Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: brokenbudget on November 20, 2013, 07:38:15 am


Title: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on November 20, 2013, 07:38:15 am
so I have a good friends huckme 372 on the bench. when not in use, it likes to dump it's oil tank out. it isn't leaking out, it comes out the end of the tube at the slot like the pump is pumping, but it isn't :o
you can let this thing sit for a week with no oil in it, fill it and in seconds (yes seconds) it'll be enough oil for a 14" bar/chain coming out  ;D
it seems the vent is alright as it you can add or remove pressure from the tank through it.....
thinking it's the piston in the pump that may be worn enough to let the oil past
usually they come in and it's the rubber bits that need replacing but it isn't leaking anywhere (even into the oil pump). just out the proper end.
this thing will empty the tank regardless of temperature or how it's positioned (layed on pull start side, clutch side, upside down, etc.).
even tried half full with the cap off.
I have the plastic drive out looking for signs of the valley filling with oil, bit it's pretty well dry.
I'm just not seeing the issue. i'm sure this is an easy one to find, but sometimes I get the blinders on and take the long route to the problem. wouldn't mind the shortcut to this one ;)
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on November 20, 2013, 09:57:51 am
OK, let me try to get my head around this.
1) oil is coming out the delivery tube in the bar mount when saw is not running.
2) but not leaking from the pump itself or the pump inlet nor from the output side of the pump.
3) if pressure is applied to the vent does the oil flow increase or stay constant?
4) have you disassembled the pump and checked the pump piston spring?
5) when the saw is upright does the oil flow increase? (I cannot figure how the oil can go up hill from the tank through the pump and out the top of the pump and up into the bar mount without some pressure behind it)!
6) is it possible that the leak is coming from somewhere in the bar mount area e.g. a crack in the case behind the bar, perhaps in the adjuster well or from a damaged bar mount stud?
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on November 20, 2013, 10:15:51 am
no cracks in the case. I pulled the copper line and grommet away from the bar mount pad and the oil is coming out of it, not the case.
flow increases when you apply a bit of pressure through the vent. slows when you apply vacuum. no oil leaks through the vent unless you pull some through with vacuum.
ZERO oil coming through to the center (or anywhere else) of the oil pump. there are no leaks anywhere.
I would expect pressure from the cap when screwed in, but after a while of the oil being pushed out, that 'pressure' would turn to 'vacuum' if there wasn't any air getting in there. like I said, there's almost enough oil coming out to lube a small bar/chain  ???
even after rotating the pump backwards to empty the outer line, and removing the cap, it will still flow. and empty the tank down to about an 8th left over. the oil has to move up through the pump, and up into the discharge tube. way higher than the inlet or the level of the oil. that's the part that has me stumped. I would figure temperature changes would be the culprit, but it doesn't matter weather you have it out in the cold and bring it in to a warm room (or vice-versa) or if you put cold/warm oil in it.
the saw started doing this on him this past spring. but "fixed" it self before he had time to get a look at it. restarted doing this last week.
saw runs perfectly fine. oils perfectly fine.
the guy doesn't have a whole lot of cash, and I don't want to order a new pump to find out that wasn't the problem (I don't think it is). I also don't think it's the vent, but maybe? :'(
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on November 20, 2013, 10:37:23 am
OK, so we are both stumped at the moment. I have a used good shape pump I could loan you for a test if you would like. Nothing ever fixes itself as I am sure you are aware, but this makes no sense! The only thing I can think of is that the spring and washers on the pump shaft are worn to the point that oil is getting past the shaft and being forced through the pump. I have actually seen 372 oilers that had broken springs and worked fine but could not be adjusted.

If you PM me with an address I will mail you out a pump.
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: Spike60 on November 20, 2013, 11:19:57 am
Most times oil leaks can be solved by replacing the oil pick up line. Usually about a $10 part.

The pump usually either pumps or it doesn't. I've not come across a pump being the cause of an oil leak. If it was **** or loose, that would be a possible cause for a leak.
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on November 20, 2013, 11:32:22 am
kill: thanks for the offer  8) but I have a couple to try out on it but I don't think it's the pump. just took it all apart and everything looks good. smooth, tight and easy to turn with no hang ups or rough spots. i'm just going to replace the line and grommet and toss it back together.

spike: thanks for chiming in. that's what's so perplexing about this. it isn't really leaking. the oil is pushing past the pump and coming out only at the end of the tube where it should. tanks vent is fine imo. if there was a pressure build up in the oil tank, it would be spitting oil out of the vent (?).
just never seen oil flow 'uphill' enough to pretty well empty the tank unless it was 'pushed'. but with the saw not running, and no temperature swings etc., and the vent working properly. this has me questioning what i'm missing :)
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: KilliansRedLeo on November 20, 2013, 11:41:32 am
Just for grins, is the brass pickup/filter still attached to the oil supply line? Perhaps if it is not your getting some sort of siphoning effect.
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on November 20, 2013, 11:46:13 am
everything is just as it should be. it'll be next week before the line and grommet are here. this is one saw Hudson's doesn't stock up on. and husky is in one of them "inventory checking" weeks this week. :)
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: Cut4fun on November 20, 2013, 01:46:19 pm
Have you replaced the oiler line from tank to oiler and then tried a different oiler installed too?  To see what happens then?

Husqvarna 362 372 IPL  http://www.husqvarna.com/ddoc/HUSI/HUSI2003_AAaa/HUSI2003_AAaa__1062604-63.pdf
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on November 20, 2013, 02:15:18 pm
I have a couple tree victim 372's in the shed with good oilers on them. just have to go and pull one. the line and grommet will be here on Tuesday next week. other than pulling the oiler and sitting staring at it for a while I haven't tried anything. ;D it's neat watching oil flow with no help :) i'm easily amused. :D
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: Cut4fun . on November 20, 2013, 02:19:11 pm
I have a couple tree victim 372's in the shed with good oilers on them. just have to go and pull one. the line and grommet will be here on Tuesday next week. other than pulling the oiler and sitting staring at it for a while I haven't tried anything. ;D it's neat watching oil flow with no help :) i'm easily amused. :D

Video so we can see and be amused too.   ;) :D ;D
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: jmester on November 20, 2013, 10:09:50 pm
I would put a new vent in there. They are cheap or use one from your parts saws you have on had. If you hold the little ball in does the oil flow slow down or stop. If it does I would say the vent and not the pump. I have had bad pumps that wouldn't do what you are saying.
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on November 21, 2013, 04:24:31 am
the vent seems to work properly. however I did order a new one. for $1.50, I won't risk ruining one taking it out  :)
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: albert on November 26, 2013, 11:31:08 pm
Defies physics it seems. Fluid can not flow above it's level without pressure behind it. This is not a syphon senario, and happens even with cap off. Even if the pump was gutted of internals, and leak free to the outside,  oil level in the tank below the discharge port will not mysteriously leak from the port without pressure inside the tank being greater than on the outside. ie. cap off.
Title: Re: husqvarna 372xp oiler
Post by: brokenbudget on December 22, 2013, 06:21:33 am
well one thing I've learned over the years is sometimes things just don't make sense. the laws of physics can be thrown out the window more times than can be explained.
I've worked with many fluids/liquids that will (given the opportunity), will flow up hill to empty a pail, bowl or bottle due to their 'ropey' bond structure. you get the stuff flowing and it will pull itself up and over (sometimes at great distances), and thick chain oil is no different.
one liquid that comes to mind is any 'flocking' agent. you can have a 5gal pail full of it, start pouring it at a sharp angle, then set the pail back down on it's bottom and it will empty itself out. you need to tip that bucket back and stop the flow. egg white will do the same thing.

at any rate, changed the line and grommet and it still wanted to come out of the port. also changed out the vent with a new one. ended up switching the oil pump out with a good used one and the problem went away. threw the suspected pump on the parts saw and can't get it to show the same issue. so I guess when I get around to fixing that saw up, I don't have to worry about the oiler dumping oil all over the shelf. maybe. we'll see after it runs for a while. ;)