041AV lack of power

[Peacock]

Hey all! I'm new here. I have been lurking for awhile, but just recently joined.

My dad has a '73 model 041AV. He is the original owner and the saw has been FLAWLESS. He's consistently cut 3-6 cords per year for it's entire life.

Now that he doesn't heat with wood anymore he hasn't used it much this year. He has been helping me clear land for my new home. His saw will start fine, rev fine and doesn't smoke abnormally or anything. The problem is that it pops and misses under heavy load and doesn't seem to have any more power than my MS310. As far as I know the saw still has all the original ignition components. What kind of compression should it have?

I am, btw, trading my MS310 power unit for a MS441 power unit later this week. I am trading for a difference of $350. I think it's a pretty good deal. My local Stihl dealer is great. He's run this little shop for about 30 years and knows his stuff.

 

[Lakeside53]

First - Welcome to AS!!!

Pops and misses (if I'm hearing what you are) are almost always spark related, and in your case, points/condensor..

Compression? 140 to 160...

 

[Scooterbum]

1. replace the spark plug.
2.A couple weeks ago I had some bad gas and roached out 2 saws,oil seperated.(weird)
I only run high octane now.
3.Check your points

The bad gas took out my 041FB,rings and a good cylinder cleaning took care of it.But my Super XL seized and has bottom end problems,which will give me something to do this weekend.

 

[GASoline71]

Mine was the condenser on my ol' 041. Dirt cheap and easy to fix.

Gary

 

[Peacock]

Thanks guys.

Are they still readily available for this saw? I will talk to my dealer later this week when I pick up the new saw.

 

[Lakeside53]

Yes, but a bit of a pain to replace. They punch out of the stato plate.

 

[RiverRat2]

Try the plug first,,,, its by far the easiest

 

[ciscoguy01]

Couple things

Dump out your gas. Make sure your running 32-40:1. 93 Octane, new plug. Readjust your carb, follow the procedure below. Check the 2 hoses coming from your carb to make sure they are in tact... Change your fuel filter in the tank. If it's that old, it needs one for sure.


Adjusting carbs on older saws is pretty easy, this is how I set mine up on my 041AV and all my saws...

Turn H, L, I in completely until semi snug. Turn each out 1 complete turn. From there, start saw, turn L down until chain stops moving but saw is at a steady idle. Rev, never more than 3ish seconds, make sure fuel tank is at least 1/2 full, make sure saw is warmed up. While revving turn up H until saw is at approx. full rpm range(hard to do w/out tac) then back off a touch until it just starts to stumble. This way saw will be getting enough fuel in wood while cutting. This is a very loose interpretation of what used to be on Madsen's, it's now gone. Good luck dude. My 2 041's still run awesome and are used quite frequently...

 

[Lakeside53]

I'd use 50:1, but..

 

[ciscoguy01]

Huh?

I'd use 50:1, but..

Even on the older saws????

 

[Lakeside53]

yep. Lot's of threads on this... There isn't a Stihl made that I won't run on 50:1 with MODERN mix oil (unless milling).

 

[Peacock]

He's always used 50:1 since the new oil came out.

I don't believe he as ever run anything but 87 octane in it.

This saw should have 5.5hp right? I've used an 044 before and it had WAAAYYY more power than his. Should it?

Again, thanks for the help so far guys.

 

[blis]

yep. Lot's of threads on this... There isn't a Stihl made that I won't run on 50:1 with MODERN mix oil (unless milling).

ANY chainsaw will run on 50:1 mix with MODERN oil, just to clarify...