Stihl 260 Ticking Noise

[bradgil]

So I got this 260 off Ebay (first mistake), but couldn't resist.

Has good compression, piston and jug look good, starts good, runs good, cuts good.

The problem is it has a ticking noise that doesn't seem to speed up or slow down as the motor revs. It can also be heard with pulling the starter rope slowly.

It sounds sort of tinny (tin like) and is most noticable at idle.

I've checked the muffler, starter recoil, clutch, etc. and can't seem to come up with anything.

Any ideas??

 

[rbtree]

Check to see if it's hard wired to an explosive device w/ a timer......tick tick tick...ka boom.. JK

 

[Rotax Robert]

Uhmmmmmmmmmm...Valve Guides ???

 

[Lakeside53]

I could say a lot of things in jest, but... Are you sure it doesn't change with engine rpm? There isn't much that can make noise and not...

If it can be heard with the pull starter, my vote is piston slap.. Usually only hear it at low rpm anyhow.

 

[Rotax Robert]

Did you check inside the muffler? Throttle linkage, chainbrake, clutch.... I too can't see how the ticking could be constant at any rpm.

Rotax

 

[rbtree]

Uhmmmmmmmmmm...Valve Guides ???

or worn seats....

Hey, I know of a chain saw that has a few o' those.....

do you?

 

[Lakeside53]

or worn seats....

Hey, I know of a chain saw that has a few o' those.....

do you?

I don't know of a saw, but know a few sawyers that have worn out their seats.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[GASoline71]

How 'bout the oiler gears??? But that would speed up with RPM too.

Gary

 

[Rotax Robert]

It your darn wrist/pocket watch.

Rotax

 

[Lakeside53]

No no no.... It's your heartbeat - you're just not getting the rush you thought your would; that's why it doesn't increase with revs!

 

[bradgil]

Thanks for the replies, serious or not:biggrinbounce2:

I just need to look into it some more. I guess it would be hard for the noise to be the same throughout all RPMs. So, maybe it is getting faster/slower, I just couldn't hear it as much as the engine revs.

Like I say, it is most noticable at idle and you can hear it when you pull the starter rope slowly.

I'll do some more investigating tonight.

 

[Gypo Logger]

If Simon were around you could book an appointment with your saw and Simon could check it out with his stethoscope.
Hard to say, but it could be something as simple as the knot in the terminal end of the pull cord frapulating against the flywheel.
John

 

[t_andersen]

I'd say that a ticking noise that is not synchroneous with the rpm of the saw must come from some small part that vibrates at its own resonance frequency. Could be a loose screw or a loose part somewhere, say inside the muffler?

 

[bradgil]

Looked at it again briefly this morning and if you pull the starter rope like you were starting it, but with the switch off, it does sound like possibly the piston is loose in the jug.......but it has good compression. So gonna have to dig in deeper.

 

[Lakeside53]

It's usually piston slap... Worn skirt. If it gets really bad the piston will actually touch the cylinder head. You ony hear it at idle or pull over.

 

[Max]

If Simon were around you could book an appointment with your saw and Simon could check it out with his stethoscope.
Hard to say, but it could be something as simple as the knot in the terminal end of the pull cord frapulating against the flywheel.
John

"frapulating" :hmm3grin2orange:

Gotta love it!

How ya been John?

 

[bradgil]

Finally got to check into it some more. I guess it does change with the RPMs, just not as noticable.

Compression when warmed up is 85 lbs.

Took the muffler off and looked into the cylinder. Walls and piston have a few light lines.

But, if I turn the engine until the top of the piston is at the exhaust opening and push against the piston, there is some movement of the piston. Not normal I assume

What parts do I need and where is a good source?? Dealer or aftermarket.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[romeo]

Pull the head, check the piston rod and crank for end play. If there is none buy a cylinder kit. If there is buy a headstone R.I.P. When I buy an E-bay saw I always expect the worst. When I buy any used saw I always give it a complete overhaul.

 

[NWCS]

even better is have somebody hone it and see if your cylinder is salvagable. if it is you can get an aftermarket piston and rings. why go with a new cylinder when you dont have to? it all depends on how bad your cyl is.

 

[bradgil]

I'll pull it apart and post some pics. Right now, I'm hoping to get by with a piston kit from Baileys.