Shake it! (So you don't break it)

[vapnut257]

Just got the bad news on my shop happy 359. Just like I thought, I have to replace the cylinder and jug due to a lack of lubrication. leak test and pressure test checked out ok. The most probable cause is the separation of fuel and oil mix. The saw had not been run in about two weeks. I forgot to shake the can before I filled the tank. The servicing technician says he's seeing a lot of this because of the cheesy government mandated fuel we are forced to use. The bottom line is... Shake that can good before you refill and save yourself some problems. I normally do, but didn't this one time and fried my piston. :bang: Another lesson I learned...Buy your saw from a reputable dealer instead of a box store

 

[spacemule]

Are you sure your mix was correct? Newer oils don't separate from gas nearly as bad as the old 30 wt.

 

[blis]

Are you sure your mix was correct? Newer oils don't separate from gas nearly as bad as the old 30 wt.

+1 never heard of mixing/separation problems with MODERN oil, thou on old times when gas was generally mixed with some waste oil it was totally different thing...

 

[ericjeeper]

Take some of your mix

Pounr it into a Mason jar. set it on the shelf and keep and eye on it.. If it ever does seperate you will be able to see the line.

 

[Austin1]

You bring up a good point the new oil's are supposed to be better. But I tend to stick to the old wives tail's I even shake my saw as I will leave the fuel in mine until I get out next. I alway's give them a shake, it's most likely is unnecessary but old habits die hard!

 

[vapnut257]

I only use Husky oil, and mix it in a one gallon container with the premium grade fuel. I do remember "not shaking the can" last time I filled, but to be honest, I can't believe this would destroy a saw, especially the quality saw Husqvarna is suppose to be. I run other saws also with no problems. The dealer is charging me $275 to replace the jug and piston. I guess I'll see how long it will last when I get it back. I can only go by what this "Husqvarna certified" technician tells me although being on this site has helped me understand when I'm being BS'd.

 

[clearance]

I only use Husky oil, and mix it in a one gallon container with the premium grade fuel. I do remember "not shaking the can" last time I filled, but to be honest, I can't believe this would destroy a saw, especially the quality saw Husqvarna is suppose to be. I run other saws also with no problems. The dealer is charging me $275 to replace the jug and piston. I guess I'll see how long it will last when I get it back. I can only go by what this "Husqvarna certified" technician tells me although being on this site has helped me understand when I'm being BS'd.

I too only use Husky (rarely Stihl) mix and always premium gas. Usually I shake the can, superstition, but sometimes I don't, someone else fills up my saw etc. Never had a saw sieze on me, and I'm talking years and years, dozens of saws, 266s 268s 272s 288s 2101s 365s 372s 371s 394s 395s, 038s 066s 460s 020s 200s, etc, you get the picture. I think you have been spoon fed some B.S. by this mechanic, just my 2 cents.

 

[PES+]

Possible.....but pretty unlikely

The 359s are known for a problem with air leaks at the intake block and clamp at the cylinder.

They have a service bulletin on it and the new 359s are using a different clamp and plastic block.

I would suspect that this is the reason for the failure and depending on how the saw was tested for leak down it may not show up.

 

[Lakeside53]

Not sure what caused your failure, but I also seriously doubt the gas "separated". It's possible with alcohol added fuels and in the presence of water, but..

 

[woodfarmer]

oil seperation, what a crock. we used to use any oil for mix, used two stroke outboard motor oil for twenty years never had a problem in old pioneers, mcculloch or jonsereds, only found out in the last six or so years that tcw was only to be used in outboard motors. i guess the new saws are finickier. anyway part of the problem is if the 359 is an e-tech model(green filler cap) they tend to overheat, do a search on here for muffler mods for that model to help cool it down

 

[mattinky]

Have to agree, should'nt be a problem with oil seperating from gas

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

+1 never heard of mixing/separation problems with MODERN oil, thou on old times when gas was generally mixed with some waste oil it was totally different thing...

I have. Cheap junk. Glad I was suspicious of it.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showpost.php?p=502842&postcount=12

 

[PES+]

See this thread for the service bulletin courtesy Hard Knocks

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=646751#post646751

 

[vapnut257]

The posted link is interesting. The first time I had a problem and put it in the shop, they fixed it under warranty because of the intake clamp. They didn't mention that the problem could "fry" the piston. Now I'm wondering if the thing was damaged the first time I took it in. It has run well since then and up until now. There were no signs of a air leak, such as changes in rpm's and such. I just turned it off and it didn't start. I wonder what my recourses are now that I've told them to go ahead and fix the thing. I paid a lot of money for this saw. I've never experienced anything like this with any other of my saws or two cycle equipment. I feel like I'm kinda left out there with no recourse. If I damaged the saw, that's one thing, but if there's a problem with the model and Husqvarna won't stand behind it, then shame on them! The dealer should also be more upfront if this oil mixing thing is not or could not be a problem. My saw has less than 50 hours on it.