Adjusting idle speed/oil problems Stihl 031av

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JamesReed

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Rebuilt carb on 031av and it runs now...finally. Idles way too fast though. I do not have a book to show how to adjust. Other thing that did not like seeing was that there was excessive squirting of oil coming out out from where chain comes out of cover. Need some advice on where to go from here.:bang:

thanks
 
Is it idling so fast as to turn the chain while it's not under throttle? You're going to have to start from scratch tuning the saw. Not a big deal. Do a search on this site for "carb tuning" or "Madsen's + carb" and you'll get a load of threads to read. In many of those threads there'll be a link to Madsen's website which walks you through the processs. It was posted here just a few days ago.

If the chain is turning, then the saw should be oiling it. And if it's turning while idling, and not in the cut there'll be excessive oil, which will drip. Is this what's happening? Or is it just dripping while the saw is sitting there static?

Jeff
 
The chain was turning really fast. I could see the oil spraying. I guess I will just have to get the speed adjusted and then see if the oiling of the chain is normal. Definitely dripped oil through botton of cover plate after stopped and set it down for a while. Hope it is just because I ran it a minute or so with the chain really moving at idle. Just wanted to see if carb kept working after rebuild.
 
adjust

Try starting at 1 1/8 turn each mix screw. Look at the idle speed screw. Back it out until it no longer touches the throttle lever on the carburetor. The throttle plate inside the bore should be completely closed. Now turn the screw back in untill it just touches, then give it another turn in. This should give you a saw that at least starts and idles. If it acts too low, turn the idle speed screw in another turn. This is only a starting point.

If the idle is still too high, back out the idle screw until the chain stops. IF IT DOES NOT, STOP. You have an air leak and must fix it before you go any farther.
 
Dripping oil is quite normal... Set the carb to 1 to 1 1/4 turn out for the L and H screws. It will start and run if the carb and engine seals are o.k, then turn the LA screw back until it idles nicely with the chain stopped. if the chain doesn't stop at a low idle (say 2800rpm) then you need new clutch springs. They only cost about $1.25 each and are dead simple to change.

Then as other have said, follow Madsens carb tuning guide.
 
Yeah, if that chain is spinning while not in a cut, you're going to have oil all over the place. It's slinging off the end of the bar, and up into the clutch cover. So of course it will drip out afterword. Don't worry about that. The first, and easiest thing to look at is the LA or idle screw on your carb. All it does is preset the carb's gate to a certain open position. It doesn't mess with the jets at all. Find that screw-it'll be the one that screws onto the throttle lever and opens the carb. You should be able to see it plain as day. Back that screw out until the chain stops spinning. If that doesn't work, or doesn't work enough, you'll have to retune the carb. You likely should retune it anyway. That carb was probably adjusted way out of spec to compensate for it being old and worn, so you'll have to bring it back into spec.

Jeff
 
Thanks guys. Appreciate the quick responses and great advise. Guess I will wait until tomorrow to try adjusting the carb. Neighbors have been hearing the chainsaw fireup and run here at night (been working outta my garage). Better give it a rest tonight. Been seeing older lady peeping out the window trying to see what I am cutting up. haha
 
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