Stihl 034AV

[Great Bay]

First post here; you guys are obviously attached to your saws, so I’ve probably come to the right place!

I had an old McCulloch saw that was faithful for years. Right after a severe storm last winter, the old saw’s starter pawls gave out just when I needed it to clear our drive. Anyway, I made my way to the home store and picked up a Poulan Wild Thing. It served the purpose but it in no way measured up to my old saw and I don’t think it will stand up to cutting firewood. For one, it doesn’t seem to have much of an oiler. It seems to just drip unless it gets clogged up with saw dust.

I picked up a very clean looking Stihl 034 AV for $80. - sound unheard. I put some fresh 32-1 mix I had into it and eventually got it running. A little carb adjustment and it runs super, plenty of power, idles great. I put a RSC3 chain on it and I’m amazed that it’s a low kickback chain! It cuts great and doesn’t begin to bog. It has a 20” bar. It oils perfectly.

I have a couple of questions for the experts: What fuel mix do you use? I downloaded a manual and it says 50-1 with their oil. I’ve always been a little conservative and am using 32-1 in another 2 stroke where the manufacturer says 40-1. I figure they may be looking at emissions and I’m looking for longevity.

Secondly, the only thing I like about the Wild Thing is the easy start. It seems hard to get enough gas into the Stihl and it takes multiple pulls when cold. Is this just the way it is or is there a fix? Is there any way to put a primer on it?
Thanks!

 

[Brushwacker]

First post here; you guys are obviously attached to your saws, so I’ve probably come to the right place!


I picked up a very clean looking Stihl 034 AV for $80. - sound unheard. I put some fresh 32-1 mix I had into it and eventually got it running. A little carb adjustment and it runs super, plenty of power, idles great. I put a RSC3 chain on it and I’m amazed that it’s a low kickback chain! It cuts great and doesn’t begin to bog. It has a 20” bar. It oils perfectly.

I have a couple of questions for the experts: What fuel mix do you use? I downloaded a manual and it says 50-1 with their oil. I’ve always been a little conservative and am using 32-1 in another 2 stroke where the manufacturer says 40-1. I figure they may be looking at emissions and I’m looking for longevity.

Secondly, the only thing I like about the Wild Thing is the easy start. It seems hard to get enough gas into the Stihl and it takes multiple pulls when cold. Is this just the way it is or is there a fix? Is there any way to put a primer on it?
Thanks!

The chainsaw forum is the best place to post this but since I'm here ;
$80 is a steal. I have,had,and used many 034's and consistantly they ran as good as yours and I use 5oz to the gallon ( 28 to 1 ). Don't leave the air filter clogged, keep the carb fine tuned , I believe you will do fine anywhere inbetween 20 to 1 and 50 to 1 using air cooled labled 2 cycle oil. I usually pop of the air cleaner cover almost each gas fill and tap off the sawdust sticking to it and that keeps it breathing well ( about 30 seconds to a minute). Gets blowed out lightly when home.
When starting it try taking off the air filter cover and choke it until it pops, click the choke off , and it should fire right up. For some reason , the cover seams to interfere with the choke fully closing on most 034's. Put the cover back on after its running. Actually if you lift the cover up enough it doesn't need to come all the way off. I think if the choke rod is bent just right it can work with the cover in place but it has been tricky for me . If it takes to many pulls to fire, pull it over slow a few times with it choked , then pull it fast to start. That will prime it some before you pull to start it.

 

[BobL]

Yep I agree $80 for a working 034 is a good price.

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I have a couple of questions for the experts: What fuel mix do you use? I downloaded a manual and it says 50-1 with their oil. I’ve always been a little conservative and am using 32-1 in another 2 stroke where the manufacturer says 40-1. I figure they may be looking at emissions and I’m looking for longevity.
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For the sake of your own longevity I would suggest keeping the saw well tuned and using less rather than more lube. Even really old saws will run fine for firewood cutting using modern lube at 50:1, or if you want to be conservative 40:1. Most of the lube below those ratios is not burned and because the modern lubes suppress smoke formation they look like they burn clean whereas all that happens is the operator is surrounded by an invisible fog of gunk that you will breathe. It's a small point but most people are not aware of this.

 

[Great Bay]

Thanks Guys,

I did see my error in posting in this area and posted it under chainsaws. Those guys were also very helpful and generally suggested 50-1 with good oil.

As for the start, I did notice that the choke didn't quite close but saw no adjustment. I'm on the road and will give the linkage a little tweak when I get home. It makes sense that that's the problem and guys on the chainsaw thread suggested it as well.

I figured I was getting a good deal on the saw and now I'm convinced.

Thanks for the help, I'll report.