New to me Stihl 046

[Wiz]

Got the Stihl 046 today. Looked like photos on eBay. Two issues, 1 No decompression valve, I ordered one from my dealer. 2 Gas tank has been repaired with some kind of compound. Doesn't appear to be leaking.
I did start it, man, seems to have a lot of compression. Started right up with a couple of manly tugs. seemed to run strong. with no bar on it. Oh ya 3rd problem side cover is coming separately. Not worried about decompression valve, should just screw in. I am concerned about tank repair. Guy from Bailey's said it was probably ok. Any thoughts Hobson?

My dealer said if it was scored or had low compression that it wouldn't run. Well it runs and seems powerful, won't know for sure. Until the cover arrives and I can mount the bar and chain and take a cut.

Thanks Wiz

 

[old 040]

Got the Stihl 046 today. Looked like photos on eBay. Two issues, 1 No decompression valve, I ordered one from my dealer. 2 Gas tank has been repaired with some kind of compound. Doesn't appear to be leaking.
I did start it, man, seems to have a lot of compression. Started right up with a couple of manly tugs. seemed to run strong. with no bar on it. Oh ya 3rd problem side cover is coming separately. Not worried about decompression valve, should just screw in. I am concerned about tank repair. Guy from Bailey's said it was probably ok. Any thoughts Hobson?

My dealer said if it was scored or had low compression that it wouldn't run. Well it runs and seems powerful, won't know for sure. Until the cover arrives and I can mount the bar and chain and take a cut.

Thanks Wiz

any pics?..................opcorn:

 

[Wiz]

Here are 5 pics. The bar is 32 in. Wrap handle. The chain looked ok. I'm considering a shorter bar 20-25 and type of chain for noodling.


Wiz

 

[Stihlalltheway]

If you want to see if the piston is scored you should take off the front of the muffler. It is 4 t27 torx head screws I believe. If there are noticeable marks on the piston, you're scored.

 

[Wiz]

I may do that in the morning. Is it worth changing out the tank?

Wiz

 

[Stihlalltheway]

I may do that in the morning. Is it worth changing out the tank?

Wiz

I don't know anything about how to change the tank, but from working on my 044 I doubt it will be easy.

 

[z71mike]

If it holds fuel, run it. Blow up that bridge if you start seeing leaks. And yes I agree a 32 is a little much for a full time bar on that saw. A 25 is about perfect IMO.

 

[lambs]

I recently bought one too

I think mine is a 1997 vintage, and it was showing 168 psi still. It's wearing a 20" bar for now, but it came with a 24" too, and I feel sure it will pull it just fine if needed. I'm glad it has a comp release too. It needs one.

Enjoy your 046. I think they are great saws.

 

[Philip Wheelock]

...No decompression valve, I ordered one from my dealer...

Which dealer did you take it to? Koopman in Uxbridge?

 

[DexterDay]

I just rebuilt an 036 off of "Bay" .

It started great, ran great, and had decent compression (135 lbs) and decided to pull Muffler. That's when I seem the scoring.

4 small T-27 and its off. My 460's stock muff had a deflector that blocked the view of cylinder. Replaced it with deflector/delete dual port.

Seems like a solid saw if the cylinder looks good. Congrats

 

[Nardoo]

If there is no decomp how did you run it? If there is a plug there you might check it is actually an OEM jug.

 

[northmanlogging]

Mine wears a 32" all day everyday pulls it just fine, hard wood, soft wood, it doesn't care eats em all. It came to me with the remains of a 36" bar, and it pulled it just fine too.

the decomp is overkill, yes it does have good compression but not that good, just hang onto it a little tighter, and ignore the safe start methods and learn to drop start it.

A new tank will cost you a very shiny handful of pennies, if its not leaking, run it.

And the bar cover on yours looks allot like the basket cases before a little jb weld and a new chip deflector... guess I coulda bought a new cover, but that would have cost three times more than what I have into that saw...:msp_razz:

 

[ttyR2]

You can find good used tanks on eBay. Mine pulls a 32" bar with skip chain with authority.

 

[nmurph]

Virtually every saw I buy gets the muffler pulled as soon as I have it home. I STRONGLY suggest you do the same with an Ebay saw with obvious problems.

 

[Wiz]

Which dealer did you take it to? Koopman in Uxbridge?

That's one of my dealers. I haven't taken it to him yet. Just ordered the Decompression valve over the phone.

 

[Philip Wheelock]

...Koopman in Uxbridge?

That's one of my dealers...

Best Stihl service/repair department around, IMO.

 

[Wiz]

Best Stihl service/repair department around, IMO.

It is nice when you talk with someone that knows about these saws. Randy has been there a long time.

Wiz

 

[Philip Wheelock]

It is nice when you talk with someone that knows about these saws. Randy has been there a long time.

Yup. That's who I'm talking about. :smile2:

 

[Wiz]

I pulled the muffler off this morning. Didn't look too bad. I could see some lines, but nothing that looks like deep scoring.

 

[nmurph]

You can get by with some light witness marks on the piston as long as the rings aren't scored. It doesn't take much damage to the rings to alter compression downward.

Post some pics. You may be fine as is. You may need to pull the piston, give it a light sanding and re-ring, or you may need to install a new piston.