Stihl 031AV Chainsaw Teardown/disassembly and inspection

Today we will be starting on a new project, A stihl 031AV Vintage Chainsaw. These were a very popular 48cc firewood saw and were made from 1971 through the 80s. We will show how to dissasemble and clean the saw, then check for spark, check the piston, check the oiler and get ready for part 2 which will be rebuilding the carb, reassembling and firing it up! #kainkustomgarage #oldchainsaw #chainsawresurrection #chainsawrepair

[@johnclarke6647]

I pressure wash the heck out of the saws that I restore. I field strip the saw, so I only have the case and maybe rear handle. I lock the boot with a plug and rotate the cylinder to TDC and block up the exhaust port with duct tape and plug the impulse line. I then spray it down with Super Clean and pressure wash the hell out of it. After it is all clean I blow it dry with compressed air and put it out in the sun to dry for a couple of days.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Lee!

[@davidschliebe246]

This was my first brand new saw I bought in the early 80's....Now it time for a re build. Perfect video...Thanks!!!

[@KainKustomGarage]

No problem David, I love these saws, still plenty of parts out there!😁

[@travelswithbenny3328]

This is just what I needed, step by step. Just bought 2 non running 031 for 25$ @ piece. Haven't worked on that saw before.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Glad to help!😉

[@travelswithbenny3328]

@KainKustomGarage you did! Working on a 056, 034 and an 041. Have a husky 281 and 61 also working on. My 064 runs great but the 880 needs a tune up lol.

[@darrellepickering8433]

Those were good saws. Those starter pawl springs were fragile so you need to keep a few as spares. There were 2 different recoils also, 2 screw & 3 screw. The 032 was an upgrade sort-of. The right side of the crankcase was the same as the 031 but the left different. 032 was a tad bigger as well. Worked a lot on these when they weren't all that old. 1 last thing, take a look how long that ignition ground lead is! It wasn't uncommon for the insulation to wear thru grounding it. Also that ignition unit underneath the flywheel was a bit fragile also.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks so much for your Wisdom Darrell!😉

[@KentuckyFriedFixes]

Thanks for this series Dan. I've been looking at/lusting for an 031 for awhile now but I've never owned or worked an 031 saw. Looks like I'll need a 5 gallon bucket to hold all the screws!

[@KainKustomGarage]

Ha ha, Thanks Chris..I really like them, smooth running saws, I like the look of them too! Love ya man!😉

[@mattfleming86]

This era stihl reminds me of the old mac's and homies. Just before the era of "hey lets make this easy to work on and maintain" They sure have style points.

[@KainKustomGarage]

For sure Matt! Not the easiest saw to work on for sure..😉

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank s Dan !! I Enjoyed your videos.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Bill! Can't wait to get Her going!😉👍👍

[@jakelong2631]

You are a huge inspiration! I’ve always been into small engines but then I took a break from them but I’ve got the bug again 🤣. just ordered parts this morning to fix my fathers old jonsered.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thank you so much for the kind words Jake! Good luck on the old Jonsereds, love those saws!😊😉

[@TheGothickidspike]

I just recently got done restoring one an added a primer bulb made a huge difference on start time

[@KainKustomGarage]

😁👍👍

[@TomWaitForItMajor]

What is a primer bulb? I am in the process on doing my late grandpa's 031, just waiting on parts.

[@lotklear1379]

So great. Very nice vid. I used an impact screwdriver (where you whack it with a hammer) for some of those 45 year old screws. Thanks again

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Brother!😁

[@timwebster8906]

I just had 031 AV given to me last night good shape doesn't run yet gonna take a look now good video

[@KainKustomGarage]

Nice, yeah good old saws!😉

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Looks like a piece of cake after working on the 020 !!! The 031 is one of Stihls better saws. The one I inherited turned out to be a real performer, is a handy size for firewood cutting, an all around great little saw.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Ha ha, So far, as long as we don't run into any surprises...Yes, they are great saws!😉👍👍

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The 031's are one of the better Stihl's for sure.@@KainKustomGarage

[@brittweir8844]

Great video thank you for the tips, I just picked up a saw just like this one. I Will follow your advise on teardown,

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Buddy, Good luck on your project!😊

[@brittweir8844]

@@KainKustomGarage hey boss I got a question for you I inspected the saw,She looks like someone had recently been into it ,,so I repaired the recoil starter spring ,put some fresh fuel in it, checked the bar oil and she fires right up and purrs like a kitten ,,I do have a question please,,when the chain runs ,(it is getting plenty of oil ) it makes a lot of chain sound like somethings just not right on the chain operation 🤷‍♂️like it’s got the wrong chain on the bar or some crazy thing like that hard to describe just really noisy again it is producing plenty of oil. It has an aftermarket oregon double guard bar, which is been modified at the oil ports from the Saw to the bar. 🤔However, again, it is seem to be producing plenty of oil on the chain. The bar is a part number # 200PX )) 176PY,,, Saw model Stihl 031 AV, serial number 9-1 113-1 41-0400,,,. The bar is a Oregon Double Gard 3/8 inch serial number 200PX )) 176PY. she seems to cut really well. I tested it on some small branches but again just a lot of chain noise ,not clutch noise literally the chain on the bar 🤷‍♂️something doesn’t seem right. I appreciate your advice .This is obviously not your first rodeo. I appreciate your time. Thank you.

[@brittweir8844]

Got it figured out, turned out to have the wrong bar on Saw,someone had modified the saw to except the wrong bar.im waiting for new studs to mount new o.e. bar to saw with new chains.

[@andrewscott2866]

Awesome, that saw's in good shape👌good job👍👍

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Andrew, I think She'll be a good runner!😉

[@fredroberts905]

Another great 👍video !!!

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Fred! I appreciate you Brother!😉

[@johnclarke6647]

I stuff a piece of paper towel into the exhaust port and pressure wash that side, too. I do spray a little WD40 into the exhaust port, beforehand, just to put a little lubricant into the cylinder. I blow everything off with compressed air, afterwards, before I let it dry. After drying, I touch up any missing paint before reassembly. I throw all bolts into a plastic container filled with old two cycle. I will clean their threads before reassembly and use Locktite on those that need it. I also pull the clutch and sprocket before washing - right down to a bare crank. I want to see the condition of the seals. The flywheel is also removed before washing, too.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks for your Wisdom Sir😊

[@BushRats]

Only just found your channel and Instagram mate but I’m a life time fan now 😂 just picked up an old 041ave that I’m about to pull apart so this was super handy to see a rough process to work with! Cheers

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Man! I appreciate you're kind words Brother, I have a couple 041s I need to get going as well!😉👍👍

[@johnclarke6647]

Wire wheel the muffler and put two coats of Rustoleum grill paint. Makes them look like new.

[@KainKustomGarage]

I'll try it!

[@fearghalmorrissey2601]

its going to be a great firewood saw

[@KainKustomGarage]

For sure, I was reading somewhere that this is the saw some rental places had to rent out so you know they had to put up with some abuse!😊

[@happydays454]

Sweet saw

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks man! Should be a good runner!😉

[@simpleman4224]

More old school cool! 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@KainKustomGarage]

Old School all the way buddy!😉👍👍

[@MovieMaker225]

Im jealous of all those saws you get to play with.

[@KainKustomGarage]

I know right, so many saws, so little time!😁

[@MovieMaker225]

@@KainKustomGarage only saws I have are a 1979 XL-12, 1997 Stihl 017, and a 90's Husqvarna 36.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Hey! It's orange and white underneath! Who knew? 😄

[@KainKustomGarage]

I know right, She was a dirty one!😉

[@pm270100]

good saw the 031

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Bill, the old workhorse!😉

[@Swamp-Fox]

Enjoyed the tear down. Looking forward to Part 2!

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Man! I think She's gonna be a good runner!😊👍👍

[@NothingButChainsaws]

Doing a good job buddy!

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Chad, I'm tryin!🤪👍👍

[@johnclarke6647]

I don’t. I seal everything up and hit it with the pressure washer after spraying it down with Super Clean or Purple Power. I then let the engine part dry for several days in a warm place before putting it back together.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Nice👍👍

[@garengtutorial8923]

👍👍👍👍 bagus

[@KainKustomGarage]

😁👍👍

[@paulr2765]

I have one of these and it doesn't want to rev up all the time. bogs down when throttle pressed. idles just fine. Replaced almost all the parts, impulse, fuel line, spark plug, chinese carb. Still won't rev up 90% of the time. any guesses.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Maybe check the impulse line, see if it's cracked...🤔

[@johnclarke6647]

Can you believe how tight some people tighten the bar nuts? I tighten mine evenly, but they are not wrist breaking tight.

[@KainKustomGarage]

I know right!

[@Thetreefella]

I wonder how many they made/sold in the years they where manufactured. I've even got one!! I know surpriseeeeeeee!!!🌳💚👊👍💚🌳

[@KainKustomGarage]

I know right, I was trying to find that out but couldn't find anything...I think they are one of the most common Stihls you find out there, must have made millions!🤪

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

Air compressor is my friend for cleaning nasties up

[@loods1125]

I first soak/spray them in wd40, after that i blow them off with the airgun. Gets most of the gunk off

[@KainKustomGarage]

Only way to go!😄

[@paulhare662]

Anyone out there in Stihl Land know of a durable paint for refinishing one of these saws? I have a 032 AV that I'd like to pretty up.

[@KainKustomGarage]

I use an industrial enamel in a spray can, it's called MRO made by Seymour...good stuff!

[@anatolyvsemirov5958]

И у меня точно такая же есть , только проблемя с искрой, и катушку менял с USA привезли мне , немного поработала, и снова не стала заводится...((

[@KainKustomGarage]

Aww man....good luck to you Sir!😊

[@anatolyvsemirov5958]

@@KainKustomGarage Спасибо) и тебе удачи! Ролики у тебя очень даже познавательные))

[@TheNorvikWay]

Another good video Dan.... One question so when you test for spark with the drill it's in reverse right🤥 ...from what you were saying it's opposite .... and I'm also going try some of the super clean

[@KainKustomGarage]

Hey buddy, So if you're on the clutch side it's clockwise...flywheel side would be counterclockwise, I always just visualize what way the chain would be going....good luck sir!😉

[@TheNorvikWay]

Thanks brother.....🤙

[@robertbranczewski2454]

So my question is you use motoseal ..what the difference between that and say an high temp rtv sealant or maybe an Indian head shellac?

[@KainKustomGarage]

Motoseal is fuel resistant and seems to be a little more sticky, if you know what I mean...works good for fuel tanks and everything on chainsaws...you can get it at AutoZone...😊

[@lotklear1379]

Motoseal is a miracle product for me. It's like room temp honey and is fuel safe.

[@robertbranczewski2454]

Thanks lotklear, I'll give it a shot always looking to try new things

[@lotklear1379]

@@robertbranczewski2454 it never dries hard, just stays viscous. I would say it works great in sealing anything low or no pressure, fuel or oil related.

[@nikolavincek2347]

i don't know if its me but almost always when i pressure check saw after sitting long pass both test, but after couple tanks crank seal like to fail and arr hard as rock, like plastic, and brittle don't know if anyone have same luck

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Nikola, I've been lucky on alot of these old saws, they seem to run fine without messing with the crank seals 90 percent of the time, but that doesn't mean they won't last very long. If I were to use a saw all the time I would definitely do the crank seals as well, cause yeah, seems like they are all hard as a rock on these old Beasts 😊

[@j.chrisbeck7492]

I have 2 041s I need to get m dun

[@KainKustomGarage]

Awesome, I have a couple I need to do as well!😁

[@user-xm4nb2lk3d]

プラグの型番を教えて下さい

[@binhvan-dm8ip]

Cái quần que

[@user-xm4nb2lk3d]

プラグの型番を教えて下さい