Rockjock
Addicted to ArboristSite
I would think the former. I got the saw from a bloke that rebuilds them. It is a very strong runner and has that sexy idle sound.. I swear it makes the beech trees lose their leaves!
Stihl 044 - Missing Decompression Valve
- Thread starter SteveSr
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I would think the former. I got the saw from a bloke that rebuilds them. It is a very strong runner and has that sexy idle sound.. I swear it makes the beech trees lose their leaves!
Used my ms 440 all day yesterday milling a nice cedar for a future project, it ran flawlessly. Any time I tried restarting without the decomp it would rip the elasto start right out of my hand, I learned to use it every time after about the second time it did this.
fearofpavement
Trying them all
My MS440 doesn't have a decomp.
fearofpavement
Trying them all
Here's another angle of it.
SteveSr
Addicted to ArboristSite
What is the M.D. (manufacture date) on the Silver EPA engine family sticker on the handle?
fearofpavement
Trying them all
I have no idea. I didn't know they put actual dates of manufacture on those stickers. Do they?
fearofpavement
Trying them all
Here's a pic of the MS440's sticker.
So does the 0202 mean Feb of 2002?
So does the 0202 mean Feb of 2002?
Don't believe the sticker will give manufacture date of an individual saw, its an EPA sticker only, the serial # is stamped above the bar mount between the bar and the muffler. You need an expert to chime in and decode the serial #, I'm no expert but someone will help you with that I'm sure. Love my Ms440, ran it ext to an MS 460 this week and it actually did better as far as I'm concerned and I built both from scratch. The 460 was a gift to my friend for his help with a home project of mine, so we took them both out on Friday and stabbed up some cedar for future projects, the 440 is lighter but just as strong with the mill, we put both thru about 3 hours each of mill time so they got ran hard and performed well, I hear the 440- 460 hybrid is even better but for now I'll stick with my muffler modded 440 with a gasket delete, that's all I did!
If you have not already replaced the air filter with a low restriction one (like and HD-2), that may also make a noticeable difference, and a timing advance will also help. I usually take 20/1000 off the key. (Not sure what filter your 440 came with, the HDs are supposed to be VG, but the old 3 layer ones like I had are overly restrictive).
An 044 or 440 with these mods will generally run with most 046/460s. However, once ported the 460s are at a different level, and the hybrids will not keep up with them (they may have more speed, but not the torque).
Did you measure the squish after the gasket delete? My 044 was right about 20/1000, I'm curious if the 440 was about the same.
Yep, right at .019, I ran with it.
SteveSr
Addicted to ArboristSite
Jackpot! Since it is originally German the format is YYMM.
Welder56
Addicted to ArboristSite
I bought a ms440 Arctic without the decomp. Had a NWP cylinder on it but the top cover was original without decomp plug hole. I installed a spare non decomp oem cylinder on it.
peatff
ArboristSite Lurker
Just reading about 044s I bought a seized one and fitted a new piston, cleaned the original cylinder up and it runs like a good'un. It had a paper base gasket but the replacement I received is a metal one. I put blue Hermetite either side of it before I bolted the cylinder back down, never checked what it was like without one but now it's back together I'm happy with how it runs. This has a 12mm little end bearing (wrist pin) and no decomp and it is the original cylinder with Stihl written on it.
The early 12 mm s were generally very good running saws. However, with a muff mod, low restriction filter, timing advance, and base gasket delete they are even stronger!
Little Al
Addicted to ArboristSite
Most certainly after 1994 the 044's in Europe could be had with /without decomp
Chillydogchilders
New Member
Would love to know what these serial number means.
The 1 refers to being built in Germany, the rest of the SN is more or less just chronological with batches of # being assigned to different saw models over time.
If the saw is registered, a dealer can look it up and tell you when and where it was purchased. Lots of saws are never registered.
If the saw is registered, a dealer can look it up and tell you when and where it was purchased. Lots of saws are never registered.
My restored MS 441C M-tronic went for a spin Sunday for a few hours. It ran and cut beautifully.
I installed a 25" bar, even though this Pic shows it with a 20". The big oak I buck cut and noodled needed the extra length. No complaints from the engine. It's a keeper and I appreciated the decomp.
I installed a 25" bar, even though this Pic shows it with a 20". The big oak I buck cut and noodled needed the extra length. No complaints from the engine. It's a keeper and I appreciated the decomp.
