Stihl MS 180c Cylinder and Piston Replacement Diagnosis and Repair

[@robertcraig4068]

I got roped into fixing an MS180 for a mate. It has low comp and the crank cover was just rattling about, super loose. Replaced the rings anyway. This video was so so useful. Must have spend 5 hours watching it back and forth while I fixed the saw, thank you so much. Your new fan from New Zealand!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Awesome my friend. Glad it helped you out. Thanks for watching and commenting Robert.

[@realrural7876]

My brother-in-law just gave me one of these with the same problem that he got from the municipality that he works for. Your video is going to help for sure. Thanks for posting it.

[@dakotaslt232001]

Straight to it attitude is my forte. Been running Stihl chainsaws for about 12 years and never rebuilt one. Just ordered the parts you showed in the video. I will be doing this when they arrive. Thank you for this tutorial.

[@JerryMoses-r5q]

I really like the way you work. You say everything the right way. I like when you sped up the boring parts. You work the way I work without gloves. which is the way to work. I have been a Millwright mechanic for over 30 years. But I started working on cars when I was 10 years old. Learnt a lot from you on 2 stroke engines. I picked up 2 Stihl weed eaters that need a lot of work. I see you use after market parts., they must be good as you use them.

[@swicked01]

Appreciate the video... I didn't need to replace the piston, but needed to tear the saw down to replace the intake boot and your video was extremely helpful

[@reidcoleman1568]

I'm only 4 minutes in and I can tell this is gonna be quite the tutorial on what needs to be done to my father-in-law's STIHL (one of four). A friend of his ran it on straight gas on it's first crank. He picked up the wrong gas can, instead of the pre-mixed can. I believe I can follow your instructions and bring it back to life... even if I have to replace the piston and cylinder. Thanks for the lesson.

[@reidcoleman1568]

...and groovy tunes, my friend! 😎

[@Gtown_81]

Doing this repair on my ms362c. Wasn't having luck removing the second snap ring from the piston. Watched this video and had a palm to my forehead moment. Many thanks Raley!

[@mr1pearl]

And its brand new all over again ! Hey you the guy that owns that saw Oil In The Gas !!! 2 stroke oil geeeez !!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Too funny. Lol Yes sir, like new again.

[@petermoale2116]

Brother, I thoroughly enjoyed watching you disassemble, then reassemble it all back together. You MUST have worked in a Sthil saw assembly plant at one time, or have done many of these ! I was half asleep one morning and filled the plastic fuel can with gas, then added a little Sta-bil, and forgot to add the oil ! It will NOT move, and damn it, it's a new MS 400 C ! Having a bit of a time locating a (not from Sthil) cylinder and piston. All I can think of is, "Some assembly required" ! P.S. you sound like Ron White. 👍

[@emerys1312]

Awesome video, thank you. I replaced the piston and cylinder on my MS180C after having used a piston stop tool that punctured my piston! Took on the challenge to rebuild the saw and followed your exact steps. Once finished the saw started after only three pulls! You have some interested tricks like the rope down the cylinder to stop the piston, that would have come in handy had I known that one. Saw works better than new!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Glad it helped you my friend

[@gravelyman]

Now that's what I call digging deep. You did a very thorough job explaining and hands on. I hope you and Mrs T-Bone are doing well. Thanks for the video T-Bone!!!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thank you glad you liked it

[@scottreese5492]

Put a magnet beside any clip before removing and it will be there everytime, thanks for video

[@freedommowers420]

Great fix on that new piston and jug. They really did a number running that without lubricant. I was really looking forward to this one after seeing the Instagram post. See you on the next one 💪

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thanks for watching, glad you liked it.

[@dinosimonelli2577]

Good job Salut from Croatia

[@BobChanter]

I just tore apart my brother's Stihl MS 250C. The four bolts that hold the bottom of the crankcase became loose....so loose that it wouldn't run at all. Apparently, those bolts coming loose is a common problem with that saw. Usually, just tightening up the four bolts would have solved the problem (unless the gasket seal was shot, and likely would have been in my case because it was so loose). However, one of his four bolts was actually broken. I had to drill it out. What a pain in the ass that was. Anyway, she's up and running. Great video and very informative.

[@TheRustyRooster]

Heck Yeah Fella you saved that one.. great job

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thank you Rooster !!

[@Big_Johns]

Very nice job T-Bone, love the way they're always so fast and forthcoming with "correct" info on why it may not run. 👍🏼

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yes they are, that's why I pay close attention to what a customer says. Thank you sir.

[@Big_Johns]

For sure and anytime brother 👍🏼🙂

[@jonhamilton8247]

Great video and awesome music.

[@johnnyreagan1]

Great job T-Bone, I always learn something from your videos. The tips and hints on what to do and not do are so helpful. Keep up the amazing work!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thanks brother, glad you liked it.

[@rickyricord8803]

What do you guys think about the after market motor replacements. I noticed Amazon has complete replacements for different makes and models, though I did see the ms 170 and ms 180 is the same replacement even knowing ouuu li e 1 cc difference. What do you guys think?

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Wish I had a good answer for ya, we haven't tried Amazon kit . Thanks for watching and commenting my friend hope it works for ya.

[@hblide]

awesome vid. Very entertaining and informative...and like I told you on the phone, i like the longer vids. I know they can't all be long, but this one is one my most favorites! Billy

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thanks so much my friend, I'm glad you liked it.

[@TravisMontesano]

thanks, I just burnt up my 362c, for some reason I had pure gas in a 50:1 jug so dumb. I should have noticed it when I was pouring it though. lessons learned the hard way.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thank you my friend for watching. Yes, I understand mistakes happen my friend. I've made many mistakes myself and I'm sure more to come. We really appreciate you watching and commenting my friend.

[@TravisMontesano]

@@RaleysSmallEngines I appreciate the how to video to get me through the rebuild process! Thanks again!

[@petergoodwin4652]

Peter in Scotland. Just saved my new piston by showing the ring gap and chamfer. Another step by step guy missed that one.

[@dallaskelsey7826]

i enjoyed your presentation. i have a question/ with a vertical engine like this one can you put new rings on a piston that is not scored just poor compression i haven't checked the crank bearings to see if they are bad or good. but if they are good could i just tear it down to where i could get to the top 'jug' replace the rings and put new oil seals on the crank?

[@Turningwrenches85]

Great diagnostic and good tips on the mixing the fuel also Raley. Big thumbs up for this 📹 👍👍👍see u on the next one brother 🔧

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thanks brother!!

[@Turningwrenches85]

@@RaleysSmallEngines your welcome

[@fremountstsongsrich2453]

I like the way you use the string to block the piston so you can tighten the fly wheel nice trick!!!

[@ArrowItArchery]

Is removing the head the only way to change out the intake manifold? That looks to be the only way to get to it.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

You mean you have to put oil in the gas T-Bone on a 2 stroke engine? It ran like a scalded dog for about 5 minutes! Nice repair video sir. Keeps you in work and makes good content for videos!! 👍🇺🇸Roger

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Lol Funny guy. Heck Yeah I bet it did.. Thanks for watching brother

[@robertjsimonsr.8245]

Very informative, good instructions, helped me tremendously

[@dennisberghorn9512]

I bet it did ,but I put oil in the other tank😅😅😅

[@hickeyma123]

any specfic torque requirement on the bottom crank case cover?

[@robcole332]

Another great video brother

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Much appreciated my friend

[@86daytonaz]

Great video!…Q: does the flywheel and clutch have to be removed if I’m only replacing the rings on the piston?. Does it have anything to do with timing?. Thanks!👍

[@Terry_Baker]

Used to see that monthly at work on ts420’s for about a year. Customers finally realized that top end jobs on Stihls are expensive and started to remember to use only mixed fuels

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yes sir, I have a few TS420s sitting here for repair. Those concrete saws take some serious abuse. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@williamcopeland6039]

Appreciate the video! Im getting ready to change one

[@yamahalowrider]

Hey I already have the Farmertec piston kit for my MS170, looking at your video its a bit time consuming than what i would like. Wonder what psi can one anticipate on these saws. Mine is reading 130psi.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thanks for watching. Does the cylinder or piston have vertical scoring? What problems are you having with it?

[@yamahalowrider]

Through exhaust port I could not see any scoring, having starting issues. Randomly starts & shuts off.

[@PJL7095]

If I or anyone came by to clean off your work bench, I guarantee you’d have a heart attack cuz all your crap will now be not where you like it. I got mad respect for guys like you who understand how to do things like this. Just the time invested into this has to be close to the cost of the saw.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yes, it stays a mess but I know where things are. Lol Yes, this was intended to help a DIY person. Parts and labor are more than a new saw for sure. Thanks for watching !

[@PJL7095]

Turns out my buddy ran the chainsaw with the safety brake on. Melted the shnocker out of the plastic all around the clutch. Took a good fight to wiggle off the ruined clutch then used Dremel to grind down all the bubbled up burnt plastic then installed a new clutch assembly. Ain’t my saw so I won’t have to think about using a damaged tool next time I need to trim some limbs but it’s running again.

[@EastTexasRanching]

I think this may be my exact problem. Question: When you were reattaching the "wheel" that has the magnets in it, you put something that looked like a cord into the cylinder through the spark plug hole. What was that for? Thank you.

[@baxterstanley4011]

I watched your video several times. I'm having trouble getting the clutch loose. The nut on the magneto side came off easily. any suggestions?

[@baxterstanley4011]

Sorry, I missed the rope trick, and also the fact that the clutch nut is reverse thread.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Left handed threads

[@Digitalbossqueen1]

Nice video thanks for sharing.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thank you and thanks for watching

[@EtienneGaide]

Hey nice work. I got a MS 231 C with the same problem, do u guys know if this is the same way as the 180C or if there are real differences, beacause i dont find anything about 231 cylinders and pistons replacement.

[@larryhardin3985]

Double check with the owner again. With all the clues it must be straight gas. I was having trouble starting my four-year old plus 180C using month old mixed fuel. I purchased a can of MotoMix and it started and ran well. I think it overheated after about an hour and refused to start. After a change of carbs didn't help I checked the muffler which was clean but the view of the piston showed pretty severe vertical scars. I am going to use your video to replace a few things. Thanks a bunch.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Hope it helps you. Thank you. I'm not a fan of premix, I trust the way I mix it. Nope I have never blown a 2 stroke of my own.

[@roosterhunter6245]

Very cool! Was anything done to the bore?

[@dakotaslt232001]

The block was replaced.

[@SeriesIII]

14:40 in your experience, are the rings properly gapped in the kit as received, or do you set them in the new cylinder and check the gap yourself?

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

I have done a bunch of these and never had an issue. To answer your question nope, never check them. Thanks for watching and commenting my friend

[@JaysonVallone]

What did you do about the cylinder

[@obbiebeal3060]

👍👍👍👍 10,000 TIMES thank you .

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

You're welcome 😊

[@garyfereday6443]

Cool vdeo i had same issue looked good through muffler port trn it down rings jammed steel debrih on opposit side so got pisston pack now lets play with this mother Let u know soon gary from uk

[@dennismoyer8463]

That's straight gas destruction alright.

[@lincolnbliss4885]

Just bought one of these new today. Just wondered what you meant by "bad gas". Like old gas that had expired 2 stroke oil preventing lubrication or is it caused by using too little oil in the gas mixture or is it the wrong type of gas used that caused the damage. Just want to make sure I won't ruin my new one if it was caused by the improper type of gasoline instead of lean or expired gas.

[@philliphall5198]

What brand of kit did you use ???😊

[@edgarbyon4944]

Great video. Thanks

[@ElmhorstJ]

One thing you need to remember is to buy your ethanol free gas from a pump that has 3 hoses. then you know yer getting only what your paying for. thanks. good show Mr T-bone.

[@jameslarsen3184]

Love the tunes man!

[@tracyharri6594]

I've ran 25 to 1 in all my two cycles never ever had a problem

[@ELIAS_ST.]

very nice job....thanks

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Most welcome

[@hilltopper600]

great video

[@muntee33]

That dood and me have waay different preferences for keeping a work bench. The thought of sitting there makes me feel like I got turrets and OCD and autism... Each to own tho👍

[@BobChanter]

Sorry for the off topic question, but what are you using to record your videos? Do you use a GoPro?

[@ITC-Ham]

Hey you should see MY ms180 lol At the top of the piston it looks like someone chewed some of it off lol From the muffler end. Man its bad, but yeah i just did the SAME thing. Guy i got it from said idk whats wrong with it. Well you ran it with bad gas lol

[@DCTrainsOfThought]

I think that's vice grip garage's background track. Should be a good vid lol

[@geomatrix6481]

Nice one

[@DIYVariety]

Great job thanks

[@Icehso140]

$200 buys me a new saw, and I strip the good parts off the old saw. But I have this saw, so I'm watching it to the end. Thanks. I boat anchor every saw someone brings me because of this very problem. My brains hurts just trying to remember where all them parts go back together. I've used old egg cartons with numbers in each section to put bolts/screws as I take them out in sequence. You're talking well over $200 in repairs based on time.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yes you are correct, I just saw one the other day exactly like this one for $209. A great tool everyone has these days is a cell phone, record a video of what you do or taking pictures will help putting it back together. Yep I do this for a living and still video or take pics on a machine I'm not familiar with. The cost is why the customer didn't want me to repair it for him, so I did a video to help the DIY guy or gal. I do have time tied up in this machine and $35 in parts (my dealer cost), but to me it was worth it for the purpose of the video. Besides I've been wanting a small saw, I'm not a young feller any longer and my big Husqvarna kicks my butt. Lol Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@Icehso140]

@@RaleysSmallEngines Your welcome. I'm retired as well and spent my career as an electro-mechanic in the field...basically fixing everything. I really appreciate the effort you took in breaking down this saw. It's obvious you have a lot of experience in what has to be done and in what order. I ripped apart an Echo cs400 that a friend of mine siezed even though he swore he used mixed gas. Draining the gas showed golden yellow liquid. Hmmmm...LOL

[@mowersbymitch]

Awesome job👍

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thank you

[@johnnyallegretti2800]

Your very smart

[@thechristianbiker812]

Did you not have to set the timing?

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Timing is set via keyway on crank and flywheel. There is no adjustment, it only goes on one way.

[@bikegtxcr]

Thank you

[@fixtritephil7712]

If you don't know for sure that straight gas was used you should always check intake rubber boot for cracks or leaks especially on older saws.Tying a slip knot loop around rubber intake boot will make it easy to pull it through the plastic housing. Every thing else was spot on T-Bone. one question i have is how does one know if crank bearings are still in good condition after being washed down with straight gas ?

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yes, you are correct sir. That is an awesome idea ! I will try the slip knot idea, love it. Those bearings are difficult to see without complete disassembly, so after cleaning I rotate the crankshaft using the rod. This way I can feel the rod and crank bearings and at least know they feel smooth. I'm in the process of building a Husqvarna now that was ran on straight gas and have to replace the crankshaft bearings. Thanks for the great idea and watching our channel.

[@darwindropmazda]

Great job great content! Just subbed 👊🏾

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Thanks my friend, glad you liked it.

[@darwindropmazda]

@@RaleysSmallEngines key up the great content!

[@kirbyholt4125]

Have the same problem witha stihl MS 180. I have tried to replace the piston and rings but have broken 3 sets of rings, I have oiled the piston and rings and cylinder walls. I have never had a problem before what am I doing wrong??

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Possibly they are not lined up with located pins. Also make sure rings without piston fits cylinder.

[@PJL7095]

My buddy handed me his chainsaw asking if I could take a peek to see ‘what’s wrong with it’. After pulling the cord which didn’t budge I knew it was seized. I poured out the gas & immediately noticed it was straight gas. Took off bar to see melted plastic around the pulley. Asking him about it, he swears he ran 2 cycle gas & didn’t overwork the saw. I call BS on him. Granted, he’s a guy who really shouldn’t be using a vacuum cleaner let alone a chainsaw

[@nheng6913]

This is my go-to video for reassembling my new Stihl upper and piston. On last one, ring split and jammed in cylinder, after 1 or 2 minutes of excellent running. Just a fluke as everything was done properly. And yes, saw is not worth fixing. Figure 2 to 3 hours of labor at $90 per hour, plus new piston and cylinder cost. All for a $199 saw. That's where the "labor of love" part kicks in. It's for those who like to restore things to working condition and/or those who like to DIY as Raley's said.

[@rayburnett3253]

Just as soon as you pulled the rope ,I told my wife ,no compression

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Lol Yep just a little damaged. Thanks for watching my friend

[@STTC]

Toooo easy, I got it before you took the cover off T-Bone 🤣🤣🤣. You’ve taught me well. Someone chucked some small change in through the oil filler, classic! I see this in my shop all the time. Oooo I use that music too,, superb. Fair play you were in fully deep into this fix,,,That thing would still be in 1000 bits on my bench now. Nice unboxing 🤣🤣🤣. You really just recommended going in babys nail box! have you lost your freaking mind! are you intoxicated!!!! She ain’t impressed. Still sat here with her mouth wide open in shock! I think she may be coming over Sir,,, you better be out. Either that piston is tiny or your hands are freaking massive! I put peanut butter in that oil can, easier than spreading it, sorry. You know it will run after all this Sir, you don’t fool me. You do realise most people do all of this, then spend all day pulling it over before leaving it around the back of the shop to rust away don’t you. Fabulous video brother.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

OMG I almost fell out of my chair laughing reading your comment. Sorry Baby, Steve made me suggest using your nail file. Lol Peanut butter Lol You are hilarious Steve, thanks so much for watching and leaving this funny comment brother.

[@jarkkolouhe11]

Rather sad that could not find piston ring removal videos from youtube.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

Hey Tbone, my guess is the BP gas he got had water in it. Just a guess because the saw really wouldn't run with water. My guess #2 is he never put oil in the gas the way it looks. I ran my stihl for 30 seconds once without oil in the gas, shutting it off immediately and it has been running fine 5 years later not having forgotten it again. Looks like he ran almost a tank of non mixed oil through that poor little stihl.

[@jimjones1678]

How fast can you burn up your engine with straight gas?

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Almost instantly

[@wertz987]

For what that job cost It would probably be better to just buy a new one.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yep, that was part of what I was showing. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@mrobvious1100]

Thanks for taking the time to make the video. My son borrowed my 170 and you straight gas. I am debating getting an engine piston kit from Amazon that is already assembled in trying to do what you did or just get another chainsaw. I was a little confused that you had to assemble the Piston I thought they would have come all complete in one box where you just dropped it in the frame

[@brennanschuler]

​@mrobvious1100 this could be successful but it also may not. I've had mixed results with Amazon piston and jugs. The cylinder and piston kit from stihl isn't to bad if you're going to do the labor yourself.

[@brianwhitston5590]

25.00 for the rebuild kit? Yeah, I'll just fix mine too. Since it's a stihl, I better buy 2 rebuild kits 😂

[@Mr.SuperDuper-idk]

It’s for DIY Id buy a New One

[@abcd-mp6cj]

❤

[@philliphall5198]

I tie weed eater strings to fuel storage tanks and labels of mix 40-1 or 50-1 I understand what people keep screwing up with string fuel 😢😢😢

[@larrywillis9589]

Did you get a ring compresser yet??haha

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

🤣 yes we did and used it for the first time in our last video, a side by side Honda engine rebuild

[@billshedd55]

That motor done burnt up!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Yes Sir.... It was done fur . Lol

[@thyubernoob]

What! Why who ever heard of pulling oil in the gas?🤔

[@garydalrymple6830]

ur first clue is where the grooves r located

[@gw877]

You don't go close enough to see.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Sorry my fault. Still working on getting camera work better. Thank you 😊

[@mikevessels164]

Less music

[@jamesduke7965]

For what this fella probably paid for a top end rebuild you could’ve bought a new MS 180 C for about 200 bucks

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

You are correct. The customer didn't want to spend the money on it so he gave it to us. We only repaired this saw just to do a video and show what is involved in doing a job like this. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesduke7965]

Sorry I’m missed that in the video. Very informative video! Thank you

[@philliphall5198]

Someone has already looked into the piston. Bad

[@dereksmith4178]

That handle is a pain

[@johnkosheluk1041]

Looks like it has to big a bar

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

that is a factory bar. know the customer very well.

[@johnkosheluk1041]

I am a stihl mechanic saw is not worth fixing

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

I am also. Video was for a diy guy who wants to repair their own. Thanks for watching.

[@deniseandmarkfirestine7443]

Is it even worth fixing? Those saws cost around 200.00 I bet the cost of repair is half the cost of saw.

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

A new saw like this is just over $200. I did this to show that it can be done by just about anyone who likes to repair their own equipment. The reason I have this saw is because the customer didn't want to spend the money on repairing it and they just bought a new one. Thanks for watching my friend

[@garydalrymple6830]

that's not caused by bad gas

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

wanna bet? Yes this was caused by straight gas. The customer told me what he did.

[@garydalrymple6830]

@@RaleysSmallEngines no oil in gas yes u didn't say that u said bad gas

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

@@garydalrymple6830 sorry maybe I said it wrong my friend

[@kbssmallenginerepair2615]

T-Bone 37182948583 Small engines 0 T-Bone never loses!! Ha great job there big guy!

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

LOL thanks brother

[@michaeldobbs6053]

great video.