Stihl ms280

[drgnarr]

I just bought a ms280 that was straight gassed. I have the saw torn apart and was looking for information on what mods you guys would recommend performing on the saw prior to reassembly when I get the new piston? Anyone have any experience with a ms280? Is it a decent saw? Thanks for the help.

 

[K5krawler]

It's a clamshell design and I assume it is this model here MS 280 Chain Saw - Mid Range Advanced IEM Technology Chain Saws | STIHL I have no clue what the IEM system (could play a role in modding) is but the rest of the saw shouldn't be that hard to pull apart and repair. There is plenty of threads on here about rebuilds and muffler modding. LoL can't anybody just leave a saw alone and run it stock :msp_w00t:

You are doing new rings, piston, etc? Are you sure it's straight gassed and not a bad seal or intake hose?

-K5

 

[drgnarr]

Yeah it was straight gassed. There is some aluminum transfer that should come off just fine and I'm putting a new piston and rings.
You brought up the electronic carb control thing. I was wandering if it would self adjust to say....... A modded muffler? Anyone ever mess around with a 280?

 

[drgnarr]

Nobody has any ms280 input?

 

[K5krawler]

Nobody has any ms280 input?

Just mod the muffler and see how it goes. There should be some adjustment in the carb. even if it is fixed. Heck you might not even have to do anything with that IEM system. You'll probably like the way it runs with a MM.

 

[drgnarr]

So I worked on removing the aluminum transfer with that muratic acid stuff and had it almost all off. There were two very small areas of aluminum transfer left, could be very slightly felt by the finger and could barely be picked with a dental pick. We installed everything and gave it a few pulls and there are a few scratches on the piston. I guess the question is; must 100% of the alum transfer be removed? should I take it back apart and work harder to get all the alum off or finish it and fire it up? The scratches on the piston and rings are noticeable but appear to only be superficial. I can't feel them with a dental pick.
When it runs could that little remaining transfer break the rings?
I got great compression
I hope you can see the pics, they were taken with a phone.

 

[dancan]

Wet sand ?

The 270/280 are decent saws , smooth , plenty of power but a little bulky compared to some , open up the muff a little and remove the limiter tabs on the carb adjustment screws , tune and go cut wood .

 

[SawTroll]

Nobody has any ms280 input?

The problem is that the MS280 was used as a "trials" platform, so it is hard to know what version the post is about. It also wasn't a pro saw, and that surely reduced the interest in them.....

The 270 and the 290 surely are worse regarding power to weight, but marketing of the 280 was seriously lacking in the US. Here, the 290 never was offered, and the 270 was discontinued as soon as the 280 appeared.....

 

[drgnarr]

Suggestions on if I should take it back apart and work on the alum or just run it?

 

[SawTroll]

Suggestions on if I should take it back apart and work on the alum or just run it?

It sounds like your best bet is to clean up the cylinder with some acid, and get a new piston - but I am not an expert...

 

[K5krawler]

It sounds like your best bet is to clean up the cylinder with some acid, and get a new piston - but I am not an expert...

I am with SawTroll. Make sure you get new piston rings, two new crank seals wouldn't hurt since you are in there.

 

[Evan]

Widen intake and exhaust mod the muffler and tear 60 cc saws a new one. Yourbuddies with 361s will be asking questions.

 

[drgnarr]

Thanks for the input, it's appreciated

 

[rbmopar]

Aluminum transfer

If I understand you correctly, you installed new piston and rings that you pulled over, but did not start? If so your new piston should be fine unless there is a lot of aluminum left. You do however have to take it back apart and get ALL of the aluminum removed. Your new piston will not clean the remaining alum off the cylinder when running. It will however add to it. Is your 280 an IEM model?

 

[drgnarr]

You got it, that is exactly the answer I was looking for I just checked compression when I had it almost all together and then noticed the superficial scratching on the piston which was not there before. I pulled it 5 times. I will take it apart and try to get rid of what alum transfer is remaining.
Is muratic acid the best way to go about this? I worked on this thing for a couple hours and there were still two very small areas of alum transfer remaining. Anything else to make this job easier? Does heating the cylinder make the soften the aluminum and make the process easier?
This may be a dumb question but how do you tell if it is an IEM carb/saw? It looks very similar to any other carb that I have messed with before?

 

[rbmopar]

Once I have removed everything that I can with acid, I use sandpaper or emery cloth soaked in light oil like atf. Nikasil is very hard and not that easy to damage unless you really go nuts sanding. Just make sure to get it all. As far as the IEM, I have never seen one nor do I know how they respond to mods. Someone more knowledgeable will have to chime in if that is what you have. If it has a normal carb with high and low speed jets, it will respond well to a simple muffler mod. Opinions will vary on outlet size, but I shoot for 80-90% of the exhaust port opening. If you are looking to do actual porting, that is a topic in itself.

Randy.

 

[drgnarr]

Thanks for the input once again.
I can't seem to find anyone familiar with this saw; hopefully that's not a bad thing!
I have quite a few 325 / .058 - - 18 inch chains laying around and was hoping to find an 18" 58 gauge bar for this saw but I am striking out, I can't find one anywhere. Anyone have any ideas where I can find one?

 

[roostersgt]

A couple of really cheap ones from a site sponser. Timber Champs $13 from Bailey's.

http://www.baileysonline.com/search.asp?SKW=CTC 18 .325&catID=11900

 

[Chris J.]

Here are some threads regarding the IEM, several mention the ms280.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&...88823cce0a6f39&biw=1093&bih=499&pf=p&pdl=3000