Echo CS400 Bar runs hot

[SuburbanFarmer]

Hello,

I just noticed my three year old Echo CS400 18" bar is very hot. (Too hot to touch after a few minutes of cutting.) Oiling, if anything is more than enough. (It used to consume a tank of oil every two tanks of gas, now uses a bit more. I've tweeked the oiling after seeing a small bit of oil in the case after it sat idle...)

The chain is not too tight. Lifting it pulls up 6-7 links that don't quite clear the bar, so a bit lose if anything... I did notice a bit of oil in the track on the tips, when I just checked. It cuts straight. It has been flipped periodically. If anything the grove may be worn 'extra wide'. (I haven't measured, but wondering if a bar regrind is in my future...)

The chain is relatively new. I lube the sprocket periodically, but not always... The bar is too hot to touch in the middle portion. I have a new spare bar in the case. (To prevent having to walk home leaving a 'pinched saw' stuck in a tree...) I may swap it but want to make sure I don't mess that one up... I did run with an old chain a while. A couple broken teeth, but it cut ok, and I was doing clean-up work not worthy of a new chain.

What else should I check before trying the new bar?

Thank in advance.

 

[smokinj]

They can get hot very hot.......This can come down to very hardwood and a less than perfect sharpe chain. I have had them hot enough to boil oil.(thats to hot)

 

[SuburbanFarmer]

Thanks for the speedy reply. Guess I never noticed before... I'll just sharpen the chain and keep cutting. ;-)

 

[Danno77]

Just one more vote for "that's normal"

Maybe you usually have gloves on and never noticed it before?

 

[basswidow]

another vote from me as that's normal.

I will point up the chain with a file on refuel and top off the oil if needed, and the bar is hot to touch always!

Not a cause for alarm.

Smart to have the spare bar. Keep it new until the other one blows.