In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

It's that time of year again. Leaf season.

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by TurboDiesel, Nov 8, 2014.

Page 3 of 3
  1. 94BULLITT

    94BULLITT

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2014
    Messages:
    2,446
    Likes Received:
    7,189
    Location:
    Frederick County, VA
    It looked like to me the engine was carboned up real bad. A piece of carbon broke loose and got under the valve and bent the valve. I wonder if someone was using a low quality oil, mixing too much oil with the gas. Stihl sells a engine decarbonizer. I forget how often you are supposed to decarbonize the engine, maybe that had never been done to it and it was a high our machine. I bought a HT131 used and I adjusted the valves in it. I'm not sure how much it has been used but the engine looks new inside.
     
    94BULLITT, Nov 14, 2014
    #41 Top
  2. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2013
    Messages:
    9,648
    Likes Received:
    26,018
    Location:
    Greenville County SC
    The very early BR600's had some issues with valves breaking and exhaust valve guides slipping. There are a few improvements that Stihl made (and early units can be updated) including changing the valve materials and redesigning the fuel lines to prevent starving the engine for fuel. The blower tubes were also redesigned to wear longer and make it more difficult to over-rev the engine by blocking the discharge opening.

    The 4-mix IS fairly sensitive to excessive carbon build up as it traps heat in the engine and that's bad news for those baby valves. Stihl STRONGLY recommended using HP Ultra (or any other full syn) oil in the 4-mix engines to reduce carbon build up.

    If you're buying a new BR600 today (or any of them built in the last 6-7 years or so) then reliability will not be a concern. It's just those first season models that had some teething pains.
     
    MasterMech, Nov 14, 2014
    #42 Top
    Fanatical1 likes this.
  3. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2013
    Messages:
    16,146
    Likes Received:
    96,676
    Location:
    Hollidaysburg Pa
    Thanks MM
    I did go with the BR 600. The dealer told me Stihl has deal where if you buy a pack of synthetic oil they double the warranty from 2 years to 4 years(for non-commercial use). You really can't go wrong with that, you'll need the oil sometime.
     
    TurboDiesel, Nov 15, 2014
    #43 Top
    bigbarf48 likes this.
  4. Fanatical1

    Fanatical1

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,688
    Likes Received:
    12,290
    Location:
    Ohio

    I think you made a good choice. I'm very pleased with my two. Let us know how they run for you.. :)

    You will need that oil too! I'm on 8 gallons of mix so far this fall for just the blowers.
     
    Fanatical1, Nov 15, 2014
    #44 Top
    TurboDiesel likes this.
  5. bigbarf48

    bigbarf48

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Messages:
    2,344
    Likes Received:
    4,701
    Location:
    Stone Mountain, GA
    I've got stacks of that oil laying around from the warranty doubling deal :D
     
    bigbarf48, Nov 15, 2014
    #45 Top
    TurboDiesel likes this.
  6. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2014
    Messages:
    29,415
    Likes Received:
    136,269
    Location:
    Wyoming high plains
    I have bought from them too, pleased as well.
     
    wildwest, Jan 11, 2015
    #46 Top
    raybonz and HDRock like this.
Page 3 of 3