Chainsaw Repair

Heads up, I bought a pair of 5020's about a year ago, just put them into service about a month ago, doing firewood, one saw has seen about 99% of the action, I put Oregon Match Bars and full chisel chains on them, allot bang for the buck, I got them for $129 each delivered on fleabay, factory recons.

Anyhow, its cold and really windy today, so Im sharpening chain, and Im cleaning the one saw Ive cut countless ash trees with. I pull the air filter, and the backing plate, attached to the carb is covered with saw dust, so is the butterfly on the upper intake.

The thing has been pulling dust, the air filter was not that bad (not plugged, I cleaned it). Found that the air filter frame "rocks" on the mounting plate, so it should be pulling un-filtered air in around the filter. Its hard plastic on hard plastic, no gasket. I guess I need to come up with a work around or I will be parting this saw out.

This post is a heads up for anyone else that is running this saw, un-clip your air filter and see if it rocks on its mounting flange. If it does, let me know how you remedied the problem, LOL !

When you clip it down, not sure if it makes it worse or better.

I had to run to the farm store this evening so I ordered a new filter, to see if they are all "bowed". I also had the thought of using "seasonseal", basically a caulk that never "sets" or drys, kinda like the grease you suggested. Although I dont know the ramications of using that in a saw, as to what can go sideways.

Thanks Sharkey, I dont think the cement will work, only from the standpoint that I need to be able to remove the filter and replace it at some point, or at least Im hoping the saw lasts that long, but who knows ?

Today, Im going to try some "Seasonseal" caulk, you get at home stores. Its caulk that never "sets" or "cures" if you will. Its made by white lighting, and is called "removable weather stripping". Ive used it before on window screens where the frame does not fit well and insects pass around the screen, it just pulls off and is still gummy 6 months later, even when in full sun.

why not make a gasket out of some thin closed cell foam to sit between the flange and bottom of the filter opening?