I have been lurcking these forums for a while now. This where I decided on making a used chainsaw purchase. I had my heart set on an 028av super. I had been watching ebay for a while, till what I thought was the right one and put and bid on it. Well I won it. It was the powerhead only and needed a sprocket. I get the chainsaw in the mail put fuel mix and oil into it and she starts after a couple of pulls. I then leave feedback saying all is well, which I wish I wouldn't have. This chainsaw could not truly be tested until the needed items were installed. Well I take it to the stihl service shop to get the bar, chain and sprocket installed. The guy picks it up and gives the starter cord a pull and says why would you waste all that money on a saw with a spent cylinder and piston, very low compression. I left bummed out. I then contact seller who now says sorry no refunds. I tried to work with him, but he would not budge. So now I have an overpriced parts saw, which was advertised to run like a new . I have a feeling this guy knew the saw was on its way out to begin with. I made the purchase based on his feedback and their ME site which says they will take care of their customers. Anyways this saw would cost me more than a new one to repair. I called my credit card company and cancelled payment. Do you think I was right in doing this? He had no reference in the ad to a sold as is or no refunds policy. I went and bought another saw (an 036 pro), because I need wood to heat my home, and my stockpile was low. i have been using a homelite vi super 2 w/ 16" bar and it has given me 25 years of great service and still cuts, but I felt it was time for an upgrade to a more powerful saw.
Stihl 028av super runs like a new one
- Thread starter bigair
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There are a few key words that show up in almost all used equipment auctions. "As Is". If that was in the description, then you, unfortunately, do not have a leg to stand on, and you owe the man his money.
My question is.......Did the guy at the repair shop put a compression tester on the saw? So he just gave the starter cord a pull and said that the saw is shot? I would get a second opinion.
My question is.......Did the guy at the repair shop put a compression tester on the saw? So he just gave the starter cord a pull and said that the saw is shot? I would get a second opinion.
If it starts with just a couple of pulls, it sounds like it may have good compression. Did you buy your new saw at the same place that you took the 028 for parts?
tony marks
Addicted to ArboristSite
buying used is always a gamble..to better the odds call dan henry,tellim i recommended him .. he ll fix you up with a good saw.. tell you the pluses and minuses of it.. then fix it if you want him to..for a price of course.. but you know if he says its fixed.. anything wrong at least at the time it was in hishands ..
will be fixed properly.. it pays to deal with honest people.. theres others here that will treat you the same.
will be fixed properly.. it pays to deal with honest people.. theres others here that will treat you the same.
Nope, the ad had no reference to as is or no refunds. The guy bragged about how well it ran. I am no chainsaw expert, but the guy at the shop showed me a saw with good compression and told me to pull the cord. There was a huge difference. He said he has taken enough of these apart that he could almost guarantee me that the cylinder and piston are scored. He said if I didn't believe him to take it home and pull the cylinder and look for myself. I don't want to take apart the saw. All I wanted was a working saw.
bigair said:
Why not buy a good used saw fom a member here. There may be one close enough to your area that you could try it out before you buy it. Most of the guys here are top notch and are not out to scam you.
Experience is not an excuse for doing a half ass diagnostic job. Maybe he's right, but without either tearing down the saw, or doing an actual compression test, you don't know for sure. Maybe you didn't think the bench charge was worth it?
The saw did start and run, maybe thats all the testing the ebay seller did, since as you pointed out, other parts were needed to make it a working saw.
I don't know what the compression should be, maybe some of the other guys here can weigh in on that.
The saw did start and run, maybe thats all the testing the ebay seller did, since as you pointed out, other parts were needed to make it a working saw.
I don't know what the compression should be, maybe some of the other guys here can weigh in on that.
Get the second opinion, like alanarbor said. You could wait a year to get it, but get it.
Even if the piston/cylinder is scored, a new top end will only cost about $120 and they're not too hard to install.
The 028 is only a 43cc saw. If the shop guy had you pull the starter on a 60 or 70cc saw, there would be a big difference in the pull.
There are only four screws that hold the muffler on. It would take about 5 minutes to pull the muffler and have a look at the piston.
The 028 is only a 43cc saw. If the shop guy had you pull the starter on a 60 or 70cc saw, there would be a big difference in the pull.
There are only four screws that hold the muffler on. It would take about 5 minutes to pull the muffler and have a look at the piston.
It was another 028 woodboss, just not a super. I will take it in to get a second opinion. I paid close to 150.00 for this saw. With a bar, chain, sprocket and rebuild, it would be less expensive to buy new.
Well second opinion agreed with first, he took off the muffler and said there was scoring. He was actually suprised I got it to start at all. Suggestion: new piston, rings and cylinder or a new saw. What is the going rate for a runs with low compression 028av super? Everything else on this saw works.
thompson1600
ArboristSite Guru
Haven't tried that, but be interested to hear what others say. Normally I've found that unless the piston is really messed up from debris or damage, that the cylinder is fine and can be re-used. I've just slightly rubbed in there with fine emery cloth to get rid of any debris and sharp edges. Then put a new piston on. They can be had for about 50 bucks, aftermarket. If the scoring isn't real bad, just slight scoring and the piston apron isn't worn down real bad, then maybe even just new rings, if the saw will only be used occassionally.
Tom
Tom
Lawn Masters
Addicted to ArboristSite
Well, you could always just replace the cylinder and piston, or someone here could buy it from you. I would, but I'm at my limit for the time being on what I'm allowed to spend for chainsaws.
I am still trying to get a refund for the saw. This saw was advertised as running like a new one , when in fact it is a repairable saw. I have contacted the seller trying to get a partial refund to put in more in line with what a repairable saw would cost. He won't budge and says sorry about your problems. I am now in the process of a credit card dispute. If it goes through I will feel somewhat vindicated. I have wasted more time and energy on this saw than I had expected. I can only hope the 036 pro is as great as advertised. I am a glutten for punishment.
