Stihl 031av...doa?

[Rocky_J]

...
That $200 Husqvarna at the hardware store is looking better and better, especially when I found that it weighs almost half as much as my 031.

Jim

Yup, go buy the $200 hardware store saw. Think of all the money you'll save. 

[HCO41]

Had to get on this one.  Been having the same problem with one of my 031s.  I had a chip put in it to eliminate points and condenser, some improvement but had miss at high RPM.  Checked it out and found plug gaspped real tight.  I opened it up to .020, started it and it reved but wouldn't idle no matter what I did, adjust carb., etc.  I  squeezed plug down to approx. .010 and saw idled but miss was back.  This must be a trick to get spark enough to idle with weak coil (less resistance).  I'm going to beat thebushes for a new or good used coil.  Have no experience with other posts (seals, etc.), but honestly think the coil is the problem.

[bandmiller2]

Seems there would be enough demand for 031 ignition parts to interest the aftermarket suppliers. Is there any outher coil that  would fit off a different saw.?? Frank C.

[mrcaptainbob]

I ran into this issue with my old 031, too. Handed it off to my son. He took the coil out, carefully trimmed the fine wire back and soldered on a new lead. THen epoxied it back up. Oh yeah, he then handed it back to me about a year ago. It's now the backup saw to my 310. And by the way...that 031 will pace that 310....

[blackoak]

Seems there would be enough demand for 031 ignition parts to interest the aftermarket suppliers. Is there any outher coil that  would fit off a different saw.?? Frank C.

Actually the ignition coil on the 031 saws were hardly ever the culprit when the saw looses spark. 99% of the time when working on 031's with the points-condenser type ignition systems it was the condenser that failed. The condenser is still available from Stihl, but costly. I have converted many using an after market megafire electronic module chip available at most Nappa auto parts stores, or Ebay that does away with the points and condensers. Do a google search on 031 ignition chip and you will find all sorts of info on how to do this swap. I have brought back to life many 031's that were deemed un-fixable by Stihl dealers looking to sell someone a "new" saw.