Stihl 024 Chainsaw

[MJBaldwin]

I bought this chainsaw used about a year ago. Didnt start and run very well so got the manual out and took a look at options replaced fuel line, filter, air filter, plug, fresh gas and she fired up. That being said its been sitting for a little while and noticed that there is always some oil under it from sitting for a while? Would any of you guys know where this would be coming from? I am assuming its the bar & chain oil just not sure how it would be leaking. On a side note this isnt coming from the cap its from the bottom?

[Pinusbanksiana]

Could be that your bar oil is thin or that the bar oil adjustment is too open. Or both.

[MJBaldwin]

Pinusbanksiana-

Where would I look to adjust that? I guess I am not sure what you mean by thin but its new oil?

[Pinusbanksiana]

I am not sure on a Sthil saw, but a net search should show you how to adjust the amount of oil that is dispensed. Bar oil is sold in two viscositys. Winter and summer. Winter is real thin so it can be used when it is cold, summer is a bit thicker.

[laportian]

The more oil you use the better it is for the chain. At twenty bucks a pop I'd let her oil a lot. Saws always leak out a little. Don't worry about it. And if your bar has a tiny hole in the tip buy a saw greaser and grease it when you use it. Lube is a good thing.

[MJBaldwin]

I am not sure if I am explaning myself. The saw is leaking oil when its not in use. I put it down in the garage on the shelf and when I come back there is oil on the bottom of the shelf....

[BoxMN]

My cheapie Craftsman saw leaks oil pretty good just sitting there. It kind of fills the case, which is a pita, but i just keep it filled when I use it and no probs, other than mess...

[laportian]

MJBaldwin-Yeah it's totally fine, that is what they all do. I was a logger back in the day and I would always put cardboard down when we stored our saws inside because they leak out.

[Ufatz]

That is correct. It seems to be a characteristic of the things-they leak down when just sitting. Fill it up and fire it up each time you wanna cut some wood!!

[MJBaldwin]

laportian - Ill take your advise with the cardboard sounds like a good idea instead of trying to clean it up everytime. I always keep extra oil on me so im not worried about running low and its not a ton of oil just dont want it all over my garage!

Thanks guys!

[Surface Tension]

You need to replace the rubber boot on the oil pump.

[MJBaldwin]

Surface Tension:

Where would I find this rubber boot on the oil pump? Is it something I would be able to see without taking the whole saw apart?

[BoxMN]

Surface Tension:

Where would I find this rubber boot on the oil pump? Is it something I would be able to see without taking the whole saw apart?

Follow up, is this on all saws, even my cheapy Craftsman? Mine isn't a "slow" leak but if hard to do I can live with it. Thanks in advance...

[Surface Tension]

Sorry, I jumped the gun and was thinking 041 as I just tore mine down and fixed my oil leak.

The 024 has a different oiler and the relief valve was notorious for causing leaks. Instead of composing and typing out my reply I'll copy and paste from Stil's site. You should also look up and download the repair manual for your saw.

If the unit continues to seep oil after a few days, the problem may be the vacuum relief valve located in the side of the engine housing between the oil output hole and the bar stud(s). This valve has an internal spring and ball type arrangement with the ball pressed against the vent hole of the casing of the valve, when the tank develops a vacuum from the normal process of the oil being pumped out. The ball is pulled away from the hole, allowing air to enter into the tank and break the vacuum so that oil can continue to flow to the bar and chain assembly. Once the vacuum is relieved, the spring pushes the ball back against the hole of the valve casing. Sometimes debris may become trapped between the ball and the hole. This would cause the oil to keep "weeping" because there must be some measure of vacuum in the tank to keep the oil from flowing freely once the unit is shut down. More often than not, all one needs to do is to take a small pin or needle and push it into the hole of the valve (identifiable as a small silver disk with a small hole in the center) about 6 or 7 times to loosen the debris. This should re-seal the orifice and keep the oil from seeping from the output hole when the saw is stored.

[MJBaldwin]

Surface Tension,

I will have to take a closer look when I have some time and see if this is the cause of the problem. As others have stated I just threw down some cardboard so it doesnt get everywhere but would like to pin point the problem and actually fix it.

Thanks

[Surface Tension]

I've done the same with the cardboard and that went on for years till I fixed it. Basically two places an 041 will leak, externally or into the crankcase. The later would have had me replacing seals sooner.

Taking it apart and cleaning is the first step with you situation and that should be done periodically anyway.

Good Luck.