update...I removed the wad of duct tape on the rear handle and it reveled a crack on the right edge of the foot pad....I figured the handle was broken through....so I think im gonna economize and do a repair of some kind there and install one of those al handle/tank protectors....I cleaned the air filter and ran it with fresh mix and idles nice in all positions so bought a new fuel line and filt and a drum rim kit as the old rim had worn into the drum hub clutch hub bearing too....might cut a bit with it tomorrow....im pretty stoked....I figure it was a trade in and the shop just never bothered with it.....till I spotted it! oh the life of a saw hound!