Thanks Lake for the info.
This 101 has been going downhill gradually over time. The 101 was getting harder to start and the high speed performance was starting to fall off. It basically quit last year.It would start but not run and then die. When this HT started acting up I had just finished overhauling my other HT which is a 75. The 75 got us by nicely all of last year and is still going strong. I finally have gotten around to this 101. This will be the first time anything has been done to it other than a bar and chain since I bought back in 03. I was suppose to take it back to the dealer to get the valves reset for free but that didn't happen as it wasn't causing me any trouble. It is not a tool that gets used everyday either.
I had it going good for a short time last night after getting the fuel filter cleaned, checking for air leaks in fuel line and made sure the venting system was working. Tested carb for air leaks and took it apart enough to know their was nothing in the inlet screen. Carb was clean as a whistle actually. Plug was fuel fouled, bad, it has been running rich. Cleaned it and put everthing back together, it ran good for a short time then started falling off running erratic. I could hear a slight ignition misfire it didn't want to run as smooth as it could. High speed accelaeration was up and down also. You would swear this was a fuel delivery problem, all that is good though unless the carb is junk it is one of those Zama(?) C1Q S88. My 75 had kind of the same problem but not as bad till I replaced the whole carb instead of just going the kit route.
I played with the valves a little setting them basically the way I do on regular engine. The rocker to valve stem clearance was a bit much to me. They are set about what appears to be close to that .004 you mentioned Lake. That was why I asked about getting a feeler gauge. Yes. I am at true TDC. Exhaust valve closed, piston at top of stoke before intake opens.
I do have a leakdown testor, homemade. There was a thread here on AS on how to make one. I really haven't found it to of much use on a chainsaw though. But like all things that I think I have wasted some time and money on, it looks like it will have a purpose now. Thanks again Lake.
To answer the last question I would say chain speed. The HT 75 turns a little faster in the cut to me which makes a cleaner neater cut. This is an arborist thing basically. Even with a properly applied 1,2,3 basic limb removal type cut the 101 doesn't move fast enough at the end of the cut to finish it clean. Leaves a slight tear at the bottom of the branch collar, never had this problem with the HT 75.
Personally, my opinion only, I have never really truly cared for the 101 as pruning tool where a finished look means everything. To me it is a heavy tool to operate when you have to do some reaching with it. The 101 is great for doing roadside pruning for height clearance, cutting clumpy ugly trees when doing clearing work or eliminating lower large limbs for a tree removal.
FXST, Sthil products are the only products we use, expensive as they are especially with the rise in oil prices they are still a bargain. Not to mention peace of mind.
Like I said earlier my 101 was bought back in 03. I don't think a warranty would fly. I could hope though but I don't think it will happen.
Loooong winded post. I do have a pic of my valves if anyone wants to see what the top of one of those 4-mixes look like. They look like a mini vesion of what you see on a regular car or truck engine.
Larry
