The Forestry Forum

I recently tore open a saw I got from a guy down the street who said it was in the garage when he moved in!
Well it had some water damage, I know I know!!!! But it's FREE. (and I want to tinker with a saw that is not one of my runners, for the experience!)
Here's the question, on a couple of spots were the aluminum had some corrosion is near a gasket seal, can that be filled with any thing(like jb weld)?!?!?!?!?!
Thanks Matt

A common problem when a saw sits on a concrete floor for any time .

Aluminum is what is known as a sacraficing metal .Meaning that through the process of electrolisis it kind of disappears . One component of concrete is called alumina which comes from blue clay .This is the element that causes the problem and the one reason you cannot use aluminum conduit in a concrete slab .Trivia 101 .

So much for the cause .Yes you can repair it with JB cold  weld,usually .Another product that works like charm for just a sealant is Loctite 5900 which a super RTV used in the auto industry in place of valve cover and oil pan gaskets .Kind of pricey though .

Thanks Al (again!)
I have two basket cases (Stihl 090g)
Both have had that water type damage!
Both saws are complete! but need a total work over!
The corrosion is in the crankcase area.
So last night when I opened them up I was a little worried! Just wanted to hear that this could be remedied!!!!
ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!!

Matt

Matt,

Any semi drying elastomer  gasket sealant which is gasoline resistant should do the job by itself if the corrosion is only skin deep.
If the corrosion is more a bit of preliminary leveling off with some epoxy cement, followed with a rub with fine grade emery might be required.

I dont know about the crankcase of the 090, but the other Stihl saws I have seen have a magnesium alloy crankcase, which do not take too kindly to welding attempts.

Joe
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