Chainsaw won’t self oil

danrv

Hi
I have a Qualcast 2000w electric chainsaw but it’s not self lubricating the blade as it should.
I’ve taken it apart twice, cleaned the oilways and made sure the pump is turning.
It was £50 in a Homebase sale and is otherwise great. 
Maybe oil is too thick. It’s like treacle.
I hope to start cutting down a garden tree soon but don’t want to use it if it’s not lubricating.
Any help appreciated.




 

TELLIT01

The user guide does say what type of oil to use.  "there is one bottle of lubricating oil(Hydraulic ISO 32) in the box for use"  but possibly not if you got it in the sale.  Have you checked that the oil you are using is suitable?   Even sale purchases must be fit for purpose so you may just want to return it.

danrv

Thanks for the reply.
Didn’t spot that in the guide.
Bought the saw a while ago and I think oil was supplied with it. Don’t recall the self lubricating being a problem when I first used it so it could be the new oil I bought isn’t suitable.
No info on the ALM oil I’m using though. Maybe it’s for petrol type.
Hydraulic ISO 32 is a little difficult to find in 1 litre size.

danrv

Mickey666 said:

Chain oil is supposed to be thick and sticky so that it doesn't get flung off the chain too much.

I don't think the oil type is all that critical as it only has to lubricate the chain within the groove of the bar.  If you use a thinner oil it will still work but you'll use more of it as more will be flung off the chain. 

Thanks. Was thinking that too.
I might try the ISO 32 oil if I can get hold of any. If that doesn’t work, I’m out of ideas.
I have a smaller Hitachi chainsaw that has a manual oil dispenser so can use that.

danrv

Think I’ve fixed it.
All along I hadn’t fully understood how the oiling system works. Saw this vid and it’s a lot clearer.
I removed a plate that the bar’s mounted on and the oil gateway is right there. Oil seeps out as shown in the vid so that’s working properly.
Just needed to clean the runner and small oil hole in the bar.
https://youtu.be/6zscOSrFQjA

Grizzlebeard

Another thing that clogs up the lubrication is long periods of winter storage, especially if it wasn't cleaned before putting it to bed. Had the same problem with my Stihl some years ago when the tiny oil ways gummed up. Had to put it on it's side and drip petrol down the oil hole, rotating the clutch drum forwards and backwards by hand every now and then. Took about twenty minutes of soaking before it was flowing freely. Of course, take care with open petrol, and pump it out manually till oil is thick then leave to evaporate for an hour or so before starting engine.

Ganga

i had the same problem on my electric chainsaw ,took the bar and chain off and ran the motor till oil ran out ,cleaned the oil hole in the bar and filled it with car engine oil ,runs ok and has just cut an old tree down.

Apodemus

I've got a similar problem with my LIDL pole-saw.  I've tried cleaning the oil-way and tried thinner oil, to no avail.  I now just keep a thumb-pump can of light ATF oil with me and manually oil the chain frequently when I'm using it.  I must have had the saw for eight or so years now and it works well on this regime.    

danrv

Grizzlebeard said:

Another thing that clogs up the lubrication is long periods of winter storage, especially if it wasn't cleaned before putting it to bed. 

Yes. Have never cleaned the bar or chain runner. Has been stored for months too.
I ran a scraper along the groove and it was quite gunged up. Also sprayed WD40 into the small oil hole to check that it was clear.

quiret

I'm using Husqvarna 450 and its working with automatic oiling system.

danrv

Apodemus said:

I now just keep a thumb-pump can of light ATF oil with me and manually oil the chain frequently when I'm using it.  I must have had the saw for eight or so years now and it works well on this regime.    

Good idea. I can see the oil being pumped out when the blade’s off but not when I test it as per manual (piece of cardboard on the ground).