Stihl low on power

[gsganzer]

Where are the oil passages? Easily accessible?

Pull off the chain cover and remove the bar. Right where the bar interfaces with the saw body, usually above the bar holding threaded stud, you'll see an oil passageway. If you look at the bar, you'll see a small hole to one side of the bar stud groove. This hole takes a right angle turn and emerges in the chain track. This allows oil to emerge from the saw reservoir and be pumped into the upper chain groove on the bar. Wash this area with some of your saw gas and you will see the passageways.

 

[s219]

Where are the oil passages? Easily accessible?

Run the saw without the bar, and you should see bar oil weeping out the oiler port, which is above the bar studs. If oil is coming out, then check the oil passages in the bar. You will know the passage hole since it lines up with the oiler port when bar is on and snugged up. This is a common maintenance task, and I clear them out any time the bar is flipped or changed. Which generally happens after every day of cutting. If you don't know where the oiler port is, then I am guessing you've never cleaned out the passages in the bar, so they may be plugged.

If oil is not weeping out the oiler port on the saw, check to make sure it's not plugged with sawdust/debris. If it's clear, then the problem is further upstream, either in the plumbing or the pump.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

This is a common maintenance task, and I clear them out any time the bar is flipped or changed. Which generally happens after every day of cutting.

This thread is very informative. It's helping me be better informed about saw maintenance. Which brings me to another question. Should I flip the bar over on a regular basis? Something else I didn't know.

 

[s219]

This thread is very informative. It's helping me be better informed about saw maintenance. Which brings me to another question. Should I flip the bar over on a regular basis? Something else I didn't know.

Definitely -- it will extend the life of the bar, and chains. I flip the bar anytime I work on the saw, or if I swap a chain. I generally field sharpen my chain 2-3 times a day as needed, and then break down the saw for cleaning after a 4-5 days of cutting, if time allows. That's when I flip the bar.

 

[gsganzer]

This thread is very informative. It's helping me be better informed about saw maintenance. Which brings me to another question. Should I flip the bar over on a regular basis? Something else I didn't know.

Yes. I flip mine every few sharpenings. I also "dress" the bar with a flat file if it's getting grooves or burrs on the chain track.

 

[KiotiJason]

WOT? Don't think I ever heard that one. I'm sure I'll go "duh" when you educate me.

WOT= Wide Open Throttle , you should probably always check that you are casting off bar oil before you start cutting wood as the oiler holes can get clogged and this is an easy way of making sure all is ok without pulling the bar off. Just make sure you warm the saw us first before you go WOT. Cheers

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Run the saw without the bar, and you should see bar oil weeping out the oiler port, which is above the bar studs. If oil is coming out, then check the oil passages in the bar. You will know the passage hole since it lines up with the oiler port when bar is on and snugged up. This is a common maintenance task, and I clear them out any time the bar is flipped or changed. Which generally happens after every day of cutting. If you don't know where the oiler port is, then I am guessing you've never cleaned out the passages in the bar, so they may be plugged.

If oil is not weeping out the oiler port on the saw, check to make sure it's not plugged with sawdust/debris. If it's clear, then the problem is further upstream, either in the plumbing or the pump.

I had convinced myself that I wasn't getting oil to the chain. I performed the check you suggested here s219. I started the saw with the bar and chain off, reved it up, and oil did weep out of oiler port. The oil passages are clear in the bar, so it appears that everything should be working properly with respect to getting oil to the chain. The next time I use the saw I will monitor it's performance. If I'm still having the low power situation, I'll try to find the problem elsewhere.

Many thanks to all that have participated in this thread. As usual, there is much knowledge to be gleaned from TBN members.