Stihl 201 problem

[Cactusjack1993]

Hi. I'm having problems with my 201. The saw starts fine with the bar and chain off but as soon as I put it back on it seems to be playing up. If I get the started and put the chain brake on, the saw turns off. Also a fair bit of tension on the pull cord when bar and chain on. Cover , bar and chain defiantly on right. Saw seemed to be slowly cutting out before all this. Any advice? Video added for more info. Thanks 

[Dan Maynard]

Sounds like you need to get the clutch off and checked, and check drum bearing. The chain brake can feg up with sawdust too, that's in the side cover but I don't think that would be affected by chain.

[Will C]

Check the brake band isn’t broke

[Mark_Skyland]

Good advice from the above.

The clutch springs may be worn or snapped. Take the cover off and check that the drum rotates easily with no resistance if it doesn't turn easily you have something binding it to the shaft, dodgy bearing or cord etc stayed around the shaft. 

 

Check the three clutch springs are in place and not snapped. Check that the brake band isn't damaged and getting caught in the drum. If everything looks ok then you well have to take the clutch off and check the springs for wear. Replace all three springs even if only one looks damaged or worn.

The clutch can also wear where the springs locate onto it, they start to cut a groove into the clutch resulting in less tension. 

 

I guess that the chain spins with the chain brake off when the saw is at idle?

[spudulike]

Sounds like a broken clutch spring to me. Check all three and if one is broken, replace all three.

[Cactusjack1993]

Thanks for the advice everyone will take a look tomorrow at what you have all advised and see if I can get to the bottom of it

[Cactusjack1993]

7 hours ago, Mark_Skyland said:

Good advice from the above.

The clutch springs may be worn or snapped. Take the cover off and check that the drum rotates easily with no resistance if it doesn't turn easily you have something binding it to the shaft, dodgy bearing or cord etc stayed around the shaft. 

 

Check the three clutch springs are in place and not snapped. Check that the brake band isn't damaged and getting caught in the drum. If everything looks ok then you well have to take the clutch off and check the springs for wear. Replace all three springs even if only one looks damaged or worn.

The clutch can also wear where the springs locate onto it, they start to cut a groove into the clutch resulting in less tension. 

 

I guess that the chain spins with the chain brake off when the saw is at idle?

Hi mark really good points to check out, thanks. Yeah I totally forgot to mention that the chain spins on idle and was doing so a few days before it totally clonked out. Is there a specific reason why that would happen or could it be multiple reasons? 

[spudulike]

Like I said, classic symptom of a broken clutch spring.

[Muddy42]

Pieces of string can be really helpful for installing new clutch springs and getting the required tension on the springs.

[Creaky Limb Tree Care]

Clutch drum has probably jumped it's locating lugs that normally sit within the plastic oil pump drive worm..