RIP 036

[Flatbedford]

My 036 stopped running last week while I was noodling some uglies. It was running like a top and then just quit and would not start. It felt like it had little or no compression while pulling repeatedly on the cord. I was tired so I put it away to mess with it another day. A few days ago I got it to start, with difficulty, but it was running very poorly, reduced power, wouldn't idle, hard starting. Frustrated, I gave in and brought it to my local, somewhat reputable, dealer. I called in today to check on it and they told me it is dead. Scored piston/cylinder. After talking with the dealer it seems it has been degrading slowly over the 4 years I have owned it. It has been hard to start and quit on other time when I was ripping a large Maple log to make a bench and it git pretty hot. The dealer explained that as the engine gets hotter, and parts expand, cylinder/piston issues will present themselves. I guess I finished it off last week. He said repair would be about $450 and did not recommend I do so. The dealer was kind enough not to charge me for his findings and also offered to toss it for me. I told him no way! I'm not gonna toss a perfectly good 20" bar and chain, and I'm also not quite ready to give up on it either. At the very least there are still some good parts on it that may be of value to me or somebody else.
Those fancy new MS362s sure do look nice, but I'm not crazy about the $700-$800 price. A little time on google shows a whole slew of aftermarket rebuild kits for this saw for between $100 and $200. I am always a fan of repair before replacement, but don't want to put the time and money into this route if I won't end up with a decent, reliable saw. While the new saw would be a considerable investment, it would also be a vast improvement over my $125 used 036, and would likely last the remainder of my saw using years with proper care.
Suggestions and comments please.

 

[mstoelton]

I would rebuild it. Baileys on-line probably has a kit, maybe even a bigger bore kit to increase power.

If it is a scored cylinder and piston and that is all, you should be out fairly cheap. You may want to replace some clutch parts while it is apart.

 

[Jon1270]

A good new aftermarket top end will run you a bit over $100. There'd be more to it, because you need to figure out why it failed in the first place, but the other repair parts are unlikely to be expensive.

If you're not going to rebuild it, send it to me!

 

[jatoxico]

Definitely worth a rebuild. Maybe not cost effective if your paying for labor but some research and a couple hours of your own time and I'm betting you get it fixed and have the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

 

[Flatbedford]

I am reading that it may have failed do to an air leak and that I must find that before I simply repair the top or risk ruining anther top end.

I also have to ad the Mrs Flatbedford thinks that I should buy a new one. She says I use it so much that I should have the best. I love that woman!

 

[Rickb]

$135 bucks for a meteor new top end and your saw will be running good as new as long as that's all that is wrong. Took me about 2 hours to replace mine on my 036. This is the kit I used.

http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...y-48mm-for-Stihl-036-and-MS-360-Chainsaws.axd

While in there replace the impulse line costs about 2 bucks. And a new fuel line and filter while your at it.

 

[Fifelaker]

You might get away with just a new piston and rings. Look up Masterminds method of cleaning cylinders. I would do a pressure/vac test and make sure the seals, fuel line and impulse line are ok.. If it is just a piston and rings. I'll bet $ 45 and a bit of your labor and it will run like new.

 

[Rickb]

You might get away with just a new piston and rings. Look up Masterminds method of cleaning cylinders. I would do a pressure/vac test and make sure the seals, fuel line and impulse line are ok.. If it is just a piston and rings. I'll bet $ 45 and a bit of your labor and it will run like new.

This is true! On mine there was something wrong with the cylinder.

 

[jatoxico]

No reason you can't buy a new saw and fix the old one at your convenience. Shame to scrap it.

 

[Jon1270]

I am reading that it may have failed do to an air leak and that I must find that before I simply repair the top or risk ruining anther top end.

Yes, this is important. If you don't want to improvise or buy the tools to find the leak(s) then simply screwing a new top end on would be pretty risky. I find such work fun, but I can imagine not wanting to mess with it. Even so, if the saw is in decent shape otherwise then it's worth *somebody's* time to rebuild it.

 

[midwestcoast]

Those fancy new MS362s sure do look nice, but I'm not crazy about the $700-$800 price...

I guess it depends on your skillz and interest, but I wouldn't be ashamed to go for a new saw at this point. Then with a bit of work the 036 could be a good back-up.
A 555 is priced closer to $600 and is noticeably lighter, or for the $7-800 range a 365 can be had & easily made into a 372. Are you seeing RED?

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

I like the idea of buying a new one and fixing the old @ your own pace.

 

[zzr7ky]

Order the P&C kit and take the wife away for the weekend! That is what we call a win/win

 

[Fifelaker]

If you are going to buy new and fix this one buy a MS261 and rebuild this one with a 036 super top end and you will have the best 2 saw firewood saw plan out there.50cc and 70cc.

 

[Clarkbug]

You could ask that same dealer to pressure/vacuum test it for you to see if its a bad seal, or pulse line, or intake boot. Given the age, wouldnt hurt to do seals, fuel line and pulse line. Good tinkering project, and nothing you have to rush on. 036 is a great saw. As has already been said, you might be able to save the cylinder and just get away with a piston. Northwood Saw or WeedeaterMan can hook you up with all the bits you would need, but its nice to visit your dealer for seals/lines/small bits too.

 

[kjahnz]

If you are going to buy new and fix this one buy a MS261 and rebuild this one with a 036 super top end and you will have the best 2 saw firewood saw plan out there.50cc and 70cc.

I was wondering if you could give a little more info about the (036 super top end) I could maybe talk myself into a project like that, for my 036pro. Thanks.

 

[Fifelaker]

I was wondering if you could give a little more info about the (036 super top end) I could maybe talk myself into a project like that, for my 036pro. Thanks.

My bad it was the 034 and 038's not the 036 http://www.getsaws.com/S_specs.html

 

[Flatbedford]

I think that an 026/260 and 036/360 are too close for a two saw plan. I am happy with my ms180 and 036 combo. The ms180 is super light and the 036 will do just about anything.

 

[Fifelaker]

I agree with FBB for some reason (cranial flatulence) I was thinking the 036 was the 038.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

No reason you can't buy a new saw and fix the old one at your convenience. Shame to scrap it.

^This^

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

I rebuilt an 036 Pro over the winter. I found a good OEM cylinder locally and ordered a Meteor piston and rings from weedeaterman. It took a few hours and I also replaced the usuals like impulse line, fuel line, clutch springs, etc. Cost me about $350 and man is it a strong runner in stock form. See my avatar for a pic!

 

[Flatbedford]

I pulled the muffler off to have a look inside. The piston is pretty banged up.


When I was at the dealer picking up my new saw yesterday, ( https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/new-saw.128147/ ) the dealer said he'd pressure test the saw for me so I'll know if the crank seals are ok. If they are its a no brainer to fix.