Has this destroyed my chainsaw?

[gallet]

A friend has lent me a Stihl 310 chainsaw. they showed me the oil tank and petrol. When the petrol they gave me ran out I refilled the 5 litre container. But not realising that the oil tank on the Stihl was for the chain lube and not the 2 stroke motor, I did not put any two stroke oil in the petrol.

But it was only operated for a short while before I realised my mistake. Proably about 400cc of petrol went through the Stihl. After that I put 200ml of oil in the remaining 4.6 litres of petrol.

Then I started to use it normally. After about two days when about another 1.5 litres of properly oiled petrol had been through it, I went to tighten the chain (because I slack it off a bit after I finish) and I have found that the chain wouldn't move. The chain is running freely, it is the drive cog that is not moving. Is it possible that running 400cc of petrol without oil through the engine a couple of days ago could make it seize? Or is there some other probable cause for the drive gear not moving?

Any help appreciated.

 

[computeruser]

Ouch!

When you pull the starter rope, does the saw turn over? If yes then it isn't siezed. If no, then it is. Even if isn't siezed, it can still be damaged, though, so you will probably want to have the saw looked at.

Welcome to arboristsite, sorry it had to be under these circumstances.

 

[sawn_penn]

No oil in the fuel = a dead saw normally.

However, it is odd that the saw ran for some time before stopping. Can you turn the saw over pulling on the starter?

 

[gallet]

Wow, thanks for the welcome and the quick reply. Yes, I can pull the starter cord and the engine does seem to turn over. The toothed drive cog doesn't move but the central spindal turns with the engine...

 

[sawn_penn]

Even if isn't siezed, it can still be damaged, though, so you will probably want to have the saw looked at.

You want to get the saw running again. If it runs again there is little a dealer can do to improve the situation, short of major surgery. Run it till it dies (which may be years off if it you can get it running) and then have it serviced then.

 

[gallet]

I'm a little confused here. It's 2 am so I can't see if it will start. Although as I said it does turn over. What I'm confused about is the drive cog not being able to be turned by hand. It is supposed to turn with the engine off isn't it. Because when I have the chain on I used to be able to spin the chain around the chain arm. But I can't do that now.

What could be causing the drive cog to not be able to turn?

So if the engine is not seized then could this drive cog not turning thing have to do with running for a bit without oil in the petrol?

 

[sawn_penn]

I'm a little confused here. It's 2 am so I can't see if it will start. Although as I said it does turn over. What I'm confused about is the drive cog not being able to be turned by hand. It is supposed to turn with the engine off isn't it. Because when I have the chain on I used to be able to spin the chain around the chain arm. But I can't do that now.

What could be causing the drive cog to not be able to turn?

So if the engine is not seized then could this drive cog not turning thing have to do with running for a bit without oil in the petrol?

Is the chain brake on?

Also, you said you tightened the chain. Is it so tight that the chain won't move around the bar?

 

[sugarbush]

is the chainbrake off?

 

[gallet]

is the chainbrake off?

I didn't know there was a chain brake. I didn't turn one on anyway. Where is it, can it be activated by accident?

Sorry to be so dumb about this.

 

[gallet]

Oh dear, I have found the chain brake, now that I've been fiddling around with it. I didn't realise that was how that plastic guard worked. Now it's all making sense. The gf said she accidentally kicked the chainsaw but I didn't think anything of it. She must have knocked that plastic guard. heh heh. Sorry to trouble you all.

 

[wagonwheeler]

310 operators manual

http://www.stihlmanuals.w1.com/stihl_ownersmanuals/MS290_310_390_Manual.pdf

Follow the above link to the 310 owners manual. Page 32 describes the chainbrake. Page 28 talks about chain tension.

Chaser

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Sorry to trouble you all.

No trouble, gallet. Most folks here enjoy helping newbies. Some because they are good folks, some because it makes them feel superior. Either way, no trouble.

 

[West Texas]

You are still ahead of the game Gallet, at least you haven't dropped it or ran over it with a car. We all learn too much the hardway. Hopefully, you are still in possession of a good working saw. To be on the safe side for a while, make the mixing ratio 32:1 and certainly no less than 40:1.

Many will disagree with me maybe, but I'm not above, removing the spark plug, squirting some good old motor oil down in that cylinder. Pulling on the starter rope several times to lubricate those rings, the piston and cylinder walls.

Now if you are not sure about your mixture, dump it out of that saw and start over again with a 32:1 or 40:1 and run that saw at idle for a while and let it warm up good before you start cutting wood with it again.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[mbopp]

After that I put 200ml of oil in the remaining 4.6 litres of petrol.

That works out to a 23:1 mix. A bit on the heavy side but old equipment used to run 16:1 mix.

 

[pallis]

I hope you have an understanding friend. Years ago I borrowed a boat motor, and my friend wasn't very understanding, even after I went through the trouble of diving down and getting the motor after I dropped it.

 

[ShoerFast]

It sounds too simple for those of us that will never ask for directions, just keep driving.

But there is a ton of good info the the manual !

 

[sawn_penn]

Good to hear that the saw isn't screwed. It's nice up their in the Blue Mts around Katoomba. I used to spend most weekends up there when I was younger. A few years back I lived at Glenbrook, and that nearly qualifies as Blue Mts (but it does suck for commuting into Sydney...)

 

[carvinmark]

I never mix my gas and oil in my saws.Always pre-mix in a seperate container.Just dump the straight fuel out of the saw next time,that is if it ever happens again.Hope your saw is ok,sounds like the brake was set.

 

[gallet]

West Texas
"To be on the safe side for a while, make the mixing ratio 32:1 and certainly no less than 40:1."
As mbopp I ended up with my 5 litre drum at 23:1 so I hope it helped.

wagonwheeler
"310 operators manual"
wow thanks for that I'll give it a thorough read.

BlueRidgeMark
"Most folks here enjoy helping newbies. Some because they are good folks, some because it makes them feel superior."
Yeah, I help out on other forums in my particular area so it's funny to be on the other side. Helps to keep me in touch with what it's like being a newbie.

Maybe it all worked out for the best anyway. Who knows yesterday might have been the day it kicked back and hacked off my left lobe.

 

[wagonwheeler]

Starting procedure

Gallet-

One thing to notice in the manual, as you peruse through. I don't follow the part of the starting procedure where you set the chain brake. I've been told not to set it so as to prevent smoking the clutch.

Probably not a big deal as long as you don't let it sit long at fast idle (trigger locked up) w/ the brake on.

Others may want to weigh in on this. You can also use the search function for more thoughts on this.

Stay safe,

Chaser