Stihl 031AV

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76brian

Feeling the Heat
Nov 5, 2011
394
Ottawa, Canada
gplus.to
Found a nice vintage Stihl on Kijiji for cheap. The guy said it didn't run. $35.

A little gas/oil in the combustion chamber or carb and it fires right up and runs nice for a few seconds. Very good compression. Seems like the carb or fuel lines are plugged up, should be an easy fix.

Does anyone have a shop manual or assembly diagram they would like to share so I can get this old girl back in service?
[Hearth.com] Stihl 031AV
 
Thanks a bunch, signed up and posted.
 
That's a good looking saw!!! I have rebuilt 2 or 3 of them...

Start with the fuel filter it may just be plugged... I chased a similar problems one one of mine and it was just the filter and tank had turned to varnish .. Look inside the tank and see whats in there..
 
Already cracked the tank open and cleaned it out. It was grungy. Cleaned the fuel filter and line, both were in good shape. Back together with a "fresh" gasket (oops). Carb looks fairly clean, I gave it some cleaner, going to give it more. Hopefully that's all it needs. I have a carb kit just in case.
 
Starts and runs great!!!

Unfortunately, it won't cut a warm stick of butter. The clutch seems to be pooched :( I doubt I'll find one.
 
E-bay has clutchs for that saw less than 20.00 !!!
 
I saw one complete but it was a different style. Mine has the quickstop clutch. I made a lowball bid, but the sprocket teeth look bad, at least as bad as mine... but I think that part is still available new, Oregon makes one.

Pretty much nothing else in the clutch is available though.

Does anyone know if the whole clutch assembly might be interchangeable with one for another model... and would still be available at my local dealer? I can't really afford to buy used parts that may or may not be good.

The chain seems to move fine now, but as soon as it gets put to wood it stops, and the clutch keeps spinning/slipping.
 
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I got some more time to play with this saw. I took the clutch apart and there was oil and gunk all caked inside the spur gear housing. A little brake cleaner on it to clean it up and now it cuts awesome! Took down and lopped up a big old oak on the weekend and it never missed a beat!

$35 what a deal :)
 
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