my 440 kicked the bucket

[Birchwood Logging]

Got back to the job today from hauling the last load of the day the guys came out of hills my timber cutter came to me and said the saw was weak and loosing power. So I done the drop test it failed it was getting late in the day and the stihl shop would be closed by the time I got there I know the guy there that runs the shop I called him he told me he had a new 461 said he would knock off $100 the sale price and would deliver it right on out to my job. About 45 minutes later he showed up with my new saw tool kit 2 hats mix oil and a jug of bar oil. Now that's service  that's why stihl has my business  tax and all it coated $984  8)

[thecfarm]

Dealer support is so important. Sounds like you have a good one.

[Al_Smith]

Well for nearly a thousand bucks you should get the red carpet treatment .

Say though you might check the sparkplug on that 441 .They are known to back out for some reason .

Why I have no idea but I've seen two so far and heard of several reports from others on the net .

[Al_Smith]

Oops ,a thousand pardens ,I see it's a 440 . :embarassed:

[Birchwood Logging]

I put a after market rebuild kit piston and cylinder in the 440 about 8 months ago ran great for a while but wore out rather quick. What kind of life do you guys see out of the after market cylinder kits?

[husky2100]

Usally depends on the brand

[coxy]

not fond of after market stuff for 2 strokes for the extra money I go oem  jmop

[sharkey]

I wish more business people thought the way that your Stihl dealer does. 

As for the top end kits, some are better than others.   Weedeaterman has been keeping track of the better parts.  One of the asian makers, Hyway, has been asking for feedback from their customers.  Theyve been rating the kits A-B-C and so on.  The newest nikasil kits are pretty nice from what Ive seen.  Nikasil is a plating process that is more durable than chrome.       

[jdhacker]

Dealer support is so important. Sounds like you have a good one.

Glad you have good support, I had to buy a new saw six months ago, the coil went down, I walked in my stihl dealer. He didnt have one, but went to the rack and tore down a new saw down and sent me on my way. That means everything to me.

[luvmexfood]

Gosh you all have some good dealers your way. Several in the area. My saw was giving me trouble this past fall. Called the selling dealer and was told a three week wait time before they could look at the saw. Explained that I was in a bind and had recently lost my job and was logging to survive. There reply was "I hate to hear that". They are now a last resort to get any of my money.

About 3 years ago I went in to the same dealer and purchased several smaller items one of which was an inner tube for a front lawn mower tire. Thought the bill was a little high and when I got home I reviewed it. $25.00 for an inner tube that was $9.50 at a local tire shop.

Will be purchasing a new Stihl or Echo saw soon. Guess who will not be getting my business.

[Al_Smith]

I've had good luck with Meteor pistons .

So far I've always either been able to save the cylinders or find a used donor so I can't comment on after market cylinders .

The pistons I could save I've used Cabor piston rings which seem to be okay .There's a lot of suppliers which I won't mention because I'm not certain who is a sponsor where .

[AdkStihl]

I put a after market rebuild kit piston and cylinder in the 440 about 8 months ago ran great for a while but wore out rather quick. What kind of life do you guys see out of the after market cylinder kits?

Sounds to me like you never found the real cause for the OEM top end to fry

[NCFarmboy]

I wish more business people thought the way that your Stihl dealer does. 

As for the top end kits, some are better than others.   Weedeaterman has been keeping track of the better parts.  One of the asian makers, Hyway, has been asking for feedback from their customers.  Theyve been rating the kits A-B-C and so on.  The newest nikasil kits are pretty nice from what Ive seen.  Nikasil is a plating process that is more durable than chrome.       

I just bought a Hyway kit for a Husky 359.  I am impressed with the quality.  Plating, chamfer on ports, etc. absolutely beautiful.  I will buy another Hyway kit in a flash.
Shep