Stihl 044 rebuild

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ktoom

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The is a picture of the right side of my 044. What do you guys think that is from? Bad seal?? Im trying to decide if i should fix it or sell it as parts. Its gonna need a new crank, bearings, piston and rings. The play in the connecting rod isn't really that bad, but when you turn it, it it feels a little rough. If i fix it, i will either keep it or sell it. Do you guys think it is worth fixin? Or should i just part it out?
 
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I won't pretend I know what caused that mess, but man, that sounds like an aweful lot of significant parts to replace on a saw that can be readily found and rebuilt from a better starting point. That said, the 044 is worth it's weight and time. Was it you I recommend finding a whole case/crank/seals on ebay? I think it was. Look for one of those used.
 
Nope, i wasn't me. I just tore the saw down today. I have looked on ebay as well and all i found was 044's with bad bottom ends. I bought the saw for $325 and even if i fix it, i don't think i will get that much more if i can sell it.
 
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ktoom said:
Nope, i wasn't me. I just tore the saw down today. I have looked on ebay as well and all i found was 044's with bad bottom ends. I bought the saw for $325 and even if i fix it, i don't think i will get that much more if i can sell it.

And you're right about that. Which is why needing all those significant parts, (crank and bearings alone!) is gonna add up and not yeild much of a return onto you. Keep looking. You can find parts saws and parted out parts on ebay, and be sure to check the Buy it Now stuff because alot of guys only post items in there, and they won't show up in open auctions. But to buy a new crank is pricey! You will see case/cranks that need bearings. The best rebuild is the parts saw with a straight-gas-bad topend.

If you want to rebuild this thing, I'd rebuild the heck out of it- big bore, maybe play with some internals-and make it a screamer worth the money and effort. But having spent $325 for it, and what you'll put into with a crank, bearings, and the other odds and ends, you'd be lucky to clear a couple of bucks when you sell it.
 
The seal look shot...

Clean out all the junk and figure out where all that mess is comming from - might be an o-ring on the pump nipple, or worse.

Is the crank bad? Bearings?
 
This is just my guess, but it looks like someone ran the saw with the chain brake engaged, which cooked everything, including the seal. The brake band and oil drive gear may have been replaced just to make it saleable. You did say you bought it used?
 
I don't think so.. It's oily wet muck, not carboned/burnt muck... (zoom min on the orginal pic). Might have been cutting railway ties though...
 
Well the crank bearings are both whooped. When you spin them, they feel like they are grinding and they have play in them. One of the bearings wouldn't come off of the crank until i heated it up a little. The connecting rod bearing isn't that bad, but it still needs to be fixed in order for it to work right. The oiler was definitely leaking. I have another 044 that runs, but has 140 PSI. I might just make one good saw outta both of them. The sad thing is that the saw that runs, is an older 044 and the bad one is a newer 044. Im gonna take more of the, running one apart, to see whats up with it.
 
I think im just gonna get a new piston and rings for the older one. The newer one needs a new connecting rod bearing and then the crank would be good to go. How much will the bearings set me back?
 
Might not be the same but I took an oiler of of a 660 that looked similar to that mess and the body of the oiler was full of pin holes from corrosion. The rest of the saw was fine but the oiler was corroded. New to me saw so I do not have any history. Oiler is sitting is cleaner now, so I can get a better look. Good luck.
 
Just looked on Cheapstilparts ebay store he has a complete crankcase/crankshaft with good bearings seals and all for 85 (2 Available) and 1 for 65. $$$ thats been repaired on a mount bracket complete Thats pretty cheap!!!!!!!
 

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