Piston Scored on New Rancher 55

[sunshineband]

Two weeks ago I bought a new Husky Rancher 55 with a 20" bar ($329) after my faithful Rancher 61 gave out.

NOTE: I also ride dirt bikes and have a large 5 gallon gas jug that I normally mix 40:1 for my 2 stroke Suzukis. I was fouling a number of plugs so I decided to mix the 2-cycle on a gallon-by-gallon basis to ensure it mixed well and I didn't get it too rich. About a month ago, while riding my dirt bike, I filled the 5 gallon jug with high octane gas but didn't mix it with 2 stroke oil. I was pouring from the 5 gallon jug into a 1 gallon jug and mixing it gallon by gallon to keep from fouling my Suzuki's plugs. After riding, I unloaded the gear and I put the 5 gallon jug of unmixed gas in my barn.

Last week I was cutting with my new Husky and my 1 gallon mix jug ran dry. It was late in the evening and I went to the barn and grabbed the 5 gallon jug of unmixed gas, but forgot that I hadn't yet mixed it (I normally keep it mixed).

It was close to dark and I filled the new Husky with unmixed gas without looking at it (I know, I know, I am a total idiot). Since my 5 gallon "mix" jug is clearly marked as "mix", I forgot that I had unmixed in it. I know, I am an idiot. It began to run poorly half-way through the tank. Soon afterwards I realized what I had done. I scored my new Husky 55's piston. I took it to the shop and they confirmed the piston is scored.

After this long, tedious story my simple question is this: can i simply replace the piston and ring, or do I need a new cylinder as well?

I know that I have no one to blame but myself and feel like an idiot. I'm looking for the cheapest way to get my saw running again. My 3 kids will get cold soon if I don't cut some more wood.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Lakeside53]

It depends, and you wont know until you tear it all down and gently hone the bore with a ball hone. If it looks good, it will probably work fine with a new piston and rings.

 

[16:1mix]

Okay,

I feel better now, not being the only idiot forgetting to add oil!

Hope that works out for you okay.

 

[bwalker]

Next time fill your five gallon jug with a gallon of gas, add your oil agitate and add the reaming four gallons. Your fuel will then be properly mixed.

 

[Gypo Logger]

You are probably ok since you didn't get a full blown lean seizure. You can clean the aluminum deposit off the cyl. with muriatic acid and scotchbrite and have the fun and experience of changing the piston. As for ring compressors, Dean distributes the best ones I have ever used.
John

 

[GLOBOTREE]

So, are you using the same fuel for your dirt bikes and your saw?
What kind do you use?

 

[sunshineband]

I use the 92 or 93 octane (BP or Chevron usually) for my two Suzuki RM 250s and my Kawasaki KDX 200 and KDX 250. I use the Castrol 2-cycle mix (same mix I use for my chainsaws). I've read the stuff about 92 octane being the same as 87 octane and all coming from the same tanks, but I often notice a significant performance difference when I use higher octane fuels from reputable stations.

I normally keep separate mix cans--50:1 or 40:1 for the bikes and 32:1 for the chainsaws. My rationale is that I run the saws much harder (at high RPMs for a sustained period of time), whereas the bikes are up and down the RPM range with little time at the top of the RPM band.