Blue Stihl Clutches

[sleuth]

I do not want to start a thread on what causes this problem. There is a lot of discussion already available as to causation.

When I see blue clutches like the image I attached, I always replace the clutch springs. They are so inexpensive that to not do that almost seems irresponsible to me. Once in a great while the saw's owner has been very determined to power through their problem and the clutch drum has suffered tremendously and in that case they get a new drum also. But I have never replaced the shoes that do not exhibit any other problems in addition to the color.

My question relates to whether anyone here has seen any problems down the road with these roasted shoes. Any lifespan problems, breakage, surface degradation, etc. resulting from sending these blue shoes back to the saw owner?

Thanks.

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

I do not want to start a thread on what causes this problem. There is a lot of discussion already available as to causation.

When I see blue clutches like the image I attached, I always replace the clutch springs. They are so inexpensive that to not do that almost seems irresponsible to me. Once in a great while the saw's owner has been very determined to power through their problem and the clutch drum has suffered tremendously and in that case they get a new drum also. But I have never replaced the shoes that do not exhibit any other problems in addition to the color.

My question relates to whether anyone here has seen any problems down the road with these roasted shoes. Any lifespan problems, breakage, surface degradation, etc. resulting from sending these blue shoes back to the saw owner?

Thanks.

It all depends on context. That to me looks like factory tempering after hardening.

 

[ZeroJunk]

Unless the chain is spinning at idle there is nothing wrong with the springs.

 

[pioneerguy600]

It all depends on context. That to me looks like factory tempering after hardening.

That heating was not done in the saw, look at the plastic/nylon shrouds around the clutch. These show no signs of an overheat/burning and to cause the coloration from heat on those clutch shoes there would be a lot of heat/burning of the plastic shrouds.

 

[sleuth]

I apologize that i included an image (not mine) that provoked a causation discussion. This thread is about a hypothetical overheating situation, not the one pictured. Perhaps the new attached image, again not mine, would be better to use. I will delete the original image if possible.

As to springs, I am interested in your opinions. My thinking (replace them) results from their cost and the fact that any reduction in life span results in the chain rotating at idle or breakage. The former is dangerous to the operator and the latter can cause real havoc to some Stihl models. Either would likely require a return to the shop, never good.

But what I hear you say ZeroJunk would imply that spring reliability has not been any issue for you. Good to know. How about the shoes? My luck has been good reusing them and it has never come back to haunt me. Looking for exceptions or affirmations that the shoes don't do anything I am not aware of when they are overheated, Sometimes spectacularly overheated.

Thanks.

 

[Chevboy0167]

Go to your nearest Sthil dealer and ask to see a new in box clutch for same saw if possible. That MAY tell you newly heat treated from overheated in saw.

 

[ZeroJunk]

I apologize that i included an image (not mine) that provoked a causation discussion. This thread is about a hypothetical overheating situation, not the one pictured. Perhaps the new attached image, again not mine, would be better to use. I will delete the original image if possible.

As to springs, I am interested in your opinions. My thinking (replace them) results from their cost and the fact that any reduction in life span results in the chain rotating at idle or breakage. The former is dangerous to the operator and the latter can cause real havoc to some Stihl models. Either would likely require a return to the shop, never good.

But what I hear you say ZeroJunk would imply that spring reliability has not been any issue for you. Good to know. How about the shoes? My luck has been good reusing them and it has never come back to haunt me. Looking for exceptions or affirmations that the shoes don't do anything I am not aware of when they are overheated, Sometimes spectacularly overheated.

Thanks.

Springs do get weak over time. The diagnosis is simple. The chain keeps spinning at idle. No more, no less.
If the chain keeps spinning then replace the springs.

Now, there are other things like gummy clutch drums that can cause the same symptoms. You can take a die grinder or Dremel and clean the inside of the drum out. If that cures it, cool.