Chainsaw question

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I own a Shindaiwa 488. The chainsaw will stall now when you apply the chain brake. I am thinking bad clutch? I had leant it to some friend (never usually) and it came back fast idling, but when you put the brake on, or finish a heavy cut it stalls right away. Never did this before. I am thinking bad cluch? Your thoughts?
 
I would try a carb adjustment. Also check the air filter and look around the exhaust port/screen for carbon build up.

Chainsaws are something I never loan out. There's just too much to bugger up on them. A simple "Sorry, I never loan out my chainsaw" always works.

Good luck.
 
yea really, I was in the same situation. I know the guy well and i never usually loan em out. I used to sell these and have been away from them for a while.
 
well, the idle was up so i backed it down, Its one of them non adjustable other than idle speed EPA carbs. Thing runs great at high speed and idle. problem is the chain even when i come down to idle speed stays moving, like the clutch doesnt disengage
 
Before you start turning any screws I'd dump the fuel and refill with your normal mixture. It's quite common that people get the cheapest junk (think Itasca green bottle from the grocery store)and use the wrong mixture when they borrow 2-cycle equipment.

It may just be getting hot from poor lubrication if it truly is running 'bottom of the barrel' swill for oil.

edit: adding comment since your last reply. It's quite possible that it has debris gunked in the centrifugal clutch mechanism which is causing it to bind. I'd take the cover off and give it a good cleaning and some TLC.
 
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FowVay, Thanks, yeah i am leaning to dump the gas out and refill with my freah. I have genuine SHINDAIWA oil and mid range gas. Like i said, the saw runs great just will not start unless i release the brake, its not bound just wont go.
 
If it stalls when the chain brake is applied, the clutch is quite good. The fast idle speed is causing the clutch to engage, as it is designed to do, and spin the chain. I suspect the problem is the high idle speed. Try to adjust the idle speed down. If you can't, the most likely cause is something clogging the idle port in the carb. You may have to remove the carb and gently blow out the passages either with air or carb cleaner. The tiny hole (or holes) immediately above the closed throttle plate are the orifices through which idle fuel flows; blow them out thoroughly.
 
flanso, Thank you. I will go and try that. I am just frustrated cause this is such a good saw, and I have barely used it. Long story why but its my back up saw
 
I have 2 stihls that i own, and 028 and a 360 Pro they never leave my side. This saw i like, but would rather loan it out, guess the cheap gas and oil proves why i shouldnt
 
How hard is it to move the chain with the saw off? I have a Stihl 026, and one day the chain wouldn't stop after a cut. Problem was a broken clutch spring. I don't know about Shindaiwas, but the clutch is very easy to get to on a Stihl and it was a simple, straightforward fix.
 
I think FowVay is onto something with the clutch being full of debris. I have a family member that likes to run his saw wide open no matter what he's cutting, including the ground(: Doesn't take too long before the whole assembly is full of oil, dirt, and everything else. I know it's past due for a cleaning when the chain keeps moving at idle.
 
Off the subject slightly. I see four or five a Summer with the brake on.

"Don't know what happened! It just won't turn the chain and I can't rev it up." If I didn't have a conscience it would be an easy fee to "tune it up".

Also the engines that won't run because their miracle, self-regenerating, nuclear gas pill runs out. Put gas in it idiot!!!
 
I believe Flanso is correct, The clutch would appear to be working, and it is idle
Clean the air filter, new fuel. If no gains then I would richen both the low and high mixture a 1/8 turn out and readjust your idle (turn out to slow)to where the chain will not spin at idle The leaner the mixture the faster the idle/revs, out = richer, in = leaner. (I do not mean to lecture if you know this). If you are a novice I would not go to the point of removing the adjustment limiters. If you are mechanically inclined I can offer some carb cleaning tips

Is it under warranty? That's a nice saw, and worthy of professional care.
 
Status Update?: Went to work on the saw, I must mention that i sold these units years ago and never had troubles other than user error. I came and asked for help, being frustrated lol. Heres what I found. The oil res must have been low or full of crud. Chain was dull, wood being cut had lots of powder and things got hot. The plastic gear that drives the oil pump was shredded, melted etc, the inner bearing was cooked. on the pump assembly, the pump cover melted. I was able to save the oil pump by cleaning up the plastic debris and using a dental pick to get the plastic out of the pump gears. I have parts ordered and will await their arrival. THanks to all your help, it seems the people that had the saw, the brother borrowed it and this is what happened, he turned up the idle so it would stay running. The carb isnt ADJUSTABLE, thank god or that woulda been mess
 
So the person you loaned the saw to then loaned it out to someone else? If that is the case I hope you never loan them another thing, that is the ultimate no no in my book and with good reason.
 
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