281xp piston cracked under ring (exhaust side). What could cause this?

[777funk]

Just re ringed this saw (after trying a new china cylinder and deciding the original was better).

Anyways first start and the piston broke right under the ring.

Things I suspect...
1. Clutch was not coming off with many hammer blows to the socket wrench used for removal (rope in cylinder). Maybe this hurt the piston. I first tried filling the cyl with shoe lace and it cut the lace going tdc. I pulled it out and it looked like the same amount that went in. I didnt see any remaining when i looked in. Maybe a piece of shoe lace was cut and remained.

2. Ring stuck

Any other ideas?

 

[777funk]

Here is a picture

 

[Woodslasher]

Could just be a worn piston that had the skirt get too thin and break. Toss a Meteor at it or look up the older Husky piston part numbers on Jacks small engines and plug them into eBay. I’ve found plenty of cheap (~$30) oem n.o.s. Pistons just listed by their part number.

 

[Northerner]

try using a small 1/4" impact wrench next time to remove the clutch, works great. usually dont need a piston stop at all.