PEAK PUTTERS

My little Stihl MS 170 was acting up (no power, bogging down as soon as you tried to cut anything) and the drive sprocket was really grooved so I took it to Columbia Grain for a check up and they said it has low compression (95psi) and that repairs exceed value.

I'm sure they are right, but would parts alone be $$$ or could I pick up parts for cheap and do the repairs myself? No idea it this is possible, but what's the worse I do? Break a broken saw? Might be a fun winter project

Probably a better idea, where is a good place to buy a replacement? And anyone have experience with the MS 180? I was looking at the MS 180 at Columbia Grain, and it looks like a better unit then the MS 170 and is only like 30 bucks more.

edit - Columbia Grain and Feed not Farmers Exchange - I dislike Farmers Ex

You may be surprised by napa. The one in the town I grew up in could order a rebuild kit for any small engine for cheap.

Wow Napa's website does list Stihls. To bad I don't know what year the saw is. Tried several years and didn't find a 170

I did find a site the mentioned reringing the piston if the cylinder and piston aren't scared up. Amazon has ring sets for $15 bucks!

For $15 bucks it might be worth trying to save.

2-stroke? Most of those these days use plated cylinders that nearly last forever. If this is the case, get a piston/ring/gasket kit and rebuild that sucker! Sounds like the carburetion may be off a little, but no sense messing with that if the compression is too low.

I may be able to take a look at it and help.

It always ran really strong, but then my brother used it to cut up several truck loads of cherry wood. The next time I went to use it, it would bog on any loads.

I tore most of it down last night. Today, I just need to get the clutch off and I should be able to pull the engine out. I think I remember where everything goes, except for one little metal rod. It popped of before I got a chance to see how it hooked in.

Wrench, it is a 2-stroke. There isn't really any gaskets on the saw. The bottom of the crank case and the cylider use silicone for gasket. It actually seems pretty straight forward, but if I get stumped I'll let you know. Thanks

Got the engine apart. Cyl looks good, no scratches. Tomorrow going to see if I can get parts locally. If not, I guess I'll try the parts I found on amazon


Edit - Columbia Grain wanted $80 for a piston and rings, so I have an aftermarket piston and rings coming for $23

Got my piston today. About an hour after starting, I have a working saw again. Only issue is I have this extra little plastic piece that I don't know where it goes. looks like a plastic washer with a nipple sticking up one one side. Can't find any parts explosions online so monday taking it to Columbia Grain to see if they can ID the rascal

I would call Ryan at sunbelt his guys in the back fixed mine right up and they are a stihl dealer. I am almost certain he would beat columbia, price wise.