Chain jam

[BobbyDee]

I have 2 Hitachi chainsaws in my collection, CS40EK and CS45EL both around 4 years old. They have served me well and have been looked after, however both have started to jam on me (engine still runs but chain does not move) during use. After much swearing and faffing I find that the bar nose sprockets on both seem to be locking up, that is unmovable until bashed with the end of a screwdriver, cleared of debris and then lubed which frees them up, but only temporarily. Scuse my ignorance but can I assume that both bars have now reached their best before dates and need replacing? I have been known to occasionally 'pinch' the bars during use and I'm wondering if that hasn't helped. I can of course replace both bars but it is not cheap to do so and would appreciate any input from more experienced users before I do so.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/tips..

[stihlmadasever]

Some bars have grease points at the nose sprocket,have you

greased them recently?

[leeker]

Are the sprockets jammed with the chains removed ? Considering the bars are 4 years old is say you've got your money out of them

[BobbyDee]

Yes both sprockets greased regularly and yes they are jammed with chains removed. After lubing and cleaning they run free as a bird until the saws are used again and they last for less than a tank of fuel before jamming. Time to bite the bullet and replace both bars then?

[stihlmadasever]

Yes both sprockets greased regularly and yes they are jammed with chains removed. After lubing and cleaning they run free as a bird until the saws are used again and they last for less than a tank of fuel before jamming. Time to bite the bullet and replace both bars then?

 

Sounds to me like theyre jamming when the metal heats up and expands,then cooling off and freeing up again.Might be a lubrication problem.Have you checked if the bar is getting oil?

[stihlmadasever]

Maybe just get new bars mate

[Stubby]

I'm in another camp . I stopped greasing sprocket noses a few years ago . Since then I have not had one fail ( fly apart ) . I think the grease attracts the crud and then acts like a grinding past causing premature ware . Just me .

[10 Bears]

I'm inclined to think you are correct Stubby. I haven't 'greased my sprocket' (F'nar F'nar) for a good while now, possibly a couple of years more out of laziness then anything, and I have no problems.

 

Purely anecdotal, but surely if the chain is being lubed then there is enough oil for some to end up on the sprocket?

 

As for the OP, I would also go down the bin and buy new route.

[Mick Dempsey]

I'm inclined to think you are correct Stubby. I haven't 'greased my sprocket' (F'nar F'nar) for a good while now, possibly a couple of years more out of laziness then anything, and I have no problems.

 

Purely anecdotal, but surely if the chain is being lubed then there is enough oil for some to end up on the sprocket?

 

As for the OP, I would also go down the bin and buy new route.

 

Never done it either or greased the bearing in the clutch of the Huskies.

Sprockets seem to last ok and never had a clutch bearing go.

[peatff]

I don't put oil in the tank or in car engines either, can't see the sense in pandering to their every whim. Just because someone says it makes sense and provides a lubrication point to do it why should I conform to their standards. All the money I save on grease and oil should pay for any future repairs anyway

 

I do grease the bar sprocket through the hole provided and the clutch bearing actually and it doesn't attract crud or make grinding paste and it takes no time at all.

Edited November 27, 2015 by peatff