Small engine repair shop?

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I have dabbled in fixing my small 2 cycle engine equipment before, usually turns out bad :D. I found a good ole boy that may not be very book smart but was a whiz at repairing anything with an engine, especially lawn equipment. Unfortunately his wife passed away and he is not planning on opening his shop back up.

So to the point of this thread: anyone know a good small engine repair shop in the Winston Salem area? I have a Stihl 026 with some issues I can’t figure out.
 
I use Joe's Tractor in T-ville. Not exactly your shade-tree small engine repair guy or in W-S, but well-established small business in the area w/ good folks (and Robbie, their head mechanic, can damn near fix anything).
 
Sorry I don't have one to add but since you are looking for service on a Stihl I will recommend that you do NOT take it to Webster Brothers in Walkertown. No need to go into all the details but I will never go there again.
 
For your Stihl... Ace Hardware on Country Club (they've been a Stihl dealer/do their own wrenching for many years). Barring that, James River Equipt...

OR, you could bring it up to Stuart VA (an hour-ish up Hwy.8) and drop at Woods Cold Storage. Two brothers (grandsons of the original owner) run the service dept. and are pretty dang good.
While I grew up in my Dads lawnmower/chainsaw shop (still hold LawnBoy/Poulan/Stihl certs), I'm busy enough that paying the brothers a few pence to quickly knock out anything has been money well spent.
 
Caver Dave said:
For your Stihl... Ace Hardware on Country Club (they've been a Stihl dealer/do their own wrenching for many years). Barring that, James River Equipt...

OR, you could bring it up to Stuart VA (an hour-ish up Hwy.8) and drop at Woods Cold Storage. Two brothers (grandsons of the original owner) run the service dept. and are pretty dang good.
While I grew up in my Dads lawnmower/chainsaw shop (still hold LawnBoy/Poulan/Stihl certs), I'm busy enough that paying the brothers a few pence to quickly knock out anything has been money well spent.
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Thanks. Do you happen to mean the Ace Hardware on Robinhood by chance?
 
If you get out towards Burlington I can check it out for you. 26 is a good saw, what’s it doing?


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josh m said:
If you get out towards Burlington I can check it out for you. 26 is a good saw, what’s it doing?


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I love the saw, and has served me flawlessly for many years.

Recently it wont hold high rpms and bogs down to almost cutting off. It idles just fine though.
 
BigClay said:
Thanks. Do you happen to mean the Ace Hardware on Robinhood by chance?
Click to expand...

Yeap... I get them confused, despite living there for 20 years :rolleyes:

BigClay said:
I love the saw, and has served me flawlessly for many years.

Recently it wont hold high rpms and bogs down to almost cutting off. It idles just fine though.
Click to expand...

Likely a fuel filter, fuel line, carb diaphragm issue
 
Does sound fuel related. Possibly high side needle. If it’s one of the later models with only a low needle, you could replace it with the Walbro 194 with high and low adjustments screws.
I’ve seen scored pistons idle great and fall on their ass under load too.
First I’d check compression with a regular compression gauge. If it’s under 120psi I’d snatch the muffler off and look at the exhaust side piston. If that looks good I’d dig into the carb a little. The 194 is the best carb that stihl put on the 026-260 saws so it’s a good upgrade if you don’t have it already. The aftermarket carbs are usually good to go and the route I’d go if mine.
Ive got a spare meteor piston and caber rings if you need them. Hopefully it just a carb issue


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