Biker Dude must own a Stihl

[Biker Dude]

So after a year of subliminal messages every time my cursor passes over my rep indicator I finally got my first Stihl! It's a mighty 034 Super with a 20" bar & full chisel chain. It looks like they are 4.4 hp, so just a little more powerful than my PM 610 at about 4 lbs lighter.

The piston is fried and the cylinder had some aluminum smearing on it but I was able to save it with some muriatic acid on a q-tip and a hone so now all I need is the new piston kit and gasket/seals and it should live again.

Since it is an 034 super it takes the same piston as an 036 but it seems like there are 2 different pistons at Baileys for it. The Meteor which has a single ring and another brand with 2 rings. Does it matter if it has 1 or 2 rings? In theory 2 rings should seal better but we are not talking huge compression ratios here. What is the general consensus?

I didn't get an air filter with it either and by looking at the carb I'm guessing it takes the old style filter without compensator port. Am I right?

 

[Bowtie]

Did you call Baileys about the piston, or just look at the pic on the website? I am almost positive it is a 2 ring piston, the pic might show different but its probably a generic pic.

 

[Bowtie]

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=MPA+PC1458B&catID=378

Yep, generic pic.

 

[Biker Dude]

Cool, so I don't have to worry about that then, Thanks!

 

[Bowtie]

Cool, so I don't have to worry about that then, Thanks!

I think you are in good shape. If you want to know for 100% sure, their number is 800-322-4539.

I have used Meteor pistons and many others have with good success.

 

[HimWill]

Just a suggestion,carefully put the cylinder back on and give it a good cleaning.Too much dirt and sawdust there to work in comfortably.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Just a suggestion,carefully put the cylinder back on and give it a good cleaning.Too much dirt and sawdust there to work in comfortably.

+1, first step before dissembling ,clean up thoroughly.
Pioneerguy600

 

[Biker Dude]

Unfortunately I got it disassembled from the local saw shop. They took it apart and told the original owner it was not worth fixing and sold him a new saw. My plan was to strip it down to the cases and clean it out before putting it back together. There is already sawdust in the bottom of the crankcase so I'll have to flip it upside down and flush it all clean. I still haven't determined why it burned up either so maybe I should put the cylinder back on and pressure test the crank seals. Do these have an impulse line to the carb or is it internal? Is it common for 034/036s to burn up because of a weak part or flaw? I'll have to do some quality search time in the archives to familiarize myself with them so I can end up with a nice light saw and retire my trusty old McCulloch PM 610.

 

[HimWill]

Any thing left in the fuel tank,might be a clue there.

 

[fishercat]

i agree.

Just a suggestion,carefully put the cylinder back on and give it a good cleaning.Too much dirt and sawdust there to work in comfortably.

i always get the air gun out before i pull the jug.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I have worked on several Stihl 034 and own one myself, the impulse line has been one of the common problems with it popping off the cylinder nipple. Only a new impulse line from Stihl is worth putting on as the line that connects to the fitting at the cylinder seems to swell and pops off easily. I tried some other types of line to keep these saws running but all failed quickly, only the OEM line stood up to the test of time. Only had one 034 come in with a bad flywheel side seal, it had high hours of run time on it but a new seal and its cut over 40 cord of hardwood and still running fine.
Pioneerguy600

 

[Paul001]

I have worked on several Stihl 034 and own one myself, the impulse line has been one of the common problems with it popping off the cylinder nipple. Only a new impulse line from Stihl is worth putting on as the line that connects to the fitting at the cylinder seems to swell and pops off easily. I tried some other types of line to keep these saws running but all failed quickly, only the OEM line stood up to the test of time. Only had one 034 come in with a bad flywheel side seal, it had high hours of run time on it but a new seal and its cut over 40 cord of hardwood and still running fine.
Pioneerguy600

Zip tie

 

[Hddnis]

Last two 034s I got had bad seals on both ends of the crankshaft. This was quickly found with a vacuum test. They stopped running well long before there was damage to the piston or cylinder.


Mr. HE

 

[WetGunPowder]

BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR....................................is it working?????????? LOL!

 

[Steve NW WI]

BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR...BIKER DUDE MUST OWN A DOLMAR....................................is it working?????????? LOL!

Yeah, what he said....and I think I know where you could find one <GRIN>

Seriously, I have not beat the Stihl addiction yet myself. Even have an 045 now that I need to look into one of these days, but no spare time for that while the fish are biting and the sun's shining.

034 looks like it could be a nice worker for you once she's fixed up. Nice tribal design on the bar btw - maybe put some clearcoat over it to keep it that way for a bit?

Steve

 

[Biker Dude]

And you wonder why AS members get CAD!

I think I'll replace the impulse line and crank seals since I'm working on it anyway. Being a Mac/Husky guy I'm looking forward to seeing how a Stihl stacks up. I'm excited to try it out for sure! Maybe I can even trade it for a big Dolmar?

 

[andrethegiant70]

Good work, BD! You are going to love this saw. This series (034,34 super, 036, PRO) are some of the most well rounded, best running saws I've used. I have not really found a weakness in them. If I were to choose one saw that had to do everything (firewood, fell, buck, etc) I would choose an 036 (034 Super). The runner up would the 044, but it's considerably heavier.

You do appear to have a pre-compensator carburetor, so buy the filter accordingly.

 

[Biker Dude]

Thanks Andre!
I looked at a buddy's MS290 today and he has the compensator port, definitely different from my carb. How does that compensator thing work anyways?

 

[arborist]

hahaha cool.hey whatever works to get ya to grab a stihl can't be wrong.
your going to be very pleased with stihl chainsaws no worries there.
nice find!enjoy.

 

[Mad Professor]

You might want to upgrade to the new style clutch with the bigger bearing when you do the seals.

I fried a clutch bearing on a 036 and was glad to see the crank had no damage. I did the same upgrade on the last 036 I rebuilt: