chain saw leaks

[a. palmer jr.]

Hi, I bought a Poulan Farm Hand 20" saw used (very little). I filled it with bar oil and let it sit awhile after I ran it and it leaked quite a bit of the oil out. I've had several other saws of different makes that leaked also and wondered if this is normal, or can they be fixed. Also I wondered what size file should I use to sharpen this chain. I don't think it has been sharpened before. Thanks.

 

[Log Splitter]

Welcome to AS!

ScottR and Cut4Fun are the real Poulan experts here, perhaps they will weigh in with a suggestion.

In the meantime, have you tried opening the fuel/oil and bar oil caps after you get done to release the pressure? Sometimes this will prevent a leak.

What is the model number on your saw?

 

[Sprig]

Ditto on the welcome! ^^A small thing to add to above^^, check for crud around/on/in the cap seal, imbedded chips etc., small splits too. Just a thought as I have crushed a seal or three.



Serge

 

[1953greg]

is it leaking around the fill cap or through the chain oiler?

 

[scottr]

Hi, I bought a Poulan Farm Hand 20" saw used (very little). I filled it with bar oil and let it sit awhile after I ran it and it leaked quite a bit of the oil out. I've had several other saws of different makes that leaked also and wondered if this is normal, or can they be fixed. Also I wondered what size file should I use to sharpen this chain. I don't think it has been sharpened before. Thanks.

Is this saw the Poulan Pro 295 Farm Hand model ?

 

[Austin1]

All of my saw's leek to some degree, but my poulan leeks the most.It also oils the most when cutting I think the oil will run out before the gas mix does! I think it is something you have to live with put paper towel or newspaper under it keeps the mess down.

 

[scottr]

All of my saw's leek to some degree, but my poulan leeks the most.It also oils the most when cutting I think the oil will run out before the gas mix does! I think it is something you have to live with put paper towel or newspaper under it keeps the mess down.

Austin1 , does your 2550 have the oil tank vent on the flywheel side and is it clean ?

 

[Austin1]

Austin1 , does your 2550 have the oil tank vent on the flywheel side and is it clean ?

I think it is on the Clutch side but don't know never taken this saw apart. It leaked oil from day one brand new never run but it does not bother me. The oil pump in this one seems to put out real good at idle with bar off you can see it just poor's out. Now you have me thinking about taking it apart to see what makes it tick it has been so reliable to me this saw is what made me do my first post on here!

 

[scottr]

I think it is on the Clutch side but don't know never taken this saw apart. It leaked oil from day one brand new never run but it does not bother me. The oil pump in this one seems to put out real good at idle with bar off you can see it just poor's out. Now you have me thinking about taking it apart to see what makes it tick it has been so reliable to me this saw is what made me do my first post on here!

Austin1 , if you look inside the oil tank do you see a small plastic tube ? If not then maybe it is a type 1-5 that looks like this http://www.odref.com/poulan/pdf/poulan/gas-saws/2550-TYPE5.PDF Look at items 16 and 17 on page 5 .

 

[Sprig]

Hmmm, too much oil?
Just a guess.
If its an adjustable oiler turn it down.

Don't rev high out of a cut, then immediately put it away, my thinking is that you will load up the bar and chain with extra oil (that is not being absorbed/used); then it is going to drip in the evening, like a lovestruck un-neutered Lab.
Just a thought.



Serge

 

[troutfisher]

Most of my saws leak too. The thin winter bar oil seems to be a little worse.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Wow! guys, I didn't think I'd get this many replies so soon! I don't know much about this saw except it says Farm Hand on the side of it and it is a 20inch saw. I haven't gotten around to cleaning out all the crud around the sprocket and such. I didn't see any cracks under it so the oil must be coming out of the oiler. I will try loosening the cap after I shut it off, but for now, I guess I'll just put a rag under it after it cools off, or just try to time my cuts so that it doesn't have much oil in it when I'm done. Thanks again, guys.

 

[troutfisher]

Wow! guys, I didn't think I'd get this many replies so soon! I don't know much about this saw except it says Farm Hand on the side of it and it is a 20inch saw. I haven't gotten around to cleaning out all the crud around the sprocket and such. I didn't see any cracks under it so the oil must be coming out of the oiler. I will try loosening the cap after I shut it off, but for now, I guess I'll just put a rag under it after it cools off, or just try to time my cuts so that it doesn't have much oil in it when I'm done. Thanks again, guys.

I think mine just leak through the oiler, there's no valve in there and the oil just runs through the pump I guess.

 

[scottr]

I think mine just leak through the oiler, there's no valve in there and the oil just runs through the pump I guess.

The oil tank has to have a vent to let air replace the used oil . Twice my PP220 leaked oil when stored with a near full tank so it is now stored with less than a half tank of oil . The 2550 and most probably the Farm Hand oils when the engine is idling so there will be oil that will leak off the back of the bar . Relieving the pressure in the oil tank works for the small horizontal Poulans that did not have a oil pump , they used the crankcase pulses to pressurize the oil tank and would make a large puddle if not relieved .

 

[troutfisher]

I'll try opening the oil tank before I store it.

 

[scottr]

I'll try opening the oil tank before I store it.

Just bleed the pressure off the 2000 oil tank and pull the chain forward .

 

[Austin1]

Austin1 , if you look inside the oil tank do you see a small plastic tube ? If not then maybe it is a type 1-5 that looks like this http://www.odref.com/poulan/pdf/poulan/gas-saws/2550-TYPE5.PDF Look at items 16 and 17 on page 5 .

Thanks scottr! Thats the saw, I down loaded the IPL two weeks ago so I could order some new antivibe springs my saw is getting soft! Best part they cost only 9.00$ for the hole kit. I have switched back to a 18'' bar and the amount of oil is just right for it and saves me from bending down wile limbing. Plus I run pure canola now so any mess is much easier to clean.

 

[scottr]

Thanks scottr! Thats the saw, I down loaded the IPL two weeks ago so I could order some new antivibe springs my saw is getting soft! Best part they cost only 9.00$ for the hole kit. I have switched back to a 18'' bar and the amount of oil is just right for it and saves me from bending down wile limbing. Plus I run pure canola now so any mess is much easier to clean.

Does the tank of canola oil last as long as a tank of gas mix ?

 

[Austin1]

Does the tank of canola oil last as long as a tank of gas mix ?

It is strange I thought the much thiner canola would run out but it lasts just as long as bar oil does.In my Jred I run it at max setting on the oil and it works great 18'' bar also.For me I rather have lot's of oil rather than too little!I am going to give the canola oil a real good work out this weekend my, friend has a very large poplar that the beavers knocked down that he wants cut up for fire on his property I am going to take old faithful sp 105 and cut a few rounds for him.

 

[scottr]

Thanks Austin1 .