Stihl 025 stalling and smoking

[Rivertrail]

Hello - new to the forum and learning a lot.  Been searching the archives but haven't come across my question so thought I would try asking.

I have probably a 10 year old 025 and recently started having a few issues.  As I begin to cut into a larger tree it seems to "stall".  What I mean by that is as it gets a bar width deep into the tree the chain quits spinning like the saw lacks the power to pull the chain through.  It will do this every time and even if I'm not putting any pressure at all but the weight of the saw.  The chain also gets very hot and smokes when it is actually turning. 

I've tried two different chains but neither were brand new so not sure how sharp they actually are.

So my question is is this just the result of a dull chain? Should I buy a new chain?  I'm running an 18" bar, is that too much should I move down to a 16" bar and chain?

Any thoughts would be great.

[beenthere]

Welcome to the forum.
Hard to tell something specific from the description.

Could very well be poorly sharpened chains, and the rakers taken down too far. Try a new chain, and learn how to properly sharpen chains or take them to be sharpened.

Also, could be not getting oil onto the bar groove.

Could be technique, as well. I've a friend who won't open up the throttle to saw. About half idle and wonders why the chain stops frequently, and being hung up in the wood.  Also, he goes through a lot of clutch parts.

[Rivertrail]

Thanks for the reply.  I actually thought about the throttle and started making sure I was pulling the trigger all the way and didn't see any change. 

[isawlogs]

If the bar is smoking , it aint getting enough or any oil . Take the bar off start the saw and look if oil is coming out, ( Should be just above the bar studs) you should only need to give it a little throttle to see if it is oiling. If it is , then you need to clean out the bar.

  As mentioned, get a new chain for it and try that. Sounds like the rackers have been cut back.

[ladylake]

Check your drive spocket, it could be shot and slipping.   Steve

[Rivertrail]

Okay, definitely not getting oil on the bar or chain, its completely dry.  Didn't realize that would actually stop the chain!  I'm still learning...

[05_sprcrw]

I am not to familiar with Stihl saws.... but does it have an oiler adjustment setting so you could maybe open up the flow more? Maybe the oiler gear is shot or slipping on the crank and not pumping the oil.

[Rivertrail]

Not really sure.  I dropped it off at the dealer last night to let them look it over.  He said it was definitely not oiling and that was probably causing the other issues...
We'll see.

[cleargrain]

Howdy,

Our 025 did not have an adjustable oiler.  Our newer 026 does.  The oil channel to your bar can also get clogged w/ sawdust overtime.  Take the bar off and use an old toothbrush to clean it out.  The comments regarding sharp chains and wide open throttle match my experience with the 025 for cutting anything over 12" 
Don't forget to clean your air filter frequently.

-Scott

[Al_Smith]

Well that example given is one difference between a consumer grade saw like an 025 and a pro saw like an 026 .Of course the price escalates on the later .

Now I know about as much about an 025 as I do brain surgery .However on some of the consumer grade saws a plastic plate cover over the clutch assembley was used on the lesser expensive models like 027/029 /039.If the thing isn't oiling or the chain is dull as a better knife it will cause the clutch drum to slip and over heat .What results is a melted plate .I have several in a box full of consumer grade Stihl parts in my shed to attest to that as factual .Crispy critters,so to speak .