Fix for Sachs Dolmar 115 saw that leaks oil when not in use?

[sixdogs]

Not sure where to put this but I have a Sachs Dolmar saw that has leaked bar oil from day one and that was 15 or so years ago. I never did anything about it because I thought all saws leaked oil when not in use but now this is getting annoying. Is the fix something simple I should do myself or more complex that I should take to a dealer. There is one nearby but he is pricey. Any advice helpful including advice to just let it leak.

 

[brokenknee]

I have two "huskies" an old 65 I bought back around 1977 or so and a 450 I purchased about 5 years ago. When I bought the 450 I mentioned the bar oil leak on the 65 from when it was new. The dealer told the the 450 would also do this (and he was correct). This is something I have just learned to live with. I place a rag at the bottom of the plastic case I purchased for the saw and change it out when needed. I am looking into purchasing the husky 372 just since I have always purchased huskies. They tend to be a little cheaper than stihl, maybe I should check into them. The local dealer sells them both. I do not have a Dolmar dealer in the area, at least that I am aware of.

Since wood is my primary source of heat, I cut about 10 to 12 full cords a year. I just purchased a new wood stove this year and hopefully the amount of wood I burn should be cut down to 6 to 8 cords a year.

 

[sixdogs]

Thank you, brokenknee. I used to cut boatloads of wood when I lived in a cold climate and the oil leak was no big deal. Now that I'm just a recreational user it seems to matter. You sure earn your keep cutting that much wood every year. I used to do 8 to 10 cords a year and bulked up like the Hulk by the time I finished. A good stove makes a real difference but watch the creosote.

 

[oosik]

When we first moved onto the property we heated with wood. 4-6 cords per year. All we have here is P. pine and its really big stuff - 26" to 40" on the butt. I got good enough at felling that I wasn't scared spitless when I'd fall a big one. The one thing that got us away from wood burning was the mess. There was always bark, dirt, volcanic ash(from Mt. St. Helens) and bugs. I had an old blue Homelite that leaked bar oil and the only way I could stop it was to drain the bar oil when I finished each day. When it died I bought a Stihl and have not had that problem since.

 

[sixdogs]

Someone suggested to me that the cause of the leaking oil was pressure that built up in the oil tank during use and that the cure was to loosen the oil cap when you were done so the pressure would then escape. Well, I did that when I was done with the saw on Monday. Then I placed it on a clean white box and guess what? No leaks.

I'm still waiting and watching but so far no leaks. Guess you learn something new every day.