In the past few days I've gotten out the old chainsaw(hadn't used it in 8 or 9 years). It's a Stihl 011 AVQ. The first day is worked all right. Yesterday it sliced up an oak tree pretty well with some occasional problem. Today, it really irritated me! Anyway:
Today when I would rev it, especially after being cool for awhile, it would not move the chain. Then after revving for awhile, and getting a little smoke(doesn't smoke other than when revving, and stuck). After revving it would slowly speed up. This started yesterday but was very bad today. The engine was very weak today. Weaker than the past two days. It seems to get progressively weaker.I've read on another post that this could be the clutch. How much will it cost me to get the cluth replaced? What other things could be causing this?
Also, I'm curious if a dirty air filter could be causing this. Sometimes I have to remove the air filter to start the saw. Once off, the saw runs better, but sometimes still gets stuck(though not as much). When the air filter is off, the carb sprays gas upward. When I put the air filter on(while the saw is running), the saw slows dramatically or stops altogether. I cleaned the air filter recently. When I remove it, it's also damp. I think it's catching the spray from the carb. Is this supposed to happen?
And one more problem: The chain was coming loose for no apparent reason. I had it properly tensioned and then it just dropped. When I would remove the outer cover, it would fix itself. Then when I would replace the cover it would loosen again. Extremely weird! I cleaned some sawdust from under the cover and that fixed the problem once but I'm not confident it fixed it forever. Is there anything that commonly causes this?
And one more thing. It seemed to run best(high rpms) just before I would run out of gas(like 3-4 seconds before it quit). Is it running too rich or is this common for the saw to speed up as it runs out of gas? Or something else?
I'm sorry if this isn't the clearest message in the world.
Thanks
Sounds like you are in for a new clutch kit there :'(
The smoke is probably the last bit of the clutch plates burning away..
Not sure on the cost of those parts, maybe one of the members has more info on this.
And yes it sounds as if your air cleaner has gotten clogged up a bit, or else the carb is out of adjustment and running too rich. If the air cleaner is older than than you can remember, get one of those too and adjust the carb with a good air cleaner in place.
I'm not sure exactly how easy it is to replace the clutch on an 011av, but usually it's something you can do yourself with basic tools.
The reving as it runs out of gas is normal, the mix will go lean as the saw scavanges the last dregs of gas from the tank. Also indicates that it's running too rich and/or air cleaner is gunked up.
Time to give the little saw a bit of an overhaul ::)
ian
Could be a number of things.
Make sure the chain rotates free on the bar.
Check the chain brake to make sure it's working and not riding the clutch.
Pull the clutch and inspect the bearing that the clutch rides on.
Inspect the fuel filter, gas vent,change the plug and air filter.
You may have to clean the carb and even install a carb kit later on.
There's a hole in the bar where a pin fits in to adjust tension on the chain.
With the pin in that hole the oil outlet should line up with the other hole in the bar to supply oil to the chain.
The chain gets tensioned then make sure you raise the nose of the bar for final tensioning of the chain.
Proper tensioning is tested half way on the bar by lifting the chain out of the bar groove.
You should be able to raise the chain but not clear the bar with the bottom of the driver on the chain.
I don't think the chain brake is riding(or else the cover wouldn't slip off and on easily, right?).
Anybody know what the clutch kit would cost and how easy it will be to install(I'm not very mechanically inclined)? Will replacing the clutch involve removing the wheel right under the chain brake part? How deep will I have to dig?
--Photos MUST be in the Forestry Forum gallery!!!!!--.com/albums/v253/tyneff/Misc/sprocket2.jpg[/img]
The wheel "S" shaped thingy under the brake band is the clutch.
There's a bearing under that.
You might consider taking it to a shop, at least call them and get a quote.
I will probably do that, but will try the small stuff first.
Is there a set place that the carb screws should be? Like, all the way in, 3 turns out or something like that?
One turn out from a lightly seated position to start.
All right. Thanks the quick replies. I'll look into it more tomorrow and see what I can find.