Straight Gassed my Dolmar
Sorry to revive such an old thread, but I couldn't figure out how to do a new post with the "credits" and "puchasing." I started this thread originally about this exact saw. So, I think this is the least offensive way to do revive an old thread.
We just moved to a new house and somehow my gas cans got switched and I ran a tank of straight gas through my Dolmar PS-5105.
It just started acting like it was running out of gas and wouldn't idle for it's last few seconds of life. It kind of just stopped and then wouldn't re-start. There wasn't a clunk or bang or anything drasitc or major. There doesn't seem to be any compression left when I pulled it again, though. That's it when I realized what I had just done.
I bought it 3 years ago when the 5105 first came out. I wanted the 5100, but they were gone when I had the cash in hand at my dealer. I really like the 5105, lots of torque for a small saw, super, super easy to start, purrs like, well, not like a kitten becuase it kind of has a V-twin growl to it at idle, and revs up nice and pulls hard in big stuff. I have somwhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 cords of oak cut up with it. I had planned on using and keeping this saw basically forever. And now this.
I am failry handy; I have done some basic repairs on a few lawn mowers, boat engines, four-wheelers, and have done a couple of tranny swaps and engine swaps on trucks before, I even kept my crappy old Poulan running for at least a 1-2 years longer than it probably should have gone. So, I know my way around a toolbox, but I have never dealt with the inner workings of an engine before. Like I said, I really like this saw and would like to keep it if the money is still way less than getting the a new Stihl MS261.
So, my questions are these:
What needs to be replaced after being straight gassed? Is it just a new piston assembly? Other parts?
How difficult of a task is it? Do I need special tools?
I did a quick search and found some 54cc piston replacements for my saw. That intrigued me as bigger is always better, right? Can I / Should I just get another Dolmar piston?
What am I looking at dollar-wise if I take it back to the dealer to have him do it? Is he going to get a genuine Dolmar piston or is he going to buy a brand that I could buy?
I'm leaning toward just letting my dealer fix it--that way I'm sure it will run right again, but if he is going to charge me anywhere around $300 it may not be worth it. If I have to sink that much money back into this saw, the new Stihl MS 261 might start to call my name.
Thanks in advance for your help.