NickC
ArboristSite Member
First off, as a new member Hi to everyone!
I bought an ms461 that had seen very little use, bar and chain never been off it was factory fresh under the bar. I've owned it a year now and used it rarely. Looking through the exhaust port I can see marking on the plating, I made a brass tipped 'scribe' to have a feel and can't really tell but it doesn't feel scored and notchy, they don't go all the way up the bore. There are a couple of stripes from contact on the piston skirt looking through the carb, but again, not obviously scored as such.
Through the plug hole the exhaust side of the bore is perfect, the piston is too on that side.
A few similar minor 'streaks' in the plating up from the transfer ports.
So I guess I'm asking is this anything to worry about? Is it 'normal'? I did read, but know can't find a thread that said a little scoring on this side is normal, I'm not sure which forum it was. I'm doubtful, I don't think it's normal.
A few observations when I first picked it up -
The mix looked very oily, there was a lot of carbon on the top of the piston which has now gone.
It was, and still is squeaky clean under the filter and into the intake port.
The chain was ruined, the front of the cutters had been bevelled down, I've no idea why but would indicate a lack of operator knowledge.
I don't remember the carb being set lean.
I will admit it has run a bit lean since, but only briefly while trying to get it cutting better after struggling with the chain, threw it in the end, After being led astray by you lot I ported the exhaust and removed the anti tampers, I didn't replace them after trimming the tabs and it drifted in lean while my brother was using it, I heard it 'wailing' but only for a short time in cold temps. It's not your classic lean run looking saw? The compression is good 170-80psi
Due to lack of use it's probably had a bit of slightly stale, but not 'dead' mix
So what's the smart money on?
Intake contamination?
Lean run?
Carbon?
Unsympathetic break in?
Mix?
There is no bevelling on the transfers, I guess due to the small length being quads? I can't see much on the exhaust.
I'm reluctant to pull a 'new' saw apart, but if needed it's an easy enough job for me and I have little a machine shop so can do most things, what worries me about that is being overcome by the desire to get the die grinder out....
Apologies for the length, I'll post a few (poor) images and thanks for any opinions.
I bought an ms461 that had seen very little use, bar and chain never been off it was factory fresh under the bar. I've owned it a year now and used it rarely. Looking through the exhaust port I can see marking on the plating, I made a brass tipped 'scribe' to have a feel and can't really tell but it doesn't feel scored and notchy, they don't go all the way up the bore. There are a couple of stripes from contact on the piston skirt looking through the carb, but again, not obviously scored as such.
Through the plug hole the exhaust side of the bore is perfect, the piston is too on that side.
A few similar minor 'streaks' in the plating up from the transfer ports.
So I guess I'm asking is this anything to worry about? Is it 'normal'? I did read, but know can't find a thread that said a little scoring on this side is normal, I'm not sure which forum it was. I'm doubtful, I don't think it's normal.
A few observations when I first picked it up -
The mix looked very oily, there was a lot of carbon on the top of the piston which has now gone.
It was, and still is squeaky clean under the filter and into the intake port.
The chain was ruined, the front of the cutters had been bevelled down, I've no idea why but would indicate a lack of operator knowledge.
I don't remember the carb being set lean.
I will admit it has run a bit lean since, but only briefly while trying to get it cutting better after struggling with the chain, threw it in the end, After being led astray by you lot I ported the exhaust and removed the anti tampers, I didn't replace them after trimming the tabs and it drifted in lean while my brother was using it, I heard it 'wailing' but only for a short time in cold temps. It's not your classic lean run looking saw? The compression is good 170-80psi
Due to lack of use it's probably had a bit of slightly stale, but not 'dead' mix
So what's the smart money on?
Intake contamination?
Lean run?
Carbon?
Unsympathetic break in?
Mix?
There is no bevelling on the transfers, I guess due to the small length being quads? I can't see much on the exhaust.
I'm reluctant to pull a 'new' saw apart, but if needed it's an easy enough job for me and I have little a machine shop so can do most things, what worries me about that is being overcome by the desire to get the die grinder out....
Apologies for the length, I'll post a few (poor) images and thanks for any opinions.