So I picked up this MS440 off CL:
It was described as being in "salvage" condition and the owner was upfront and said the saw seized up during use.
I figured it was worth the price for the parts I could see and if i t was straight gassed the cylinder might be salvageable.
I read the service tags on the wrap, and one of them said "Needs A Tune-up" and sure enough there was a new spark plug in the cylinder.
The saw wasn't seized, but look what I saw after the muffler cover was removed:
![DSCN7073.JPG DSCN7073.JPG](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/arboristsite/data/attachments/695/695660-7348f310ab66899d8566487128712d5b.jpg)
That's right a chunk of piston between the rings is missing and my odds of being able to salvage the jug were dropping quickly.
I proceeded to remove the jug from the crankcase and look at the piston more closely. What I saw baffles me.
![DSCN7075.JPG DSCN7075.JPG](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/arboristsite/data/attachments/695/695661-ebb02920042a9eeb23eda417dce25337.jpg)
There is no damage to the top of the piston at all nor are there any marks at the top of the cylinder.![Er... what? o_O o_O](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Stihl Chainsaw - $50 (Dallas)
![1 1](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/bdb/bdb18d03b7ea7d7f19bd7d428fca43fb.jpg)
It was described as being in "salvage" condition and the owner was upfront and said the saw seized up during use.
I figured it was worth the price for the parts I could see and if i t was straight gassed the cylinder might be salvageable.
I read the service tags on the wrap, and one of them said "Needs A Tune-up" and sure enough there was a new spark plug in the cylinder.
The saw wasn't seized, but look what I saw after the muffler cover was removed:
![DSCN7073.JPG DSCN7073.JPG](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/arboristsite/data/attachments/695/695660-7348f310ab66899d8566487128712d5b.jpg)
That's right a chunk of piston between the rings is missing and my odds of being able to salvage the jug were dropping quickly.
I proceeded to remove the jug from the crankcase and look at the piston more closely. What I saw baffles me.
![DSCN7075.JPG DSCN7075.JPG](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/arboristsite/data/attachments/695/695661-ebb02920042a9eeb23eda417dce25337.jpg)
There is no damage to the top of the piston at all nor are there any marks at the top of the cylinder.