Carb on 200t

TimberJack · Dec 11, 2013

I recently brought my trusty old 200T into the saw shop today as it was giving me some trouble. The technician suggested that the carb was the problem and suggested I replace with a brand new carb. I asked about rebuilding the carb and it was stated that between the costs associated with parts and labor, it is cheaper to just replace carb. I went ahead and replaced the carb, it cost $91.00. I kept the old carb so that I can attempt to rebuild and have a spare. Was this advice to replace as opposed to rebuild sound advice? What would be your advice for a first time carb rebuild?

evo · Dec 11, 2013

Not sure on a 200 but I think you have to take a bunch of stuff off. I'm not mechanical inclined but I did a 044 in about 1-1.5 hrs (could be done in about 1/2 hr) and the rebuild kit was 10 or 15 bucks. It was no sweat. The shop said it would be $30 to take it appart to see if I needed a new carb, or if it could be rebuilt. I think the new carb just for the part was like $130 + about $60 shop time.. I figure that I saved about 100-150 to do it DIY.

$90 for part and labor is pretty good.

I have the shop manual saved on my computer, let me know if you need it and I can email you a copy.

BigWood · Dec 11, 2013

I'd pay $91 just to not smell like gas

MF76 · Dec 11, 2013

We used to have them rebuilt then went to replacing them. The best thing i did was to find a gas station that sells premium without ethanol. Now we have almost no carb troublewith the ms200t's for the past 1.5 years.

GrahamS · Dec 11, 2013

A 200t carb isn't too bad of a job if you are somewhat mech. inclined, I sure as heck wouldnt pay someone $91 to do it. Deciding whether to repair or replace is really dependent on what the problem is. What were the symptoms that caused you to take it to the shop in the first place? A repair kit is obviously cheaper, and takes me about 30 mins or so to complete, which is about how long it takes to replace the whole thing. First step is figuring out what is causing your problem, and then go from there. There are some know issues with the zama carbs(s61 and 126) that in my opinion are better off replacing the whole thing, cracked aluminum bodies and accelerator pump issues come to mind. But seals, diaphrams, and needles are easy enough to fix without tossing the whole thing. You also have a pm and email.

craneguy1 · Dec 11, 2013

Our newest ms200t is giving us grief...mess with the jets...what little you can and its runs fine for a few days. Then crap. I have an educated guess that it is a carb issue. Cheaper to replace than to send off to diagnose for $75 an hour. These saw shops nowadays seem to believe they're working on vipers and corvettes. After 2 hours of diagnosing the damn things; its better to replace it anyway by the time you add in the cost of parts. So long as you know what easy checks to make.$91 and fixed? Good deal. Be $150 around here.

craneguy1 · Dec 11, 2013

Btw...i replace rather then rebuild. Been doing that for 15 years...no regrets. Doesn't happen often though. These new carbs are even worse. Imo.

ehp · Dec 11, 2013

I have fixed alot of 200T's , with the older saws they had a bad air leak where the carb bolts to the housing , If they get to hot or if someone over tighten the nuts that bolt the carb to the housing it would start sucking air there , easy to find , take cover and air filter off saw , get can of WD 40 , start saw and spray where the carb meets the housing , if saw idle rpms drop or saw quits you have a air leak

Bixler · Dec 11, 2013

Usually the 200 will warn your when the carb is about to go. I take mine into the local saw shop, the mechanic takes it into the back, two minutes later comes out with the saw tuned to a new carb and puts the old carb on the counter. I pay the 100 bucks and tell him I don't need the old carb.

I almost wonder if it's a new carb or a rebuilt one. Either way, fixing it on the spot I can really appreciate.

I went to VP racing fuel 94 octane, no ethanol, strictly in the 200t and love it.

Reed2179 · Dec 11, 2013

[ QUOTE ]

I went to VP racing fuel 94 octane, no ethanol, strictly in the 200t and love it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Same here for all my small engines. It's been the plastic diaphragm dry cracking on mine. About every 18 months on 200t. Then again it was 20% humidity here today!

TimberJack · Dec 12, 2013

Thanks for all the input I'll keep y'all posted on the rebuild.

brushbandit · Dec 18, 2013

The 200t carb had an accelerator pump that needs to be serviced on a rebuild. It is a bit of a pain because you need to pop out a pressed in plug to get to it. The pump is a small piston that travels in a bore. I believe that over time the bore wears making a rebuild not that effective. I have had carbs that on their second rebuild still didn't run good.