MS250 for $75, no compression...sure, why not

[lonesouth]

saw was listed on craigslist, post said no compression. I've already got an MS250 and have gotten fairly deep into it, so the repair did not seem too daunting. I was hoping for a broken ring. I figured worst case, it would need a new piston/cylinder, no biggie.

I went ahead and pulled the muffler, just to take a peak...

Seriously? What did they do to this saw?!?

OK, so I'm looking at the worst case, except worse than that. After seeing inside, I have no faith in the bearings, so now I'm looking at replacing a bit more than just the piston and cylinder. Found a kit on ebay for $25, I figure I can afford to lose another $25. Worst worst case, I get it all put together, and it is garbage(hold opinions on MS250), I can get better parts and take another shot at it...and end up with a saw worth about what I paid for it.

 

[cre73]

In my opinion go for it, you may want to browse some of the site sponsors also for parts. Better support if you have issues. I have had good luck with HLsupply and Def Dave @Chainsaw conservation components. It is also a great learning experience. That piston and cylinder just look nasty.

 

[Ozhoo]

Be meticulous during your assembly and clip the ears off those circlips. If nothing else, you'll learn. Use a good sealant, if something doesn't feel right, back up and figure out what's going on.

 

[John Lyngdal]

If it were me, I'd part it out. That should get you close to what you paid for it.
If it were an 026, I'd go the other way and bring the saw back to life.

 

[stihl sawing]

That's a heckuva price on all that. yeah for that I would do it. but if it's going to cost a lot I wouldn't. I have a 250, when it dies it will be a boat anchor.

 

[TheTone]

Don't know if you've taken the cylinder apart, but I would just out of curiosity - like Quincy doing an autopsy to determine cause of death. Also, sometimes it's amazing how they clean up. Admittedly all parts except the cylinder itself are trash and possibly the cylinder too. You just never know til you look. But I have time on my hands and lots of curiosity. YMMV considerably.

 

[lonesouth]

The new kit should be in by next thursday. I'm going to take it apart and put it back together at that time. I'll post some more pics as I go. I figure the saw would be worth about $150 if it were running, and $25 and a little time(I count this as education) isn't too much invested. I like to tinker anyway, my hobby is the 77 bronco making a tire cameo in the first pic.

 

[John Lyngdal]

That's a great philosophy to have when purchasing non-running chainsaws.
Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Conquistador3]

There are preassembled MS250 engines on eBay costing little more than kits. I suggest you check into them.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

Are there any larger engines that fit the same footprint and have the same exterior crank dimensions?? Just thinking with my fingers.

 

[sonny580]

At this stage I too would try for the biggest motor possible!!! ---Thanks; sonny580

 

[lonesouth]

Engine delivered today. That was quick! Wife is out of the house tonight, so I'm going to change the oil in her van, then tear this down and get it stuck back together.

 

[HarleyT]

Engine delivered today. That was quick! Wife is out of the house tonight, so I'm going to change the oil in her van, then tear this down and get it stuck back together.

While the cat is away.....

 

[Okie]

Engine delivered today. That was quick! Wife is out of the house tonight, so I'm going to change the oil in her van, then tear this down and get it stuck back together

.While the cat is away.....

On the kitchen table. (while the wife is out)

 

[Mustang71]

I don't think I would have bought it for 75$ but if I did then I would rebuild it. Those seem like a very popular saw Idk y. But hey I have a 500$ invested 290 rebuilt saw so stuff happens.

I also have some poulans that I spent more on fixing than they were worth.

This is y I say I wouldn't have bought it.

 

[B440]

Clean the main bearings with compressed air. I just reassembled an MS250 with the same kit and the bearings had crud in them making them feel notchy as they spun.

 

[grizz55chev]

saw was listed on craigslist, post said no compression. I've already got an MS250 and have gotten fairly deep into it, so the repair did not seem too daunting. I was hoping for a broken ring. I figured worst case, it would need a new piston/cylinder, no biggie.

I went ahead and pulled the muffler, just to take a peak...

Seriously? What did they do to this saw?!?

OK, so I'm looking at the worst case, except worse than that. After seeing inside, I have no faith in the bearings, so now I'm looking at replacing a bit more than just the piston and cylinder. Found a kit on ebay for $25, I figure I can afford to lose another $25. Worst worst case, I get it all put together, and it is garbage(hold opinions on MS250), I can get better parts and take another shot at it...and end up with a saw worth about what I paid for it.

I’m not sure I’d give that much for a saw with a hole in its piston like that. Gotta be more damage than whats visible, it’s a pile of parts worth maybe $50, if the bar and chain ain’t shot like the piston.

 

[46 Poulan]

Ah! GRASSHOPPER In this hobby of old used saws sometimes I score a good deal and sometimes not so much--try to dwell on the good times and deals and call the rest parts saws lol. - The GURU

 

[46 Poulan]

I think the 1st owner ran it hard and put it up wet and did not waste much money on 2 cycle oil--pay me now or pay me later!!

 

[HarleyT]

Well, a saw that you have become so intimate with, you kind of get strong feelings about.