How to Store a Chainsaw so it Doesn’t Leak Oil

Chainsaw oil leakage can be a really painful situation for a lot of workshop owners. Most of you will be interested in knowing how to store a chainsaw so it doesn’t leak oil. 

Chainsaw oil leaks occur as a result of high pressure within the tank after use. The saw should be allowed to rest for a minute after opening the cap to release all the pressure. Afterward, place the bar slightly upwards on the shelf. This will prevent oil leakage. 

However, sometimes it may not be due to the pressure inside the tank only. You can experience chainsaw oil leaks for a number of reasons. Luckily, you have come to the right place because, in this article, I have explained all the possibilities. 

Not only this, but I have also explained how to store it the right way so it doesn’t leak oil. So if you are interested in learning all this, keep on reading!

How to Store a Chainsaw so it Doesn't Leak Oil

How to Store a Chainsaw so it Doesn’t Leak Oil

As I already mentioned above, there are many possible causes behind why a chainsaw might leak oil. The most common reason is that the chain has worn out and needs replacing. If this is the case, then you need to replace the chain before storing the chainsaw.

You should do this immediately when you notice any signs of wear or damage. This will help you avoid future problems.

The most basic way to prevent oil spilling from the saw is to put it in a slightly angled position. You need to investigate the saw properly and see where the oil is leaking from. 

In most cases, it is the bar guide from which the oil usually leaks. 

If this is your case too then there are actually two ways to prevent such an unwanted situation. 

1. Remove the oil before storing the saw 

One of the methods is to empty the whole tank of your chainsaw before storing it. This is a very cumbersome method and you will have to refill it each time you are going to use it. 

However, this will ensure that no oil is leaking from the tool no matter how you store it. 

If you have a very small room then this method can come in handy for you. However, I wouldn’t recommend this and won’t go for this method personally. 

Why? Because I am a little bit lazy sometimes refilling the chainsaw each time for chopping wood will be difficult for me.

So to avoid this method there’s a more straightforward solution to this problem.

2. Store it in a Slightly Angled Position

If you don’t feel like emptying your chainsaw every time you want to store it then there’s a very straightforward and simple hack. However, it may not work in some cases which I am going to tell you in a moment. 

First of all, investigate the saw carefully and see where the oil is actually dripping from. As mentioned earlier, the bar guide of the chainsaw is one of the most vulnerable spots. However, it is possible that the oil may be leaking out from somewhere else. 

If it is exactly the bar guide then you will have to store the saw in a slightly angled position. Keep in mind that you will put the bar of the saw a little bit higher so that the gravity can hold the fluid inside. Even if it is leaking out from somewhere else, just put it in an angled position. 

installing a chainsaw bar guide

Why Do Chainsaws Leak Bar Oil?

Another common question that comes to mind is why do chainsaws leak bar oil mostly? Well, the answer is quite simple. When you start using the chainsaw, the bar guide gets hot due to friction.

It heats up and starts melting the grease inside the bar guide. Then as soon as the heat dissipates, the melted grease cools down and solidifies. 

As a result, you get a hardened bar guide that doesn’t allow the grease to flow freely anymore. So, the only option left for the bar guide is to release its contents.

And since the bar guide is made of metal, it releases a lot of energy in the form of heat. That’s why the bar guide melts and releases the oil. 

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How to Fix a Chainsaw with Leaking Bar Oil?

Let’s take a look at some of the main steps that to prevent the leakage of oil anymore. After reading this section you should be able to get rid of the issue once and for all. So let’s get into it. 

Step 1: Check the Bar Guide

The first step is to check the bar guide for any wear and tear. Make sure there is nothing damaged and leaked which causes the dripping of the oil. If you find anything wrong and suspicious with the bar guide just remove it and replace it with a new one. 

Step 2: Look for the Pressure buildup

The next thing that you need to check is whether there is enough room for the oil in the tank or not. Basically, whenever you use your saw it transfers energy to various parts which can cause pressure buildup inside the oil tank. 

This pressure forces the fluid inside the tank to emerge and hence you experience oil leakage with your chainsaw. To avoid this situation just simply loosen the lid of the tank whenever you use the saw for a while. Let it sit for a minute or two to get things back to their ground state. 

After that, you can tighten the lid again and everything should be fine. 

Step 3: See if There’s Something Wrong with the Rubber Ring

A mighty chainsaw resting after the job

If you are still experiencing oil leakage despite following the above-mentioned steps then you might have something wrong with the rubber ring. It is a part of the whole mechanism that exists between the chain and the oil tank reservoir.

Sometimes, it also exerts excessive pressure which causes leakage. In such cases, you need to replace the rubber ring. 

You can try replacing it but make sure that you don’t damage the rubber ring. Also, make sure that you don’t over-tighten it. 

Step 4: Clean the Chain

It is also important to clean the chain regularly. This helps in preventing dirt and debris from getting stuck between the teeth of the chain. So always keep a close eye on the chain when you’re working with it. 

Conclusion

So How to Store a Chainsaw so it Doesn’t Leak Oil? Well, there are two ways to store it properly. The first way is to remove the oil before storing the chainsaw. But the second method is to store the chainsaw without removing the oil.

All you have to do is to put it in an angled position so that the oil can’t come out of the opening.  Both these methods work well and help in keeping the chainsaw safe and sound. 

I hope this article helped you understand how to store a chainsaw so it doesn’t leak oil. You can share this article with your friends and family members who are looking for more information about this topic.

Thanks!

References

  1. How do we deal with leakage
  2. Leakage in an oil pump system–Analysis and suggested improvements: A case study at Husqvarna AB
  3. Fuel, hydraulic oil and lubricant consumption in Swedish mechanized harvesting operations, 1996
  4. Ecological and health effects of lubricant oils emitted into the environment

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