Running Without Screen in Muffler?

[max2cam]

Except for catching ones beard or the woods on fire, is there any problem with running a saw without the screen in the muffler? The "used" demo 690 Solo I bought last year came without a screen (someone's previous tinkering no doubt). While the saw cuts okay I wonder if I risk damaging the saw by running it without the screen. I do notice a blue flame "puff" out of the exhaust sometimes when I shut it off.

Just wondering....

Thanks!

http://www.atthecreation.com/

 

[MasterBlaster]

Gut the sucker.

 

[NevadaWalrus]

different direction

What bugs me here is the seller modified the saw when placing it into the demo line up. That is mis representing the product. Our Husky distributor has done this sort of thing in the past which turns me off to the entire line of of Husky products. If they have to mod the unit to get someone to buy it, something is wrong to begin with.

 

[max2cam]

Re: different direction

Originally posted by NevadaWalrus
What bugs me here is the seller modified the saw when placing it into the demo line up. That is mis representing the product. Our Husky distributor has done this sort of thing in the past which turns me off to the entire line of of Husky products. If they have to mod the unit to get someone to buy it, something is wrong to begin with.

Yeah, I don't know the complete history of this saw but suspect it was a demo or a return that was used hard for a short time -- maybe on the race track.

The reason I think it was used hard was because the clutch drum was overheated and warped as if somebody really stood on this saw and tried to see if it would break or something. I got a new clutch drum with no hassle. But only recently I've noticed the screen is missing from the muffler (when that blue flame licked out). I suspect the guilty party who removed the screen also lunched the clutch drum. But the saw was cheap and mills wood okay for me so I'm not complaining.

Still I wonder: Should I get the screen or not worry about it?

http://www.atthecreation.com/

 

[scottr]

screen

Max, replacing the screen will not make your saw run more efficiently.You have posted in the past that you were conserned about heat with this saw while milling . Is the carb properly adjusted ?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

The problem with not having a screen is that stuff can get into the engine. I just recently cleaned a mud wasp out of a muffler. What if that was in the engine?

 

[glens]

I don't see the clutch itself not getting any less hot than the drum.  If the drum was so hot it warped, what condition is the clutch in?  Did too much heat get to the crank seal and/or bearing?

The screen, in my opinion, would not prevent a flicker of flame as described, but it would knock the velocity out of an ember which <i>could</i> wreak havoc.

It does seem a little surprising how a mud dauber would start construction in a muffler, what with the fuel/oil taint, and it's got to be even less likely they'd go into an open exhaust port.&nbsp; But what if their work were broken up and pieces of it fell in during subsequent handling?&nbsp; Screens stay clean and in my saws since I don't have time to sit and watch them all all the time.

Glen

 

[bwalker]

I typicaly ditch the screens, but I store my saws inside.

 

[stihltech]

wasps

One of the first things you look for in the spring when working on a brushcutter is to see it the wasps have plugged the muffler outlet. I see about 1 out of 10 plugged. Not as common on a saw, but it does happen.

Remember, insects way outnumber us. Amazing what they can accomplish.

 

[ccicora]

Sthiltech,
You have been MIA for a while now. I hope you are enjoying your Vacation in the Florida Keys!
As for running without a screen, I don't do it exept on a tune pipe saw. Gotta keep the right stuff in and the bad stuff out.

Later,
Chris

 

[max2cam]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
The problem with not having a screen is that stuff can get into the engine. I just recently cleaned a mud wasp out of a muffler. What if that was in the engine?

That's a good point. I've been leaving the saw down in my little sauna-screen house so not to lug it out of the woods everyday. Of course there are mice and other small critters in there. I chased a red squirrel out in fact. I'd better plug the exhaust with a rag or something in the short term.

http://www.atthecreation.com/

 

[max2cam]

Originally posted by glens
I don't see the clutch itself not getting any less hot than the drum.&nbsp; If the drum was so hot it warped, what condition is the clutch in?&nbsp; Did too much heat get to the crank seal and/or bearing?

The screen, in my opinion, would not prevent a flicker of flame as described, but it would knock the velocity out of an ember which <i>could</i> wreak havoc.

It does seem a little surprising how a mud dauber would start construction in a muffler, what with the fuel/oil taint, and it's got to be even less likely they'd go into an open exhaust port.&nbsp; But what if their work were broken up and pieces of it fell in during subsequent handling?&nbsp; Screens stay clean and in my saws since I don't have time to sit and watch them all all the time.

Glen

I can't say for sure that the clutch drum warped due to heat -- although I stated it that way. Possibly it was damaged by brute force by stalling the chain or something. The walls of the drum are thin. The shoes themselves are REAL stout and seemed fine. I've been sawing all winter and it starts and runs okay so the seal and bearing seem to be good.

 

[max2cam]

Re: screen

Originally posted by scottr
Max, replacing the screen will not make your saw run more efficiently.You have posted in the past that you were conserned about heat with this saw while milling . Is the carb properly adjusted ?

I don't recall the heat issue, unless it was my question about running continuously down a milling cut wide open or closing the throttle periodically to help cool the saw. I think it was more of a technique question than an overheating question. Of course when milling a wide board the saw gets pretty warm. Carb "seems" to be tuned okay. Wide open it burbles a little bit.

If safety and mud wasps are my main concern in not running the screen it's probably no big deal then. I mill in winter when the woods are full of snow and fire danger is nil. But if I order parts in future I will include getting a screen. Probably if I emailed Solo about it they would provide one. The saw has a 2 year warranty.

 

[lucky]

Don't worry about wasps or other foreign matter in the engine. It only raises the compression ratio. John

 

[stihltech]

vacation

Don't feel too bad Stihlman. Been a bit chilly here around Norfolk. 40s and50s. As for fun, I have prepared and painted two rooms so far, baby and living room.

Now, am I going to get in the driveway back home, or should I get a shovel on the way?

 

[Tony Snyder]

Mud dobber nest are not uncommon in exhaust outlets, particularly round ones. They are more frequent on trimmers because of the small round hole.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

What might have caused the clutch to overheat, is the operator, "Johnny new saw owner", managed to get it started with the brake and high idle engaged. After about ten minutes of trying to figure out why the chain didn't spin and why there was smoke comming out of the cover, he pegged the throttle for a couple of minutes and then shut it off.

Then he went to Arboristsite to complain about how bad Huskies are. His old Stihl never did that.