OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Chainsaws and Concrete Cutters Petrol Chainsaws and Concrete Cutters Echo chainsaw bar oiler

Dear all,
I�ve just bought an Echo CS-452VL chainsaw because I like solid built old power tools. The engine is in excellent used condition, but it seems there is something wrong with the oiler.
This chainsaw has an automatic oiler with manual override. The automatic oiler is definitely not working and I believe this is because of a crack in the oil tank. I understand that in this unit the automatic oiler works because it gets pressurised when the engine is running and a hole won�t certainly help� I tried to fix this with silicone and I�ll check how it goes when it will be cured. With regard the manual oiler I�d like to know if it is suppose to work also when the engine is not running. I tried to push it several times and I can�t see any oil coming out through the hole next to the inner side plate. I could hear noise of air and a few bubbles, but no (or very little) oil. Is this normal?
I checked all filters and o-rings and they were all in as new condition. When checking all bits and pieces there was just one thing I couldn�t understand. I removed the oil pump adapter 28 (refer to http://www.partstree.com/parts/?lc=echo&mn=CS-452VL&dn=3298) and I could not see spring 26 and ball valve 25. I was wandering if they are suppose to not come out easily or if they were missing (maybe lost by the previous owner).
Thank you in advance for your comments.

Max

Hi,
I'd just like to let you know that the problem was the crack in the oil tank. Once sealed, oil started flowing as normal. It is interesting to see that although oil was not leaking through the crack, this was having a detrimental effect on the automatic oiler.
Cheers

Max, it looks to me as if both the automatic and manual oil pumps are actually air pumps that pressurise the tank, allowing oil to flow through the nozzle onto the chain. Otherwise it would not have cured both problems when you made the tank air-tight so it could be pressurised. The tank cap does not seem to be vented, which supports that theory of what is going on. The downside would be that after you switched off the saw, oil would keep oozing out onto the chain for a while. There may be a small air leakage path to speed up the loss of tank pressure after shutdown.

If all that is wrong, would some Echo chainsaw afficionado put us right please?

HMm this has got me thinking, my mobilco-echo has a similar oiling problem at the moment, I will suss this out sooner or later. Hopefully before I need the saw next!

A report on how it works would be useful when you get to that point, Joe. I'm guessing they pump air into the tank, and have a small bleed-off vent to get rid of the pressure when the engine is not running.

This leads on to the problem I have been having with my Poulan. Seems a number of manufacturers use the pressurisation of the bar oil tank from the crankcase pressure. When I bought my saw brand new, the vendor said "When you turn it off, crack the oil filler cap to release the pressure otherwise all the bar oil will be pushed out" - or words to that effect.

Decided to have another look at the Poulan this afternoon and discovered a plug under the clutch which, when I removed it, is obviously the pressure transfer arrangement between the crankcase and oil tank.

Blew it all out with HP air and by mouth determined that it was clear. Reinstalled and started her up but still no oil to the bar and no "PSSSST" when I crack the oil tank filler.

Still thinking about it. Can only be something simple. Determined to succeed as I cannot afford a new (even secondhand) saw.
Will report back.

Jim

Thanks Jim. I think your Poulan probably has a reciprocating cylinder pump actuated by crankcase pressure, like the Echo. Max posted a link at the beginning of this thread, to the Echo illustrated parts list, so you can see how it works. You might find crankcase grunge has jammed up the piston so it doesn't move, or more likely, stuck the little pump intake valve. Because no pressure seems to be developing in your tank, that seems the likely location of the problem.

Hi grumpy, Its moments like these where we really miss gmax...he could have solved these issues in an instant...we need another chainsaw enthusiast, don't we.

We certainly do, Deejay, especially if he/she was into trimmers as well. Given time we can hopefully build up some case experience, but gmax was there already - and a whiz at restoring them, too.

Does anyone know what happened to gmax?

Had another look at the pressure transfer plug under the clutch. It has a very fine gauze filter on the crankcase side. In trying to remove it intact I destroyed it. Blew it all out again with compressed air and seemed to gain some extra airflow. Reassembled and gave it a run, and whilst the oil did flow, it was still insufficient. Best of all however is that I now get a "psst" when I crack the oil filler cap.
Will keep at it and post results.

Jim

Jim, you are going to need to replace that oil filter or the pump will get junk in it, scoring the pump's piston and cylinder, and stopping the intake ball valve from sealing.

Yes I am afraid so. Have also decided to replace the clutch as it is badly worn and the needle roller bearing has lost one of its needles. Parts for these machines seem impossible to source.

Are there "after market" brands available?

I don't know the answer, Jim. Poulan parts are available from various sources. You could post your model identification here - someone may know what is available, and Bruce may be able to help through the on-line store.

Does anyone know what happened to gmax?