After I get my saw all cleaned up (to like new standards) I often rev it up a bit to check operation of the brake and to run a bit of canned gas through it to keep the carb filled up with the good stuff for storage.
When I do this I always end up with chain oil afterwards dripping out from under the chain/clutch area and it creates a real mess (this a newer style 261C-M).
I have the oiler cranked right up - but yet don't get any throw-off from the bar ever - Stihl bar oil obviously.. so I won't have any issues with lubrication when cutting as I was warned I might with my 20" bar and .326 RS chain combo.
Got wondering about enlarging the oil holes in the bar slightly to enable more oil to flow through and get picked up by the chain and also possibly opening the oil slot in the metal cover that sits on the bar studs and is apparently there to act as a protective cover and gasket between the bar itself and the case.
Are either of these logical fixes to (a) get a better volume of oil onto the chain and bar where it belongs and (b) keep more of the oil flowing better where it is intended to go instead of getting caught up under the chain case and creating a stickier mess of saw chips and dust than there might otherwise would be?
Thought I saw a thread to do with enlarging oil holes in bars but didn't see what the consensus about doing it was - and my search now about the subject came up short - thus the questions here..
Thanks for any input - Randy
I am a little confused by your question in that I am not clear on how much you rev the saw and how much oil is coming out to make a mess. What I can tell you is that the holes in the bar do not regulate how much oil comes out. Those holes act as mini-reservoirs that hold a tiny bit (4 drops?) of oil to have available as the chain passes by before the next shot of oil comes in. Opening the holes will not change the amount of oil that is delivered. This is determined by the pump rate and the hole size coming through the case. I don't know Stihl saws, I am sure there is someone better at those who will chime in. I think whet you may be seeing is the oil that makes the run around the chain is then settling out when the saw sits. You did say you have the oiler wide open, so I am guessing that this is what is causing what you see.
I didn't for example this last time a day or so back, rev it all that much - just a few blips once it was warmed up to check the chain brake as I mentioned and make sure the carb got a good dose of fresh good fuel through and in it.
If it was from oil slinging around and off the back of the chain and rim sprocket at high rpms, I would imagine it would be all over the rear portion of the chain case cover - and mostly dripping from that area which didn't seem to be the case, as most of it seems to be coming out from under the metal shield / bar stud attachment area and dripping down by the chain catcher.
My thinking was that since everything is clean as a whistle - possibly whatever oil is pumped out of the reservoir and through the system to the case outlet - just isn't getting into the bar channel due to the hole being restrictive size-wise and building up there, only to find other places to go, besides of course whatever amount does get through the bar orifice and spun around by the chain as it is supposed to be.
Complicating this also is we all know how much Stihl is trying to limit the amount of oil that is sent to the chain for Eco-reasons!
Thus my reasoning and original questions about how to best to try and open up the entryway to the bar and allow more oil to get to the chain..
I think most of my saws did similar thing. I usually remove the metal cover and smear rtv silicone on rubber parts that make contact with either plastic or metal.
realzed,
you may not notice bar oil flying off the end of the bar when revving the saw but don't forget if you're using Stihl bar oil its clear not dyed like the old days.
I always check my oil flow by revving the saw at half throttle and holding the saw's bar nose a few inches from the ground or a piece of lumber , rock etc. If it's oiling good you'll soon see oil piling up.
Puddles of oil under a new saw is usually normal...unless the whole tank or part of it drains out while sitting.
Puddles are normally caused by oil draining off the chain, sprocket nose down the bars groove onto the ground. Bars always are positioned tipped up while the saw is sitting level so oil drains downward.
There should be a white teflon piece in between the bar rails right under the oil hole that acts as a dam to help prevent oil from running down the bar groove onto the ground. But the dam won't stop all the oil off a 20" b/c with the oiler set at maximum.
You mentioned you have the oiler set to maximum so that might be part of your problem. I don't recommend enlarging the oil hole as you may then have a problem with sawdust and chips plugging up the hole.
Reason that happens is the larger hole increases the chance of chips catching the larger and now perpendicular drilled hole and also reduces the oil flow pressure, same principle as squeezing the end of a flowing water hose making the water come come out faster and harder. Release the end of the hose to normal diameter it flows slow again.
Same principal as Oregon used with their angled small diameter oil hole called Lubri-Jet° which I like very much. Never had a problem with it.
The end users I do see that have a problem with the small angled oil hole plugging is they don't regularly clean out the bar rails and oil hole, plus their chain is not kept sharp producing alot of sawdust and poor chips.
Sawdust and bar oil makes a sludge that builds up in the bar rail kerf.
I suggest turn your oiler adjustment down from full, that may cure your problem.
If my saws didn't drip the tailgate of my pickup would be rusted out . You mean there are saws that don't drip . I have Stihl Husky and a Pouland and the yellow beast leaks the least .
My previous 290 didn't drip any if at all - which was surprising to me - so I guess I just assumed this one would probably even be better in that regard! NOPE!
I use used oil in my 066 and it slings oil everywhere. If it has had bar oil in it in the last 14 years I dont think it would run. Yes they all really should leak a little tho. Harold.