Partner P85 dying or worse

[Dr. Hackemoff]

I'm a homeowner who heats primarily with wood and a Kozy Heat fireplace. I cut about a dozen cords a year. I've been browsing your forum for awhile and have learned quite a bit - Art's the Man, Dan does the saws, and Gypo gets the chicks.

Anyway, my 30 year old Partner P85 (85cc) has been getting harder and harder to start every year in warm weather. It has cut probably 100-150 cords in its life. A few years ago I put in a carb kit. Recently I took it apart again, pulled out the jet/set screws/etc, blew them out with carb cleaner, reinstalled, situation same. I admit I'm not a mechanic tho. It starts well under 40 deg, and won't start at all over 80 (just pops and sputters). I've adjusted the lo speed screw to factory specs (every which way) and nothing helps.

My local dealer (actually a Jonsy dealer) said there is nothing I can do with this saw, even changing the carb, due to the saw design and close proximity of the carb to the jug. He also said that modern gas now vaporizes in 80 degree temps, even premium, which contributes to the apparent vapor lock problem. Is this true? I have a P55 which has less mileage and is starting to do the same thing - will start in hot weather if you wing it (pull the cord) very fast repeatedly. I'd like to save it as a backup.

Please help if you can....thanks

 

[max2cam]

Can't speak for your saws, but when that increasingly hard starting happened to my ancient but loveable Jonsered 451, it turned out to be worn crankshaft seals. That messes up the 2-stroke induction system I do believe...

 

[eyolf]

Are you saying this is a cold-start situation? I mean starting the saw on an 80 degree day, for example, when it hasn't been used for a while?

Compression test?
Pressure test crankcase?

I bet your dealer or another nearby would be able to determine the trouble if you pressed the issue. The trouble is that most guys have to get $50 an hour to pay the bills, and it's easier to make up a story than to argue with a customer who thinks his saw can be fixed with a $3 part Would you pay $100 or more to get it back, fixed (if he can even get any needed parts for a no-longer-made saw)

Would you be willing to trade it in for a modern unit, smooth and powerful, trouble free? Right now, chances are the Jonsered dealer has a
bag and drag" sale going on and will allow you a surprising amount on anything in trade. Maybe worth thinking about.

Especially for somebody that makes 12 cords of firewood a year...that's a lot of work, lugging that hulking Partner around. New saw will do the same work with less weight and lots more smiles.

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Thanks for the responses...I was beginning to think that at a ripe old age of 42 that I would get out of the biz, but then I walk in the door and my son has this brand spanking new Stihl MS660M with a 24 inch bar on the table...see attached photo (if I was successful in attaching it). So much for quitting.

I have put about ten tanks of gas through it and it is a beast. It's super for felling and bucking. When my buddies and I are attacking a grove (that's Minnesota talk for a miniature forest, about all we get around here), they all stand around with their jaws on the ground. Cutting time for cutting a cord of wood is a joke, less than an hour including felling and limbing. And that's using the standard green safety chain. I haven't even put the yellow one on it yet.

A nice lightweight limbing saw is now a necessity tho. I have new pains in my neck and deltoids these days, but a couple beers at the end of the day help to ease them.

As far as salvaging my P85 goes, I would be happy to donate it if someone wants it as a project. A word of warning tho, it seems to run hot, not too much power, so a rebuild is probably in order.

 

[WRW]

Well,
Happy Hallowe'en Dr. Hackemoff!

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Thanks. I guess the clowning-with-the-mask picture is appropriate for today...I doubt if I could frighten anyone in this forum anyway. I was sorely tempted to come to work today with mask and saw, but I'd probably just be getting out on bail by now.

Happy Halloween to you as well.

 

[glens]

Hey Doc, search this forum for "066 muffler" and you'll find a part number for the old "Magnum" front cover and/or one for the whole muffler.  I got the front cover and while firewooding some red oak, bucked a 22" piece in about 22 seconds, then when and removed the stock front cover and installed the one with the additional outlet and made another cut in about 19 seconds.  That's right at 15% and it sounds a bit nicer too.  One of these days I'll take it into the bench and drill some more holes in the inner basket and make the carb limiters fall off, but the saw's running so good as it is...

Glen

 

[Greg Carberry]

Originally posted by Dr. Hackemoff
Thanks for the responses...I was beginning to think that at a ripe old age of 42 that I would get out of the biz, but then I walk in the door and my son has this brand spanking new Stihl MS660M with a 24 inch bar on the table...see attached photo (if I was successful in attaching it). So much for quitting.

I have put about ten tanks of gas through it and it is a beast. It's super for felling and bucking. When my buddies and I are attacking a grove (that's Minnesota talk for a miniature forest, about all we get around here), they all stand around with their jaws on the ground. Cutting time for cutting a cord of wood is a joke, less than an hour including felling and limbing. And that's using the standard green safety chain. I haven't even put the yellow one on it yet.

A nice lightweight limbing saw is now a necessity tho. I have new pains in my neck and deltoids these days, but a couple beers at the end of the day help to ease them.

As far as salvaging my P85 goes, I would be happy to donate it if someone wants it as a project. A word of warning tho, it seems to run hot, not too much power, so a rebuild is probably in order.

Hello Dr. Hackemoff I've been looking to add a Partner to my collection shoot me an email.

 

[eyolf]

Nice "mask and saw" pic, Doc. Judging from the corn behind you that photo comes from mid-summer, say July 10?

So you already figured out that the Old Pioneer needed to go to the rest home, and got a Stihl. That's a good saw, to be sure, but they are almost as common as Dodge trucks nowadays...seems like everybody wants at least one of each.

Up here in Central Mn, (1/2 hr NE of Brainerd) there's lots of woods, but few groves. I went out with two of my Jonsereds chain saws and my Ford pickup this afternoon for a load. I guess I'm just a rebel...

 

[Bill G]

It looks like Pioneer already beat me to it but if you still have the Partner let me know. I would be interested in it

Thanks,

Bill
[email protected]

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

I'll email youse guys about shipping out the ol' P85. Stand by a bit, I'm kind of swamped. In exchange for shipping it out, perhaps after one of you hopefully gets it back in shape you could advise me on how to keep my P55 alive. P.S. you'll get a 16, 20, or 24 inch bar in good condition, but the chains are shot (I'll give the info for the right chain).

As for opening up the muffler, etc, on my 660 after what I read here I may be tempted. It has plenty of power, but an extra 20% means finishing that much faster. Hopefully said mods won't diminish the life expectancy of my beast, I need it for the next 20 years.

Started snowing last night, just after I finished putting the last of this year's firewood in the shed. Attached is a pic of some of last year's firewood drying down.

Another question...does it hurt anything to cut a piece lengthways (bar parallel to the grain)? I had to be careful to keep the saw from plugging with the long chips flying out, but it sure beat splitting. After an hour's work, I hauled seven heaping wheelbarrow loads of shavings to the burn pile. I should have saved it for some bedding for the dog and cats, I guess. Anyway, it cuts this way like a banshee.

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

I'll email youse guys about shipping out the ol' P85. Stand by a bit, I'm kind of swamped. In exchange for shipping it out, perhaps after one of you hopefully gets it back in shape you could advise me on how to keep my P55 alive. P.S. you'll get a 16, 20, or 24 inch bar in good condition, but the chains are shot (I'll give the info for the right chain).

As for opening up the muffler, etc, on my 660 after what I read here I may be tempted. It has plenty of power, but an extra 20% means finishing that much faster. Hopefully said mods won't diminish the life expectancy of my beast, I need it for the next 20 years.

Started snowing last night, just after I finished putting the last of this year's firewood in the shed. Attached is a pic of some of last year's firewood drying down.

Another question...does it hurt anything to cut a piece lengthways (bar parallel to the grain)? I had to be careful to keep the saw from plugging with the long chips flying out, but it sure beat splitting. After an hour's work, I hauled seven heaping wheelbarrow loads of shavings to the burn pile. I should have saved it for some bedding for the dog and cats, I guess. Anyway, it cuts this way like a banshee.

 

[treeslayer]

1) your son is really cool for getting pop a ms660.

2) IMHO, leave the saw alone, stock is fine, (I own 2 of them), if you want more performance, get full skip chains. modifying the saw kills the homeowner warranty.

I bet you are now the firewood master in your area!

 

[bwalker]

modifying the saw kills the homeowner warranty.

Not with a factory dual port cover.

 

[treeslayer]

Never heard of a factory dual port cover, clue me in.

 

[JOHNJ]

DR HACKEMOFF

SPLITING WOOD WITH SAW TURN BLOCK WITH BARK FACING YOU
PUT THE POWER TO IT, JUST WATCH FOR KICK BACK, THA STHIL
MS660M SHOULD HAVE IN BOARD CLUTCH SO SPLINTER SHOULDNT BE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPLIT MANY LARGE BLOCK THIS
WAY THEN USE WEDGE WITH MALL TO FINISH IT

 

[Dr. Hackemoff]

Gotcha, thanks.

One of these years I'll get a real log splitter so I can give my buddies a break (my left arm and my right arm).

I do have a vision of mounting a wedge on the front of my 85 E-150 van and do some real-life kinetic energy wood splitting experiments. Back off 30 feet, slam'er into gear.....A video of such an experiment would be a must. I think it would work, at least once.

 

[treeslayer]

SPEAK UP, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!

 

[SilverBlue]

Why full skip?

Originally posted by treeslayer
1) your son is really cool for getting pop a ms660.

2) IMHO, leave the saw alone, stock is fine, (I own 2 of them), if you want more performance, get full skip chains. modifying the saw kills the homeowner warranty.

I bet you are now the firewood master in your area!

 

[bwalker]

Never heard of a factory dual port cover, clue me in.

"Dual port" refers to the mufflers that where found on the 026,044, 046, and 066 before the Stihl neutered them to please the EPA. These mufflers have two outlets, one on the muffler itself that exits the chaincover side and one that dumps out of the front toward the chain cover side. I dont know about the 066, but the dual port cover added to a 440 will bring its perfomance up to 460 levels. These pieces are available from any Stihl dealer and if you do a search the part# are on this board somewhere.