Good CLEAN advice

[Dale]

Well I must say there appears to be some real pro's on this site. And some wannabe pro's, but you always have to know how to weed out the pretenders on any internet forum. Anyhows, I hope some of you guys can take some time off from the heated bantering of the "fuel/oil mix thread" and the "treeclimbers suck thread" to give some more advice, LOL.

OK, on to it. After finding this site and browsing, I've come to realize that I basically have been neglecting the upkeep on my saw for quite a while. A good cleaning doesn't entail just removing the bar and wiping away some wood chips. Through my travels in trying to get my 028 running again, I've gotten into some pretty ugly, oil-baked (literally) grime. What does detail cleaning invole ? There really is some things that high pressure air just won't blow out. Should I just break the saw down and clean parts with gas, or is there some kind of "miracle" saw cleaner LOL ?
I know this isn't a very important or technical thread for most, but I really need to clean an old dirty (more than I thought) saw. I love that 028 and would really like to keep it humming for a long time.

We can skip the carb. and fuel compartment. They're done. Thanks in advance fellas.

 

[Marky Mark]

Here's a little advice have fun and join in.

 

[jokers]

Hi Dale,

Cleaning is important enough that it has been discussed atleast a couple of times in this forum.

If you thoroughly blow down any accessable areas of the saw with compressed air from the beginning, you shouldn`t have too much baked on crud. Once the crud gets thick and baked on however, you will need some chemical advantage. I use a Castrol product, I think it`s called Super Clean, that I buy at Walmart and it works as well as any of the professional shop products that I have tried. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse everything down after using this product, it is listed as reactive with aluminum. Others have reported good results from Simple Green and going to the carwash is actually pretty effective as long as you don`t get hassled for doing it.

Areas that are often overlooked are behind the muffler on the cylinder and top of the crankcase, under the sprocket where the oiler gear is, and under the recoil housing, especially around the ignition coil. Also don`t forget to pop the cylinder cover off for a look.

I use a heavy duty spray bottle to apply the solvent which I then let soak in. After a few minutes I blast whatever crud I can off with a hose, then re-apply the solvent. Now it`s time for moderately soft bristled brushes and a blow gun with a long nozzle to reach the deeper nooks and crannies, paying particular attention to the cooling fins. I`ve repaired saws that the fins were literally plugged with baked crud and after a few cycles of cleaning using my method, they were nearly clean as new.

Others may simply use a dishwasher.

Russ

 

[Toneman]

Be careful with the Castrol Super Clean as it is very hard on your hands, will stain aluminum if left on too long, and has strong fumes. Haveing said that, it is a excellent product to clean your equipment with, just be careful.
I have had good results with the Simple Green as well.
After cleaning, I aways spray the rubber components with a good quality silicone spray. The silicone keeps the rubber parts soft and felxible.

 

[tony marks]

do dat stuff cause its good. but if you talkin an 028 ,u cant kill it no way..
i owned a good many used ones that ran an cut fine..some ofum looked like
the owner was having a contest to see just what kinda abuse a saw could take ,an still run..example ,one fella had one that the airfilter couldnot possibly have been cleaned since it was bought new..musta not known it had one,and the saw kept running..

 

[Stumper]

Besides the crud cutting solvents much can be accomplished quickly by gentle scraping with an old screwdriver.-Just remember to use one that isn't actually sharp and don't get overzealous.

 

[DirtTroll]

The 028's and 038's are tanks and have quite a following. I personally like the 038 magnuum with greater low end grunt better than a 044(440), but that is my own warped opinion. Not that I dislike the 044, actually I love them. I just liked the 038 mag more.


Your 028 should last you a long time with minimal maintenance.

 

[Mange]

I guess I am one of the category "wannabe!" but the last few hundred cleaning jobs I have done, has been with diesel, warm and cold. I have my eye set on a hot diesel washer, but he is asking a little much for it. i am content with my resoult without it aswell, so.......

This wannabe's opinion is here be said.

 

[Dale]

Are you serious ?

Jokers, Suerly you jest. You mean to tell me that by spraying in a car wash some electrical component (coil), or even the carb., doesn't possibly receive some damage ? Hmmmm... although I see the dirtbikers washing their 2 strokes in the carwash. Gosh that would be easy if I weren't so darned fearful of #$%^$&* something up.

Dishwasher ???? you sure you're not pulling the new guys leg ? LOL. That guy wasn't married, or didn't stay married for very long.

 

[Dale]

Mange, don't do enough to warrant a true "washing system". Got this 028 many years ago used $170, and it hasn't failed me yet. Runs like a raped ape, despite my lack of upkeep (do keep the air filter clean though). It seems to be more solidly built than the newer (not sure if improved), Stihls. I'm a casual user, maybe 3 cords per year that I fill my Vermont Soapstone woodburner with.

 

[Mange]

Here is my place, cleaned a few saws here.

 

[Dale]

Nice

Nice Mange. Do you run a chemical solution through that tub, or just gas/diesel ?

 

[Mange]

95% diesel, the dumped gas from the saws goes in there, but I think a lot waporise, The diesel does not. I have had the same diesel for many cleanings.
I put a heater in the barrel when I need it hot. Not wery Often. I have used tha same diesel for 2 years now. Recycle, you know wery popular now.

 

[rustyb]

Here's another vote for Simple Green. I have had good luck with it straight from the bottle, non-diluted. It may not be as powerful as some chemicals but you don't have to worry as much about having mysterious growths appearing on your scrotum either.

BTW. I'm far from being a pro.

 

[Dale]

Now that's funny

"mysterious growths appearing on your scrotum either."

Please DO NOT post a picture of that ... besides, I thought all you guys from Idaho were angels :angel:

 

[Beavergirl]

Here's a little advice have fun and join in.

S-

How's the garden these days? Are you sure you've not mixed some marigolds in with the ICBM's?

C-

 

[tmacie]

Mange,
What do you use for a heater in that mix?



Travis

 

[glens]

That was such a pretty picture I felt the need to share it in the version I saw after sharpening it up a little and bumping the gamma.  Maybe it's just my monitor and fuzzy old eyes that require the mods.

 

[Mange]

I use an old car engin heater. The first 2-3 times were wery exiting, but now it is very well tested.

 

[tmacie]

Do you have it so you can adjust it? I can immagine if it got too hot, bad things might happen!!! haha.


Travis