Small Limbing Saw

Nah he didn't straight gas it. Has fresh gas. Something is wonky with the carb after I was messing with it. I primed the carb, was a really hard start. Wouldn't idle after getting it running I had to hold or blip throttle. Out a ton of marvel mystery oil in the tank. I think it may have loosened something somewhere cause it started to then lean out...or it was just there was so much oil in there that it had less fuel and without a real adjustable carb I can't fool with it.

Got on eBay last night and found a fully adjustable carb that claims to fit the 170. It needs a new carb or a rebuild. I have had good luck with the Chinese replacements and they cost just as much as the kits or less sometimes so went that route. In my big saws I will rebuild them but these smaller ones and weed eaters I have just been replacing them. I'll keep you posted when I get it in. Probably start my own thread as to not totally hijack this one.

 

Don't hold that saw wide open so long without a load on it. Not that good for it.

 

I haven't called or been back over to the Stihl dealer I buy from so I'm not sure if they received their order of saws in yet.

 

Carb for the 170 came yesterday. It says it fits. It's fully adjustable. I have heard these existed for awhile so I am sure it will fit. Will install it today or tomorrow. At some point I probably will muffler mod it as well to get more power.

 

My Dewalt pole saw does the same. I wrap it in a plastic bag inside the box for storage and it still gets the box oily!

 

I replaced the carb. Was all wonky still and couldn't tune it. Went to go out more fuel in it and it was full of milky colored watered down gas!! I'm sure this was the issue the whole time. I asked if he left it in the rain. He said no I asked if he used ethonol fuel cause if he did it probably sucked up moisture and the watered down fuel sinks and when he adds gas it starts all over and if there is not much left it's all now low grade watered down fuel.

I dumped it into a cup and then put fresh gas. It runs a bit better but still a bit odd. Maybe some water still in it..maybe it's scored? It might have bad crank seals as it bogs and stuff as you move it around. I'll get it as good as I can and run it till it seizes. It's just a throw away 170.

Now what had to be done. The top of the carb has to be swapped with yours. You have to drill holes into the side to get to the adjustment screws. It's not a hard mod though.

 

Had issues with my new 170 last Summer when only a few months old. Dealer fixed for free and i sold it in January. The only new Stihl ive owned that i can say anything bad about.

I say go top handle. I have a year and a half old Stihl 194T top handle that i love. Came across a deal for a 201 rear handle in January for $350 and jumped on it. Pro saw Mtonic. $700+ saw new so out of your price range.
Came across a deal for a 201CM top handle shortly there after and couldnt pass it up for $375. Shown here with the 194. Both wear 12" bars.
Once you get used to a top handle youll wonder why you didnt get one sooner!

 

Thanks Brad, I've been looking at both Husky and Stihl top-handle saws. They would be nice especially limbing up some of these pine I thin out around the house.

 

I have an older top handle Stihl. It's not that light bit still can use it as designed. They are handy. I wouldn't say you will never use another one though. There handy in certain other situations but it's not like I have to grab it. I still use my 80cc Stihl for a lot of things. Sure a MS650 is heavy but you spend less time holding it than another saw and your done quicker.

 

YW! One other saw i might recommend is an 024. Not as light as a 170/180 but not too bad to wield. 16" shortest bar though. Id like to find a newer 241, now obsolete but Mtronic. Scarce pro saw.

 

Do they make a 12" bar for it? It be an interesting sight if they did!

My top handles are mostly used in tangled areas where a two handed saws may be to clumsy/awkward. Limbing and cutting smalls, even though ive buried the 12" bar and its handled it. Occasionally off a ladder.

 

I think they do...I thought I bought one or have one? Maybe it was a 14" I have? I have a few bars for it. I use longer ones cause it's a 40cc saw and has the grunt to pull it in larger stuff.

 

If you are wanting a new one, last time I was in the True Value they had one on the shelf. $539 if I remember correctly.

 

A 241? Must be NOS as they are no longer made. No longer on the Stihl site. One was on FBM recently and went quick. Slightly used for around $400 if memory serves me correct.