USED CHAINSAWS: Must See This Before Buying!

[@TheMichaelGrace]

I wrote down the various steps to check before I go out and purchase one so I thought I'd share it for the next person: 1:16 turn it off 1:39 1) nothing hanging off 1:50 2) check compression by pulling starter 2:20 3) check the fuel and fuel filter 4:00 4) check engine for signs of wear -> take off exhaust -> pull starter to move piston to look more 7:00 damaged piston example with lots of scoring 8:10 5) check for signs of wear in crankshaft bearings -> take off recoil/starter cover -> push up and down on shaft to check for play 10:40 6) check the chain and sprocket area -> does the chain move? 11:30 7) check chain brake -> engage chain brake and move chain manually -> disengage chain brake and move chain again 12:30 8) check carburetor, air filter, and spark plug cap -> does the choke lever move the choke properly? 13:30 9) final visual check -> trigger -> anti vibration mounts -> on off switch

[@woodstover]

+Michael Grace Thanks Mike!

[@bunndyboy]

Why thankyou buddy saved me some time. People might not like the list . The list must be done

[@brainfeed6604]

Craig`yet some great advice cheers.I bought a stihl chainsaw from car boot he told me his farther never used it for years,if I happen to carry these small tools with me at the time I could of saved my self 35.00 as the piston was grooved slightly. I get why people should do this because there are many dishonest people out there,I wouldn't mind you coming around to buy my used car`because by the time you have found all the faults I would not sell it to you`but I would thank you for the free mot test showing me what I need to get repaired LOL,

[@ljprep6250]

Well done video. (This coming from a retired auto mechanic and handyman.) You added several key issues for 2-strokes which I wouldn't have thought of since I have less experience with them (other than filters and carb cleaning/tuning.) All the info I recognized was spot on and I'd recommend it to everyone interested in purchasing new or used 2-stroke engines. Kudos, Craig.

[@woodstover]

I would want to start it and run it for a minute or 2 and make sure it sounds good at full throttle. Great video, very informative!

[@TheMichaelGrace]

This is incredible. A golden gem on KZbin. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Now I can look for my first used saw with more confidence. Cheers!

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Michael Grace Hi Michael Thank you for your encouraging comment, it's very much appreciated. Please let me know if you need any further advice as Im always keen to make videos on areas of request. Many thanks again Craig

[@patrickwallace1403]

Michael Grace

[@Seriouslydave]

let your chainsaw warm up too or they wear quickly in one spot of the cylinder by the clutch.

[@metheewatchakittikorn4796]

Thank you very much for all of the knowledge you have shared to us. I really appreciate that.

[@robinnegus6499]

You make such informative Videos man! Ive been looking for vids like these for a week or two now. Thank you!

[@jasonkostrzebski2168]

Great videos my friend, explained in a way everyone can understand hoping to set up my own garden maintenance business but know how expensive tool service can be and these videos are giving me more confidence in taking most of those tasks myself, much appreciated 👍 would love to see some vid on stihl larger strimmers hs410c etc and long reach hedge cutters thanks again 👍

[@jasperdunkin292]

I couldn'tt imagine taking someone's saw apart. Talk about kicking the tires.

[@Milesbarrington]

I bought a saw before I saw this, and am please to say that it passed all your checks! One thing I can't find however, is a decent explanation of chain brakes. There seems to be quite a lot of play in mine, although it works as it should. Very much subscribed!

[@kevindavis1281]

Little late here but...clean out the area that houses the chain break. Don't rev the saw with the chain break on. Simply start by replacing the chain break. It may have stretched.

[@martystevens8357]

Kevin Davis Chain breaks don't stretch. Usually they last a lifetime if you take care not to run the engine with the brake on.

[@ncrdisabled]

I just found this video and just in time. i am a disabled vet and funds are tight so I needed a well used chainsaw and was looking at a stilh 4-year-old it started running but when I pulled the cord it come out very easy So I kinda run from it

[@bunndyboy]

Exercise vid mate. Thank you from down under.

[@jdovak1589]

Great advise!!👍👍👍 tho some people freak out when U start taking their saw apart😃...my main concern is piston scoring which could also mean bearing problems from lack of oil...

[@banditsignking747]

Who else seen the dead spider @ 7:05 just below the right side of the bottom of the exhaust port?

[@thomaswalz3515]

I was gifted with a 1978 Partner saw. I got it running after tightening things up. This saw was incredibly powerful... and felt blessed with the gift. During a recent episode, it sputtered... ran poorly, then died, not being able to be started again. I checked everything. Carb is clean, free and clear, gaskets good. I pull the plug and am amazed at the amount of spark. When I replace the plug, it still won't start. If I remove the plug and place it near the spark plug hole and give a pull, flames are made, indicating fuel is flowing through the carb. I replace the plug, nothing, not even a hit. I pull then plug again, it's wet with fuel like there's no spark at all. I'm wondering if the wire from the coil disconnects when in place but is fine when the plug is not in. Any suggestions?

[@Wanous-hv7zo]

you can check the cylinder for scoring by looking thru plug hole dont need to remove muffler

[@natoyilively9379]

you also might ask it THEY are willing to do the disassembly and reassembly on the saw. i would be cautious of letting someone do the work, they could easily strip something out. Who's taken the exhaust off? how common is it that an exhaust gasket is currently holding, but gets torn when removed? i've done a little work on motorcycles, and have seen that happen a couple times - before something is taken off, the gasket holds, in the process of removal, the gasket tears and no longer seals. this would be my primary concern (along with stripping out the cylinder with over torquing bolts).

[@billybm0]

Thanks so much for this video! Very informative

[@leebarker4207]

Just found my chainsaw guru lol thanks

[@BruceS42]

Nice run-through, though I could definitely see a seller not wanting you to start taking a saw apart, potentially breaking something. I had to laugh about the chain brake, too. Don't even buy a saw to use if the chain brake isn't working? 1: if the price is right, it could be worth buying with the expectation of replacing the chain brake. 2: It's "far too dangerous" without the brake? These are relatively recent features. My current saw has one (it works), but I've used saws before that didn't have a chain brake to start with. To me, it's more something to be aware of, and I would never count on the chain brake to save me anyway. You should never try to stop a running saw chain with your face.

[@RSPYT]

If someone came to buy one of my mowers, bikes, chainsaws or anything and wanted to take it apart I'd just tell them to buy one from someone else lol. And I have, check it out, check the air filter but taking bits off is just cheeky. Buying something used carries a risk and that's that. If it runs well and works as it should that's enough.

[@jimm3370]

OK- you're not in Canada or NY State so I don't have to worry about offending your sensitive nature.

[@RSPYT]

That's right, people in England are offended very easily sadly. I often have to double think about what I say otherwise I end up in an argument lol.

[@94SexyStang]

Yeah, who the fuck are these "snobs" that go ripping apart people stuff......they'd be Shot dead in some places in USA! If you can't Tell the condition based on how it runs, you're an idiot anyways!

[@lambot3g]

Bullshit. If the seller claims they know a lot about this stuff, ask him to show you “where the parts like piston, flywheel etc” are located. If the seller says they don’t know much about the thing then educate Them about what’s where and I’m good shape. I live in the county of California that had something like 90% voting for trump so i come from one of those Places in America where people get shot by farmers and lumberjacks and shit, and decent folks are very polite. If someone doesn’t want to let me test drive a car and look under the hood then I would tell them to get fucked and spend my money elsewhere. Maybe if you just started pulling shit off the saw without asking, but nobody should refuse you that simple request.

[@Misteryez]

@@94SexyStang Yes true I read everyday of people being shot dead for asking to take a real look at a used chainsaw. Not really just an uneducated mechanic if you think a sound is a true depiction of how good the internals are of a mechanical object. By your logic any thing that makes noise is all good Right. Hey Mike Fu I got lots of stuff to sell to you, don't worry they all sound good and even have clean air filters!!!!

[@hoonbirdpersonpilot5356]

Check oiler function too if you can.

[@tylertotten890]

I forgot to do the check under the bar found after the fact that the guy glued the saw back together had to buy a new crankcase for 120 could not found one used

[@duterteistotallycrushing4520]

I inherited a Husqvarna 55 from my grandfather. I started to clean it up last weekend and found it to be in great shape overall, except the area inside the chainbrake cover was scorched. The brake would not disengage. After taking the handle apart I saw there was a spring that had broken. I went ahead and ordered a used brake assembly I found on ebay due to the overall burn damage around the brake ring. Cost me $40. Now I have a good brake and the old one full of good parts should I ever need them. To replace the spring would have cost me 5 or 6 bucks, but the cover was so burnt up I didn't want to chance it causing more problems down the road. Only thing I can figure is that he ran it without chain oil at some point or let the area get too clogged with sawdust. Any ideas what else could have caused this area to burn?

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Dr. CisScum Shitlord III, Esq. you are correct with the suggestions you have made so far and something I would add to them is that sometimes the chain brake can be binding to the clutch enough to cause the heat damage. This can be caused by distortion of the chain brake cover or incorrect cover etc. Now that you have fitted your replacement part it may be worth taking a look through the gap underneath (between the saw body and the cover) to see if you notice any areas of excessive contact. Just make sure your clutch turns freely (you can carefully reach in with your finger to mover this slightly when not in use). Just ensure that there is no evidence of contact between the clutch and the brake band. Even if there is slight scrubbing there it can create quite a lot of heat. This would be my main suggestion to you as a process of elimination before going any further. I hope that helps a little Doc. Thanks

[@duterteistotallycrushing4520]

I'll do that and keep an eye on it as I use it. I actually enjoy taking chainsaws apart and putting them back together nice and clean. I should start a business doing repairs for some extra cash. Thanks for the advice. Now if you could just help me find that little E clip that popped off the pin from the handle when I took it apart to get that broken spring out of there. I guess I should invest in a good magnet.

[@duterteistotallycrushing4520]

I found the E clip. I used a magnetic light and tamped it around in the grass. Took less than a minute. Thought I'd never find that little booger when it popped off.

[@jdovak1589]

Dr. CisScum Shitlord III, Esq. ... the saw was running high speed when the chain brake was applied causing the heating....Im working on the exact same thing right now...melted the plastic so the band is now embedded into the plastic sidecover

[@scottyb5862]

Dude if you want to buy the second hand saw and you want to pull it apart you can go to home depot and ask them to pull one of their saws apart

[@leonhill6800]

Hi Craig. Iwonder if you could help me. recently I have been asked to look at friends strimmers and bush trimmer,but mostly to no success. They all had a Walbro type carb but the low fuel adjustment needle on all had been bonded in the center of the throttle lever aperture. Out of the three, I could only repair one. The rest I had no success getting the flexy sealer out, to reveal the low adjusting jet. What I have found is they use different sealant to cover the Low fuel jet. Do you know where I can purchase a new needle to replace the two That I broke , tying to de- plug them, Please? I would much prefer to repair them, rather than replace the whole carb. Any info/ help you can through my way, will be deeply appreciated. Many Thanks, Leon. :-)

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Hi Leon . Sorry to hear you have been having problems, I too have had similar issues like this in the past. If you take a look on the side of the carburetor, thee should be be some code numbers ( there’s should be present especially with it being a Walbro carb). If you take these numbers an Google search for parts, or look on Amazon, then hopefully you might find a service kit that may have them present within. If not then another successful outcome I have had in the past is to look for the same type of used carb on eBay, which may well have the parts you need still in tack. Even if the used carb is not of usable quality, the parts are usually re-usable. That’s all I can suggest really but I hope you success here, otherwise you may have to find a total replacement unfortunately. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Thank you and I wish you all success here. Craig

[@KimballCody]

very nice overview

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

AzDadOnFire I'm pleased you found it useful, thank you.

[@christosvassiliou5857]

Nice easy advice

[@alexouthwaite3740]

No way I would let someone start dismantling a saw I was selling...suppose they break a bolt? crack a lever ? they can do that when its there second hand saw. start it yes, bring a bit of wood if you like but nobody's getting the spanners out.

[@Dimomult]

especially the exhaust bolts on an old saw, which would be the most rusted and seized up bolts on the saw

[@chikamichi]

What I've been doing is ask the seller whether they're fine having me "dismantle" their prop to check [insert something specific the seller would typically agree is worth checking], or if not, whether they would be willing to go for it. Either way if they disagree, I'm out. Not buying a black box!

[@Misteryez]

Then you would expect to get a low offer cause the educated buyer would have to assume you are hiding something or you truly have no mechanical abilities or understanding of what you have. Then an offer would be made to assume all is bad! I have 30 year old saws that you can take the exhaust off of with no worries. And if you think taking a bolt out or nut off is bad your equipment is more then likely trash to be.

[@poopypants3821]

Very useful I subscribed

[@abdulrt1245]

hi there, i have stihl ms 170 chain runs very fast on idle, even the idle screw screwed right down, I have new carby in it any idea?

[@jacobhighland3638]

Abdul Razzak vacume leak or low circuit jetting needs tuned

[@jimm3370]

You may have to adjust the two other internal screws that govern the carb. This COULD be the opposite result of one that bogs down. See this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGK9i6mtl6-gq9k&ab_channel=donyboy73

[@Misteryez]

Seems all the people mad at looking inside or taking things apart are lacking skills in that area. If you know what you got take it apart and show them!

[@7eis]

To me step 1 is; buy something worth repairing..

[@RemelynAlvarez-e8n]

Mag Kano Po Yan Chen saw

[@PatrickWagz]

EXCELLENT!! thanks

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Patrick Wagz thank you for your comment. It very much appreciated. Craig

[@Chesdaze1]

Great video

[@WeSRT4]

No way in heck I'd buy a used chainsaw.

[@jdovak1589]

Why even bother checking spark plug gap...just replace it😃

[@tomthompson7400]

take it apart ,,, yea right ,,, theres the door mate

[@mastercommanderdragonsir679]

Not gonna lie it would look ridiculous watching you buy a used chainsaw in real life 😂

[@raykirby6677]

U know u stuff but geeez its a shit chain saw it’s not worth a carrot and to start taking it apart in front from the seller ud get told to get on your way I’d just rather by a new timber pro for 80 quid it’s

[@yrulooknatme]

don't touch fuel to your lips

[@juanbarron7680]

by new if you're that onshore

[@raulduke85]

Who would let you disassemble the top end ti let you check the scoring?are you kidding?🤦🏻‍♂️