Stihl MS 170 bogging down, no power

[GerrySM]

 

[VinceGU05]

i would just wipe it down with thinners or the like and repaint if you want.
i was thinking it was looking like this.

 

[GerrySM]

i would just wipe it down with thinners or the like and repaint if you want.

So there is no simple way to get a muffler back to the silver finish? I did do it once, but it involved a lot of hard work and even some wire brush work with the Dremel.

i was thinking it was looking like this.

The inside looks a bit like that

 

[HarleyT]

I'll sell you my shiny one for $5.....

 

[GerrySM]

I'll sell you my shiny one for $5.....

Yes, if you are in Australia and if it's with minimal shipping costs. Why are you selling it?

 

[GerrySM]

For cleaning, oven cleaner would be ideal, wouldn't it? Except most oven cleaning products contain lye (caustic) and have the warning: "Due to highly alkaline nature of formulation, do not use on aluminium, copper, galvanized, plastic composition tile etc etc"

 

[VinceGU05]

wire brush it.. if it comes off good.. if not so be it.. silver frost paint over the top of it.

 

[GerrySM]

wire brush it.. if it comes off good.. if not so be it.. silver frost paint over the top of it.

Yep that seems sensible. I think I got most of it off last time with a dremel and wire wheel, see top left hand side one here:

Probably buggering up the galv coating though!

 

[dugide]

didn't it have a screen?

 

[GerrySM]

didn't it have a screen?

Yes, but I have put it to one side. Not really needed in my situation, and just gets dirty and needs cleaning

 

[dugide]

if you haven't cleaned it would you post a pic?

 

[GerrySM]

It is not gummed up. I was long ago aware of looking out for a carboned up screen, this saw's screen was always fairly clean, a few brushes with a wire brush and good to go.

 

[HarleyT]

Did you just put your location in your signature?

 

[GerrySM]

Yup

 

[GerrySM]

Actually I am thinking of using a home made soda blaster to clean the muffler. Here's what a soda blaster can do:



and they are dead easy to make yourself:

 

[moondoggie]

Do you think an adjustable carb would help with your carbon situation? 18 months is not that long for a carb to last IMO

 

[GerrySM]

Nah, I don't think my carbon buildup is that unusual.

 

[moondoggie]

I cut 350 cords in 3 years with my 445. Zero carbon buildup. That carb lasted four years on a "home owner"saw.

These guys recommending an adjustable carb really want to help you. They know what they are talking about. Stihl is hoping you just throw that saw away and buy another one.

 

[GerrySM]

Thanks, but you'll see similar carbon buildups on MS170 saws all over the net if you do a google search. You'll also see it on more expensive saws that do have adjustable carbs. I think mine was performing to spec, and with a new (properly tightened up) carb it should run fine.

BTW, I also have carbon stains on my 455 Husky muffler, and that is after careful adjustment of that carb. If you have zero carbon on your muffler you are probably running too lean.

 

[moondoggie]

Thanks, but you'll see similar carbon buildups on MS170 saws all over the net if you do a google search. You'll also see it on more expensive saws that do have adjustable carbs. I think mine was performing to spec, and with a new (properly tightened up) carb it should run fine.

BTW, I also have carbon stains on my 455 Husky muffler, and that is after careful adjustment of that carb. If you have zero carbon on your muffler you are probably running too lean.

OK thanks for the tip.