Sears Chainsaw Leaks Bar Oil

[jrepp]

I have a 20" Sears Craftsman Chainsaw, after I use it and put it away all of the oil in the automatic chain oiler reservoir will drain out. I took it to the Sears repair shop and they said this is normal. This doesn't seem normal to me (a great waste of bar oil). Anyone else had this happen to them?

 

[jwstewar]

Mine does it, but it is only a 16". I've used more oil that way then I have using the saw. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Other then that it has been a good little saw, other than after the first winter I couldn't get it to start. Took it in for service under warranty and all has been fine ever since. Pull it out of the case - put in bar oil. Spray the case out so it'll be dry by the time you are done. Pull string twice and it'll start.

 

[Bird]

I never had all the oil drain out, but I did always set mine on something to absorb oil, because it always lost some of the oil.

 

[slammer]

The bar oil reservoir builds up pressure when you use the saw. When your done with the saw loosen and retighten the bar oil fill cap. This should solve the problem.

Slam

 

[theonlybull]

my huskey's always done that, espically when the weather warms up, and the oil thins out.

 

[Enidguy]

I have an 18 inch sears chainsaw and the bar oil leaks out of it also. A real PITA!!!!. I now store the saw in the case on its side-no more leaks. This should not be "normal".

 

[slammer]

Ahhh but it is normal on all units with automatic oilers. They use pressure to do the job. That pressure will force the oil through the channel as the saw cools. If you release the pressure it will cut down the leaking drastically.

Slam

 

[Enidguy]

Mine leaks out of the cap. I expect a little off of the chain. The o-ring that is supposed to seal the cap does not. Neither did the new one.

Enidguy

 

[pajoube]

All automatic oilers will do this. As mentioned just release the pressure by opening the fill cap. There will still be some leaking out but not much. You have a good chain saw.
PJ

 

[Poncho]

Jrepp... I actually had this same problem with my 18" saw. Sear's eventually replaced the saw because of constant seal problems. I would not consider it normal. My newer 20" saw may leak a drop or two compared to the whole reservoir previously. Sears probably sells thousands of these things yearly as does Poulan and who ever else makes their saws.... and I don't think the EPA would be extremely excited about zillions of these things "normally" leaking oil into the environment. Slammer suggested letting the pressure off, which is news to me but seems to make sense, so I'm going to start trying that.

 

[slammer]

It will work. Even top quality saws like Stihl and Husqvarna have this problem. It's just the nature of the system.

Slam

 

[JArnoir]

Here's my tale of woe
My saw leaks volumes of oil hwne sitting in its case AND does not oil the chain . Any guesses? New pump?? This has been an issue since year 2 ( I don't have 50 hours on the saw)
Thanks
Arnie

 

[94BULLITT]

Here's my tale of woe
My saw leaks volumes of oil hwne sitting in its case AND does not oil the chain . Any guesses? New pump?? This has been an issue since year 2 ( I don't have 50 hours on the saw)
Thanks
Arnie

bad oil line?

 

[clintbo]

Same here, have a brand new 16" Craftsman and leak's like a siv...

 

[Rebeldad1]

Had the same with my Dewalt 20V Found out it was leaking from the cap. Had a groove cut in it for a o-ring but no o-ring installed. Just added 1 this morning. Fingers crossed...

 

[Have tractor did travel]

As was explained to me by the Stihl repair shop - when pressure in the oil reservoir builds up, and not oil not disbursed by the chain revolving, the oil, usually sent to the chain, drips. Pressure builds up WHEN THE SAW GETS HOT, and not being used. So, don't leave the saw sitting unused in the sun. When left in a shed, if the shed is in the sun and doors closed, it must get 140 degrees in there (mine at least). It's not just hot temperatures, think temperature variances.
Air is more easily compressed than oil. So at the end of the workday, don't refill the oil reservoir - instead, await your next use before filling the bar oil reservoir.

 

[Richard]

Wow....

30 years and I have N.E.V.E.R. noticed this with my saws (started with Husky 55 and have swapped maybe 20 years ago to a Stihl 044)

Not saying it's not leaking....I've just never noticed. it. It usually is on the backhoe with me so it cools down as I drive home. Get home put the cover on the bar and set it on the floor......done.

I'll be paying attention now to see if I notice this. (bar cover has a drain that would otherwise go back into the case as I recall so if it were draining it'd have a mess there and I don't, nor on the floor.

Maybe mine cools down enough while driving home and I lose the oil during the drive?

Interesting stuff.