Bar getting too hot?

[Rio_Grande]

I am certainly not a professional.

I can run and use a saw along with the minor maintence it takes to keep it going.

The saw is oiling at least some. It slings oil out on fresh cut wood.

I Do not sharpen my own chains as I have never learned how.

The chain is no doubt duller than it should be. I have 3 spares I take to the woods with ma and that day a spare saw so I just swapped out for my backup and finnished the work I needed to do.

I am going to take the saw apart and get a good cleaning on it and check pout the oil flow again.

 

[Nitro-Fish]

When you take the chain off of the bar, feel for a sharp edge where the chain rides on the bar, if ther is one use a flat file and remove it. I would also check to see if there is build-up in the bar groove; if the saw is dull (or has been) to the point of throwing dust & not chips as mentioned above, there is a good chance that there is build-up in the bar groove itself. You can use the same file you sharpen with (the end that goes into your handle) and flatten it out with a hammer (if you don't file your own chains, just do the flatten thing on a coat hanger or something), now you have something you can clean out the bar groove with. Be sure you have the right guage chain, most common are .050, .058 & .063, but you can't tell just by looking; the chain size should be indicated on the bar i.e .375 x 68DL x .050 = a .375 pitch 68 Drive Link .050 guage chain (common size for 18" bars with 3/8 chains) or .325 x 72DL x .050 = .325 pitch, 72 Drive link, .050 guage chain (common size for 18" .325 chains), if you don't match the chain with the bar (and sprocket but we won't go there) you will not only create heat but you will ruin the bar and the chain.

 

[RobertN]

From the last description, I would start with a good cleaning.

- make sure the oil port is clean. Should be able to fire the saw without a bar and get oil out of that port.
- Remove the bar. Clean is. Clean the groove, and clean the oil ports.
- Check the groove. check for wear, if the sides are bent, or have ridges. The ridges can be removed, and the sides straightened.
- Make sure you have the correct chain. Bar should be maked for chain size.
- Make sure your chain is sharp, and the rakers are set right. Search the Stihl Site and the Oregon site. Both have good info and tutorials on chains, and sharpening.
- Has the bar been flipped when the chain is changed?