I have a chance to buy a non-running powerhead, 395xp. I'm thinking that this is worth it but was wondering if anyone has rebuilt these and what the worst case scenario would cost to fix it up.
395xp Non Running Saw for $250
- Thread starter Catfish Hunter
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Check the piston and cylinder first,then check the bottom end bearings.
If both of those are bad then you are talking lot's of money to repair,especially if you don't fix your own stuff.
Whats the story on the saw? They have a weak spot on the cases that if the chain gets thrown a few times without a chain catcher,it can take a chunk out of the case.
It's a big saw worth some money running.If it needs work the OEM parts are costly.
That's a big saw and a good price. Pull the muffler, check the piston, cylinder, and compression.
You can get a cylinder and piston kit off of ebay for about 70, so I'd say do it if it's in good cosmetic condition, and not a complete mess.
You can get a cylinder and piston kit off of ebay for about 70, so I'd say do it if it's in good cosmetic condition, and not a complete mess.
For $70 dollars you will be getting a Off shore piston /cylinder.
With a big saw that is worth some money the only aftermarket piston that i would recommend is a Meteor.If the cylinder is bad then find a used OEM.If there is transfer on the cylinder it can be cleaned off,and reused so long as there aren't any deep groves in the plating.
90% of the kits on eBay aren't worth the shipping let alone the cost of the kit.
But if you don't plan on using the saw anything will work.If you are going to sell it after you get it running then let your conscience be your guide.
If there is piston/cylinder damage you have to find out why there is damage.You need to pressure and vacuum check it before you take it apart to find the issue.
If you slap on a new piston and cylinder and you have a bad seal you will destroy the new parts before you fill your truck with wood.
No argument on using OEM or quality parts if OP can swing it. I've used a couple of the more respected el cheapo kits on a couple of my saws, and although I had to do a little finessing with them to get them where I wanted them, they've held up well for years. If a guy is using his saw every day to make a living, that's another story, but for a guy who only occasionally needs a big saw, I've had good luck with some of the big bore kits on ebay.
Well the guy never got back to me. My intention is to have a saw bigger than my 576xp for the big stuff. But I really don't need a new one so trying to do this cheaply at least cheaper than new.
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lost in the woods
Burning Hunk
the first thing I would ask is that if the owner of the 395 is a logger. . . . if they were using it to cut timber and it isn't running. . . then I'm saying its junk. could have got run over by the skidder, or a tree fell on it or who knows. . . . I would be very careful about throwing good money after bad
sportbikerider78
Minister of Fire
Can't you hone the cylinder and buy and oversided ring kit? This is a standard practice with 2 stroke motorcycles.
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
In most cases of heat seizure the Nikasil cylinder plating has been damaged beyond repair and the only option is to replace the cylinder. The plating is hard but thin so there are no oversized pistons.
sportbikerider78
Minister of Fire
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
Hard-plated cylinders don't suck. It's what allows their high power-weight ratio while being air cooled and long service life with no honing/re-boring ever necessary. The hard plating transfers heat better than a sleeve, wears much longer than a sleeve or a bare cylinder and costs more to produce than either. It only sucks if you do something stupid and cause heat seizure. Run them properly and they will last through multiple sets of rings.
sportbikerider78
Minister of Fire
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
You're talking to a mechanical engineer....I meant it sucks in this case.
In this case all we know is the saw is a non-runner - we don't know why. At that price it's a good bet that it needs a new cylinder but then we would be assuming it's not just a good deal.
OME chainsaw cylinders are plated with Nicasil
It is extremely hard and shouldn't be honed.There are no oversize rings available for OME parts.
If you do have aluminum transfer on the cylinder walls it can be removed.
One way is to use acid to remove the transfer, but if there is the smallest defect in the Nicasil it will start lifting it off the cylinder.
Another way is to use sandpaper and carefully sand off the aluminum.The Nicasil is hard enough to stand up against the sandpaper as long as you are careful.
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
That's only possible in a small subset of cylinder failures because, once aluminum begins transferring to the Nikasil, you are a gnats eyelash away from catastrophic failure. And with just minor aluminum transfer to the Nikasil, the saw would likely still run.
That's a no brainer if you're going to fix it yourself, I'd grab that in a heartbeat... Looks like OEM cylinder and piston is $149 on ebay. Crank, if needed, maybe another hundred.
Busted up 372xp's go for $200-250 on ebay. Worst case you prolly break even, or possibly even make a small profit.
Busted up 372xp's go for $200-250 on ebay. Worst case you prolly break even, or possibly even make a small profit.
Hi Woody
Could you elaborate on that?I don't understand what you are saying about catastrophic failure.
Thanks
WoodyIsGoody
Minister of Fire
Engine seizures happen when the piston get's too hot and expands too much. First aluminum begins transferring to the Nikisil coating on the cylinder wall (which makes the cylinder/piston fit even worse). Most commonly, shortly thereafter, you have seizure which will irreparably damage the cylinder.
If that didn't answer your question then I guess I'm not understanding exactly what you're asking.
I was wondering what you meant by catastrophic failure?
I have seen the result of saw rebuilders/porters cleaning transfer off of the nikisil of severely scored cylinders with great success.
Unless there has been a broken ring or a cir clip come lose to put a groove in the cylinder 90% or more of the time the cylinder will clean up.
The rebuilders/porters will pick a cleaned OEM cylinder over a aftermarket one every time.
Plus they will stand behind their work after using a cleaned up scored cylinder.
Myself i chose not to use the acid treatment,i would rather clean the transfer out with sandpaper and watch what i am doing.So far i have a 100% success in cleaning the transfer off OEM cylinders.Not sure that an aftermarket cylinder has as good of plating as the OEM ones.I haven't had one to try.
That being said i will pay the postage for any OEM cylinder that anyone wants to replace with an aftermarket cylinder as long as there are no groves or chunks out of the cylinder.Saves it ending up in a landfill,and it will continue to do it's job on a deserving saw.
If it cleans up and is a desirable cylinder i will send a few $ to help with your aftermarket purchases.
Or if you don't mind the wait i will cleanup your cylinder for a few $$ plus postage,it may take months to get back.
I have seen the result of saw rebuilders/porters cleaning transfer off of the nikisil of severely scored cylinders with great success.
Unless there has been a broken ring or a cir clip come lose to put a groove in the cylinder 90% or more of the time the cylinder will clean up.
The rebuilders/porters will pick a cleaned OEM cylinder over a aftermarket one every time.
Plus they will stand behind their work after using a cleaned up scored cylinder.
Myself i chose not to use the acid treatment,i would rather clean the transfer out with sandpaper and watch what i am doing.So far i have a 100% success in cleaning the transfer off OEM cylinders.Not sure that an aftermarket cylinder has as good of plating as the OEM ones.I haven't had one to try.
That being said i will pay the postage for any OEM cylinder that anyone wants to replace with an aftermarket cylinder as long as there are no groves or chunks out of the cylinder.Saves it ending up in a landfill,and it will continue to do it's job on a deserving saw.
If it cleans up and is a desirable cylinder i will send a few $ to help with your aftermarket purchases.
Or if you don't mind the wait i will cleanup your cylinder for a few $$ plus postage,it may take months to get back.
