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Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Westside88 on October 24, 2025, 12:43:39 PM

Title: Update repair complete Who knows Stihl messed up and cooked my 044
Post by: Westside88 on October 24, 2025, 12:43:39 PM: No way to sugarcoat it, I messed up last weekend and grabbed to wrong gas and hurt my saw. When it died I could tell it had no-little compression when I tried to restart it. Anyway it's probably a 2005ish vintage 044. It was an awesome saw and I would like to save it if at all possible. Any advice on repairs such as go stock, big bore kit etc. Recommendations on saw shops to talk to? Anywhere from Grays Harbor to Pierce County would be ideal. Really kickin myself over this one
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: HntnFsh on October 24, 2025, 01:33:31 PM: I know of several guys that swear by the Chinese rebuild kits. Dirt cheap and excellent results!
1 of them was a saw mechanic for many years!
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Westside88 on October 24, 2025, 01:58:06 PM: Quote from: HntnFsh on October 24, 2025, 01:33:31 PM
I know of several guys that swear by the Chinese rebuild kits. Dirt cheap and excellent results!
1 of them was a saw mechanic for many years!

I've seen some big bore kits online that were intriguing. I'll be happy if I can save this one. I really only use it 6-10 times per year, but when I do it's nice having a good one
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: medic6 on October 24, 2025, 02:25:21 PM: Lil red barn stihl is the kit my buddy uses. He has done several friends/family and no complaints. Mine was 64 bucks online and never ran better on my 038 mag. Local shop wanted 700. New one was 900 and change.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Westside88 on October 25, 2025, 01:34:25 PM: Anyone have experience with these kits?
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Remnar on October 25, 2025, 07:34:14 PM: Madsens in Centralia. Ask for Mike. If he still works there,he has been there a long time and is very knowledgeable . :twocents:

Had an 046 rebuilt there a couple years ago and it was $370.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Westside88 on October 25, 2025, 09:55:51 PM: Thank you
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Tenkara on October 26, 2025, 06:58:18 AM: Quote from: Remnar on October 25, 2025, 07:34:14 PM
Madsens in Centralia. Ask for Mike. If he still works there,he has been there a long time and is very knowledgeable . :twocents:

Had an 046 rebuilt there a couple years ago and it was $370.

Unfortunately Mike isnt there now.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Emptyhanded on October 26, 2025, 07:39:46 AM: I had a friend that rebuilt a lot of saws. He helped me rebuild a few and said that the Chinese kits are plenty serviceable, but use good rings and oem cir-clips on the wrist pin. OEM or caber rings are what he recommended and used. He put a meteor top end on a 372xp for me and it has been great so far.

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Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: AROTTY on October 31, 2025, 05:28:23 PM: If you end up wanting another one I have a 440 with good comp for a decent price.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 31, 2025, 06:49:08 PM: Send it to RIP Saw. :tup: Thank me later.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: BeerBugler on October 31, 2025, 08:26:52 PM: Just go to Baileys online, everything you need, easy and inexpensive. Probably just need piston and rings but a whole new cylinder kit is fairly inexpensive. 044 is a great saw, bring it back to life and enjoy. HL Supply is another option if your looking to save a few bucks.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Westside88 on October 31, 2025, 08:32:27 PM: Quote from: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 31, 2025, 06:49:08 PM
Send it to RIP Saw. :tup: Thank me later.
I’m interested, where are they located?
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Barehunter on October 31, 2025, 08:37:01 PM: as a professional user of chainsaws rebuilt saws would not last long, but if you only use it few times a year it should be ok. the 044 was one of the best saws ever made.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: hunter399 on October 31, 2025, 08:45:42 PM: Quote from: Barehunter on October 31, 2025, 08:37:01 PM
as a professional user of chainsaws rebuilt saws would not last long, but if you only use it few times a year it should be ok. the 044 was one of the best saws ever made.
Ditto
Best saw ever made.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Westside88 on October 31, 2025, 08:47:57 PM: Quote from: Barehunter on October 31, 2025, 08:37:01 PM
as a professional user of chainsaws rebuilt saws would not last long, but if you only use it few times a year it should be ok. the 044 was one of the best saws ever made.
I appreciate your insight. I really only use a saw like this a few times a year. I’ve had it since the 90’s and it sickens me that I did this. I probably don’t need a 044, but I still
Want one
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 31, 2025, 09:00:04 PM: Probably not worth it. Whatever you think it s
Is.
Title: Re: Who knows Stihl Chainsaws? messed up and cooked my 044 hoping to save/rebuild
Post by: puyallupaul on November 01, 2025, 06:36:17 AM: For your question J&I in Yelm. Not too far. Family owned dealer. Tree service I have used,uses them.
Title: Re: Update repair complete Who knows Stihl messed up and cooked my 044
Post by: Westside88 on December 11, 2025, 03:57:05 PM: Well it was debatable whether I’d be able to save it and if it was repairable what the price point was that made it worth it. I ended up dropping it off last night at Madsen’s saw shop in Centralia last night based on a recommendation from a family member. By 8 am this morning I received a call quoting $350 total to repair and by 10am the job was completed. They replaced the piston assembly, cylinder gasket, needle cage, fuel filter, spark plug,air filter and fuel hose. They were able to hone the cylinder (probably lucky it was idling at low rpm when it died)

I’m pretty happy to be able to save it for $350, I see used ones for sale in the $700-800 range and a comparable new saw is way more than that. I will be replacing my fuel jug with a much more distinctive/identifiable one so I don’t ever make that bonehead move again