Chain saw cleaning

550Doug · Nov 29, 2021

I have removed the bar on my Echo chain saw to clean it up, however, there is a lot of oily-sawdust gunk all around the drive sprocket. I can clean out the larger blobs but I cannot get at all the nooks and crannies. Is there such a thing as a spray that will soften or dissolve this gunk? How do the pros clean out this oily gunk? Compressed air helps but it still leaves a lot. Maybe a soak job with some sort of liquid would help, anyone try using coca cola?
TIA.

old · Nov 29, 2021

Brake cleaner spray or carb cleaner spray will do that

4wdtom · Nov 29, 2021

Air gun and 100 psi air pressure. Cover your eyes.

cuby · Nov 29, 2021

Try mineral spirits.

Russ from MN · Nov 29, 2021

Just use a good air nozzle, with safety glasses and hearing protection. I wouldn't use any solvents, they will do more harm than good!

MJMJ · Nov 29, 2021

Don't spray anything other than air.

rustred · Nov 29, 2021

you dont need anything other than good air pressure and a good blow gun. its oil with saw dust so i dont see how it can get hard. unless
your cutting in the dirt.

showcrop · Nov 29, 2021

I agree no solvents!! your crankshaft seal is right there and aggressive solvents like carb or brake cleaner will shorten its life.

MARK ROBKE · Nov 29, 2021

Is the saw going to used again? If so, won't those nooks and crannies fill right back up with sawdust gunk?
Sometimes, it's not worth the effort IMO, as long as the gunk does not interfere with anything, such as chain
lube pathways. Mark.

bobfeather · Nov 29, 2021

the tool is called an air compressor you put a blower adapter on the hose and blow the crap out been doing it for 40 years
bob

Steve in IL · Nov 29, 2021

With safety glass, if not a shield too.

kcm.MN · Nov 29, 2021

As others have mentioned, use an air compressor.

It is best to clean that gunk out after every couple hours of use. Depending on how your saw is made, that buildup usually prevents the oiler from providing proper lubrication to the bar and chain, which causes excess heat and premature wear.

showcrop · Nov 29, 2021

(quoted from post at 11:34:53 11/29/21) the tool is called an air compressor you put a blower adapter on the hose and blow the crap out been doing it for 40 years
bob

Bob, you better connect your hose to the air line!

jaoneill · Nov 29, 2021

As has been mentioned over and over; 100# of air. I've been on the business end of a chain saw (wood mower) for sixty years and all that we ever do is once a day or so, or when pulling the bar for one reason or another, pull that clutch cover, scrape off the worst of the glunk with a screwdriver and knock out the loose stuff. As has also been covered above, as long as the oil passages are clear and it can spit out the wood chips, you are pretty much good to go.

Stephen Newell · Nov 29, 2021

I use a power washer. Just have to keep the water away from the air intake.

Deutz Lover · Nov 30, 2021

Toothbrush? Horsehair bristle brush from Horrible Freight. If you are cleaning metal they have assortments of nylon and brass brushes. You might have to use a low viscosity oil like 0w-20 synthetic to dissolve any hardened masses that the air gun won't dislodge. Some of that stuff is a good penetrant.

M-MAN · Nov 30, 2021

It's a chainsaw, not some do dad to put
on the mantle. Blow it off or wipe it off
and call it good. Five minutes after you
crank it up it will look the same.

Bret4207 · Nov 30, 2021

(quoted from post at 08:00:56 11/30/21) It's a chainsaw, not some do dad to put
on the mantle. Blow it off or wipe it off
and call it good. Five minutes after you
crank it up it will look the same.

Bingo!

Geo-TH,In · Nov 30, 2021

x2, less than 5 minutes.

jaoneill · Nov 30, 2021

Chain saw cleaning

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