Stihl MS260 rattle

[NorfolknGood]

Hello everyone I’m a newbie here with a 2nd hand iffy ole MS260.

 

I bought this MS260 as spares or repairs with a view to putting it right and using it. After having it on the bench a few minutes, set up the plug and MAG gap and closed the L needle down to a single turn rather than 4 turns I have it running pretty well. Problem is even though it starts well and revs like a goodun there is a metallic rattle all the time. It can even be heard when pulling over slow with the chord.

I can’t locate where the noise is coming from. I have checked to see if there is any play in the crank bearing on the flywheel side and can find none. Tomorrow I will check the clutch and more likely to be worn side but the noise sounds more flywheel side to me. It can’t be that serious can it? I mean it starts and revs well.

 

Any ideas what the issue may be chaps?

[Rich2484]

It can be hard. Sound like you checked the important part. The crank.

 

My bet would have been on clutch, either loose worn spring. But you have had it apart. Also anything on the flywheel would have been found.

 

Check the cylinder bolts are tight aswell. Then check the pull start assembly are also ok.

 

Check the clutch brake drum and band are also ok. And the needle bearing.

 

Other than that the exhaust is also tight.

[TreeswingerPerth]

Sounds like a worn set of clutch springs to me .

TS

[NorfolknGood]

Thank you gents for your prompt replies. I must confess I don't know a lot about chain saws so may need holding by the hand with a few bits. I have not had the clutch apart I have only had a cursory look over it so far. At least I have an idea about what else to check tomorrow. I will have to goto my local chainsaw suppliers and get a few bits I noticed the chain catcher is missing and also the pivot for the chain brake on the port side.

 

Maybe a Youtube video would pick up the sound and may help diagnosis.

 

Thanks again for your help

[NorfolknGood]

Sounds like a worn set of clutch springs to me .

TS

 

How do I tell if they are worn? broken I know but I assume worn means weak? Without experience of what they should be like it's a bit hard to know

[MATTMOSS]

Hello everyone I’m a newbie here with a 2nd hand iffy ole MS260.

 

I bought this MS260 as spares or repairs with a view to putting it right and using it. After having it on the bench a few minutes, set up the plug and MAG gap and closed the L needle down to a single turn rather than 4 turns I have it running pretty well. Problem is even though it starts well and revs like a goodun there is a metallic rattle all the time. It can even be heard when pulling over slow with the chord.

I can’t locate where the noise is coming from. I have checked to see if there is any play in the crank bearing on the flywheel side and can find none. Tomorrow I will check the clutch and more likely to be worn side but the noise sounds more flywheel side to me. It can’t be that serious can it? I mean it starts and revs well.

 

Any ideas what the issue may be chaps?

 

Have you checked the needle bearing is not worn causing play in the clutch cover?

[TreeswingerPerth]

How do I tell if they are worn? broken I know but I assume worn means weak? Without experience of what they should be like it's a bit hard to know

 

Give it a good shake , engine off and see if it rattles , the springs go between the shoes to keep them tight , get slack with use .

TS

[NorfolknGood]

I have not checked needle bearings in the clutch housing but have revolved it by hand and it does have a little play in it which I assumed was normal? If not that's a good source of the right noise I would think

 

I will try the shake rattle and roll thing in the morning, I think it's time to come in now or SWMBO will cut my tail off!

 

I did remove the exhaust and found 1 of the bolts that hold the lid on loose and under the exhaust some resin like packed in saw dust so had a good clean up. The bore looks perfect and piston has slight scoring as you may expect from a 2005 saw that looks like it's had commercial use. I guess in an ideal world i would strip it cross hone and replace rings etc but for now I just want to get it running without the rattle.

 

I can give it an hour or 2 tomorrow so maybe I can find Mr Rattle then.

[NorfolknGood]

Give it a good shake , engine off and see if it rattles , the springs go between the shoes to keep them tight , get slack with use .

TS

 

No sign of a rattle after a good shake this morning.

[GardenKit]

If the rattle stops when the clutch engages (i.e the chain spins) then the clutch is the source.

 

If the rattle continues even at revs its somewhere else.

 

I had one with a loose bolt behind the flywheel once.