Compression on a Homelite Super XL?

[champion221elite]

I inherited my late grandfather's old Super XL several years ago and have used it quite a bit. I checked the serial number and found its a 1978 model. I have no idea how many hours are on this saw. It does pass the "redneck" method of checking compression but feels less than my other saws. I bought a gauge and found the compression is 110 warm and 120 cold.

Everything I've read about saws so far suggests I should be around 140-150 for a healthy engine.

Were the Super XL's a lower compression engine, or is mine in need of a rebuild?

I have pulled the muffler and there are some scratches on the piston. It still runs and cuts, but I don't want to do any damage.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Nah, 110-120 should be okay for that saw. It probably had more than that when new but yours has a reed valve and doesn't require quite as much as a piston ported engine like a Stihl or Husky. My Lawn Boy mower is a two stroke reed valve engine and has only about 90 compression and I've used it for several years that way...I own a Super XLAO and doubt if mine could come up with 120 on the compression..

 

[undee70ss]

This is right from Homelite, yours is a little low, but there are many things that can effect compression other than just the piston and rings. How does the saw run, idle and does it still have plenty of power?

 

[undee70ss]

My Lawn Boy mower is a two stroke reed valve engine and has only about 90 compression and I've used it for several years that way...

Thats about what they had brand new.

 

[champion221elite]

It runs, idles and cuts well. I wish I knew how it ran when new, but that was before I was even born. It pulls a 16" chain just fine. It does not rev like the new stuff, but that's fairly typical of the reed valve engines from what I've read. I can hook up my tach later today and find out how fast its running without a load.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

These are typically not high revving engines but a bit more power at the lower rpms. Mine's in decent shape but really not worth the price of a rebuild.

 

[champion221elite]

As far as saws go, the Super XL is heavy, loud, not very fuel efficient and slow compared to newer stuff. My Super XL however belonged to my grandfather and its the only thing of his that I ended up with. I will certainly do my best to take care of it, and keep it running.

 

[67L36Driver]

This is reasonably priced for the limited market that exists.
HOMELITE SUPER XL, BIG RED, OLD BLUE, 10045, PISTON KIT 1 13/16" , PART # A63648 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/180705563079

Being a family saw would be worth the expense.

 

[GeorgiaVol]

A SXL was my first saw I learned how to repair after I locked it up from running it too lean. It would still run after breaking the piston free. Compression had to be super low.

 

[GeorgiaVol]

I found the picture of my scored piston, and THIS saw still ran.

 

[undee70ss]

It runs, idles and cuts well. I wish I knew how it ran when new, but that was before I was even born. It pulls a 16" chain just fine. It does not rev like the new stuff, but that's fairly typical of the reed valve engines from what I've read. I can hook up my tach later today and find out how fast its running without a load.

Pull the muffler and look at piston, this will tell you condition of engine, plus de carbon the exhaust port and spark screen if present.

 

[67L36Driver]

I found the picture of my scored piston, and THIS saw still ran. View attachment 720912

Looks like [emoji90]!

I have a Remington PL-5 that resembles that.

The reed and displacement kept it out of the landfill.

 

[GeorgiaVol]

They sure don't make them like that anymore.

 

[champion221elite]

I have already pulled the muffler and it was nowhere near as bad as the photo posted above. Just one single scratch on the exhaust side of the piston. The exhaust port, screen and muffler were surprisingly clean. I did scrape a very thin layer of carbon from the exhaust port, but it was not bad at all. I've seen far worse, most notably an old Craftsman leaf blower that I did an autopsy on a few years ago. That exhaust port was almost completely blocked.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

There's still a market for the Old Blue version of this saw. They sell considerably higher in my experience than the Big Red version. I doubt that my current red one is worth $50 but I did manage to sell an Old Blue one for around $200 but it was nearly perfect..

 

[Logmaster 1]

Nah, 110-120 should be okay for that saw. It probably had more than that when new but yours has a reed valve and doesn't require quite as much as a piston ported engine like a Stihl or Husky. My Lawn Boy mower is a two stroke reed valve engine and has only about 90 compression and I've used it for several years that way...I own a Super XLAO and doubt if mine could come up with 120 on the compression..

Nice! I have a 1968 Homelite Super XL with clean piston, slight scoring on cylinder wall, 127psi (cold)
Needs carb rebuilt, oil tank overhaul.