly" adjusted the timing and it was sweet. So sweet that in my VW camper I almost ran over a kid in a new Porsche 924 who thought he was cool, zigzagging through traffic. When the next light changed I was on his bumper until 3rd gear. I used to joke that he should have driven straight back to the dealer to return it. "You were beat by a VW camper?"
I have got a few really good deals lately. I really don't need them but when I can buy them for how cheap I have got some I can't resist. I know they aren't pro saws or anything but I bought a Stihl 009L with a case and it had what looked like a new bar and chain and a Husqvarna 142 for the pair I paid $45. I got the 142 running had to replace the fuel filters and lines and I put a new spark plug in it the Stihl I have at the saw shop to see why I can't get it running if it cost to much to fix I will keep the bar and chain for another Stihl I have. I bought those at an auction. I just bought a Makita DCS6421 for $250 a couple days ago too and a Stihl 066 for $400. Found a Husqvarna 395xp for $350 too I might go buy and I just bought a Stihl 026 Pro for $50 that runs great.
Another tip is to see what they cost when they were new. Saw a guy selling a Stihl MS170 for $150. Looked well used and needed a new chain. You can get a new one for $190.
Honestly most homeowner type people sell saws that are 99% perfectly fine but have carb/fuel problems or even just adjustment problems so they gave up and it gave them an excuse to buy a new one.
Hi Steve, just came into your vids I just want to say thank you. Your one of the few down to earth honest guys. You tell it like it is, no BS some people will give you bits and pieces and you still walk away scratching your head. But with you it's the package, you really learn important information. So thank you again for all your hard work. And I myself will watch all your vids
Great tips Steve. You always bring helpful advice in an very entertaining way. You are willing to sacrifice business to help your fellow man. That means not only are you a great mechanic but are also a wonderful human being. Thank you.
Thank you Steve. Between you and Buckin’ I have fallen in love with my chainsaws and I do all my own work on them, watch all your videos. Thank you for getting people passionate about small engines and making it feel fun. Here in Alaska it’s saved me mentally in winters to be happy and having a good time getting my saws running great and my small engines are running perfect
Was using my chainsaw at the weekend and I said I'd top up the fuel & the oil before putting it away. I needed it the following day and realised what I had done, I was like, ohh mannn, I wrecked it !!! Followed ur steps and it's back working again, thanx a million, Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
I remember some other chainsaw expert saying that you are better off buying a new saw unless you you really know your way around a saw. That makes a lot of sense to me - the parts get difficult to get as the saw gets older so a newer one has definite advantages. I wouldn’t buy a saw that didn’t have a chain on it because I wouldn’t be able to check the chain brake easily.
I’ve got a pallet full of junk. I learned all this info the hard way. Great video. If the chain is ready to fall off, they don’t know anything about maintenance.
Recently - Husqvarna T540 XP 14'' bar and chain $100.00. Needed a few parts and I took the risk , it ran great< Oil soaked and no chain brake. Got in there and cleaned things up. Replaced the entire chain brake clutch cover the chain guide plate and chain catcher. Runs like a new saw. New 16'' Bar and Pro Chains along with a few for the 14'' bar. Wow talk about a screamer, that thing cuts like magic. I have a passion for tools and what we can do with them.
Steve you got it, biggest thing I always say is a clean saw is a happy saw, if the PO doesn't keep the saw clean, he never cared about it, look at how the saw looks, biggest thing to me, did they take care of it, especially when buying used high end saws, did they take care of them, most don't know how too or otherwise don't care, used tree service equipment is usually junk, gotta find people who buy a saw to cut up down trees on their property one time and have no other use for the saw or other best deal is someone who can't fix their minor problem their saw is having, both hard to come by, gotta know alot of people
I love your stuff. I have watched lots of your videos. One thing that could be a part of the quick check is the start sequence check. With the Stihl, switch on and off., You cant get to full choke unless you squeeze the trigger first. Squeezing the trigger should allow full choke, squeezing again it should click off. Just look for a working linkage. Husqvarna's are different.
Nice info Steve... one thing I look at is the base plate. A hard worked and often not cared for CS. The base plate is very worn. A CS can be really clean up, but you cannot hide a well worn (so well used) base plate....👍
The best advice I have on buying a Stihl chain saw is to buy an Echo 😂. They just start so easily. I recently bought a marketplace find of a four hundred and six hundred series netal bodied saws that were well loved. I asked about a package deal and he offered a BOGO. I feel so blessed that he is a pro repair guy who fixes Diesel trucks during the day and does chain saws at night. His upgraded shop is four months old. I bought Two additional chains at fifteen each. Those saws are so easy to start that all the paint is still on them. A quick pull at the waist and vroom.
Hi Steve,Paul here ,just surfing the web and caught you looking out for people so they don`t get ripped off.Good on you,the world needs more people like you.Keep up the good work...The Buckin Army
Amateur small engine mechanic here. I live in an apt, and repair antique Poulan chainsaws. Keeping fuel on hand is simply not an option. I either tell the buyer to return the saw for a full refund if they can't get it to start, or bring some premix.
Maybe wiggle the chain left and right. To check for a worn bar:) If buyer lets you take the bar off, check sprocket for wear and see if the oil holes in bar are blocked:) Cheers Steve. Love the vids. Keep them coming👍
That's some good advice. I often think about a chainsaw I walked away from at a dealer. The owner was trading it in on a new one and I didn't have any idea what to check to know whether I was getting a good deal or not. Next time I will know. Thanks 😊
I like this before it started, I got my ms200t from a metal bin, and $100 in parts it ran, been running it 14 years now, awesome little saw, I'll never get rid of it
I bought a used 034 av super at a flea market not knowing all this and took a chance. It wouldnt start but cleaned the air filter and got it runni g. Gave it a new bar and its still running strong
That's a pretty easy to remember, fairly thorough check list. The only thing I would add would be to check the condition of the air filter and the seal and remove it to see if debris has been getting past the filter. A grain of sand can kill an engine.
Make sure when buying a used chainsaw, that you purchase a model that has plenty of parts available for it just in case you need to do a repair. Professional grade chainsaw's such as the Stihl MS series or Husqvarna XP series are a safe bet.
MS doesn't mean professional, it only means it's a chainsaw. As far as I know, there is no way of knowing a stihl is a professional saw by the model number other than nowing which ones are pro. There are some visual identifiers though (i.e. orange handle is never a pro saw).
Steve....you da man, just replaced the fuel line and did a carb job with a friend on his MS 250 today. Your videos are top notch,thanks for all the tips and tricks that took you years to learn. Steve for Prime Minister. Where can we get your merch,I'd like to buy a shirt. Thx again.
Thanks for the video, I'd wager your last tip is your best: know what something cost new, before you buy it used. A lot of people, I believe, assume because they are at a flea market, pawn shop, yard sale....ect things priced there are automatically much cheaper. Not always true, "let the buyer beware" is never truer than at these places. To be honest, I've never had much luck at these places (especially pawn shops) most seem to want about 95% of what it cost new (whatever it is), well, for me, If I'm gonna spent that much, I spent a little more and indeed get it new. Of course, there is that great deal out there somewhere, if you are willing to hunt it out.
We do garage/estate sales and I often see chainsaws. Most usually look like they fell off a truck. But they're major brands and usually under $50. People usually buy them up fast. Possibly for parts. At $10 it's probably a fair deal.
I found a strange problem with an MS250 of mine yesterday. The brake band had been rubbing on the sprocket/clutch cover and got so hot it melted the main plastic housing of the saw! The brake band was almost rubbed right through. Turning the saw upside down the melting is visible on the outside. It's an old saw that I use just as a backup or for rough work. I "fixed" the rubbing issue with a self tapper through the housing to hold the new band off the drum and glued it in place. I wouldn't dream of selling it as a working saw before or after I bodged it, but plenty of people would..
I got a broken Stihl 044 from a very good friend of mine who was moving, he had an aftermarket overbored cylinder kit on it and he blew the Piston apart, so all it needed was a rebuild and I was able to completely rebuild it for about $100-$150 with all OEM parts thanks in part to your videos
I bought a used husky for like 75. Started but wouldn't idle. Missing a bar bolt, and missing the spring for the chain brake. I cleaned the carb and it starts and runs well now.
Love your set of video's, just pickup 2 old McCulloch Chainsaws (2214av and MAC335) for $40AUD and loving your videos in analyzing and repairing what is wrong. So far full carb rebuilds / tunes have made a massive difference (thanks to your vids). However now realised we have low compression on one with piston scoring (even tho it runs great and cuts great) and other feels a little light on compression as well. But loving your vids, keep them coming.
Well you have inspired me to finally begin a project I've been putting off for awhile. Today is the day I work on the chainsaw I found that want start.
I was able to find a 390xp and a 372xp on OfferUp App. Both are pretty worn but the the 390xp was in better condition. I've watch plenty of of video on what to look out for. Both had good compression. I replaced the bar and chain on the 390xp because it was hardly cutting and when it was, it was cutting at an angle. I replaced both and now I have a chainsaw that is cutting like a CHAMP! The 372xp will need some time. Compression is good, but everything else looks worn.
2 years ago I bought a small Husqvarna saw second hand for $100 . I started it , checked if it threw oil , had a near new chain and straight bar with almost no paint missing . Good compression and looked near new . I wanted it just for limbing on the ground and clearing the way for the bigger saw . I figured for 100 bucks I would give it a run and so far it goes good . You can be lucky sometimes but my luck with second hand cars stinks . I have only one youtube subscription , Steve's Small Engine Saloon . nothing else compares .
I FOUND STIHL 029 in bad shape but good compresion for 40.00 i replace the crankshaft seals and I gave it free to my neighboor two acres of land , good friend of mine, that is no way i am leting borrow my, all most new 455 rancher or my sthil ms260, or my 510 dolmar, once i let it have my poulan 260 pro and he broke two bars and two chains in about 40 minutes. and don't aske me how he dit it. no clue. I never check the shape of any saw when i buy them, but i like to watch Steve videos very entertainment and lots of learning. thank you Steve for your time.
Awesome Video Steve.I have 2 guys with lots of chainsaws that will practically give me all the saws I can work on in a year.This Video will help me pick the ones to work on first.Thanks Steve
hey steve, theres a pull start system on some Stihl saws in Australia (i dont know about elsewhere) called the 'easy2start' system, essentially the pull is effortless and feels exactly like theres no compression, but it accrues tension inside and releases or something, but they seem to work well.
Steve, benefited greatly from your knowledge, clear articulation and willingness to take time to share. Thanks man. Used market for a ranch owner in Nashville, TN is slim. Am I correct in assuming that the NEW Husqvarna you have available is your recommendation of new equipment for someone like me? Thanks again, Grady
Thank you . In September I bought a kobalt 40v 14 inch chainsaw at a pawn shop. I asked if it came with a battery and charger ? The sales associate said yes. I asked if I could take out to test it . The sales associate said he took the chainsaw and battery and brought it out and tested it and it sounded great then her wanted rest it out for myself. Which I did. It handled and sounded great . After buying it I could down several trees including a holly that was partiallyuprooted and leaningon a shed, long oak limb that was leaning on a dog kennel and sycamore fall . It continues to work great. I have been looking as gas operated chainsaws for a little while. Because of this video I know what to look for. What to do and what to ask for Thank you
Guru All-star roster for the vid! Many a time I've been given or I paid next to nothing for nop 2cycle power equipment that needed little (under $10 for a part) or NOTHING but cleaning and tuning to run like new, including a complete Husqvarna 142 I found in a junk pile 10 minutes away from going to metal scrap yard. Alll it needed parts wise was the pulse tube going to carb's fuel pump diaphragm - 6.00 part and ran like new. One pet peave I have is stripped threads. Sure u can retape but takes time. grr
The next one I get I will falling let more of ur steps as I learned the hard way when I bought my ms250 with everything I had to do to it I could have had a brand new saw
I picked up an 038 magnum from my uncle,works awesome,I know it was made before 1989 because it says made in west Germany on it,perfect saw to complement my old 066😎
Damn Steve, you are THE man,. I've never been in the market for a garage sale used saw, but if I ever found one, I might, just might go for one, if the price was good. These tips could save me a lot of wasted $$$ and disappointment, not to say extra expense at a repair shop, and for sure, now days, that ain't cheap. Yeah it could be just a clogged fuel filter and that's why it won't start. Or it could be a scored piston / cylinder/ ring problem. Fixable but expensive. So yeah, I'll take care of the saw I have and never need a piece of somebody else's junk that hasn't run in 5 + years. Thanks for ALL yer tips for every vid you spit out. I've never seen the quality or the quantity of stuff you have. You are a true friend in this F***ed up world where it's every body for himself and screw the next guy that's the moron in the neighborhood. Cheers and love the beer selections. Wish I could treat you to a good Montana brew, but next time I crack a cap I'll be thinking of you, dude. Bob in Montana.
a lot of the extra checks might show up when checking compression by pulling the cord. 2 cycles need compression to run. Also if you start it when cold let it run for a bit the shut it down wait, then try to restart it. poor compression sometimes shows up in a warm engine.
Great tips Steve. Check for a seral number. On a Stihl usually around the exhaust area. If its missing or scrubbed out it could be stolen , or it may of had a new casing, and its a lot easer getting parts with the correct seral number.
A+++!! What a great vid, just gave it another watch (I wish youtube let me see stats, I bet I've seen this 5X absolute minimum!) Thanks SO much for this, just-under 1yr ago I was the type that avoided 2-strokes whenever possible, would replace instead of repair, they may as well have been 'black boxes' to me. When I got more into climbing & realized how much I'd have to work my saws I found you here, now less than a year later I have a small stable of saws & blowers and the majority were "beyond repair/trash" items, hell I got a Husq 125b blower from the curb that looked pristine but wouldn't start, its sole problem was stale fuel I almost felt I should bring it back to its prior owner :P In fact yesterday I found a poulan-pro 25cc blower on the curb which I'll be checking-out today and w/o even having done *anything* past a compression-test I feel confident-enough it'll be working today, I probably 'win' on 3-of-4 engines/tools I find/acquire that were 'broken' (funny thing Re poulan-pro(PP) and husq is that I'd sat the 'new' PP blower next to the Husq 125b and couldn't help thinking "wow, just like my PP-4218a chainsaw & the Husq 440 chainsaw, it's identical displacement but a fatter, clunkier housing", I'll be honest I find about zero difference in run-quality between my husq blower and my PP saw, I know that's saw-to-chainsaw but the PP has been just as good as any equipment I've had, would love to hear your thoughts on the PP line, esp in-relation to husqvrna I mean heck my pp4218 came OEM with some Husq parts inside like literal "H-logo" stamps on parts like spark plug/etc inside the PP!) The broken-shaft, $600 Echo 9" 25cc pole-saw waiting in my patio will be the biggest one yet but I that's an anomalous repair I think, Re the content you put up it made the difference between me having nearly 10 units that I can & do adjust/tune/mod and know I can fix whenever problems arise(and use properly in-general!), whereas if I never went this path I'd have 2-3 units, store-bought, that'd simply be replaced as I worked-through them (for instance, cold-starting at WOT a chainsaw that's mixed w/ ethanol-containing fuel and crappy engine-oil, never working the filters, being oblivious to carb-adjustments, being oblivious to the 'holistic' picture of chainsaws especially how important bar&chain up-keep/maintenance is requisite for normal/proper functioning, it's great it's no longer "tools are best when new, then degrade" it's "they're often dead upon receipt, fixed then perpetually kept running in top-order" lol, your channel was 100% requisite for this your repository is amazing, total credit to youtube/'open knowledge base', major major kudos man!!
ROFL so I go to start and just had to laugh at the fact that I've got husqy's home-brand unit, and the Poulan Pro version unit, 25cc blowers *both* as throw-aways, I use my blower *all the time* and almost surely never would've even bought one, only owned one because I'd found&fixed ((well, replaced its fuel :P )) it otherwise I'd have been unlikely to go buy a blower, am SO appreciative of you & your vids man!!! Hope life's treating you well Steve!!!
I always see chainsaws for sale at Ashley Heath car boot but have always walked away. This Vid certainly has given me the confidence now to at least take a look and watch the guy sweat when I ask all the right questions. I've got a chainy but I just want to watch the guys reaction lol. Thanks Steve.🤗
When looking in the tank poke the fuel filter and lines see if they are dry and crumbly can be an easy fix that is a frustrating pain in the butt. I like to try and find exactly the same model I already have then I can swap parts if the price is good on a Junker.
The 33cc Homelite I've been running for... 12 yrs since a winter storm hear is finally just coming apart. I figured I might shop for a used upgrade and lucked out finding this before going shopping in ignorance. GREAT stuff! Curious, I've seen a couple of things on "porting" so would love your thoughts on the benefits.
husky 372xp with no bar/chain...guy couldn't keep it running. fuel line was full of holes and two fuel filters in tank, neither was attached.. best $50 I've ever parted with. had her ripping like a champ in a day..
I've found out the hard way that my MS660 has alot of compression, by forgetting to push in the decomp switch. The cord doesn't move but man the jarring ouch.
Click here for a NEW ChainSaw--- amzn.to/3cp1xKi
Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
Click here for my Parts and Tools Store---- www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon
I bought a nice used chainsaw a few weeks ago. They said they are selling it for their neighbor and I knew better than that. It was cheap for a professional Stihl saw. I did everything that you showed us. Nothing wrong at all. After I brought it home I looked at it closer. That’s when I notice the chain was on backwards. That’s when I realized why the chainsaw was so cheap. What an easy fix for an awesome saw.
LOL! Awesome...
similar story with a batteriy drill. Bought a Bosh super cheap with a "broken chuck". It was only full of wood dust packed tight. A good cleaning and it was good as new!
Similar story for a VW engine I looked at. Guy was putting an engine in his Ghia(i think) but it didn't run for beans. I asked where he got it. Turned out the engine came out of a motocross rig that the seller had sold. The person buying didn't want the souped up engine. I watched this guy try to get the thing running. No go. I bought it. "Properly" adjusted the timing and it was sweet. So sweet that in my VW camper I almost ran over a kid in a new Porsche 924 who thought he was cool, zigzagging through traffic. When the next light changed I was on his bumper until 3rd gear. I used to joke that he should have driven straight back to the dealer to return it. "You were beat by a VW camper?"
@@CandC68 Yeay fun story!
I have got a few really good deals lately. I really don't need them but when I can buy them for how cheap I have got some I can't resist. I know they aren't pro saws or anything but I bought a Stihl 009L with a case and it had what looked like a new bar and chain and a Husqvarna 142 for the pair I paid $45. I got the 142 running had to replace the fuel filters and lines and I put a new spark plug in it the Stihl I have at the saw shop to see why I can't get it running if it cost to much to fix I will keep the bar and chain for another Stihl I have. I bought those at an auction. I just bought a Makita DCS6421 for $250 a couple days ago too and a Stihl 066 for $400. Found a Husqvarna 395xp for $350 too I might go buy and I just bought a Stihl 026 Pro for $50 that runs great.
Another tip is to see what they cost when they were new. Saw a guy selling a Stihl MS170 for $150. Looked well used and needed a new chain. You can get a new one for $190.
Honestly most homeowner type people sell saws that are 99% perfectly fine but have carb/fuel problems or even just adjustment problems so they gave up and it gave them an excuse to buy a new one.
Same with lawn mowers and weed eaters. I love it. I get free stuff every year
As long as they have good compression I grab them. I try to check for scoring on the piston too
EGG-ZACTLY!
I learned small engines when I was small myself and I can say you’re 100% correct. Thanks to consumers and shop overhead
I bought a brand new Stihl 030 in 1971 and it is STILL running today-05/28/2019-gary
That thing's a collectible now....I have three 032's, I love 'em.
I just recently picked up a 015 av it's very nice vi need some anual buffer mounts for the handle still running strong
Them things are bullet proof as long as you take care of it and it sounds like you did.
@@pumpkinspicelatte1528 i picked up a ms 170 and its a awesome chainsaw only thing is it has a problem with the oiler 20 min job is effordless
Hi Steve, just came into your vids I just want to say thank you. Your one of the few down to earth honest guys. You tell it like it is, no BS some people will give you bits and pieces and you still walk away scratching your head. But with you it's the package, you really learn important information. So thank you again for all your hard work. And I myself will watch all your vids
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Great tips Steve. You always bring helpful advice in an very entertaining way. You are willing to sacrifice business to help your fellow man. That means not only are you a great mechanic but are also a wonderful human being. Thank you.
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
Thank you Steve. Between you and Buckin’ I have fallen in love with my chainsaws and I do all my own work on them, watch all your videos.
Thank you for getting people passionate about small engines and making it feel fun. Here in Alaska it’s saved me mentally in winters to be happy and having a good time getting my saws running great and my small engines are running perfect
Was using my chainsaw at the weekend and I said I'd top up the fuel & the oil before putting it away. I needed it the following day and realised what I had done, I was like, ohh mannn, I wrecked it !!!
Followed ur steps and it's back working again, thanx a million,
Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪
Great job!
I remember some other chainsaw expert saying that you are better off buying a new saw unless you you really know your way around a saw. That makes a lot of sense to me - the parts get difficult to get as the saw gets older so a newer one has definite advantages. I wouldn’t buy a saw that didn’t have a chain on it because I wouldn’t be able to check the chain brake easily.
I’ve got a pallet full of junk. I learned all this info the hard way. Great video. If the chain is ready to fall off, they don’t know anything about maintenance.
Right on Doug...
Recently - Husqvarna T540 XP 14'' bar and chain $100.00. Needed a few parts and I took the risk , it ran great< Oil soaked and no chain brake.
Got in there and cleaned things up. Replaced the entire chain brake clutch cover the chain guide plate and chain catcher.
Runs like a new saw. New 16'' Bar and Pro Chains along with a few for the 14'' bar.
Wow talk about a screamer, that thing cuts like magic.
I have a passion for tools and what we can do with them.
I have bought 3 used saws now. 390, 066 and 084. I will keep this in mind for the future. Thanks.
Steve you got it, biggest thing I always say is a clean saw is a happy saw, if the PO doesn't keep the saw clean, he never cared about it, look at how the saw looks, biggest thing to me, did they take care of it, especially when buying used high end saws, did they take care of them, most don't know how too or otherwise don't care, used tree service equipment is usually junk, gotta find people who buy a saw to cut up down trees on their property one time and have no other use for the saw or other best deal is someone who can't fix their minor problem their saw is having, both hard to come by, gotta know alot of people
I love your stuff. I have watched lots of your videos.
One thing that could be a part of the quick check is the start sequence check.
With the Stihl, switch on and off., You cant get to full choke unless you squeeze the trigger first. Squeezing the trigger should allow full choke, squeezing again it should click off.
Just look for a working linkage. Husqvarna's are different.
Nice info Steve... one thing I look at is the base plate. A hard worked and often not cared for CS. The base plate is very worn. A CS can be really clean up, but you cannot hide a well worn (so well used) base plate....👍
Quick look at the air filter can be useful. If it's chock full, because the never cleaned it, that's a flag of some color, maybe red. 😆
With hindsight these are easy things to do but they are often the things we forget!
The best advice I have on buying a Stihl chain saw is to buy an Echo 😂. They just start so easily. I recently bought a marketplace find of a four hundred and six hundred series netal bodied saws that were well loved. I asked about a package deal and he offered a BOGO.
I feel so blessed that he is a pro repair guy who fixes Diesel trucks during the day and does chain saws at night. His upgraded shop is four months old. I bought Two additional chains at fifteen each. Those saws are so easy to start that all the paint is still on them. A quick pull at the waist and vroom.
Hi Steve,Paul here ,just surfing the web and caught you looking out for people so they don`t get ripped off.Good on you,the world needs more people like you.Keep up the good work...The Buckin Army
Thank You...
Amateur small engine mechanic here. I live in an apt, and repair antique Poulan chainsaws. Keeping fuel on hand is simply not an option. I either tell the buyer to return the saw for a full refund if they can't get it to start, or bring some premix.
Maybe wiggle the chain left and right. To check for a worn bar:)
If buyer lets you take the bar off, check sprocket for wear and see if the oil holes in bar are blocked:)
Cheers Steve. Love the vids. Keep them coming👍
That's some good advice. I often think about a chainsaw I walked away from at a dealer. The owner was trading it in on a new one and I didn't have any idea what to check to know whether I was getting a good deal or not. Next time I will know. Thanks 😊
You're Welcome...
I like this before it started, I got my ms200t from a metal bin, and $100 in parts it ran, been running it 14 years now, awesome little saw, I'll never get rid of it
Right on
I bought a used 034 av super at a flea market not knowing all this and took a chance. It wouldnt start but cleaned the air filter and got it runni g. Gave it a new bar and its still running strong
That's a pretty easy to remember, fairly thorough check list. The only thing I would add would be to check the condition of the air filter and the seal and remove it to see if debris has been getting past the filter. A grain of sand can kill an engine.
Make sure when buying a used chainsaw, that you purchase a model that has plenty of parts available for it just in case you need to do a repair. Professional grade chainsaw's such as the Stihl MS series or Husqvarna XP series are a safe bet.
MS doesn't mean professional, it only means it's a chainsaw. As far as I know, there is no way of knowing a stihl is a professional saw by the model number other than nowing which ones are pro. There are some visual identifiers though (i.e. orange handle is never a pro saw).
Steve....you da man, just replaced the fuel line and did a carb job with a friend on his MS 250 today. Your videos are top notch,thanks for all the tips and tricks that took you years to learn. Steve for Prime Minister. Where can we get your merch,I'd like to buy a shirt. Thx again.
Thanks for the video, I'd wager your last tip is your best: know what something cost new, before you buy it used. A lot of people, I believe, assume because they are at a flea market, pawn shop, yard sale....ect things priced there are automatically much cheaper. Not always true, "let the buyer beware" is never truer than at these places. To be honest, I've never had much luck at these places (especially pawn shops) most seem to want about 95% of what it cost new (whatever it is), well, for me, If I'm gonna spent that much, I spent a little more and indeed get it new. Of course, there is that great deal out there somewhere, if you are willing to hunt it out.
We do garage/estate sales and I often see chainsaws. Most usually look like they fell off a truck. But they're major brands and usually under $50. People usually buy them up fast. Possibly for parts. At $10 it's probably a fair deal.
At 5:00, I'd like to say some larger saws do have decompression switches, that could be faulty...
Good point!
Steve, you rocked as usual. Just leaving a comment and a thumbs up so that we can boost your algorithm on your videos.
Thanks for that!
I found a strange problem with an MS250 of mine yesterday. The brake band had been rubbing on the sprocket/clutch cover and got so hot it melted the main plastic housing of the saw! The brake band was almost rubbed right through. Turning the saw upside down the melting is visible on the outside.
It's an old saw that I use just as a backup or for rough work. I "fixed" the rubbing issue with a self tapper through the housing to hold the new band off the drum and glued it in place. I wouldn't dream of selling it as a working saw before or after I bodged it, but plenty of people would..
Nice information thanks
You're Welcome...
I wach you all the time. Your information and instruction on chainsaw fixes are spot on. Keystone light. Thats all i know. Thank you steve
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I have bought 7 old stihl from ebay and trust in the spirit. I read the description closelly and check the pics but mostlly I trust my gut.
I love watching your videos - I am in the process of learning how to fix small machines ( leaf blower ect ) & your videos are awesome. Thanks.
Glad to help
I got a broken Stihl 044 from a very good friend of mine who was moving, he had an aftermarket overbored cylinder kit on it and he blew the Piston apart, so all it needed was a rebuild and I was able to completely rebuild it for about $100-$150 with all OEM parts thanks in part to your videos
Right on Buddy...
loved the last tip, know your prices. my poulin cost 149.00. (16 yrs ago) any takers for $99. starts but, won't keep running.
I don't see my favorite beer on your back shelf, Coors Baquet! PS love the mini shows you do.
I bought a used husky for like 75. Started but wouldn't idle. Missing a bar bolt, and missing the spring for the chain brake. I cleaned the carb and it starts and runs well now.
Yes, "that's magical" and you are "A Saint" ... thank you once again ...
Chuck in Michigan
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Love your set of video's, just pickup 2 old McCulloch Chainsaws (2214av and MAC335) for $40AUD and loving your videos in analyzing and repairing what is wrong. So far full carb rebuilds / tunes have made a massive difference (thanks to your vids). However now realised we have low compression on one with piston scoring (even tho it runs great and cuts great) and other feels a little light on compression as well. But loving your vids, keep them coming.
Well you have inspired me to finally begin a project I've been putting off for awhile. Today is the day I work on the chainsaw I found that want start.
I was able to find a 390xp and a 372xp on OfferUp App. Both are pretty worn but the the 390xp was in better condition. I've watch plenty of of video on what to look out for. Both had good compression. I replaced the bar and chain on the 390xp because it was hardly cutting and when it was, it was cutting at an angle. I replaced both and now I have a chainsaw that is cutting like a CHAMP!
The 372xp will need some time. Compression is good, but everything else looks worn.
2 years ago I bought a small Husqvarna saw second hand for $100 . I started it , checked if it threw oil , had a near new chain and straight bar with almost no paint missing . Good compression and looked near new . I wanted it just for limbing on the ground and clearing the way for the bigger saw . I figured for 100 bucks I would give it a run and so far it goes good .
You can be lucky sometimes but my luck with second hand cars stinks .
I have only one youtube subscription , Steve's Small Engine Saloon . nothing else compares .
WOW! Thank You...
Steve your videos are awesome I like how you explain things I have been able to fix my lawn mowers by watching your videos
That's awesome
Thanks Steve! It’s too late for me, as I made the purchase yesterday. With your help I’ll end up with valuable knowledge and a fine running saw.
Thank you for the refresher sir.
My pleasure
You never miss anything!!!! Thanks Steve!!!!!
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Steve love it buddy picked up echo timberwolf cs550 for $250 last year 12 cord later still giving her bud,
Love the videos man
Excellent!
Got a Stihl 023 in great condition for 20 bucks the other day, it still kicks ass.
Awesome...
I FOUND STIHL 029 in bad shape but good compresion for 40.00 i replace the crankshaft seals and I gave it free to my neighboor two acres of land , good friend of mine, that is no way i am leting borrow my, all most new 455 rancher or my sthil ms260, or my 510 dolmar, once i let it have my poulan 260 pro and he broke two bars and two chains in about 40 minutes. and don't aske me how he dit it. no clue. I never check the shape of any saw when i buy them, but i like to watch Steve videos very entertainment and lots of learning. thank you Steve for your time.
Bought a used john Deere 25 yrs ago for 25 dollars still have it cuts a little slow but they it still cuts great
Ty for all the help its good people like you that makes me have faith in people
You're Welcome...
Awesome Video Steve.I have 2 guys with lots of chainsaws that will practically give me all the saws I can work on in a year.This Video will help me pick the ones to work on first.Thanks Steve
Right on Mark..
hey steve, theres a pull start system on some Stihl saws in Australia (i dont know about elsewhere) called the 'easy2start' system, essentially the pull is effortless and feels exactly like theres no compression, but it accrues tension inside and releases or something, but they seem to work well.
Steve, benefited greatly from your knowledge, clear articulation and willingness to take time to share. Thanks man. Used market for a ranch owner in Nashville, TN is slim. Am I correct in assuming that the NEW Husqvarna you have available is your recommendation of new equipment for someone like me? Thanks again, Grady
Great advise, i also go to see how much it costs new and the manufacture date
Right on
Thank you .
In September I bought a kobalt 40v 14 inch chainsaw at a pawn shop. I asked if it came with a battery and charger ? The sales associate said yes. I asked if I could take out to test it . The sales associate said he took the chainsaw and battery and brought it out and tested it and it sounded great then her wanted rest it out for myself. Which I did. It handled and sounded great .
After buying it I could down several trees including a holly that was partiallyuprooted and leaningon a shed, long oak limb that was leaning on a dog kennel and sycamore fall . It continues to work great.
I have been looking as gas operated chainsaws for a little while. Because of this video I know what to look for. What to do and what to ask for
Thank you
Guru All-star roster for the vid! Many a time I've been given or I paid next to nothing for nop 2cycle power equipment that needed little (under $10 for a part) or NOTHING but cleaning and tuning to run like new, including a complete Husqvarna 142 I found in a junk pile 10 minutes away from going to metal scrap yard. Alll it needed parts wise was the pulse tube going to carb's fuel pump diaphragm - 6.00 part and ran like new. One pet peave I have is stripped threads. Sure u can retape but takes time. grr
The next one I get I will falling let more of ur steps as I learned the hard way when I bought my ms250 with everything I had to do to it I could have had a brand new saw
Always good to hear tips... you cover it all, thanx Steve.
Glad to help
Awesome video, Steve! Thanks!!!
Any time!
Extremely helpful and to the point! greetings from Germany
Thank You...
Hey Steve thank you so much. I now do all my saws maintenance and I am so happy. Some day hope to buy you a beer.
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Out standing Video content. Excellent demonstration and explanations
Much appreciated!
You are giving out great content. Thanks. There's alot of details to these small engines. 🍻
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I opted to buy a new saw as 2 stroke engines are a delicate thing, use premium fuel/oil and some TLC and they should last, cheers steve !🍺
I picked up an 038 magnum from my uncle,works awesome,I know it was made before 1989 because it says made in west Germany on it,perfect saw to complement my old 066😎
Right on Buddy...
good stuff, Steve. Thanks.
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Great info Steve!
Thank You...
Damn Steve, you are THE man,. I've never been in the market for a garage sale used saw, but if I ever found one, I might, just might go for one, if the price was good. These tips could save me a lot of wasted $$$ and disappointment, not to say extra expense at a repair shop, and for sure, now days, that ain't cheap. Yeah it could be just a clogged fuel filter and that's why it won't start. Or it could be a scored piston / cylinder/ ring problem. Fixable but expensive. So yeah, I'll take care of the saw I have and never need a piece of somebody else's junk that hasn't run in 5 + years. Thanks for ALL yer tips for every vid you spit out. I've never seen the quality or the quantity of stuff you have. You are a true friend in this F***ed up world where it's every body for himself and screw the next guy that's the moron in the neighborhood. Cheers and love the beer selections. Wish I could treat you to a good Montana brew, but next time I crack a cap I'll be thinking of you, dude. Bob in Montana.
a lot of the extra checks might show up when checking compression by pulling the cord. 2 cycles need compression to run. Also if you start it when cold let it run for a bit the shut it down wait, then try to restart it. poor compression sometimes shows up in a warm engine.
Thanks for the information .
My pleasure
Great tips Steve. Check for a seral number. On a Stihl usually around the exhaust area. If its missing or scrubbed out it could be stolen , or it may of had a new casing, and its a lot easer getting parts with the correct seral number.
Awesome run down. Thanks
A lot of good advice.
Thank You...
You are awesome, thank you
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Very good video. Thanks for the great tips and info. Very knowledgeable.
My pleasure!
Great video as usual Steve, good information!
Thank You...
A+++!! What a great vid, just gave it another watch (I wish youtube let me see stats, I bet I've seen this 5X absolute minimum!)
Thanks SO much for this, just-under 1yr ago I was the type that avoided 2-strokes whenever possible, would replace instead of repair, they may as well have been 'black boxes' to me. When I got more into climbing & realized how much I'd have to work my saws I found you here, now less than a year later I have a small stable of saws & blowers and the majority were "beyond repair/trash" items, hell I got a Husq 125b blower from the curb that looked pristine but wouldn't start, its sole problem was stale fuel I almost felt I should bring it back to its prior owner :P In fact yesterday I found a poulan-pro 25cc blower on the curb which I'll be checking-out today and w/o even having done *anything* past a compression-test I feel confident-enough it'll be working today, I probably 'win' on 3-of-4 engines/tools I find/acquire that were 'broken' (funny thing Re poulan-pro(PP) and husq is that I'd sat the 'new' PP blower next to the Husq 125b and couldn't help thinking "wow, just like my PP-4218a chainsaw & the Husq 440 chainsaw, it's identical displacement but a fatter, clunkier housing", I'll be honest I find about zero difference in run-quality between my husq blower and my PP saw, I know that's saw-to-chainsaw but the PP has been just as good as any equipment I've had, would love to hear your thoughts on the PP line, esp in-relation to husqvrna I mean heck my pp4218 came OEM with some Husq parts inside like literal "H-logo" stamps on parts like spark plug/etc inside the PP!)
The broken-shaft, $600 Echo 9" 25cc pole-saw waiting in my patio will be the biggest one yet but I that's an anomalous repair I think, Re the content you put up it made the difference between me having nearly 10 units that I can & do adjust/tune/mod and know I can fix whenever problems arise(and use properly in-general!), whereas if I never went this path I'd have 2-3 units, store-bought, that'd simply be replaced as I worked-through them (for instance, cold-starting at WOT a chainsaw that's mixed w/ ethanol-containing fuel and crappy engine-oil, never working the filters, being oblivious to carb-adjustments, being oblivious to the 'holistic' picture of chainsaws especially how important bar&chain up-keep/maintenance is requisite for normal/proper functioning, it's great it's no longer "tools are best when new, then degrade" it's "they're often dead upon receipt, fixed then perpetually kept running in top-order" lol, your channel was 100% requisite for this your repository is amazing, total credit to youtube/'open knowledge base', major major kudos man!!
ROFL so I go to start and just had to laugh at the fact that I've got husqy's home-brand unit, and the Poulan Pro version unit, 25cc blowers *both* as throw-aways, I use my blower *all the time* and almost surely never would've even bought one, only owned one because I'd found&fixed ((well, replaced its fuel :P )) it otherwise I'd have been unlikely to go buy a blower, am SO appreciative of you & your vids man!!! Hope life's treating you well Steve!!!
I always see chainsaws for sale at Ashley Heath car boot but have always walked away. This Vid certainly has given me the confidence now to at least take a look and watch the guy sweat when I ask all the right questions. I've got a chainy but I just want to watch the guys reaction lol. Thanks Steve.🤗
Always fun to watch reactions when someone is trying to put one over on you and you give them the what for.
Steve, great advice. The most important thing to remember. Is WHY is this person selling a perfectly good saw ??
Good for you for redoing it Steve.
Your videos are the best.
Great information!
Thank you very much.
Thank You...and You're Welcome...
You should check the air filter as well
Thanks Steve. When I buy my chainsaw I will use this info. Another great video. Steve out!
Really appreciate your help!
Right on Rory..
Nice job, thanks!
You're Welcome...
When looking in the tank poke the fuel filter and lines see if they are dry and crumbly can be an easy fix that is a frustrating pain in the butt. I like to try and find exactly the same model I already have then I can swap parts if the price is good on a Junker.
Right on
you nailed it buddy,good job
Thank You...
The 33cc Homelite I've been running for... 12 yrs since a winter storm hear is finally just coming apart. I figured I might shop for a used upgrade and lucked out finding this before going shopping in ignorance. GREAT stuff! Curious, I've seen a couple of things on "porting" so would love your thoughts on the benefits.
AWSOME man thank you! I’m looking for one now.🙏🇦🇺
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Excellent advice. Thank you.
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Great vid Steve. My sons. Learning and me too
Right on
husky 372xp with no bar/chain...guy couldn't keep it running. fuel line was full of holes and two fuel filters in tank, neither was attached.. best $50 I've ever parted with. had her ripping like a champ in a day..
Right on Art...
I usually hold the pull starter handle and see how fast the saw drops when I let go of the handlebar....a worn out saw will go down fast.
dewayne martin smarttttt
I've found out the hard way that my MS660 has alot of compression, by forgetting to push in the decomp switch. The cord doesn't move but man the jarring ouch.
Good information. If the seller will let me I will take the air filter off to see if carb throat is clean.
46Flatty, if he doesn’t let you🚩🚩🚩🚩
Thanks steve. It's very useful to me 👍
Happy to help