Richard...I can feel the pain in ever word on this video! My son blew up the pristine 441 (carbureted model) I sold him...straight gassed it. I decided to rebuild with OEM parts and called the best Stihl repair shop here in Eastern Virginia. The mechanic asked if I had any idea what I was getting in to. Told him "NO" but how hard could it be as I'd rebuilt 460s, 360s. 036s, etc. His comment was, "It is the most god-awful saw Stihl has ever sold and I charge two hours to replace the piston and cylinder. Take lots of pictures as you go was his advice!" He wasn't wrong. Took me four hours and had to disassemble several times as something wasn't right along the way. My son ran it commercially for five years and sold it for what he paid for it! Maintained they are a really nice 70cc class saw!
So true. Once you work on them enough, it's really not that bad. It just didn't have to be so "over engineered". The 462 is a shining example of simplicity. There's not a wasted piece of anything and it's a joy to work on. I think they learned a valuable lesson with the 441. It was cutting edge back then to be honest.
I did the little studs that you're talking about on top of the cylinder on my 034 I did the double Nut method, a couple of really thin nuts that would fit onto the threads worked pretty good.
Over the years I've done a few top ends and 1 husky 61 P&C+bearings for free. Only for close friends and only if they're fine with me having their saw for as long as I need, to work on it in my free time. Had that 61 for 9 months😂 Thanks for the heads up on the 441👍🏻 That'll likely cost e'm!
I had a 441 Brand new when they come out, run it for 2 weeks. Started having problems took it back to my dealer. He said he fixed it. Wouldnt start was flooding. And I'm pretty sure it still sitting in the middle of the woods somewhere because I gave it a throw. And then went and bought A. 372
The early ones were set pretty lean from the factory to make emissions. There were a lot of failures. They eventually got the bugs worked out, but it was a black eye for 'Stihl. 441"s are a little on the heavy side but still a good saw.
Glad I don't own one of those. I'll stick with my 023, 046 & my 064. My 261 is more than I want to work on! Nice video Richard! And no "pond water" ! 🤣
Ive built a couple 441s, they are definitely a little over engineered! Once played with they definitely respond to mods , absolutely stronger than the 372xp oe.
Dude. I am arborist and run a small business, ive only done a top end rebuild on 4 saws. No real idea what im doing but ive managed to do 4 so far, 024, 090, 460 and last night the 441. Holy Moses! The 460 took me 1 hour. The 441 took me 3 hours!!! That said, i did strip the carb amd clean it, figured why not at rhat point. As i said , no real idea what im doing but I took off a lot less parts than you did. In short, yeah - that saw is complected as f aye!
Great! Hey what do you need to be able to access that info on expected times to repair different equipment? Do you need a business number? A contract with stihl? Can someone who has a contract with stihl create a log in for someone else? Thanks!
Will the 441 cylinder fit a 044? Im needing a decompression valve for my saw. I sent this saw off for a rebuild and I ended up with a hot saw. I keep breaking the pull chord.
@@richardflagg3084 ha, I'll send you mine...I kid. Bought it for cheap money with a stripped spark plug hole, but taking it apart is a bear, at least compared to my Jonsered, Echo, and Husky saws
Magnesium is a soft metal. It has great resistance to corrosion and the elements to be fair. It's more of a matter with how many threads make contact. The greater the thread depth the more you can lean on it. Experience counts. So does being "ham fisted" and thinking it needs just a little more. Lol!
@@richardflagg3084 Haha yep! That feeling as the threads strip on something... so bad. Makes sense that people screw it up with soft metal. Thanks for clarifying and great video!
Well Well another Stihl with a stripped out plug hole. That's exactly why I only own one because it's stripped out also. Thanks for keep reminding me just how junk they are Richard.
So what your saying is you need three hand's and three eye's to work on one of these and you still end up all thumb's and cross eyed yeesh! Almost makes working on a 562XP fun in comparison lol. Sorry couldn't help but throw that in there I know how much you dislike the 562, take care.
Yes the 562 and it's related family of saw's are as close to a ported saw in stock form when it comes to their high strung nature. I got lucky and got a "good one" back in 2014 with my 2260 still run's strong. love that saw even though it's seen many miles, has it's original seal's and bearing's never had an update flash on the autotune and yes it has the dreaded EL46 carb lol! @@richardflagg3084
This is my saw featured in the video. I picked it up a couple hours ago. It runs great, thanks rich...now off to mess up another one for you to fix.
Thanks Ken!
Great video! I really like that saw stand for working in the saw. Great invention!
Would love to get my hands on one!
Richard...I can feel the pain in ever word on this video! My son blew up the pristine 441 (carbureted model) I sold him...straight gassed it. I decided to rebuild with OEM parts and called the best Stihl repair shop here in Eastern Virginia. The mechanic asked if I had any idea what I was getting in to. Told him "NO" but how hard could it be as I'd rebuilt 460s, 360s. 036s, etc. His comment was, "It is the most god-awful saw Stihl has ever sold and I charge two hours to replace the piston and cylinder. Take lots of pictures as you go was his advice!" He wasn't wrong. Took me four hours and had to disassemble several times as something wasn't right along the way. My son ran it commercially for five years and sold it for what he paid for it! Maintained they are a really nice 70cc class saw!
So true. Once you work on them enough, it's really not that bad. It just didn't have to be so "over engineered". The 462 is a shining example of simplicity. There's not a wasted piece of anything and it's a joy to work on. I think they learned a valuable lesson with the 441. It was cutting edge back then to be honest.
Appreciate the information and tips so to speak Richard. Keep up the good work!
I did the little studs that you're talking about on top of the cylinder on my 034 I did the double Nut method, a couple of really thin nuts that would fit onto the threads worked pretty good.
Nice job Richard.
Very common with the 441. Funny how similar the 441 piston is to the 372 x torque.
Over the years I've done a few top ends and 1 husky 61 P&C+bearings for free. Only for close friends and only if they're fine with me having their saw for as long as I need, to work on it in my free time. Had that 61 for 9 months😂
Thanks for the heads up on the 441👍🏻 That'll likely cost e'm!
Great info as always thanks for sharing!
I had a 441 Brand new when they come out, run it for 2 weeks. Started having problems took it back to my dealer. He said he fixed it.
Wouldnt start was flooding.
And I'm pretty sure it still sitting in the middle of the woods somewhere because I gave it a throw. And then went and bought A.
372
Hahaha. That's awesome, cracked me up. Go grab it and sell it for parts man
As a Stihl man for years those were the saw that converted me to a Husky guy if that tells you anything about them....
The early ones were set pretty lean from the factory to make emissions. There were a lot of failures. They eventually got the bugs worked out, but it was a black eye for 'Stihl. 441"s are a little on the heavy side but still a good saw.
Nice explanation ❤❤❤
Glad I don't own one of those. I'll stick with my 023, 046 & my 064. My 261 is more than I want to work on! Nice video Richard! And no "pond water" ! 🤣
Ive built a couple 441s, they are definitely a little over engineered! Once played with they definitely respond to mods , absolutely stronger than the 372xp oe.
Dude. I am arborist and run a small business, ive only done a top end rebuild on 4 saws. No real idea what im doing but ive managed to do 4 so far, 024, 090, 460 and last night the 441.
Holy Moses! The 460 took me 1 hour. The 441 took me 3 hours!!!
That said, i did strip the carb amd clean it, figured why not at rhat point. As i said , no real idea what im doing but I took off a lot less parts than you did.
In short, yeah - that saw is complected as f aye!
I'm impressed it only took you 3 hours. A LOT going on with that saw. She's slightly over complicated to say the least.
Nice job as always.
Thank you!
Another great session of Flagg University on the 441. You should call it F U 😊
Hah!!
😂❤it!
Nice job Rich. Thanks for sharing. I'll never buy or run one of those. Lol
I know you like the older but modern saws. 440's, 460's, and 660's
@@richardflagg3084 Sir, yes sir
I replaced a gas tank on a 441 and I was like what in tar nation is this 😂.
Found one for 135 dollars needs rebuilt is it worth the money thanks
Great! Hey what do you need to be able to access that info on expected times to repair different equipment? Do you need a business number? A contract with stihl? Can someone who has a contract with stihl create a log in for someone else? Thanks!
Will the 441 cylinder fit a 044? Im needing a decompression valve for my saw. I sent this saw off for a rebuild and I ended up with a hot saw. I keep breaking the pull chord.
No
Double no
Is the helicoil fixing a common problem on the 441c??
It’s like ‘The Pentagon Wars’ but instead of the Bradley it’s a chainsaw.
You should do a two nut combo to remove the stud
I install and remove most studs with double nuts.
They are a pain in the ass, I’ve done a few.
Do you have a ms462 tear down video? No? You should make one 😉
As soon as one breaks down I'll do it 😎
@@richardflagg3084 ha, I'll send you mine...I kid. Bought it for cheap money with a stripped spark plug hole, but taking it apart is a bear, at least compared to my Jonsered, Echo, and Husky saws
@@tomasznumrych7187It's not just you, if that makes you feel better. Several mechanics have already chimed in.
also it has an integrated key on the flywheel. i broke mine. 150$ for the flywheel.
OOOfffffff. Sorry to hear that.
Love the 441 content! Just rebuilt one from a bare crankcase and had some questions. Do you have an email address?
Look under the "about" tab on my home page. You may have to type it in your email as apposed to clicking it.
Rich, when you click on the about tab it only shows the total views and join date, no contact information.
Yeah you don't see too many of these 441s around - and I suppose for good reason. Too bad as the 044s & 440s were great saws.
440's were so good Stihl put them back in production after phasing them out. Hell of a saw.
Why do the threads strip out so easily? Seems like a torque wrench would prevent it.
Magnesium is a soft metal. It has great resistance to corrosion and the elements to be fair. It's more of a matter with how many threads make contact. The greater the thread depth the more you can lean on it. Experience counts. So does being "ham fisted" and thinking it needs just a little more. Lol!
@@richardflagg3084 Haha yep! That feeling as the threads strip on something... so bad. Makes sense that people screw it up with soft metal. Thanks for clarifying and great video!
Well Well another Stihl with a stripped out plug hole. That's exactly why I only own one because it's stripped out also. Thanks for keep reminding me just how junk they are Richard.
This model is prone to it, I can't deny. I'm not smart enough to say with certainty, but I believe it has to do with harmonics.
Never liked working on 441s Every time they come in the shop I'm like not another 441
Top job
But very dirty?
No bore cleaning? New rings???😮
So what your saying is you need three hand's and three eye's to work on one of these and you still end up all thumb's and cross eyed yeesh! Almost makes working on a 562XP fun in comparison lol. Sorry couldn't help but throw that in there I know how much you dislike the 562, take care.
All true. The 562 is a great saw if you get a good one. Those saws just rip out of the box.
Yes the 562 and it's related family of saw's are as close to a ported saw in stock form when it comes to their high strung nature. I got lucky and got a "good one" back in 2014 with my 2260 still run's strong. love that saw even though it's seen many miles, has it's original seal's and bearing's never had an update flash on the autotune and yes it has the dreaded EL46 carb lol! @@richardflagg3084
Very common with the 441. Funny how similar the 441 piston is to the 372 x torque.