Rebuilding a Chainsaw

[DawgPaw]

My Husqvarna 372XP would not crank, and I took it into the shop. They say that it has low compression and needs to be rebuilt. They estimate $350-400. A new saw is around $900.

Is this something that I can do myself? I saw a YouTube video on a 55, and it looks straight forward enough. I'm not sure how similar the two are though. Any special tools or such?

Also does anybody have any idea what might have caused it? I bought the saw from a down on his luck grading contractor for about a third of retail 4 years ago. It seemed to run fine until it stopped. I run ethanol free gas with the Husqvarna mix. I want to make sure that I don't do all of this work and end up with the same problem.

 

[Davefr]

The cylinder/piston is probably scored. This comes from leaky fuel lines, leaky intake, clogged air filters, clogged fuel filters, dull chains (creating saw dust vs chips) and improper fuel mix. It could also be a clogged exhaust or spark arrester.

The other issue could be leaky bottom end seals but that's not as common.

Most professional saws are easy to rebuild the top end and require very few tools.

Go to arborist site and beg for a factory service manual. Now go to Bailey's and explore aftermarket parts if you want to save $'s.

The 372XP is a fabulous saw and well worth the rebuild.

 

[purplezr2]

Its not hard to do, just remember to put the piston on the right direction. Ring gaps always face the intake!

Without seeing the internals I would guess you have scuffing either due to lack of lubrications(wrong mix ratio) or debris ingestion.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Even if you don't rebuild the bar, replace ALL of the fuel lines, including the ones in the tank, with Tygon fuel lines. Replace the fuel filter also.

PS I would clean the engine FIRST before disassembling.

 

[chris142]

many people ignore the air filter.its very important! make sure thar ita clean, oiled if its a foam filter and well sealed.

 

[decableguy2000]

You need to find out why it died. You may be able to clean up the cylinder and use a new psiton. If that is all is needed you can do it for less than $100 bucks. You can have and air leak for almost any where on that saw crank seals, intake, bad fuel line, bad impluse line, bad fuel, wrong carburetor settings,wrong oil mix, etc etc. Pressure and vacuum test before the tear down and order all you parts together. I have rebuilt several versions of this model, 365, 371 and jonsered 2071.The arborist site chainsaw forum is a great plcae for info.

Jeremy

 

[raiderhillbilly]

It is not hard. the 272xp is a powerhouse. I would rebuild it.

 

[rkevins]

you can also find top end kits on ebay

 

[jabberwoki]

Yes the Taiwanese rebuild kits of fleabay seen to work. I`ve done 2 and their still holding up.
And WAY cheaper than the oem kits

 

[ken w.]

Try http://www.cutterschoice.com/shop.aspx. I buy quite a bit from them.

 

[Jason280]

Try Arboristsite.com, they're a tremendous resource for saw owners. I'd rebuild and port the 372, its a great saw and can make some very good power!

 

[Jason280]

Here's the link:

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/forums/chainsaw.9/

 

[SwampCat]

Try Arboristsite.com, they're a tremendous resource for saw owners. I'd rebuild and port the 372, its a great saw and can make some very good power!

A #1 place for chainsaw junkies

 

[Packard V8]

Since the saw was running well before the no-start, also suspect stuck piston rings. Because most 2-strokes have no way to drain the crankcase, filling the cylinder with solvent is more problematic than with a 4-stroke.

Do a search for recommendations from pros/owners who have freed stuck rings. You might get lucky.

jack vines