Broken 346xp

[Mr_Brushcutter]

Hi

Managed to break my 346xp the other day. So last week i picked it up second had did all the usual test on it no piston scoring. However getting it out into the field it ran like a pig. I thought the carb was to blame- which it was. I set it up according to the Manual and it ran really really well.

Unfortuantly after about 4-5 hours of cutting it died due to piston scoring, i can't of been the fuel mix because the 365, 026 and 034 where all fine. Now i've taken of the muffler and looked at it and theres a patch of scoring right at the front thats in line with the exhaust port. I've tried to take a picture but its out of the focus range of my D50.

What can i do? I know its dead but what are my options i expect a piston and barrel for a 346 will cost a fortune over here more than its worth. If somebody can tell me how to take it apart i can post pictures. Maybe the piston is restorable?

Thanks

Andy

 

[SWE#Kipp]

Check your PM ,,

 

[coveredinsap]

What ratio was the fuel mix?

 

[Mr_Brushcutter]

What ratio was the fuel mix?

50:1

 

[Mr_Brushcutter]

What ratio was the fuel mix?

50:1

 

[Another Bucker]

Maybe the piston is restorable?


Pistons and rings are cheap, compared to a cylinder. You might be able to use acid on the cylinder to clean off the aluminum left by the piston, provided that the coating [nickasil?] isn't scratched. Search for cylinder+acid. I'm sure others here can help too...When it is back together pressure and vac test it so you know its good to go. good luck.

 

[SawTroll]

... Maybe the piston is restorable? ...
Search for cylinder+acid. ....

Andy, follow his advice, I have also seen treads about salvaging cylinders and in some cases even pistons....

 

[Ekka]

I use Stihl 2 stroke at 32:1

I tried Husky 2 stroke and frankly, it's junk.

Shindaiwa 2 stroke is also good, apparently same as Stihl.

Regardless of what any saw or oil manufacturer says I would never go 50:1, a bit of smoke is a lot of insurance.

Too lean is the usual problem plus running on or near empty is no chop either, better to refuel before the thing screams it's guts out ... which is what happens on an empty tank.

Also, I never use high octane unleaded, we have like 92, 95 and 98 octane, I use the 92 ... I have an 020 5 years old, a 46 5 years old and they work hard most days, have cut a lot of wood with them.

 

[SawTroll]

Hi
Managed to break my 346xp the other day. ...

Just a thought, you don't happen to cut a lot on part trottle do you?

That is a known killer of saw engines, as there usually is no "midway" jet, so they often run lean on part trottle.

As I recall, the 346xp is for some reason overrepresented in the few cases I have actually read about being diagnosed.......

 

[Mr_Brushcutter]

I'll give this acid clean up a bit of research. Got a workshop manual now thanks guys! Going to take the thing apart soon see if its salvagable.

I never let them run out of fuel as i know the dammage that can be caused by it. I was using the 365 when the saw broke, so i'm wondering if my friend let it run out of fuel.

 

[Freakingstang]

I'll give this acid clean up a bit of research. Got a workshop manual now thanks guys! Going to take the thing apart soon see if its salvagable.

I never let them run out of fuel as i know the dammage that can be caused by it. I was using the 365 when the saw broke, so i'm wondering if my friend let it run out of fuel.

I highly doubt that running it out of fuel caused that...I would guess, too lean or an air leak which resulted in a lean condition.

I have had my 365's since 2000, and before I found this site, they got ran out of fuel almost all the time. I never once thought about the dangers of it. But I never had one bit of trouble with either one of those saws. Both still have/had great compression and no bearing damage or scoring of any kind. One of them is my 365 on pipe, if you saw the vid, the other got converted to a 372. To make a long story short, I have beat the snot out of them and they are still going strong, but at a modded state now.