The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: ReggieT on June 20, 2015, 01:14:52 PM

Title: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: ReggieT on June 20, 2015, 01:14:52 PM
Fired up my Stihl MS390 yesterday just to cut some chunks of cherry & hickory for my smoker.
While in the process of doing so I noticed my saw making some sharp chirping noise about every 25-30 seconds or so. ::)
It performed just fine and actually cranked quicker than normal.

I don't have a clue what is causing this... ???
All I know is I've always maintained it great;"Non-Ethanol fuel, fresh filters, quality bar oil & mix, frequent cleaning & proper storage"...I'm running a 20' bar & RSC chain.
The saw is very low hrs & probably has only cut less than 4 cords of wood total

Any ideas or thoughts? ???
Appreciate it,
Reggie 
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: LeeB on June 20, 2015, 01:25:15 PM
I'm pretty sure if the guys can answer about a burbling blubbering saw they can figure out about a chirping one.  :D
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: ReggieT on June 20, 2015, 01:31:29 PM
I certainly hope...else I'm packing it up with a brand new 27' Fiskars splitting axe and selling both of em!!
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: sablatnic on June 20, 2015, 02:21:11 PM
27'!!!

Chirping, is it when idling only? And you do have oil in your fuel?
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: LeeB on June 20, 2015, 02:23:51 PM
 :D I thought the same thing about the 27'. A man that can use a 27' splitting ax doesn't need a chainsaw.  :D
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: so il logger on June 20, 2015, 02:27:32 PM
Could it be something to do with the recoil starter? I have had a husqvarna do the same thing and that was all it was. Hope it is something as simple
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: ReggieT on June 20, 2015, 03:04:09 PM
Quote from: sablatnic on June 20, 2015, 02:21:11 PM
27'!!!

Chirping, is it when idling only? And you do have oil in your fuel?
27" my bad. It chirps at idle not at full rpm's.
I've about narrowed it down to my clutch...still checking though.
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: WUDPIRAT on June 20, 2015, 03:17:04 PM
My Makita would whistle if the mix was too lean.
My Son, the dirt bike racer, picked up on the sound and told me to fatten it up.
Being half deaf, I never heard it.

A chirp? Your on your own with that.
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: beenthere on June 20, 2015, 03:50:46 PM
Don't think I've ever idled mine for 25-30 seconds. May have to give it a try and see what sound it makes.
I'm wondering if it is the rim sprocket which seems to have some looseness to it.. at least did on my MS361.

But no good way to interpret what a "chirping" sound is that you hear. Best I can imagine is similar to a robin. Brief, like a turkey putting ??
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: sablatnic on June 20, 2015, 04:03:16 PM
The clutch - try greasing the washer outside of the sprocket, has cured the problem more often then not. Could be the bearing, but most likely the washer.
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: celliott on June 21, 2015, 11:00:44 AM
Sounds like a "jingler".
Clutch drum, bearing, rim sprocket, e-clip, something in there.
Does it do it with the brake off and on, or one or the other?
I've heard lots of saws that "jingle" or "chirp" at idle.
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: lumberjack48 on June 22, 2015, 04:41:09 PM
 Turn the idle screw out, i think its idling a little to fast causing the clutch to just about in gauge.   
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: ReggieT on June 23, 2015, 12:26:21 AM
Quote from: lumberjack48 on June 22, 2015, 04:41:09 PM
Turn the idle screw out, i think its idling a little to fast causing the clutch to just about in gauge.
Lumberjack...I think you "done done it" as my Hillbilly neighbor use to say! :D :laugh:
Sounds like the problem...I'm on it tighter than saliva on a baby! :laugh:

Thanks,
Reg
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: Maine372 on June 23, 2015, 09:15:31 PM
I had a husqy 346 that was making a chirp, almost a whistle. wouldn't idle and started to really tach up when it would run. two cylinder bolts had loosened and were causing an air leak. might be worth checking before you scorch a piston.
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: joe_indi on June 23, 2015, 10:05:46 PM
Maine372, suggestion is very important. I have seen many saws with loose cylinder screws that make the chirp.
Here, I would first check if the clutch drum needle is dry-running on the crankshaft. If yes, the irreparable damage happens to the crankshaft.
Title: Re: My Chainsaw is Chirping!
Post by: pwheel on June 24, 2015, 09:37:57 AM
Quote from: ReggieT on June 20, 2015, 03:04:09 PM
...It chirps at idle not at full rpm's.
I've about narrowed it down to my clutch...still checking though.

My new-to-me MS261 was doing that. Turned out to be the clutch shoes that weren't quite worn in. Fixed it by throttling up and engaging the chain brake a few times. YMMV. Also, the clutch bearing needs to be cleaned and lubricated a lot more often than you think.