Poulan Pro 4218 Oil Gunking - pics

[Cambium]

I realized the chain wasn't oiling up. I then realized the oil in there seemed thick! Wondered if I put motor oil by accident.

I emptied the oil for a good 10 minutes upside down.
Put fresh oil....
Nothing. I see it leaking out very little. I also notice gunk of oil build up coming out of rotating wheel.

Before I take it in for service I figure I ask you fine people. Its only 5 months old and I rarely used it!
Thanks!

 

[Cambium]

And Yes I did clean the bar. That was gunked up too. Oil leaks slowly where the white arrow is.

 

[scottr]

I realized the chain wasn't oiling up. I then realized the oil in there seemed thick! Wondered if I put motor oil by accident.

I emptied the oil for a good 10 minutes upside down.
Put fresh oil....
Nothing. I see it leaking out very little. I also notice gunk of oil build up coming out of rotating wheel.

Before I take it in for service I figure I ask you fine people. Its only 5 months old and I rarely used it!
Thanks!

Cambium, bar oil is thick and it also has an additive that makes it tacky so it stays on the bar and chain longer. The slot that your arrow in the picture is pointing to is the slot that lines up to the oil hole in the bar. My Poulan Pro has leaked oil a few times like what you're describing and I believe it does this if the oiler stops in just the right spot. You can rotate the crankshaft a half turn to see if it stops or you can store your saw with less oil in the tank.

 

[Cambium]

Cambium, bar oil is thick and it also has an additive that makes it tacky so it stays on the bar and chain longer. The slot that your arrow in the picture is pointing to is the slot that lines up to the oil hole in the bar. My Poulan Pro has leaked oil a few times like what you're describing and I believe it does this if the oiler stops in just the right spot. You can rotate the crankshaft a half turn to see if it stops or you can store your saw with less oil in the tank.

Thanks Scott. It's not the "leak" thats a problem...it's not enough. Oil is not getting on chain enough. I can't even make 1/8" dent in wood. Repair shop near me went out of business. I relied on my 16" Crafstman chainsaw today. LOL

Thinking of going to Lowes and getting a new one or telling them this one broke in 5 months,

 

[scottr]

Thanks Scott. It's not the "leak" thats a problem...it's not enough. Oil is not getting on chain enough. I can't even make 1/8" dent in wood. Repair shop near me went out of business. I relied on my 16" Crafstman chainsaw today. LOL

Thinking of going to Lowes and getting a new one or telling them this one broke in 5 months,

What oil had you used as bar & chain oil in this saw the last time it worked properly? Could it be possible that you did not use winter oil when it was below 30dgf and you stripped the oiler gear?

 

[Cambium]

What oil had you used as bar & chain oil in this saw the last time it worked properly? Could it be possible that you did not use winter oil when it was below 30dgf and you stripped the oiler gear?

Nahh, I was using it every week for past 2 months. I let it run out of gas and then I'd add the bar and chain and gas before starting up again.

In other words, the bar and chain compartment was empty and I'd fill up and use the saw. It was fine. Until last week...chain I thought was getting dull but then after installing new chain I realized it wasn't getting lubed.

Its probably something small, I just cant get it. Thanks for your patience and help with this. I did use a bar and chain oil that had sat all winter. It seemed thick when I checked. Can anything be clogged inside?

I might take a ride to Lowes and check out how a new one looks to get an idea what might be missing or broke. I did drop it once.

 

[scottr]

Nahh, I was using it every week for past 2 months. I let it run out of gas and then I'd add the bar and chain and gas before starting up again.

In other words, the bar and chain compartment was empty and I'd fill up and use the saw. It was fine. Until last week...chain I thought was getting dull but then after installing new chain I realized it wasn't getting lubed.

Its probably something small, I just cant get it. Thanks for your patience and help with this. I did use a bar and chain oil that had sat all winter. It seemed thick when I checked. Can anything be clogged inside?

I might take a ride to Lowes and check out how a new one looks to get an idea what might be missing or broke. I did drop it once.

Bar and chain oil is thick when it's cold. When you cleaned the bar did you clean the oiler hole in the bar and the drive link slot? You have mentioned taking a ride to Lowes twice. You have trouble shooting to do first. You can go to Lowes when you know if the oil tank screen is clogged with saw dust/chips or you have a bad oil pump. If you were running a dull chain then it's possible the screen is clogged with saw dust. Drain the oil tank then shine a light in the tank. Look for the screen in the corner. You can rinse out the oil tank with kerosene or diesel fuel or some fuel mix. Let us know what comes out of the tank.

 

[labrax]

scottr has some good advice - I think you should drain the tank first and try to put some kerosene or fuel mix in there first - swish it around and then empty it out. Check inside the tank and then take the bar off and make sure that you clear the track where the chain sits and check the oiler hole and clear that of any debris.

Good luck with the repair.

 

[Cambium]

Bar and chain oil is thick when it's cold. When you cleaned the bar did you clean the oiler hole in the bar and the drive link slot? You have mentioned taking a ride to Lowes twice. You have trouble shooting to do first. You can go to Lowes when you know if the oil tank screen is clogged with saw dust/chips or you have a bad oil pump. If you were running a dull chain then it's possible the screen is clogged with saw dust. Drain the oil tank then shine a light in the tank. Look for the screen in the corner. You can rinse out the oil tank with kerosene or diesel fuel or some fuel mix. Let us know what comes out of the tank.

Ahhh see, littliest things I dont know about or what to look for. You're the best! But the filter looks good. However the tube was stuck underneath the corner. I freed it loose. Good?

 

[scottr]

That tube you pulled out of the top corner is the vent tube that allows air into the tank as the oil level drops when you're running the saw. You need to put it back in the top corner. Can you put some 30wt oil or thinned bar and chain oil in the tank? Then crank up your saw without the bar and chain (don't rev the saw up just let it fast idle) to see if oil comes out of the oiler slot where you had the arrow in your picture.