Starting a chainsaw without the bar.. Woodruff key shear

[Stevie777]

Hi, Is it possible to shear the flywheel woodruff key when starting a chainsaw without the bar and chain attached?

 

 The reason I ask is... I got my hands on a 1990 Komatsu chainsaw yesterday. I removed it from the packaging and fired it up no problem. Twice. Really easy to turn over and start. Tick's over fine and has instant revs, Plenty compression.

 

 The chainsaw was posted without fuel and oil, so basically it fired up with whatever fuel was still in the line. Roll on today I decided to give it a clean. I removed bar and chain, cleaned up the built up crap around the bar stud area filled it with fresh fuel and oil then tried to start it to check if the oiler was working ok. The machine kicked back pulling the pull cord handle from my fingers as if it's not firing correctly. It's now difficult to turn over without kicking back, well with the bar off.

 

Not had a chance to put the bar back on and try it again. Everything seems tight on the saw and it doesn't appear to be abused or used for any great length of time. any ideas.? Cheers.  

Edited May 15, 2018 by Stevie777

[Stubby]

Not the same thing but the clutch drum can come off if you rev it without bar and chain . Goes a long way if there is nothing to obstruct its progress !

[lurkalot]

7 hours ago, Stevie777 said:

Hi, Is it possible to shear the flywheel woodruff key when starting a chainsaw without the bar and chain attached?

No.  Shouldn't make any difference regarding this.  If it has sheared, or partly sheared then it's for some other reason.

[Stevie777]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

Not the same thing but the clutch drum can come off if you rev it without bar and chain . Goes a long way if there is nothing to obstruct its progress !

didn't rev. more concerned with the possible timing issue.