Toss the spark arrestor or...

[livemusic]

At this time, wondering about Stihl ms200 and a Stihl 026; I bought both of them used, haven't used them very much. I just removed the spark arrestor on the ms200 as I've used it more. It's gunked up pretty good. What now to do? I could clean it but prefer max power, so, would like to remove it. Options I see...

1 leave all out... spark arrestor and screw removed
2 insert the screw back in
3 cut the guts out of the spark arrestor (about 90% of it, leaving only the bracket lip that the screw inserts into) and then insert the bracket lip and screw back in

I saw a video one time where a guy did that to an ms201, I think it was, not a ms200. I dunno why he did that. Would it better to do this (No. 3 above) so the screw hole doesn't get gunked up, and, if so, why does it matter? I figure there's a reason, lol. What is the best option?

I am not concerned about forest fires here, we rarely have fires around here. But I'll be observant!

 

[catbuster]

Clean it and put it back in. You don’t lose enough with a clean one to make a difference. Keeping them clean is part of saw maintenance. Running the right mix and keeping the tune correct is key to getting more time between them needing to be cleaned.

 

[TheTone]

Just hold the corner with a pair of needle nose pliers and burn off the crud with a propane torch. Quick and easy.

 

[livemusic]

So, you guys think there is no power advantage to removing the spark arrestor. Interesting, based on forum threads and youtubes, apparently, a lot of people disagree, lol. Sure is a lot of controversy in chainsawing!

Now, I could ask, "Should I do muffler mods to improve performance?" lol

 

[TheTone]

So, you guys think there is no power advantage to removing the spark arrestor. Interesting, based on forum threads and youtubes, apparently, a lot of people disagree, lol. Sure is a lot of controversy in chainsawing!
Now, I could ask, "Should I do muffler mods to improve performance?" lol

And be sure to add, "What's the best 2-cycle oil?"

 

[full chizel]

There is a big difference without a screen on a MS200. Instant hotrod.

 

[rarefish383]

So, you guys think there is no power advantage to removing the spark arrestor. Interesting, based on forum threads and youtubes, apparently, a lot of people disagree, lol. Sure is a lot of controversy in chainsawing!

Now, I could ask, "Should I do muffler mods to improve performance?" lol

I've seen guys pull the power steering pump belts off of 400+ HP race cars to gain the 12 horse power it takes to run the pump, and still loose races. I would think you would gain a small percentage of power, but how much is a small percentage of almost none. I'd just get a bigger saw. I seldom make it a month without getting a couple new saws, but. that's just me.

 

[full chizel]

its a pretty well known fact that taking the screen out of a 200 makes it a totally different saw

 

[Brent Nowell]

If your looking for a little boost open up the flap a bit with a screw driver. You can still use your spark arrestor.

 

[livemusic]

Uh flap of what? Sorry for ignorance, lol. Lots of jargon in this stuff!

 

[SteveSr]

Now, I could ask, "Should I do muffler mods to improve performance?" lol

That would be a definite maybe...