Dumbest Mistake Anyone Could Make With a $2000 Chainsaw! RUINED in an INSTANT!

[@stevezelen4651]

Maybe you didn’t share on purpose but I’ll ask anyway…. How much was the estimate on fixing the 500i? Parts and labor? Thanks for the video!!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

well....this issue was something that couldn't be warrantied once repaired....so I ordered the parts and we're gonna try and fix it ourselves in a future video...see if she works!

[@dwaynekennedy3554]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Thanks for sharing , Josh.

[@417sawshop]

Send it to me i can fix it and put a little more zip in it .😊​@StoneyRidgeFarmer

[@davidgagnon2849]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I understand that the cylinder and piston assembly could not be warrantied, but did the saw have any of it's original (or purchased extended warranty) remaining? If so, and they negated the warranty on the rest of the saw, that really sucks. That's not how a warranty is supposed to work.

[@BillCoSmith]

If you accidentally run over your 500i with a 10,000 lb tractor, it cost 1050.00 total to repair. (850.00 in parts, 200.00 labor). (Parts included, new 28" bar w/chain, fuel tank, cyclnder assembly, starter assembly, misc screws and bolts) plus a 2 month wait. Original cost new was $1800.00. This was my experience your milage may very. Accidents happen what can I say. The 500i is the best saw I have used and would buy it again no problem. Bill

[@JonBruner-p7x]

I didn't know Northern Tool had an equipment shop. Hats off to Cliff and Earl for the information. Great video.

[@davidgagnon2849]

My local one does not have one (to my knowledge). They also don't seem to have the inventory that the one in the video has. My store is in Lakeland, FL.

[@randy5766]

Wow, Stihl Silver Tech. and doing this, which is a nice first time tear down on a 500i saw. This gentleman, Cliff, will have no issues at the Gold school in Virginia Beach. I have been a Gold Tech for 21 years and have trained and seen my share of technicians and I am very impressed with Cliff. I certainly hope Northern realizes what an asset they have in this employee. Great job Cliff!

[@pheloniousmunk]

What part were you most impressed by? Mine was where he put an extension through the plug hole and started banging on it like a caveman.

[@Northern_Tool]

Tough break for that saw, but it’s always good to dig in and learn something in situations like this. Cliff is definitely the right man for that job. Appreciate you bringing us and your followers along for the teardown. Felt like we were right there with you.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Thanks!! Northern Tool most certainly has a gem of an employee in Cliff! All of the staff treat me like family! Thanks for letting me show how capable the NTE mechanics really are! Cliff is a wealth of knowledge and Earl is so kind!

[@SomeBody-g1q]

Glad @Northern_Tool is a supporter of Josh's channel. I learned of this company via this channel, and would very much like to have a store location in the North Idaho area my family and I are moving to. But, contrary to the name...NORTHERN Tool seems to stick close to the (southern) Mason Dixon line. Hint hint Northern Tool ;) North40 needs some competition, to keep them honest.

[@caryreed1563]

It’s awesome to see Cliffs enthusiasm

[@tonygough8713]

Good job Cliff. I wish I had a little of your small engine repair knowledge. Thanks for the good video.

[@andrewgraeme8429]

That's the first full tear-down of a Stihl MS500i I have seen on YT - well done!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

thanks!! Now we all know!

[@davidgagnon2849]

That appeared to be Cliff's first one, too. He did well. However I did cringe when he stuck the 14" extension in the plug hole and started framming to get the piston to break free and come out. LOL But, since it was clearly not a warranty, I guess no harm no foul.

[@andrewgraeme8429]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I suppose it depends on how much cutting was done with regular gasoline - I once made that mistake with a 30-year-old MS029 when someone gave me a can of what they told me was 2-stroke, only it was not! After about half-an-hour, I thought "Hey! This thing is getting hot!" and so I checked and I realised what had happened - so it appears that our novice made TWO mistakes! If the saw is running hot, put the sucker down and check what is going on! I bought a 500i and a Husky 592 and the electronics on the 500i went phut when the saw was really hot whilst cutting firewood and that chewed up the piston. To their credit, Stihl (here in the UK) fixed it for free although it was just over 2 years old. Why that happened and what exactly went wrong remains a bit of a mystery - but I learned that the smaller 500i can overheat if you beast it really hard. So it you guys do get it fixed, remember that it is what it is - a smaller saw. And Newtonian physics tells us that all that heat from the higher power compared to an older saw of the same size needs to go somewhere - and that takes time!

[@andrewgraeme8429]

@@davidgagnon2849 I must admit that I was surprised at the order in which Cliff did a few things - I would have popped the plug and just shoved an endoscope in there first to have a quick look around! (Not that it would have done me any good - it was obviously seized up!)

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

the cylinder head was shot...we both knew it...so for video purposes we just knocked it out

[@bob7478]

This video was very informative. Whenever I refill my chainsaw fuel can, I bring the fuel mix with me and pour it in right away. You get home, get distracted, forget, whatever, then expensive mistakes happen.

[@maxpuppy96]

I knew exactly what you were going say. I use all VP 50:01 premix racing fuel its expensive but I have not worked on one weed whacker or chain saw since using it. That more than half rule is a good one I have been working on small engines for 30 years too. Own a family golf course, I am 65 been working on small engines and diesel engines since I was 18 years old.

[@georgedavidson7986]

Very complicated too much for me to do. Thanks for the Professionalism

[@carlzirk]

Great video. It was great to see all the components with an explanation. I don't let employees run a chainsaw, too dangerous. If I need them to do a little trimming, they get a reciprocating saw or a hand saw. I do all the chainsaw work with my own saws I keep at home. Looking forward to the rebuild video.

[@timziegler9358]

I am sorry for the loss on the saw! The repair man is a very talented man! Best wishes to you all.

[@maddawgnoll]

My Husqvarna had a meltdown because I was inexperienced on carb adjustments. I fell and bucked 40 cords of firewood per season on average, so it wasn't that I was inexperience on using the saw. I learned the hard way what happens when you lean out your carb (or mix) too much. Everything needs replaced, but it was 8 years old at that time and I decided to buy a new saw. Got my stihl ms461 (last year before they went to mtronic) she's been bucking and milling for a decade now. I understand how things work, and I no longer fear making carb adjustments. I've ran her in temps as low as -25f and in high elevations (over 8000 ft) so I needed to learn how to make those adjustments.

[@phillipthewise7758]

Other than the gas that saw looks in great shape to me. It was nice of you to help your friend out with his equipment.

[@AAaa-pd4sb]

Good job big Josh. Really awesome break down and questions. Nice to see how everything's going good for you with the farm and all. I have been watching your KZbin channel for goodness 12/13 years or so ago when you were first getting going. Very impressive... Glad to see you keeping your chin up and rocking on. You and ole Patrick Bet David back in the day got me through some really hard times just watching and getting motivated by your projects and all. Anyhow, thanks again and take care. Ric Carroll in Northen KY

[@kennymelhorn935]

Great video,love my sthill equipment and Northern ,thanks for sharing 👍

[@andy7679pb]

Nice to meet you that day! Great video! We need a Northern took a little further north 👍

[@kygreenskeeper8326]

I work on a lot of saws and weed eaters at our golf course.... Videos like this are so helpful.... Awesome.... Thx guys

[@AmericanCraftsman]

I was trying to think of all the ways to destroy a 2,000.00 saw. Giving a young man clearly with no experience didn't cross my mind. Lol I always trian my worker how to before they ever start. Safety first. I'm glad that's all that happened. Lol

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

you can train them all you want....the young man knew it needed mixed gas, but it wasn't his saw...so he didn't make sure. I don't think he should have been running that saw. It's not for the inexperienced

[@davemi00]

Good lesson learned vid. School of Hard Knocks … teaches again !! It can happen to the best of us.

[@steve9503]

I ran straight gas by mistake (mislabelled gas can) in an MS170. Bucked 12” hardwood logs for 15 minutes then it stalled and wouldn’t start again. After poking around I realized there was no oil in the mix. Replaced the fuel but it still wouldn’t start. Before going out to buy a new saw I watched a youtube video by Donyboy where he explains how to start a Stihl chainsaw that’s flooded. This worked and the saw now starts and runs completely normal.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

good, ya caught it before you cooked the saw...this 500i is a much more powerful high revving pro unit..so it just burned it up...check last friday's vid as I took it home and rebuilt it!!

[@ronevans852]

That’s great information on those saw I’ve been running those saw for years. When I decided to sell my property that was the end of my working days so I’ve sold all my saws except one I had 4 Stihl saws.

[@ianhaggart1438]

Northern tool and equipment must be a good company to work with.. and there staff are happy to have a camera about and someone asking loads of questions.. well done to them.. Thanks for letting us tag along sir.. stay safe and chop chop 😮😊😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

man they were awesome for letting me come in the back and learn how to take this saw down! Now we all know!!

[@KPVFarmer]

Yes, thanks much for bringing us along. So cool to see a professional tear it down and explain as he’s doing so. Cheers 🍻

[@johnsadler8637]

I have been in that store and gotten good help, even if I was just researching options. Good people.

[@caseyparson5824]

Ton of knowledge! Enjoyed it!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Glad you liked it!

[@jamesfournier6114]

I never knew that Northern Tool also did repairs good info.

[@Walter-ts1vu]

Thanks for sharing the informational video.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

You're welcome! I hope it saves someone else from making the same mistake.

[@CecilSizemore-e4v]

I have a MS391 25 inch bar been cutting wood for the home for 5 years I only use synthetic blend. Oil mix runs great. Does everything I needed it to do I have no complaints best saw I’ve ever had.

[@davidmack8813]

Josh this truly was one of my favorite stihl chainsaw in detail exploratory dives; loved it. Years ago I bought a professional Stihl chainsaw then one of my employers sons was to pay back parents by working with me, alas he didn't know & added wrong fuel , no oil mix 2 cycle it ceased engine costing me over $700 just in parts to rebuild my favorite great commercial grade chainsaw now last year my 79GMC pickup had some pack rats occupy my blower motor I hadn't run pickup truck in over a year drove it after a hard start full of non ethanol fuel was added to fill both 20gallon fuel tanks out for 1st test drive it started smoking in vent blower around 3 minutes no reception for cell no water mountain road I drove to clearing turned off engine lifted hood undid blower motor wires jerked off new battery terminal opened passenger door molten plastic on fire burning under dash poured all 3 small water bottles I had down vent above that area, OK Dave you got 2 minutes trucks on fire. Opened canopy pulled out 6 5gallon Jerry cans threw them clear grabbed a pack from front seat & watched my great collector Sierra Grande go to full flames and burn to the tires and all fuel was gone. Not seeing car cover over my stihl chainsaw or other stuff I'd liked to remove in 30 seconds I finally had. Need a new /used pickup truck & a great Stihl chainsaw. Ouch as truck had been not running total loss high value like paint job new motor tires mags etc $ Ouch but at least timely Stihl delve into very useful information, thanks Josh. Happy new year David

[@martinschulz9381]

The day I make the mistake of putting the wrong fuel in my saw is the day I quit using saws as that is one area where I can safely say that I don't make mistakes. Great video.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

interesting outlook, mistakes do happen...when there are no repercussions for actions. My friend's farm help didn't have to pay for it, so why would he care....oops....sorry ...and move along

[@martinschulz9381]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I'm far from perfect, but I'm always meticulously careful with the gas oil mixture, stabilizer...and always only one gas can for two stroke.

[@erwinbenally8027]

Great post thank you

[@michaelalancaveney2298]

Great Video! In my opinion some break in is still a good idea. I run 32:1 mix in a brand new engine and vary the throttle speed. Have a great day!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

just rebuilt the saw myself in my shop, video coming!!! Hope you're subscribed!

[@Morpheen999]

Expensive mistake, I grew up around saws so I was well warned to make sure the right fuel was used I really like the 500i, it revs up so fast! I have a full wrap on mine

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yep...a person with "saw sense" would immediately notice something isn't right

[@carolscott3868]

Very interesting....Cliff you are impressive to say the least.

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Interesting video and tear down, Josh. I kind of feel like I made the “dumbest mistake” when I transported my saw in my wood chipper hopper then forgot it was there when I started the chipper. You can fill in the blanks 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

ewe! That's a bad day!! Prayers buddy!

[@matthewtaylor2185]

Fill in the blanks... and the blankety blanks!

[@maddawgnoll]

Wow! That's a horrible way to lose a saw

[@Whateva67]

Shitty. I put all my wet climbing gear in the chipper at the end of a rainy day once,climbing harness,rope,spurs and steel core flipline, buddy got there before I did the next morning and fired up the chipper without looking,cranked er right up, you can fill in the blanks 😊

[@kevinfoster1213]

I filled in the blanks... That shit's funny..

[@petegkSalonika]

many thanks, pal ,,, great video ,,,, for, amateurs and professionals ... sea ya ,, Happy New Year keep on the good work both , greetings from Europe GREECE..

[@carrollwilliams2759]

What an awesome video! Thank you Josh for taking time to do this. Great information. Great content!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Glad you liked it! Hope it saves you some $$ on your next saw!

[@ClickinChicken]

I'd have to put Post it notes on each magnetic tray (or dixie cup) lol, to get it back together! Cool Video, I like this content.

[@daveyslogging]

I hope you plan on rebuilding the saw! Another thing to consider…. Get all the parts to rebuild it then send it to someone to have it ported! They have to tear the saw apart anyways so why not have them port it while it’s ripped apart. Sorry about the saw but none of us are perfect! Have a blessed New Year

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I ordered them! Coming soon!

[@Sir.RickParker949]

I stopped playing my guitar to watch you guys.wow

[@mechanicmike2858]

My EDC is the milwaukee knife you spoke of in the last video and my choice of light is an O-light warrior3s it's a beast of a light kinda high in price but I love it !!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I hear good things...O Light has reached out to me many times to promote their flashlights on the channel.....great to hear it's a good product

[@kevinware4476]

Cliff is the Man!

[@TimmyMoza]

Great vid. Thanks neighbor from Hiddenite NC.

[@Donald_Ray]

This was an interesting video, and very educational, thank you sir!

[@interstellarconundrum4774]

I love Northern Tool.

[@munsters2]

26:14. Real mechanics beat on an extension because walking over to the toolbox to get a drift/punch would waste too much time.

[@benjaminyoder7942]

This is good information

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Hopefully it saves someone from making the same mistake.

[@FrozenCrapholeDweller]

I made the same kind of mistake once… putting the wrong fuel in my saw. I bought a Stihl saw from my local dealer. They told me they would extend the warranty if I bought a mult-pack of their pre-mix fuel. The long and short of it is that I figured I would run the fuel I had, so it never had anything but the “MotoMix” in it. Less than one month later my new expensive saw had the piston welded to the cylinder. Stihl denied my warranty claim, saying something to the effect that it was used for commercial purposes (it wasn’t). Never going to give them another penny.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

hmmm....I'd keep on shaking that tree and being honest about the scenario until I heard from corporate myself. This should never happen under normal conditions

[@jrockin9221]

Thank you Josh for the Stihl mechanical lesson 😁👍! My ex husband has always ran the big guys in his business … he has a boneyard in the pole barn. I always wanted to see them taken apart and to know the bones of them …. I was busy raising 3 youngins and didn’t have a lot of time to watch him work on them , so thank you !!!

[@karlsening7726]

Great video.

[@craignash4736]

Josh. Top five videos You hit it out of Park. Thanks again. Craig. Pa.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Thanks, Craig...appreciate that!

[@Burntbranchcreekbees]

Fascinating to see the difference between a conventional 2 stroke saw and the fuel injected version in the 500i.

[@RS-sl5ko]

Cliff is good! Repairmen like him are hard to find.

[@Bobthebuilder.69]

Wow, 25 cents worth of oil could've saved this saw...ouch.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yep! Crazy huh....tomorrow I'll post the full rebuild vid!

[@Mikkall]

I picked up an old used 661 and took up body building at the same time!

[@Whateva67]

😂. You ever climb and piece down big fir trees with an 066 with a 36” bar? That’s like a boat anchor hanging off your harness all day,gets tiring 😊

[@twb605]

Great video. Shame about the damage to such a fine saw, but mistakes happen. On the bright side the piston/cylinder seized before the lower end crankshaft and bearings suffered. I would replace the cylinder and piston assemblies and roll on. I enjoy watching a master mechanic like Cliff in action.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Yeah, it's gonna be a rebuild for sure....the machine is too good to junk

[@davidgreen7108]

All Stihl chainsaws use two compression rings to dissipate heat to the cylinder for improved cooling.

[@neilneil6813]

taking that apart was a long drawn out epic for him even with all the tools

[@cadelfistro1824]

That’s a great starter saw…

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

you funny...there's my chainsaw insults bhahhahaha

[@TommyYoung-d6f]

Thanks for this video. I learned so much. The number one lesson is, don’t try to fix my equipment myself. LOL!

[@graybeardgarage9638]

Great information. Some lessons are learned the hard way unfortunately.

[@tomhaser8696]

i liked this video this guy was amazing i would have had parts everywere

[@joerico9461]

Which Northern Tool does Cliff work at damn it man y'all need to Watch Chickanic

[@ndafarachaitezvi1139]

Awesome

[@dennissweeney7743]

Great video!

[@karlrovey]

I guessed that it had been straight gassed based on the title. That will ruin a saw faster than anything (except maybe crushing it). My first (and still my only) saw is a little MS171. I know it's a disposable homeowner saw, but I take care of it because I don't want to prematurely cause it to fail due to neglect/unmixed fuel.

[@stuartsplace100]

i have several of those maginet dishes,luv them

[@chadclark2070]

Cliff was awesome!!!

[@Greglowell-n4x]

Yep make a highly sophisticated fuel injected chainsaw and not make it oil injected, good job sthil😂

[@South_0f_Heaven_]

This is the exact reason why if anyone uses something I own that is two-cycle (and no I do not loan that stuff often) they are required to take my fuel with them and only use that fuel. That way if it blows up there is no hard feelings that the person put regular gas into the tool. Need to always assume whoever is using it that they are idiots. Better outcome if this simple step is taken.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

more on this in tomorrow's video...the full rebuild and the reason the wrong fuel was used

[@TimothyBrewer]

Josh that was a really good video. I have been looking to get a new Stihl saw and the 462c sounds about right. See ya at the saw mill.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

hit up the good ol northern tool! They give a veteran discount too! Also...coupons every month!

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

A+ I am very impressed ... like to watch Real Pros at work at their trade

[@why-be-normal7014]

We need to clone Cliff and spread his across the country so everyone can be treated like a superstar. It’s almost impossible to find a cliff if the world . Seems like a great man and very knowledgeable

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I agree! And he is awesome!!!!

[@bamahomestead6323]

I've got 20+ acres and my MS250 Stihl does everything I need. Best saw I ever owned. What ever happened to Popcorn Willy the Jeep?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

oh the willys is in the shop...it's coming back out soon! Gotta get the shop all wired up and such

[@edames5317]

Really nice video

[@nathanadrian7797]

When I was 13, I learned to use a chainsaw, the little saw was a Stihl 070(105 cc), and the big saw was a Stihl 090(137cc). Both of those old saws were way bigger and heavier than a 500i(79.2cc)! There really is no need to learn on a small saw unless the work done only requires a small saw. lol

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I don't think a young boy/man that's never ran a chainsaw and knows nothing about maintenance, safety or even how to pay attention enough to put the proper fuel in the saw should be running it. It's a good way to get hurt or killed and or ruin a chainsaw. The farm help shouldn't be running any equipment without having a very extensive lesson in safety and maintenance

[@nathanadrian7797]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Well, you are entitled to your own opinion. Personally, I grew up working in small sawmills, (all the boys and young men where I live either worked in the mills or went logging) we were given a basic run down on how to run a chainsaw, and then expected to use it every day. Mixing fuel and saw maintenance was handled by the grease monkey. In almost 45 years, I have only seen one saw destroyed by straight gas, and heard of one or two others, and only know of two men/boys to have been cut by a saw(both quite minor injuries).

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I stand by my opinion..my friend's farm help has no reason to care for his equipment...they abuse his stuff, I've seen it with my own eyes. Patience is super important when working around equipment like this. A young man needs to learn and grow, but he also needs proper guidance and repercussions for abusing equipment

[@karlrovey]

​@@nathanadrian7797That was back when you were responsible for damage you caused to your employer's equipment. Now, you generally only have to worry about being fired (and can easily go to the next employer).

[@nathanadrian7797]

@@karlrovey That's how it was then too, if you were rough on equipment, you found yourself looking for work. Over the years, it seems that many young people have lost respect for what belongs to others, but most places weed out the bad apples pretty quick. I have always taught my kids that a good reputation is hard to build and easy to lose.

[@ozyrob1]

I'd take the spark plug out last to make sure you don't get dust or a foreign body into there. No point in risking that, especially when you're blowing compressed air when the plug is out.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

check out the next video on this....released last week...complete rebuild

[@Anonymous789-yv2kl]

Great video

[@SomeBody-g1q]

Josh...GRRREAT VIDEO!! I'd give it 10 likes, if I could. In my opinion, Stihl saws are the only ones to own, and have been working on decisions to put a good set of saws together. My use case will be clearing and maintaining some wooded acreage to create pasture. The wood will be used as building materials on the property. I MAY get to a point where I'll offer a professional service to clear and process trees for clients. A Wood-Mizer will be involved, of course. You helped me with my pick for the main saw. The 500i. What are your suggestions for a medium/backup main saw, and a small saw? I have saved this video, and will be referring to it from now on if I ever need to do a troubleshooting tear down/repair. Lord willing, I'll never have to repair a seized piston. I've been running saws long enough, that using mixed fuel is automatic. And, I refuse to let ANYONE use my Stihl's (or any tools for that matter), without a firm "break it-replace it" agreement.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I have a woodmizer LT40 and it's great...now...I'll give you this piece of advice. You can buy alot more lumber and hire a crew to come clear your land alot cheaper, easier and more safely than doing it on your own. It's rewarding to do all this, but I'll tell ya...it's fun...but it won't save ya any money. I started off trying to clear my farm by myself...and I learned quickly to hire most of the clearing because it was much cheaper and safer

[@SomeBody-g1q]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I definitely see the wisdom in that! Thank you. Regarding chainsaw suggestions… I will be putting together a S, M, L, set. 500i R or 462 R CM will be the large. I have an E-Go 18” that will likely be the EDC small. I know some may call it a “Biden Saw”. Don’t care. Needing little bit of repair, got it dirt cheap from an auction. Will be the best tool for small chores and up-keep. What is your suggestion for Medium size? 251? 261? 271? The potential 20” bar and power to weight (4hp/10.8lbs) of the 261 CM is attractive. What are your thoughts on M-Tronic? I’ve heard many prefer to keep the simplicity of naturally aspirated. If you haven’t already, maybe a video idea? Showcase your chosen saws, why you bought them. Possible regrets. If you were buying all new saws, what brand and model and why. Most useful accessories. Etc. Thank you Josh for your great educational content, and your service to our country! I truly believe in regenerative farming, contrasted against how poisonous our current food industry is. Hoping this administration can hold large food producers accountable, and make substantive changes to purify our foods. Gonna financially hurt in the short term, I’m sure. But, hopefully lower medical costs will more than make up for it.

[@blahorgaslisk7763]

Kids today usually don't know anything about fuel mixing. They might know about four stroke and two stroke, but not really what it means or that not all of them can use standard gas. Even a four stroke can run on blended fuel if absolutely necessary, but it's better to do it right and use the fuel they are designed for. Old two stroke engines may need more oil in the mix than a perfectly new saw. Old machine might need 4% oil while new saws often are rated for more like 2%. Check the instructions to know for sure. If you have to much oil the saw will run smoking more than necessary, and if you have to little things can go as bad as shown in this video. Too little oil might not ruin the motor immediately but it isn't a good thing. The right fuel blend will keep the saw working for many years or decades without major problems.

[@natevan4454]

Have ms661c with 36 in bar and chain

[@stuartsplace100]

Good Morning

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Good morning! Let's get this sawdust flying, eh?!

[@nidagiddens7080]

When you replace the oil and fuel in your new saw, did you pre-mix your own or did you use a pre-mix like Stihl

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I typically mix my own...it's much less expensive

[@jasonagle7912]

The lines or crosshairs on that saw are felling sights. That is a pro felling saw.

[@pheloniousmunk]

I guarantee that saw could be as good as new with nothing more than a new piston, rings, wrist pin clips, and a base gasket. Swab that galled aluminum out of the cylinder with some muriatic acid, rinse with clean water, and put it back together. I've done many saws like that because I'm not some big box store parts pusher and they run as good as new unless the cylinder was somehow scratched deeply enough to snag a finger nail dragged across it. Then you might need to ball hone the cylinder, but that nikasil coating is somewhere over 60 on the Rockwell hardness scale, only diamonds are harder. It's very unlikely that the cylinder is damaged.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

piston, rings, wrist pin, clips, head gasket and cylinder head. And that's what I bought...stay tuned we'll be rebuilding it in my shop in a week or so. The cylinder was ruined....completely ruined with a pit in it nearly 3mm deep. Stay tuned...I'll show ya again...and we will get it running again.

[@pheloniousmunk]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I'd like to see that "pit in it nearly 3mm deep". That would be a first in an absolute boatload of seized saws I've seen.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

if you look at the video you can see where the piston was vitually welded to the cylinder, it is trash, when we finally got it loose the piston took a chunk out of the cylinder wall....the young man that ran the saw was giving it hell....when it started loosing power from friction and heat, he just poured the gas to it lol

[@karlrovey]

​@StoneyRidgeFarmer Wait, is this the seized saw that showed up in r/chainsaws that had obviously been straight gassed but had mixed fuel when it was taken to the mechanic?

[@pheloniousmunk]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I'm not here to antagonize you or argue with you but I've been inside tons of lean seized saws and my experience tells me that your cylinder was very unlikely to be ruined, in fact I've seen far worse lean seizures where the cylinder was undamaged. I wish I was closer to you, I could have taken your saw apart without banging an extension into the piston and shock loading the wrist pin bearing, by spraying lubricant in through the sparkplug hole and twisting and pulling until the cylinder and piston separated. This is where you have to be careful so you don't snag a ring in the edge of a port because that WILL damage the nikasil. Then I would have unstuck the rings, cleaned up the skirt of that piston, and made your saw run just to prove it to you. It wouldn't run like new with that old piston, but it would run and cut wood. I suppose it's best that some people rely on techs like those at NTE, but many people can and have been doing repairs on equipment far more damaged than this without throwing a boatload of new parts in....those are the people I'm talking to. I'll be looking forward to your rebuild video. Make sure you get those wrist pin clips and piston and rings in properly oriented or you'll be starting over.

[@stuartsplace100]

i have a still.bought second hand,luv it,replaaced the carb and motor mounts after i bought it,was badly mantained by the prevvious owner

[@interstellarconundrum4774]

Great subject for a video. Don't believe I've ever seen it.

[@robertschumacher472]

For everyone with two-stroke mixing woes. This is my experience and it could help you out. The military lives by dummies not being able to remember and they can't have the failure so they write something on everything to try to make it so mistakes or not made. Especially with a chainsaw that expensive maybe there should be something written even in larger writing that says two-stroke only oil in the gas. Fuel or only two stroke fuel writing is not enough for the dummies who do not know the simple things of mechanics of yesteryear. I found a way that worked well for me because old fuel goes all really quick and doesn't run very well so I bought the large syringes out of Walmart for mixing of fuel so that you could mix up one quart every time for it and I kept it with the saw and always had fresh Fuel and it was very quick to take out the two cycle oil and suck up the right amount for the Court, q u a r t. I also highly recommend Amsoil it really does make a difference with its high mix ratios so that you can use it for just about anything no matter what mix ratio it has. Now if you have a dummy who keeps running the saw and can't hear a difference and doesn't know you can't protect against that. Those are a pain in the butt unless you use them all day long. Leave them sit and you're always having something to do to deal with. Our new gasoline seem to ensure that

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yep...the boys knew it took 2 stroke, they grabbed the wrong fuel can

[@landondc4739]

I mark the fuel cans as well... “2-stroke ONLY”

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

shoot....we could have put "CHAINSAW" on the gas tank and they probably would have used a different one lol....some folks just don't pay attention. This same farm helper was out at my buddies throwing a fit trying to hook up a PTO implement.....his PTO shaft was too long...he was cussing, mad and throwing a fit. I showed him...slide the 2 shafts apart....cut off about 6 inches and it will work every time. This is what happens when a guy that doesn't know how to do things...hires other's who don't know how to do things....money gets wasted, tools broken and folks get hurt!

[@boriss.861]

Gudgeon pin here in good ol' England

[@steve-ey3rx]

"I've never worked on one of these" is not a confidence-builder... Good job, though! :)

[@douglasroberts2250]

I had a Farm Boss. It did well until the muffler started coming off, then the piston scored. I don't know why that happened. The Northern Tool in Burlington rebuilt my pressure washer pump.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I've seen some rough and tumble pressure washers, but glad yours got a rebuild!

[@matthewtaylor2185]

The same thing happened to a farm boss, my dad's friend had. Itt sucked in the baffle or something like that. Dad rebuilt it for him. Later, the stihl plastic caged bearings came apart and seized the saw up. He bought a new one and gave the old farm boss to dad. He had just taken a hydrostatic transmission apart, and it had the same bearings, but with metal cages, so he put those bearings in. It still runs. I'm not a fan of the farm boss saws, but it still runs.

[@runtimmytimer]

Personally I wouldn’t mill with anything smaller than a 661. I’ve tried with a 400, 500 and 661.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

well...I have a sawmill...I"m just dropping the trees with the chainsaw and them putting them on the mill

[@PatrickBaptist]

F'n insane, how could anyone do that when they spend that much money on a saw¿ That's an expensive lesson.

[@TractorWrangler01]

I can fix that bore... I've done it more times that I can remember. Lots of people do this to their saw. If its really badly gouged you may need an over sized piston after the bore is repaired. I had one guy do this twice before he learned you cant just finish the day with gas from the mower can...

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

coming soon! I'm gonna rebuild the saw on my workbench

[@videocardzrule354]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I didn’t think $600 was bad. I mean, OEM Stihl jug and piston is expensive for 500i. I believe they are $400 alone. Then $200 labor.

[@koerttijdens1234]

Dude, yur not dumb. No problem.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

lol

[@donmoore7785]

Great teardown, but I would have liked to have heard what the repair cost would be.

[@bigfoot-wo3qy]

You will miss the 500 vs the 462. My favorite saw is a 460 and I had a 462…..kept the 460, traded the 462 for the 500.

[@georgedavidson7986]

How do you ever get it back together

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

like eating an elephant...one bite at a time! Stay tuned for the rebuild!

[@blahorgaslisk7763]

It's a bit like a puzzle. every bit fit's just one way and you just have to go through the parts until they are gone. In this case they will have to replace the cylinder and piston as those were damaged beyond repair. Well kind of. it might be technically possible to repair them but it would certainly not be economical, so replacements it is. Most of the rest of the parts should be good to transfer over.

[@e954rr2]

It’s crazy how high a 500i cost

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

probably the most technologically advanced chainsaw on the market right now...comes at a bit of a price for sure

[@maddawgnoll]

Any of the pro series is expensive. If you're using it professionally, it pays for itself within a couple days in the woods or a couple tree jobs on town.

[@williamslavens9408]

I understand. I just woke up on wrong side of the truck bed this morning.

[@Alan-gw8zk]

I done this at my dads but it’s worse😢 he told me it was his premix I filled up and got to cutting it started bogging and eventually about got unusable but figured carb problems . Grabbed 2nd saw dumped old gas out and filled it up when it bogged I instantly realized what happened , went and checked gas and sure enough😂