028AV problems and decisions

When I bought my house a few years ago, I aquired an old neglcted 028 AV super. I know the previous owner well and I'm sure the saw was not properly maintained and was probably ran on Wal-Mart oil. It was also in a flood at some point.

Fast forward to when I rescued it - I took it it in as one of my own and had all the fuel lines replaced along with the other regular PM items and it ran great! It quickly became my go to saw between my ms170 and my ms290. I think I ran it most.

Well before Christmas it started running a bit funny and I figured it was due for a carb rebuild. I'm a good mechanic but I leave the stihl repairs to a pro. My local reputable shop that I trust looked into it and found it needs a piston and a cylinder. Their quote is $400-450. Thats a bit much for me to swallow.

It is a good old saw but I'm not quite willing to dump that much into it. Also, I really don't "need" the saw as I have my others. Now I' trying to figure my options.

I could by a "cheapo" kit offline and try to fix it myself - but I'm short on freetime and wouldn't want to screw it up in the process as I've never rebuilt a saw.

Or

I could sell the saw "as-is" and recoupe my loss.

Or I could - pay to fix it...

It's really a bummer, I liked that saw and it was so nice to run especially since it was free to begin with.

 

Saw

 

028 is easy to work on and aftermarket parts are reasonable. If the cylinder is junk a good used one can usually be found on ebay fairly inexpensively. Your decision is what the saw means to you and do you enjoy the work. If the saw looks good it needs to be fixed, if it's been banged around and you don't have an attachment to it sell it as is.

 

I'd get in contact with definitive dave and he could probably hook you up with an after market piston and cylinder but make sure that you use Caber ring. A lot of guy's on here have the after market piston and cylinder on there saw but they always stress that Caber rings is the most important part. All can be had for pretty cheap. Don't quote me on this but it may be less that a $100?

 

The unit is in great physical condition. I even have a new bar and a few newer chains for it.

 

I've been hanging on to a oem 028 super p&c for the right project, I might be interested if you sell cheap.

 

MOST dealers wont/cant/shant/whatever clean up a cylinder under any circumstance. I would bet a yummy dozen donuts that one of the guys on here close to you could easily get the cylinder cleaned up and then all you need is a Meteor piston. Should be under $40 for the piston with Caber rings, delivered. Plus you probably meet a good saw dude close to you and learn how to clean up a cylinder. Win, Win!!
There is not a "good" aftermarket 028 Super cylinder out there these days as far as I know and I spend a lot of time looking for good aftermarket parts.
If the OEM will clean up you should be golden. Take the opportunity to give everything a good looksie and cleaning while it is apart too.
Dave

 

I think your right. There is some marking on the cylinder just above the port visible through the spark plug hole. It doesn't look too bad to me and also keep in mind that the saw was running decently before I took it in, it just didn't want to idle and would start to bog during a long cut.

Anyone in northeast Ohio able to clean up a cylinder for a fellow hoarder?

I'll post some pictures asap.

 

What are your thoughts on an ebay used piston and jug like say this for example:

Used Stihl 44mm 028 AV WB chainsaw piston cylinder OEM Mahle | eBay

I assume I'd still need some special tools for assembly maybe? Could I/should I buy a hone and clean a used one like this up or run it as is?

 

Looks like a good deal, especially when the dealer quoted you $400 to $450. Just some basic tool is all that you would need it's not very hard to do.

 

Thanks for your help blacksmith. I lm going to get it on the way here. Does that kit appear to have everything I will need for a successful rebuild?

Also, are there any torque specs I should be aware of or special procedures?

 

I am no expert by any means but everything seems to be there. I am sure there is torque specs but I just make them good and tight. But while it's apart get a set of Caber rings to put on the piston! And if it seems rough around the ports maybe do some light polishing!

 

Just be sure to pressure and vac test it, too.

 

this cylinder is NOT the same as the one on your saw, the 028 Super is 46mm and has a domed/pop up piston, the one in that eBay add is a 44mm and has a flat top piston
if you decide to try the smaller cylinder which will make less power, be sure to check the crankcase and cylinder alignment carefully, there are two different crankcases for the 028 and i have not been into enough of them to know which parts interchange between them

 

DO NOT BUY THIS from me unless your old jug will clean up but this listing shows the 028 Super piston
Meteor piston kit for Stihl 028 Super Chainsaw New 46mm replaces 1118 030 2003 | eBay

Dave

standard piston
Meteor piston for Stihl 028 with Caber rings 44 mm | eBay

 

Dang.... I already bought it. No returns either. I guess I'll have to try and resell it somehow.

I found a place that will hone the cylinder for me. Let me get it apart and see if it's salvageable then I'll grab one of those nice piston and ring sets!

 

I sorry Born2Burn if I mislead you in any way at all and caused you to buy something that's not right I do apologize. When you first posted the link of the piston and cylinder I had forgotten that yours was a super.

 

You do not want the cylinder honed in my opinion, just the aluminum transfer cleaned of the bore, can you post a picture(s) of the inside of the cylinder?
Dave

 

Do the fingernail test on the cylinder. Follow YouTube videos for cleaning up with scotch Brite pads (Mastermind?) and muriatic acid if needed.

Slow down! It's not a race, you can do it.

I've done an 038, very similar saw.

 

This ^ ^ ^