new 346xp cylinder damage

[leaver_red_jr]

New cylinder arrived with a bent fin and distorted mounting hole (also damaged mating surface adjacent to hole). Damage looks like the result of a pretty good impact, most likely during shipping (arrived in a usps flat rate bag wrapped with one layer of paper, no box). I don't care too much about the fin, but the other stuff concerns me. I reached out to the vendor, but based on reviews, I'm not optimistic about a favorable resolution.

Question for the community - Assuming no replacement, would you go ahead and use it? It looks like a few minutes of filing should take care of it, but it won't be perfect.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

If the base of the cylinder is still flat I don’t really see a problem with running it. If it’s not then I’d be pursuing some kind of resolution with the vendor. Could also measure the squish and have a local machine shop cut the base to make it flat again.

 

[leaver_red_jr]

The base appears to be flat - the damage is pretty much isolated on the one corner. I'll see what happens next week, and if getting a replacement is a big hassle, I will install it.

 

[Dennisthemenace]

It looks like a cheap am jug, why not just clean it up and use it till it is no good them get another one

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Aftermarket cylinder? Maybe I do see Mahle on there, cant really tell or not? I'd send it back and file for refund.


New oem 44.3mm was only in 100ish for set last time checked. @huskihl bet knows todays price on better oem.

 

[leaver_red_jr]

I don't have another 346xp cylinder to compare it to (was to go on a 353), but based on the markings on it and the included piston, it looks to be OEM. The more I think about it, the more pissed I get about the bad packing (whole transaction really).

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Ya I be getting my money back on that.

Looks like same no decomp cylinder that was on this one. Like those ones.

 

[huskihl]

I would get a new one. If they give you the runaround and won’t give your money back, I would file a claim if you got it on eBay. Cheapest place I found is to type in the part number into eBay and either (fix my toys) or (grass or gas) will have one for about 115–$120. If you end up going that route and the cylinder looks usable with some machine work, I’d be interested in purchasing it you want the opportunity to get some money back.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

When you buy a cheap aftermarket piston/cylinder they are packaged better than yours was. Most arrive from China in perfect condition; at least the ones I've bought. I'd ask for a refund.

 

[leaver_red_jr]

I would get a new one. If they give you the runaround and won’t give your money back, I would file a claim if you got it on eBay. Cheapest place I found is to type in the part number into eBay and either (fix my toys) or (grass or gas) will have one for about 115–$120. If you end up going that route and the cylinder looks usable with some machine work, I’d be interested in purchasing it you want the opportunity to get some money back.

Thanks for the offer. I'll let you know how things go. I should have gotten it through ebay - would have better chance of an easy refund.

 

[leaver_red_jr]

When you buy a cheap aftermarket piston/cylinder they are packaged better than yours was. Most arrive from China in perfect condition; at least the ones I've bought. I'd ask for a refund.

Yeah, it's ridiculous. They took it out of the original box and shipped in in a plastic bag. Makes no sense.

 

[Aknutter]

#7

 

[leaver_red_jr]

The vendor (SLE Equipment) couldn't be bothered to get back to me, so I decided to cut my losses and just use the cylinder. I was able to clean up the mounting hole and remove a high spot at the edge of the surface. I also had pretty good luck straightening the bent fin. Will install tomorrow.

Regarding SLE Equipment, I highly recommend never doing business with them. In addition to the bad packing and nonexistent customer service, they didn't have the cylinder kit in stock when I ordered it, and it didn't ship until two weeks later. There was absolutely no indication that it was not in stock on their website.

 

[huskihl]

The vendor (SLE Equipment) couldn't be bothered to get back to me, so I decided to cut my losses and just use the cylinder. I was able to clean up the mounting hole and remove a high spot at the edge of the surface. I also had pretty good luck straightening the bent fin. Will install tomorrow.

Regarding SLE Equipment, I highly recommend never doing business with them. In addition to the bad packing and nonexistent customer service, they didn't have the cylinder kit in stock when I ordered it, and it didn't ship until two weeks later. There was absolutely no indication that it was not in stock on their website.



View attachment 1105349View attachment 1105350

Looks like it’ll be just fine. I’d run a straight edge across each side of the base to confirm nothing still stands proud around that bolt hole

 

[htsw]

i have a 246 , is the 346 more ergonomic or whats the difference ? wonderful saw !

 

[huskihl]

i have a 246 , is the 346 more ergonomic or whats the difference ? wonderful saw !

246 is the previous generation. 3 series are a little smoother and more ergonomic.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

It looks like a cheap am jug, why not just clean it up and use it till it is no good them get another one

It’s an OEM cylinder.

 

[htsw]

246 is the previous generation. 3 series are a little smoother and more ergonomic.

cant love what i dont have but what i have...... tuffanuff stuff it !

 

[leaver_red_jr]

Everything seems good. Saw runs great, tuned to ~13500 rpm for now. I also put on an OEM non-cat muffler. Thanks for all of the input.

 

[leaver_red_jr]

Update: I received a new cylinder kit as a replacement for the damaged one from SLE Equipment today. It took a while, but they did come through. This one arrived in perfect condition (in a box).