Just picked up a 257 from my pawn shop. It's dirty but 100% original from what I can tell and the plug hole inspection was clean. It started on about the fourth pull (no choke, full trigger) and I started and stopped it several times during inspection without issue and it ran good to me. No glaring issues with plastics or the brake (there's always a problem with the brake!). Crankshaft is solid, seals look good. I just couldn't get the darn thing to oil the BnC. I think the plunger may just be gummed up though the worm wheel will turn it at slow speed; it may just be skipping over it at high speed. When I run it without the bar, oil does come out the hole, but I don't get any spray from the tip. I may just need to thoroughly flush the oil system and clean the pump. I know the 257 isn't a blue blood, but it's another 2-series in my stable. Now I have the 288 on the left waiting for parts and reassembly and the 257 on the right waiting for clean and clear. This is quickly becoming a disease; I might even bring home a STIHL next!
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