With the sudden massive leakage of my oiler on my 450 rancher, decided to take things apart and see whats up. I bought this saw in 2015, and have done nothing to it since then other than gas, oil and air filter. Its been a great saw. I took the air filter cover off and first thing I find is a split spark plug cap... So I go to remove the plug so I can throw the rope into the cylinder to remove the clutch and I find the spark plug isn't tight. In fact, I would say it was barely seated on the top of the head. I turned it out by hand with two fingers. Can't believe the saw even ran like that. Plug looks pretty lean to me, probably due to not being tight... I throw the rope into the cylinder, lock everything up and remove the clutch using my homemade clutch tool (a pair of plier handles turned by another wrench, gotta use what ya got!! ). What do I find... Yeah, I'd say she's a little worn out. The oiler (worm gear, pump, hose) all appeared to be in good condition. There was a lot of gunk under the chain cover (also being replaced). So ordered all the parts ($127 bucks with shipping, OUCH!) and hopefully will be up and running shortly.
No, not my only saw. I've got a 572 and a poulan pro (which I don't run much anymore). I'll bet I have 25/30 total cords on the 450. Probably cut 5-6 cords a year. The 572 only gets used on the big stuff. It wears me out.
Sorta looks like that plug cap was destroyed by arcing out. I’m not sure how it ran like that either.
Yeah, I'd say that sprocket has earned its retirement! Looks like it A. Has some hours on it B. Was ran with some old worn chains on it when new C. Then maybe ran with some new chains on it when old
I read in some manual that you're supposed to swap the spur sprocket out......every 2 chains! And that you're supposed rotate between the two chains too. And that you're supposed to lube the clutch needle bearing.......every week! I converted my 028 WB AV to a rim sprocket so it's a little easier and cheaper to replace but I just keep an eye on the sprockets. I do lube the needle bearing every so often, usually when I tear down the saw to give it a good cleaning. But I don't use my saws that often. I think after this maybe you will be checking things more often!! Glad you figured it out before anything catastrophic happened.
That's whats so weird about the plug/cap. The saw ran great. There was no indication that anything was afoot. It idled fine, top end seem good. Course, I've run the saw so much, maybe I just got used to the way it was running didn't notice. Anyways, I'm learning more and more. At this rate, maybe I'll pull my Poulan Pro apart and start tinkering with that.
I bought the same saw around the same time. I think I'll take a look at the sprocket when I get home. I have cut at least 40 cords with it and lots of big stuff. Local Lowe's is selling that saw for $454.74 all in so I don't think you did too bad spending $127 on maintenance. I had an issue with the muffler bolts backing out. I lost the spacer and melted a little plastic. Other than that, its been a reliable work horse.
It's been so long since I saw a regular plug, I almost didn't recognize it. I side gap all of mine. It lets the flame kernel spread a bit faster since the electrode isn't in the way.
