Ok I got a question for you saw guru's. Ive got my old trusty 038 magnum and I've always thought that it should be putting out more oil than it does. I am running a 25" stihl Bar on it. I just bought a new one about a month ago as my other one was showing lots of wear and it finally got to the point that it would cut a curve every time. Plus it would get hot so and the chain moved alot in the groove. I had the oiler turned up to its maximum output setting and it uses a tank of oil to a tank of gas. Today I was cutting some 18"-20" old logs and The saw would bog and the bar was getting hot.I would run it wide open and look for oil sling and it would put some oil on the end of the log but not alot. I had the bar steaming and I hope I didnt ruin it trying to cut what i needed for the rest of the week.The oil passage in the bar is clear and no sludge in the bar groove. I just have the feeling that the pump is tired. Whats your guys opinion?
Your oiler could be worn out but I'd check a few of the easier things first. Did you get a chance to check the oil pick up hose? Is the screen plugged with saw dust? Is the little rubber plug in the back of the oiler intact?
Ahh this is why I love this site! I have not checked those things.I will have to look into them.I don't know what the rubber plug is your referring to is.I assume I need to puller the oiler out to see this rubber plug?Is it a normal wear item? I did price a new pump at stihl a couple months ago and it was over $100.found an aftermarket one for an out $40. I will have to look into the pick up screen and this rubber plug before I start buying parts
What you are describing could be attributed to a dull chain. If you are cutting curves, I would check the chain as well as the bar ......(look down the bar along the grooves and your eye will tell you if the bar has been tweaked)...... but more often than not, the chain is the culprit. If your oiler is running 1 tank of oil to 1 tank of fuel, there is nothing wrong with the oiler. May I ask you to post up some pictures of the cutters on your chain(s), especially the one that was cutting curves ?
Your one tank of gas to one tank of oil actually sounds right. You said it is throwing a little oil on a log right? I don't think the oiler is where your problem is. Sounds to me like bar/chain issues like moparmyway references above.
The bar is probably about 2 months old with not alot of time on it.I haven't pinched it or anything that i can remember.I know that I recently snapped one of my skip tooth chains a while back.I never found a reason for why it broke. Now I agree the chain i was using is an older one and is probably wore out.I have been sharpening my own chains ,and I know i haven't became an expert at it yet.So any pointers there will be noted. I will try to get a picture of the chain when my camera charges up.Hopefully I can get you guys some pics before I take my son to his Demolay meeting. I know that the logs I was cutting are getting punky on the outside and are about 2 or 3 yrs old. So I imagine that isn't helping matters that much either.
Sorry for the delay guys.I got busy and haven't been back on here. I did empty out the oil tank and checked out the oil pick up screen.Didn't look to be plugged with debri.I did use some brake clean to spray off the mesh. I still would like to know what the black plug is that was referred to earlier?So I can check for that. I also got the pic of the chain that was cutting crooked on me. I haven't tried cutting with it yet.I ordered new rubber motor mounts and now I can't find where I put them.Doh! So hopefully they turn up soon.
I think the chain is the essence of your problem, this one looks in sad shape. Dull, rounded looking cutters as best I can see in the photos. Still plenty of metal left to sharpen/adjust though. If this is your only chain than I would definitely pick up a new one and get this one sharpened up for your backup.
The black plug is the little rubber plug that's inserted in the left side of the oil pump. You can see where it goes if you remove the clutch drum and the cover plate that hides the oiler. If that plug is removed oil will seep out of the side of the pump instead of going where it needs to go.
This is chain is going on 3 yrs old and has been through the ringer.hit alot of crap in the trees and I've done my share sticking them in the ground.lol I've got a dozen chains or so In my aresonal. I think I will try and pull the cover off and check the plug on the pump to make sure it's good to go.
