Been silly...

[Thomc]

So... I replaced the crankcase gasket on my 346xpg a wee while back - started on the third pull when I got it back together, it had only been lying in bits for a year.... 👊

 

However, I used the wrong bolts to attach the front handle at the bottom of the saw. They were too long so have worn two little holes through the crankcase, spilling chain oil everywhere. Not a great look down your legs...

 

Does anyone know where I can get the two crankcase halves? My dealer quoted £190 new, I didn't like the sound of that! There's a half crankcase on eBay for £30 at the moment but I'm holding off to see if I can source the two together, even off the same saw.

 

Thanks!

[Haironyourchest]

So... I replaced the crankcase gasket on my 346xpg a wee while back - started on the third pull when I got it back together, it had only been lying in bits for a year.... 👊

 

However, I used the wrong bolts to attach the front handle at the bottom of the saw. They were too long so have worn two little holes through the crankcase, spilling chain oil everywhere. Not a great look down your legs...

 

Does anyone know where I can get the two crankcase halves? My dealer quoted £190 new, I didn't like the sound of that! There's a half crankcase on eBay for £30 at the moment but I'm holding off to see if I can source the two together, even off the same saw.

 

Thanks!

 

If it was my saw, I would break it down again, and take the crankcase to an engineering outfit that can weld magnesium alloy, and just patch the holes. Would hurt to get a quote.

[Aicchalmers]

Might be possible if it's not worn a bigger hole to use shorter bolts and stick some silicone/epoxy in first? That's what I've seen suggested for injector hold down-bolts if they break through into the water jacket..

[bmp01]

Epoxy, JB Weld. There are fuel proof versions which should be ok with oil. I presume its just to seal the leak and there's no structural implication.

Somewhat awkward to find in UK, i got some from Opie Oils when i was buying oil for the car.

 

If you can access the holes through the filler cap you might even be able to do the job with out disassembly, I'm thinking several flushes with fuel and then degreaser like brake cleaner.... unless you want to take it apart again...

 

bmp01

[bmp01]

Or if you have enough thread you could loctite a grub screw above the correct screw. That assumes its proper engineering thread in metal, not some self cut thread rubbish.

 

bmp01

[spudulike]

Try a couple of self tappers with some JBweld around them. The tank is under little pressure and if you degrease the area sufficiently well, it will hold fine.

 

I have effected a similar repair and it never came back!

 

Surprised you didn't feel the vibes!

[Haironyourchest]

Well, I should have gone with my first thought and suggested epoxy putty!..haha. Yeah metal powder impregnated putty will do it, phenomenal stuff - nearly all auto parts shops have some version of it on the counter. Personally I would break the case though, and roughen up the surfaces inside and out around the holes first though.

[Thomc]

Thank you all very much, I'll give it a go. Thanks for the quick responses!

 

Interestingly enough, one of the work 357xp s had a new pot and piston recently and when I checked today it had been put back together just like my 346xp and the two long bolts were starting to do the same thing. I swapped them for the right ones straight away!

[Thomc]

Just a wee update, I did what you said spud and it seems to have worked just fine! £6 mend, I'm very pleased!

 

Cheers guys, very good of you to share your knowledge. I appreciate it.

[spudulike]

Just a wee update, I did what you said spud and it seems to have worked just fine! £6 mend, I'm very pleased!

 

Cheers guys, very good of you to share your knowledge. I appreciate it.

 

It will last just fine as long as the areas were degreased. No need to over engineer some repairs - the tank doesn't hold high pressure or vacuum so should last just fine and a low cost and relatively simple repair.