Rockfarmer
ArboristSite Guru
The importance of a vacuum test can't be overstated even if a pressure test doesn't show any major issues..., especially at the crank seals. A bad oil seal will often seal with pressure and still leak under vacuum like a one way check valve. And finding that type of vacuum leak can be tricky since using pressure easily masks it. If using pressure to look for bubbles at a seal, just use very low pressure and soapy water. Apply just enough pressure to keep the soapy solution from entering the bearings/case, but not enough to close the leak. The other way is to use vacuum with oil or light grease at the seals to observe if the oil/grease is drawn in around the seal and/or the leak stops as observed on a pressure/vac gauge.
Agreed, the principal of the saw running is that it creates vacuum not pressure,.. If it does hold pressure but not vacuum then do as Pogo advises. I think I like oil better than soapy water though. Usually I watch the vacuum gauge dropping. If oil hits the spot where it’s leaking it will stop or slow then you know you found it. Also turn the crank while testing, sometimes cranks are bent, races worn, all kinds of weird crap. Synthetic oils are not the best for old saws. Too slippery. I’ve seen bearings actually spin in the case when they get worn. The balls are so slippery from the synthetic oil they skid and fail. But that’s a different subject and the gazillion dollar debate, lol! Cheers Pogo! Happy new year!