Stihl chainsaw has always leaked (and it's not from bar oil spot)

[DKeith]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone can help me with my Farm Boss, because my chainsaw that I bought 2 years ago has always leaked, and it makes a mess in the shed.

Attached are images of the chainsaw sitting on cardboard where I traced the bottom of the chainsaw so I can show you exactly where the oil is leaking from. The last image has the places circled in red where I'm certain the leaks are coming from based on the cardboard marks. Can anyone give me advice on how to fix?

Thanks

[Old Greenhorn]

I'm having a hard time seeing the photos.

[DKeith]

I'm having a hard time seeing the photos.

Ok. I fixed the images. They are there now.

[beenthere]

I store my saws on their side with the fill openings up top.
Also, burp them to release pressure from bringing in cold and room temp is warm which causes pressure from expansion.
Not sure if that relates to your situation.

Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

[booman]

Is the chain oil feed cranked up too high and this is pooled oil leaking out when shut off.

[booman]

Since this is on the left side, starter rope side, forget my suggestion.

[DKeith]

Is the chain oil feed cranked up too high and this is pooled oil leaking out when shut off.

How can I tell if it is build up from chain oil feed? I didn't even know you could adjust the oil feed.

Note that my chain seems dry when cutting, so if it's cranked up then it's not going to the chain. I feel chain is dry actually.

It appears to be coming form under the pull rope casing, so maybe I need to take that off.

Thanks

[Otis1]

I've got a MS170 and a MS291, my dad's got a MS271 like yours but older.  I think they just leak some bar oil, not sure if from temp changes or what. I keep some blue shop towels in the bottom of the chainsaw case or keep on cardboard in the garage. I don't think the oiler is adjustable on them.

[booman]

DKeith, did you find out what was causing this oil leak?

[esteadle]

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[Al_Smith]

To tell the truth I'm not sure if I own a saw that doesn't leak at least some .Unless it's pouring out like the wreck of Exxon Valdez I don't worry about it . I mean after all a chainsaw is not something you have in the living room on top of a coffee table --usually .

[lxskllr]

I mean after all a chainsaw is not something you have in the living room on top of a coffee table --usually .

I think I've been doing it wrong...

[Twowithone]

As other guys have said burp it after your done with your chainsaw and if not being stored in a carry case lay on side with caps up you should see a big difference.

[DKeith]

Check your bar. Your chain oil port and the groove on the bar don't seem like they are lining up right, and oil is going down out of the port and not going into the bar. Loosen the bar screws, and detension the bar and reset the chain. Clean it all out if it's clogged before you re tighten and readjust. etc. etc.

I think the bar is not getting the oil and instead the chain oil is running down the side of the bar, and that may be a major part of the problem! Plus I don't like that the chain is not getting properly lubricated. I have a craftsman 18" that is about 50 years old that doesn't have this problem, or any other really, so it's disappointing that my new Stihl does. I thought I was upgrading...

I took the case off and it was possibly just pooling down below the pull rope, and likely that it was coming out of the oil fill cap, because these are known to leak. I will burp it from now on.

I noticed when I ran it a few days ago that the bar had a ton of oil running down the side and the chain was not getting much at all. The chain actually feels dry. I cleaned the bar hole very good and can see light through it, so it must be that the hole is either not lining up or the bar is not tight enough to catch the oil coming out of the oil port. Or is there any part or spacer between the oil hole and the bar that I may be missing? I'm using Echo premium bar oil. Any thoughts on how I can fix the oil not making it into the bar with all that said? It's all very clean and pretty new actually.

[js2743]

if its not oiling good the line may be off the pump causing it to leak out inside and causing the leaking. pump is behind the clutch.

[Keepfixin]

Only time I have seen bar oil leak from that particular area is usually because of two things.
1. Overfilling the oil reservoir and some runs into the recoil housing and then the flywheel slings it .
2. The oil reservoir has a crack and is trickling into the recoil area and then the flywheel slings it.

[TreefarmerNN]

Check your bar. Your chain oil port and the groove on the bar don't seem like they are lining up right, and oil is going down out of the port and not going into the bar. Loosen the bar screws, and detension the bar and reset the chain. Clean it all out if it's clogged before you re tighten and readjust. etc. etc.

It's not unusual for me to have to clean out the oil ports in a bar.  When they get plugged the oil ends up in unusual places but not on the bar where it's needed.

[Keepfixin]

For your lack of oil getting to the bar I would check for an obstruction. I think those saws have a rubber line the goes from tank to pump and right where they join it builds up with sawdust. Have to remove oil pump to do that. But don't know the exact model of your saw though.