Saw broke?!?!

[unclemoustache]

Stihl 200T, working just fine, but getting low on fuel. Suddenly bogs down somewhat (as if chain was binding) and when I let up on the throttle, she dies. I thought it was out of fuel, but it was smoking - that's not right - maybe the oil got low first. New fuel, new oil, chain turns freely by hand, starts right up, but sluggish, and when I let it down to idle, it dies.

I'm afraid to start it again lest I do more damage, but that has me worried. Ideas?

 

[zogger]

Well, pull muffler or if you got a borelight or something, just the spark plug and look at the piston cylinder.

Stuff happens, had to put a new piston in my 346 this last winter, same thing, stopped in the cut, slightly scored/galled. Never did find out exactly why, passed pressure and vacuum test, already had the upgraded carb boot clamp, etc., but on removing the muffler I noticed something, severe lack of muffler gasket. I think that was the culprit, or the aftermarket piston/ring caught a bit. Gasket most likely though, based on what I saw. Got a lot of tanks out of it before that happened though.

Anyway, a 200t is worth rebuilding. I also recall the guys on the chainsaw forum saying something about those carbs eventually going screwy too.

 

[svk]

Yeah sounds like you may have some internal problems.

 

[esshup]

Ditto, yank piston, look at plug, check compression, check muffler.

 

[unclemoustache]

Plug looks fine, but I think I could see some scoring inside. Didn't check compression - not sure if I even have a tester anymore.
I'm thinking I'll take it to a mech. I'm no good at that. Have him take a peek and see what he thinks. A $600 saw is worth taking care of.

 

[unclemoustache]

Got my saw back the other day. Looks like I put straight gas in it. I can't imagine how that happened, but I guess I must have - they kept a sample of what they pulled out.
I like how the guy wrote "LUCKY" on the ticket! He was amazed there wasn't more damage. I'm glad I was smart enough to shut off the saw as soon as it was acting funny and didn't run it much after that.

I was worried about a rebuild, so I'm happy to get off for $40!!

 

[tla100]

I think you must now surrender all quality saws and only run WildThangs....dang firewood guys anyway.......heh

 

[Mike Van]

So, uncle m - how did the straight gas get in there? Something you remember doing? My 200t got running worse & worse, no power, I took the screen out of the muffler , found it plugged pretty much solid - That p.o.s. went into the scrap can - Saw cuts like a little light saber now -

 

[hardpan]

I am glad you shut her down and avoided serious damage but I don't understand the sluggish and won't idle with straight gas. Maybe a knowledgeable mechanic can explain. I thought they would generally run pretty good until the aluminum transfer would mess up compression and kill it or lock it up. Who knows? I'm thinking "lucky" is an appropriate comment. LOL

 

[unclemoustache]

I don't know how the gas got in there. I'm the only one who uses that saw, and I'm pretty sure I brought the right gas on that job, but if that's what happened, then I obviously must have brought the wrong stuff. Hmm - I better check my pole pruner, now that I think about it. Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to refresh all my mix and make sure it's all clearly marked. That might be part of the problem. I'm going by memory, and that's always dangerous with me.

 

[hanniedog]

So did you buy some lottery tickets to use up some of that dumb luck.

 

[mainewoods]

Yeah, it sure sucks gettin' old. I painted my gas can fluorescent orange and wrote MIX all over it with a magic marker. If I straight gas any of my saws the wife has been instructed to put me into a nice home with pretty nurses.

 

[svk]

Yeah, it sure sucks gettin' old. I painted my gas can fluorescent orange and wrote MIX all over it with a magic marker. If I straight gas any of my saws the wife has been instructed to put me into a nice home with pretty nurses.

I normally try to keep specific cans with mix only but stuff happens. I will splash a little out to check if I'm unsure. Haven't straight gassed yet, knock on wood.

 

[Dalmatian90]

Saw broke?!?!

Phrase, To consider all of one's liquid assets to involve either bar or two-cycle oil. See: Chainsaw Acquistion Disorder.

 

[backhoelover]

i think that is the cheapest i have ever seen a ngk plug

 

[Zale]

The Gods are with you.

 

[rarefish383]

I only mix in 5 or 30 gallon batches. I have a 30 gallon drum that I take to WV when I go to my farm, I can get ethanol free gas there. At home I mix 5 gallon batches. My friend is a printer and gets chemicals in clear, heavy plastic 5 gallon cans. You can see instantly when you pick that clear/white jug up that it has mix in it. I used to have red cans that had a clear/white line down the side so you could see the fuel level in the jug, they were nice because you could tell if it was mix or straight. I've tried writing "mix" on the solid red cans, and using "blue" kerosene cans for mix. But, if I haven't milled or bucked wood for a while, and the can is full, I'm always worried if I actually mixed it or not. Now that I found the clear jugs, it takes that worry away, Joe.

 

[al-k]

I have been using my dads 4 stroke leave blower last year when I finally bought myself a new br600, you quest it first time i filled it up was with straight gas. I realised what i did and only ran it for 5 minutes it seems fine.

 

[ETpilot]

I have a can for only Stihl equipment, well marked. I also have a can marked for ethanol free gas. I can't take a chance on memory.

 

[lone wolf]

Makes no sense! Did he rip it down if it was straight gased clean the cyl up and replace the piston and rings? Was it pressure tested? Did you find evidence of where this straight gas came from? Am I to understand it ran crappy now it dont cause he put premix in it? If it gives you more trouble you can send it to me and I will go over it 100 percent.