OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Chainsaws and Concrete Cutters McCulloch Chainsaws McCulloch Pro Mac

My McCulloch Pro Mac 610 chainsaw is giving me problems and I now need to decide whether to (a) Repair it and keep it, or (b) Repair it and sell it, or (c) Sell it as is for spare parts. Any suggestions?

whats wrong with it

What's wrong with it?... (a) It leaks a bit of oil. I've been told this is because the casing is cracked. But that's not a big problem as it leaks oil onto the chain, which is where it's needed. (b) It 'died' on me a couple of weeks ago and it needs a new coil. But the local service company can't obtain one, so I'm stuck with a non-functional chain saw.

Yunderup,
I can get you a second hand coil if you require it.

Regards,
Bruce

I have just been to see the "mechanic" who was repairing my chainsaw to tell him that I have located a coil and he now tells me that it also needs a new piston and piston rings! As I'm not impressed by "mechanics" who don't tell me these sort of things up front I have taken the chainsaw from him and will see about reparing it myself... maybe. But is it worth it if I am now going to have to get a coil and piston plus rings, and I might as well get the cracked casing replaced, and who knows what else? What would all these parts cost? Alternatively, is there any value in it as 2nd hand parts, e.g. I have 3 chains? What do you think???

Yunderup,
Could you please advise if the cylinder has any scoring on it?

Regards,
Bruce

From what I can see by looking in the exhaust port the cylinder seems ok. But of course there's one segment of the cylinder that I can't see. Maybe I'd better pull the whole thing apart...? Do you know if that is a straight forward job for an average backyard mechanic like me, or is there anything special I need to know?

Yunderup,
What is wrong with the piston and rings?
Do you have blow by past the rings?
Does the piston have score marks on the exhaust port side?

If you don't have any of these problems then DON'T take it apart as it would appear that you have been given the wrong advise.

Regards,
Bruce

[This message has been edited by Bruce (edited 02-07-2003).]

The piston is definitely scoured on the exhaust port side. Don't know about blow back though.
It's sounding to me more and more like it's not worth repairing. If I have to buy a coil, plus a piston, plus rings, plus who knows what else, which I guess would add up to around $200, that's not far short of what I paid for the chain saw 2nd hand.

Yunderup,
Because the piston has score marks on the exhaust side that means lack of lubrication. I would be suggesting that you put the machine to rest and invest in another saw.

Regards,
Bruce

I think I will take you advice on that. Am I allowed to advertise it for sale as spare parts on this bulletin board?