Toronado
New Member
Hello, have read posts for a long time, appreciate all of the experts here. I have a few saws like many of the folks here. I have had an MS290 for years and just picked up an MS460. I've seen some conflicting info around on what a new Stihl saw will measure for compression. (Been told by experts anywhere from 150-190) The reason I'm asking, my MS290 has hundreds of hours on it (been cutting 3-4 cords a year for 5 years and doing tree work on my property too) and it measures around 160psi holding the throttle open and pulling it around 5 times cold. I know that is a good reading as far as running but I'd expect it to be lower than a new or low hour saw.
The MS460 I just picked up is definitely a very low hour saw. The guy swore less than ten. It still has pristine stickers, even the white "Made in Germany" sticker on the front of the case. Wouldn't take penny less than $700 which is fine for a low hour MS460. Regardless of his claim, I'm willing to bet this saw doesn't have even 30hours. Even the exhaust is mostly shiny.
When I got the saw it ran poorly so I flushed out gas and tested compression. Compression measured at 160 after 6 pulls cold. I adjusted the carb and nothing so I thought it had a vacuum issue because it would stall at random times and not come off throttle well. Eventually I just soaked the carb in cleaner and let it sit. As of today it runs perfectly.
But considering how new this saw looks, from the stickers to 99% of the paint on the bottom I'd expect it to have a higher compression reading than my other Stihl saw and other saws. I do run the best gas and oil and never over rev my saws but still..........
So what should one measure on a new or low hour? Maybe the MS460 was run many hours in a mill which would explain the pristine look if it had more hours.
The MS460 I just picked up is definitely a very low hour saw. The guy swore less than ten. It still has pristine stickers, even the white "Made in Germany" sticker on the front of the case. Wouldn't take penny less than $700 which is fine for a low hour MS460. Regardless of his claim, I'm willing to bet this saw doesn't have even 30hours. Even the exhaust is mostly shiny.
When I got the saw it ran poorly so I flushed out gas and tested compression. Compression measured at 160 after 6 pulls cold. I adjusted the carb and nothing so I thought it had a vacuum issue because it would stall at random times and not come off throttle well. Eventually I just soaked the carb in cleaner and let it sit. As of today it runs perfectly.
But considering how new this saw looks, from the stickers to 99% of the paint on the bottom I'd expect it to have a higher compression reading than my other Stihl saw and other saws. I do run the best gas and oil and never over rev my saws but still..........
So what should one measure on a new or low hour? Maybe the MS460 was run many hours in a mill which would explain the pristine look if it had more hours.
