I picked up a 550xp with a punctured fuel tank (chain was tossed, which is no wonder if you saw the inside of the saw and the drive sprocket) for $125. Couldn't get them to come down any more on it. Saw starts and runs, though I didn't let it run more than a couple minutes what with the leaking fuel tank.
Knowing that the pawn shop that had this saw is kind of a crappy place, i was aware that the saw might have some issues. So, i decided to tear it apart to clean it and check the piston/cylinder. Here is what we have, via terrible quality photos. Gonna swing by the saw-shop today and have them take a peak. If they think it's worth exploring further, I'll take off the cylinder and replace the gasket, have them check the hours and run conditions, etc...
There was a solid 1/4"-1" layer of pitch on EVERYTHING; the exterior of the saw, the clutch-case, the plates against the case, the flywheel, up under the muffler. Arguably, the cleanest thing was the carb and the air-filter. The sprocket looks like it had never been replaced on this early 2013 550xp (dark gray, old-style caps).
The muffler gasket was cracked and brittle, note the fibers splitting apart.
Here is the current parts list, if this saw is worth putting any money into:
- Nuts (the ones on it weren't even standard bar nuts, allowing extra pitch into the case)
- New clutch (and likely a new drum), sprocket, and needle bearing
- Muffler gasket
- Pulley screw (no screw currently)
- Brake-handle bushing/ring
Could use a new air-filter, though it could get by without affecting too much. Spark plug also isn't too bad but would be better replaced. If the piston itself isn't too bad, it's likely the ring will need to be replaced. From what I can tell, it looks pretty rough. I also had to replace the starter-rope, as it was over a foot too short.
Worst case scenario, i'll sell it to a co-worker as a parts-saw and lose a little money on the deal. I'm still learning as I go, so the experience alone is worth the time/cost.
Knowing that the pawn shop that had this saw is kind of a crappy place, i was aware that the saw might have some issues. So, i decided to tear it apart to clean it and check the piston/cylinder. Here is what we have, via terrible quality photos. Gonna swing by the saw-shop today and have them take a peak. If they think it's worth exploring further, I'll take off the cylinder and replace the gasket, have them check the hours and run conditions, etc...
There was a solid 1/4"-1" layer of pitch on EVERYTHING; the exterior of the saw, the clutch-case, the plates against the case, the flywheel, up under the muffler. Arguably, the cleanest thing was the carb and the air-filter. The sprocket looks like it had never been replaced on this early 2013 550xp (dark gray, old-style caps).
The muffler gasket was cracked and brittle, note the fibers splitting apart.
Here is the current parts list, if this saw is worth putting any money into:
- Nuts (the ones on it weren't even standard bar nuts, allowing extra pitch into the case)
- New clutch (and likely a new drum), sprocket, and needle bearing
- Muffler gasket
- Pulley screw (no screw currently)
- Brake-handle bushing/ring
Could use a new air-filter, though it could get by without affecting too much. Spark plug also isn't too bad but would be better replaced. If the piston itself isn't too bad, it's likely the ring will need to be replaced. From what I can tell, it looks pretty rough. I also had to replace the starter-rope, as it was over a foot too short.
Worst case scenario, i'll sell it to a co-worker as a parts-saw and lose a little money on the deal. I'm still learning as I go, so the experience alone is worth the time/cost.