No oil flow to the chain of Partner chainsaws
In today’s world, it is often impossible to imagine working without a chainsaw. This wonderful tool is used in many different spheres. It serves as a good helper for the gardener, carpenter, builder.
Chainsaws fall into several categories. The very first. is a household chainsaws, they are needed for not particularly difficult work, because they are low-power, but compact and handy. Household saws are available from almost every manufacturer, because they are in demand. serious Caliber have semi-professional saws. With their help you can safely cut logs and carry out construction. Professional saws are the most powerful machines they have huge power and can work up to eight hours straight!
Recommendations in case of breakage
Unfortunately, nowadays nothing is eternal, and therefore our “good helper”. a chainsaw is no exception. In this short article, we’d like to look at an example of a breakdown on a Partner 350 chainsaw. This kind of power tool is very easy to use, it has a good quality and will be able to suit many people the price. This wonderful chainsaw has an engine capacity of 1.8 horsepower. It’s great for housework, it’s low-noise, and it’s not particularly big. But even a chainsaw like this needs service sometimes.
So what do you do if your chainsaw breaks down? Most often people try to find information on the Internet. To do this, just type in the search box “repair chainsaw “Partner 350”. And you probably already have.
To begin with, let’s try to determine what’s wrong with our saw. It might not start or it might start and stop right away, or it might simply lose its power. Yes, without skills and experience it will be difficult for you to do something here, but if you read this article, with a little diligence you will succeed.
Chain lubrication for chain saws: operation and troubleshooting
One of the chain saw’s most important features, which is indispensable for chain saw operation, is the chain lubrication system. It is no secret that chain rubs the chain against the guide bar during cutting, which causes the bar to heat up and wear out prematurely. To mitigate friction, the chain mechanism must be constantly lubricated.
Chain lubrication system for chain saws
To supply oil for chainsaw chain lubrication, a special pump is used in the tool, which doses, depending on the number of engine revolutions, the lubricant to the saw bar.
The system uses oil for chainsaw chain lubrication, which has increased adhesive properties, it is necessary for the oil to distribute evenly over the entire perimeter of the bar and retain on it even at high chain rotation speeds. Let’s have a closer look at modern chainsaws oil system.
Structure of the lubricating system
Depending on the brand of chain saw, the details of the lubrication system may vary slightly structurally, but their total number and connection scheme remains the same.
The main components of the lubrication system, it is:
- oil tank, usually located in the engine crankcase.
- Filter element, installed in the tank.
- Lube line is a small diameter hose made of oil-resistant rubber.
- The heart of the system is the oil pump.
- A worm gear that transmits power from the motor to the pump.
- Chainsaw bar, it too can be considered an element of the lubrication system, as it has special holes for oil supply, by the way and the chain itself is involved in the transportation of oil and, accordingly, also has some elements designed specifically to provide lubrication.
Principle of operation
The main system component is the pump. Its working principle is as follows. When the engine speed increases, the pinion mounted on the main shaft drives the pump shaft through a worm gear. In turn, the rotation of the shaft creates a certain pressure in the oil line, which makes the oil move through it towards the tire.
the oil channel is terminated at the point where the guide bar contacts the tool casing and has a longitudinal groove onto which the oil channel flows when the guide bar is installed.
The groove is necessary to ensure the oil flow to the guide bar regardless of the chain tension of the chainsaw. Simply put, no matter what position the tire is in at the time of operation, oil will flow to it through the groove.
This is followed by the chain which, depending on the chain model, has either a groove or a hole in its links through which the oil flows over the tire. As engine rpm increases the oil flow rate also increases.
Some chainsaw models are equipped with pumps which have an adjustable oil flow control and if necessary the quantity of oil can be increased or decreased by the lubrication system.
This function is very convenient because it saves a lot of money. к. you don’t have to waste any more oil.
Lubrication system malfunctions and how to correct them
The main faults of chain saw oil supply system can be divided into two main types, these are general faults inherent in all chainsaws and individual faults, which may differ depending on the type of pump and worm gear, installed on a particular model. Let’s start troubleshooting in order.
Working with a chain saw if the chain is not lubricated is prohibited. This is detrimental to the bar, drive sprocket, and chain, and could be costly to repair.
Signs of malfunction of the lubrication system, checking its performance
- The chainsaw chain is dry and has a pale, unglossy appearance.
- The chain stretches relatively quickly.
- The tire is very hot and can even partially melt the paint.
- The oil from the tank hardly ever goes down.
- Reduced cutting performance on a sharp chain
All of these conditions indicate that lubrication is not functioning properly.
To check oil flow in the lube system, remove the side bar and start the chain saw. Next, you need to increase the rpm a little while observing the end of the oil line. If oil is coming in, it is probably not enough for adequate lubrication and the filter should be cleaned or replaced and if possible the flow of oil should be regulated.
If it’s not coming in, the problem is more serious and requires further diagnosis.
There is a way to check oil flow without removing the guide bar. You need to put the end of the guide bar in the direction of e.g. a freshly cut billet on the cutting side and increase the rpm as much as possible, you should try to keep the end of the guide bar not more than 10 cm away from the billet. If oil stains start to appear on its surface, it means that oil is being pumped.
Troubleshooting
Once it has been determined that there is no oil supply, further diagnosis is only possible by completely removing the oil system. Of course, in some situations changing the filter helps, but this is very rare.
Access to the oil pump for some models of saws is possible only after a complete disassembly, respectively, not having the skills in the repair of power tools, the repair is better to trust professionals.
The most common faults
- Oil hose breakage. It can sometimes be detected by visual inspection. The problem is solved by replacing the defective part.
- Lack of thread on the oil pump shaft, replacing it will help.
- Defective thread on the pump pinion can be solved by adding a new part.
- No corkscrew of the main shaft (relevant for some models of tools, such as Homelite). You can fix it by installing a suitable diameter nail instead of the native corkscrew, cutting it to the required length.
- Line blockage.
Individual faults in the STIHL MS 180 lubrication system
Since the STIHL MS 180 is one of the most popular chain saw models, we would like to explain why it has a defect that is unique to this model and how to deal with it without having to change parts.
Chain lubrication system for chain saws
Every chainsaw, regardless of model, brand or class, has essentially the same structure. It consists of several important components, including the lubrication system. Without the latter, the power unit would not work.
Due to the functioning of the forced lubrication system, the tool chain reduces the risk of severe wear, which is guaranteed by the constant friction of the cutting element on the guide bar, the inevitable heat.
By lubricating the chain mechanism, friction is mitigated, the chainsaw operator is much less likely to need to repair this element or replace it completely.
What is the forced lubrication system?
STIHL chain saw lubrication system and this unit in other power units is identical, depending on the speed and number of revolutions of the chainsaw heart, the engine. Oil is metered to the cutting element, or more precisely, the bar. This is possible because of the special pump.
Chainsaw chain lubrication pump sends consumable with high adhesive qualities to the saw unit. Only high quality consumables should be used, because only these, even at maximum chainring speed, can be evenly distributed throughout the bar.
The structure of the lubrication system
The chain saw chain lubrication system, taking into account the tool manufacturer, may vary slightly in design features, by the parts used in the creation of this node. The system wiring is not affected by these peculiarities, nor does the total number of parts used.
- oil reservoir, located in the engine crankcase;
- tank filter (element located directly in the tank);
- The oil pipe, which looks like a small diameter hose made of high quality rubber;
- The pump itself, which can be considered the heart of this unit;
- feeding force from the engine to the heart of the assembly worm gears (worm gears).
In some works by powertrain repair specialists, the guide bar is described not simply as a saw headset, but as one of the components of the lubrication system. Why so? This can be explained by the presence of special holes in this tire, through which oil is supplied. By the way, the chain itself can be considered as a participant of lubricant transportation, because this mechanism also has parts related to oil distribution.
What is the principle of operation of this unit??
The heart of the node. the pump, let’s consider the principle of its operation.
- As soon as the engine speed increases, the main shaft pinion drives the pump shaft with the aid of a worm drive.
- When the pump shaft is running, pressure is created which is transmitted to the oil line, which pushes the oil towards the tire.
- The end of the lubrication channel is located at the junction of the crankcase and guide bar, where the longitudinal groove is located. This is where the lubricating channel runs.
What is the function of the groove? It provides the oil to the guide bar, no matter what the chain tension level is. This ensures that the oil gets on the tire even when it is in a non-standard position at work.
Do not forget that there is a chain mechanism involved in the lubrication process. Depending on the design, the chain has holes or grooves through which the lubricant is distributed along the bar. The oil will flow to the bar faster as soon as the engine speed is higher.
Certain models have pumps that are additionally adjustable (the operator can adjust the capacity of the pump according to the amount of work and use of the saw). If there is a need, the oil flow is reduced; if it needs to be increased, it is adjusted accordingly.
Be sure to read our article on the STIHL chain saw chain oil supply. The system may vary depending on the chainsaw brand.
The main advantage of this function is the ability to save consumable material. By the way, if you’re wondering what oil to pour for chainsaw chain lubrication, choose what is recommended by the manufacturer of your power unit.
Breakdowns and how to fix them
Looking at the types of failure in the lubrication system, there are two categories:
- Common breakdowns that occur in all types of power units;
- individual, which depend on the type of pump, on the features of the worm-type transmission, on the design and other features of a particular chainsaw.
Important! If the lubrication system is not working, it is not advisable to use the saw. So you’ll ruin not only the chain, but also the guide bar and the main sprocket, which leads to the need for a large investment in repairing the unit.
“Symptoms” of a faulty lubrication system:
- the chain is dry, pale and lacks luster;
- the chain stretches quickly after installation;
- The guide bar is hot, its paint is melted;
- the oil level in the reservoir remains the same, regardless of intensive use;
- cutting performance of the chain is severely reduced.
All of these points to a faulty or malfunctioning lubrication system.
If there is flow, it is most likely a clogged filter that can be cleaned or replaced with a new one. If possible after this manipulation, the flow of consumables is adjusted.
If the consumable is not flowing, then you need to do more diagnostics, because it looks like the problem is more serious.
Note that it is not always necessary to remove the tire to check the lubrication system. Alternatively, the end of the bar is pointed sideways (use a chisel) from the cutting direction, maximizing the RPM, hold the bar (its end) 10 centimeters away from the chisel. When the oil is flowing, you will see corresponding spots.
Troubleshooting and Methods of Repair
Problems with the oil pump can be divided into two categories. The first is no oil supply at all, the second is leaking. Depending on the type of problem and the main “symptom” act differently.
No oil supply
If there is no oil supply to the saw unit and you do not observe any leakage, it can be assumed that the plunger remains stationary. Why is the Plunger Standing Still?? It could be worn out, or the screw it is connected to is not installed correctly. The latter can stand in an unnatural position for itself, which often happens due to improper assembly of this unit.
The /-, special markings must be referenced. Such marks, of course, can be lined up in the correct position, but the screw will not stand as it should (opposite). How to correct this problem? Simply disassemble the pump and install the screw as it should be. Sometimes it’s enough to turn it to the “-” mark. The screw can not stand on its own, that’s why it blocks the plunger movement.
How do you know if the plunger is worn out?? Pay attention to its end, or rather to the edge of this end, which may be worn away. Then you won’t see the characteristic protruding part at that point. This place with the whole edge will be about level. How do you solve this problem?? There are two options:
If you choose the second option, don’t forget to grind the protrusion in the center. Keep in mind that the pump will work after turning, but the oil is enlarged by shifting the plunger.
Sometimes there is another problem, when oil is leaking, but the pump doesn‘t work as it should. Then check the inlet and outlet hose. One of them might come loose. If it happens to the inlet hose, oil will leak even if the machine is not running. If the output hose has become disconnected, oil will leak when the saw is running. This problem is easy to solve, just reconnect the hoses.
Leak
It would seem that we have examined the cause of the oil leakage. Yes, really, sometimes it happens because the hoses are disconnected. But, it has nothing to do with the pump itself. So now let’s look at the causes of leaks, which are related to pump malfunction.
You can see it leaking when the rubber sealing collar stops leaking. The seal may be badly worn, or it may not be installed properly.
Before you look for a new pump on your Partner chainsaw because of constant leaks, remove the components and consider the collar, which may be mounted with the collar turned toward the oil reservoir. If it’s standing like this, turn it around about 180 degrees. If you see that the seal is worn, replace it with a new one. Of course, try to find the perfect cuff. If you can’t find one, buy a seal ring from a plumbing supply store.
If you still see leaks afterwards, examine the walls of the pump cylinder, which may be worn out. In that case it’s easier to buy a new pump.
Oil Pump Faults
Regardless of the manufacturer, malfunctions in the lubrication system occur in any chainsaw model.
Chainsaw oil pump assembly
The nature of faults in the lubrication system can be different, and therefore before you begin repair it is necessary to establish the exact cause of oil leakage or its non-drop on the tire. If you exclude the possibility of mechanical damage, the following breakdowns of the lubrication system can be distinguished:
- Loose oil line connection to the oil pump outlet port of the chainsaw;
- Loose connection of parts in plunger system;
- The plunger and plunger dimensions do not match;
- No tightness of oil line to oil pump inlet connection.
It is necessary to remember that if the plunger system is not tight and the grease reservoir is located above it, oil will leak fast (2-3 days).
It is easy enough to remove oil leakage from the chainsaw if it has not been used for a long time. You will need some screwdrivers and wrenches.