Echo CS400 runs hot and smokes (repost)

[roscoe7803]

I just bought an Echo CS 400 at an auction for $50. I cleaned it up with the air compressor. Lots of crap came out. Added new fuel and baroil. It runs hot and smokes. The exhaust muffler looks like it has been scorched / burnt.
Some posts mention carbon buildup.
I need to replace the exhaust muffler I think.
The serial # is 10013003449 and the tag says Kioritz Corp. What year was this built?

Any help is appreciated.

I had posted this in manuals by mistake and couldn't figure out how to transfer it to a different forum.

Thanks
Roscoe

 

[mountainlake]

Is it tuned right, you need to pull the limiter caps a give it more fuel on the high. Steve

 

[Cliff R]

I'd remove the muffler and check the piston/rings. If they are fine gut the CAT out of the muffler in addtional to removing the limiter caps as Steve mentioned about. Should be good to go at that point, but don't assume you got all the crap off the flywheel, cooling fins on the cylinder, etc. I'd also remove the side covers and give it a thorough cleaning everywhere......

 

[roscoe7803]

Further to my initial post I am including photos that I should have already posted.
As I said the CS400 runs hot and smokes I cleaned the pine sap off the chain and realized that the 18" chain listed on the bar chain does not match the Oregon chain that is on the saw.
The chain on the saw is a # 20 chain , (which I believe is a square corner chisel cutter), with a .325 pitch and the guage is .050 or 1.3mm.
While I believe that the chain should be a 3/8 LP pitch with the same guage of .050 or 1.3mm.
The sprocket is a 6 sprocket.
Is this contributing to the problem or am I incorrect?

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

Not sure about the year. The last run of serial numbers begin with a "6". So maybe 2010's. I imagine even the older versions shipped with 16" or 18" bar, 3/8LP 0.050".
Just out of curiosity, what color is the bar?
Here is your IPL (interesting that it was on the Canadian site not the US one)
Wrong serial range but Here is the latest Owner's manual

Maybe it smokes and overheats because the cat is plugged? You can gut it with a 7/8" carbide holesaw or just replace it.

 

[SteveSr]

Further to my initial post I am including photos that I should have already posted.
As I said the CS400 runs hot and smokes I cleaned the pine sap off the chain and realized that the 18" chain listed on the bar chain does not match the Oregon chain that is on the saw.
The chain on the saw is a # 20 chain , (which I believe is a square corner chisel cutter), with a .325 pitch and the guage is .050 or 1.3mm.
While I believe that the chain should be a 3/8 LP pitch with the same guage of .050 or 1.3mm.
The sprocket is a 6 sprocket.
Is this contributing to the problem or am I incorrect?

Sprocket is SHOT... likely from running mis-matched chain. I don't know what the saw sprocket is but if it and the bar is 3/8" LP then you will need a new sprocket, bar, and matching chain.

BTW, where is the smoke coming from?

 

[roscoe7803]

Sprocket is SHOT... likely from running mis-matched chain. I don't know what the saw sprocket is but if it and the bar is 3/8" LP then you will need a new sprocket, bar, and matching chain.

BTW, where is the smoke coming from?

The smoke is coming out of the muffler. I don't have any smoke from my CS310 or CS4510.
I am now thinking that I should replace the clutch drum.
Perhaps that is being too cheap and probably should replace the entire clutch system.
Also a new bar and chain.

I just tried a simple compression test i read about on this site.
I held the chainsaw by thw starter cord and it slowly dropped about 3 feet towards the floor.
maybe it is time to cut my losses and not put any $ into it.

Or maybe look at replacing the piston, how hard can it be?

 

[irhunter]

Perhaps that is being too cheap and probably should replace the entire clutch system.
Also a new bar and chain.

maybe it is time to cut my losses and not put any $ into it.

Or maybe look at replacing the piston, how hard can it be?

You may be getting too far ahead of yourself.

I would remove the clutch assembly and the muffler.

Confirm you have a 3/8LP sprocket, post pics of piston through exhaust port, investigate clogged muffler.

Roy

 

[roscoe7803]

You may be getting too far ahead of yourself.

I would remove the clutch assembly and the muffler.

Confirm you have a 3/8LP sprocket, post pics of piston through exhaust port, investigate clogged muffler.

Roy

I will take a picture of the piston through the exhaust port tonight and post it.
Will also see if I can remove the clutch assembly and take a pic.

 

[SteveSr]

I will take a picture of the piston through the exhaust port tonight and post it.
Will also see if I can remove the clutch assembly and take a pic.

The clutch has to come off to replace the bodged sprocket. The clutch itself looks fine.

Clutch removal requires blocking the piston with 1/4" rope in the cylinder but raise the piston so the rope doesn't get caught in a port.

Put the bar on the saw without the clutch cover using a bunch of spacer washers. Put the bar in a vise to hold the saw still.

The clutch comes off CW. You will either need a clutch tool or a drift and a hammer to remove the clutch.

 

[roscoe7803]

I now have the clutch off. It looks ok to me?
The muffler looks like crap?
The piston does have some scoring. I zoomed in for some pics.

Could I put rings on ?

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[roscoe7803]

A few more pics.

 

[mountainlake]

You may as well pull the engine and take it apart, doesn't take long. Steve

 

[SteveSr]

A few more pics.

Top end is burned up. Likely air leak or forcing it to cut with a dull chain and/or being tuned too lean. Tear it apart to get a better look at the damage. This may be a parts donor saw as Echo parts are notoriously expensive. The CAT muffler didn't help.

It looks to have been badly abused by the previous owner. Live and learn.

 

[mountainlake]

https://www.sepw.com/cart.php?suggest=982a8632-11bc-4943-94e1-37bc773146f7
I wouldn't call $37 expensive for a OEM piston rather a knockoff. Steve

 

[mountainlake]

A oem husky 340 piston costs $110 on the same site, they dont sell OEM Stihl which I think would be way over priced at a dealer. Steve

(Echo parts are notoriously expensive) I don't know where you came up with that bs unless you're comparing cheap china parts. Steve

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

You can do way better on eBay with stuff like this.

 

[mountainlake]

I'd take a OEM Echo piston even if they gave the aftermarket ones away. Steve

 

[Gord404]

Is it tuned right, you need to pull the limiter caps a give it more fuel on the high. Steve

that but might also have an air leak like seals or something as well

 

[SteveSr]

(Echo parts are notoriously expensive) I don't know where you came up with that bs unless you're comparing cheap china parts. Steve

So what is the price for a jug and slug for an Echo CS-400? I was not comparing to cheap China parts. May depend on dealer suport which around here is difficult to find or using "part sharks" online