Does your new chainsaw leak some oil while not in use? Most chainsaw owners complain of their chainsaws leaking oil when in storage. Are you aware that you can rectify this by storing your chainsaw properly? Yes, chainsaws most leak oil when there are no technical issues due to improper storage.
Here, we take you through tips and tricks to help you store your chainsaw without oil leaking. Keep reading!
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Why Does Your Chainsaw Leak Oil When Not in Use?
Before we get to the prevention measures and solutions, we need to know what causes a chainsaw to leak oil when turned off. Knowing the root cause of an oil leak is the first step toward developing a long-lasting solution. Below are some of the common reasons why a chainsaw will leak oil when it’s not in use:
An overfilled oil tank
Most new chainsaw users experience an oil leak due to overfilling the oil reservoir tank. When you overfill the tank, the oil seeps into the chain and sprocket, making it appear like an oil leak. An overfilled oil tank is also more prone to leakage due to temperature changes. The oil expands at high temperatures and seeps out, especially when the chainsaw isn’t used. Your chainsaw tank is always marked with a maximum fill level, and it’s always advisable to fill below this level to prevent seeping. You can also choose to fill the reservoir only when using the chainsaw.
Loose fill plugs
Your chainsaw has a fill plug that keeps the oil in the oil reservoir to prevent seeping. These fill plugs are either rubber or plastic and prone to wear and tear. If the fill plug becomes loose, the oil will leak out of the tank, especially when the chainsaw is in storage. Before storing your chainsaw, always ensure that these plugs fit securely. If you notice that the plugs are worn out, get a replacement to prevent a messy oil situation when you store the chainsaw.
Punctures in the oil line
The oil line is a tube that moves the oil to the pump from the oil reservoir. Sometimes, this line may be punctured, causing oil to spill from it even when the chainsaw is not in use. The oil line may be punctured if you notice a significant oil leak. To check whether the oil line is leaking, you need to unscrew the engine mounting and access the line. If it is punctured, replace it with a new one and reconnect everything back together.
Temperature variations
Another less common reason a chainsaw leaks oil is sudden temperature changes. If the reservoir is filled to the maximum before storage, it is more likely to leak oil when the temperature changes. Oil in the tank expands with an increase in temperature, causing some oil to seep. It is advisable to keep the oil level below the maximum mark when storing or draining the oil altogether. It would help if you also stored your chainsaw in a cool place with minimal temperature variations.
Debris and sawdust in the internal components
Most chainsaws leak some oil after use in the first few days, but some chainsaws continue to leak even after several uses. If you experience this, it is probably because of debris or sawdust inside the saw’s casing. This sawdust traps much oil when the chainsaw is in use, which then drips when the chainsaw is stored.
Tips to Ensure Your Chainsaw Doesn’t Leak Oil While in Storage
Chainsaw oil leaks are quite unpleasant for most people; you can always avoid them by taking preventative measures when storing your chainsaw. Here we share some useful tips and tricks for keeping your chainsaw to prevent oil from leaking.
1. Ensure the oil level is below the maximum mark
*Chainsaw oil leaks are very common when the oil tank is overfilled. An overfilled tank seeps oil, especially when the temperature changes abruptly. When storing your chainsaw, check the oil level and ensure it is below the maximum level mark. This way, oil won’t seep even when the temperature changes. If you plan to store the chainsaw away for long, consider draining the oil completely.
Most chainsaw users, especially beginners, experience an oil leak due to an overfilled oil reservoir tank. When you overload the tank, the oil seeps into the chain, sprocket, and other components, making it appear like an oil leak.
An overfilled oil tank is also more prone to leakage caused by temperature changes. When the temperatures are high, the oil expands and seeps out, especially when the chainsaw isn’t used.
When filling your chainsaw’s oil tank, look for the mark indicating the maximum fill level and fill below this level to prevent seeping. You can also choose to fill the reservoir only when using the chainsaw. Consider draining the oil completely when storing the chainsaw away for long periods.
2. Inspect parts for any mechanical issues and have them repaired immediately
*Sometimes, your chainsaw leaks oil because of mechanical shortcomings such as a faulty oil line, damaged rubber ring or a cracked oil tank. If you experience oil leaks of more than 20ml, and you can’t tell where it’s coming from, then the problem is mostly mechanical. To resolve oil leaks caused by mechanical faults, you need to have your chainsaw checked by a professional.
Your chainsaw could also leak oil when not used because the oil line is punctured. The oil line is a tube that moves the oil to the pump from the oil reservoir. Sometimes, this tube may be punctured, causing oil to spill from it even when the chainsaw is not in use. To check whether the oil line is leaking, you need to unscrew the engine mounting and access the line. If it is punctured, replace it with a new one and reconnect everything back together.
3. Clean your chainsaw thoroughly before storing it
Most chainsaws leak some oil after use in the first few days, but some chainsaws continue to leak even after several uses. If you experience this, it is probably because of debris or sawdust inside the saw’s casing. This sawdust traps much oil when the chainsaw is in use, which then drips when the chainsaw is stored.
*Cleaning your chainsaw helps to elongate its lifespan and prevent oil leaks. Before you store the chainsaw, remove any debris and sawdust. Clean the oil ports using a wire brush and also dismantle and clean the oil port. Consult the owner’s manual for guidance on cleaning your particular model.
4. Store the chainsaw in a clean, dry, and cool place
To prevent oil leaks caused by sudden temperature variations, store your chainsaw in a clean, dry, cool place. Storing your chainsaw in a cool place minimizes the chances of pressure build-up in the oil tank.
5. Replace any loose or damaged fill plugs
Your chainsaw comes with a fill plug that keeps the oil in the oil reservoir to prevent seeping. These fill plugs are either rubber or plastic and prone to wear and tear. If the fill plug becomes loose, the oil will leak out of the tank, especially when the chainsaw is in storage. Before storing your chainsaw, always ensure that these plugs fit securely. If you notice that the plugs are loose or damaged, get a replacement to prevent a messy oil situation when you store the chainsaw.
6. Keep the chainsaw in an angled position
If the chainsaw leaks from the guide bar position, always store it at a slight angle and not lie flat on the surface. It would help if you supported the bar at a higher place to keep oil in the tank and prevent leakage.
What do I Have to Do If the chainsaw is Already Leaking oil?
What do you do when you notice that your chainsaw is already leaking oil? You can salvage it with a few actions. Listed here is the step-by-step process you can follow to stop oil leaks in your chainsaw.
- First, inspect the chainsaw to find where the oil leaks. Doing this will help you determine whether the oil leak is due to improper storage or a mechanical breakdown.
- Check for overfilling or lose fill plugs if the leak comes from the oil tank.
- Drain the oil reservoir completely, then remove any loose plugs
- If the oil leak is coming from the oil line, call a professional to have a look at it and repair the oil line.
- After you have resolved the cause of the oil leak, assemble the chainsaw ready for storage
- you can opt to remove the chain and store it separately if you are putting the saw away for long periods.
- Next, keep the chainsaw in a cool and dry place in a vertical position or hang it by the rear handle.
Conclusion
There are numerous methods of storing a chainsaw to prevent oil from leaking. If you follow all our special tips, you can keep your chainsaw away for longer without experiencing a mess caused by oil leaks.
