Air Filter Leak???

[fmaglin]

I was cutting firewood all day today with my VI 200. When I arrived back at the house, I began readying my saw to use again for the following day. I removed the air filter cover and filter when I noticed some very fine wood particles like very fine wood dust sticking to the choke plate. I checked the rubber seal around the filter and it appeared to be sealing the perimeter of the filter. Is this normal? I just purchased the filter about one month ago as NOS. My VI 200 is a real runner and I sure don't want to mess it up with a filter not filtering properly. Is it possible the particles were small enough to get through the filter? I also about a month ago replaced the choke lever and grommet which is now a snug fit so I am eliminating the chance that this dust was entering around the choke lever. Anyone have any ideas?
Frank

[MCS]

I'm not familiar with the VI200 but assuming the filter is like the Super EZ or other Homelites with a top mounted filter, there is a stud that passes through the filter for the filter cover nut. Some filters have a rubber insert so there is a tight fit around the stud. The other style has a gasket, cork or rubber, that fits on the stud so when the nut is tightened down there is a seal.
I've has situations where the cover seals the perimiter gasket but leaves a gap where the stud is. Cut a few round gaskets and place on the stud, put the cover on and tighten the nut. If the nut gets tight but the cover is loose, remove one gasket and try again. How about where the fuel line enters the carburetor box?
If everything looks good, the fine dust must be getting through the filter. If it is real fine, I don't know if there is anythng to be concerned about. It will pass through the engine just fine.

[mikem]

My 330 has foam gasket around the top of the carb cover. If this deteriorates (twice already) it will leak particles into the carb box but not through the air filter. Are you cutting in a very dusty environment ??

[fmaglin]

Thanks for the tip MCS. I'll give it a try. Well today I thought my VI200 had bit the dirt. I was cutting some Hornbeam, probably about 20-16" pieces when all of a sudden my saw came to an abrupt stop on its way down to idle. When I went to re-start it it was locked up. I could feel a pain of panic run through me. I pulled the starter housing and as I tried to turn the flywheel, what resembled a needle from a needle bearing fell out. I figured it probably came from a crank bearing. I pulled the flywheel and immediately found a piece called a back plate that is held on with 4 flathead screws. Each screw was loose as was the back plate itself. The piece I found that I thought was a needle from a bearing was actually a dowel to align the back plate. I locktited the dowel and four screws and tightened everything back up. Re-installed the flywheel and starter cover. flipped the switch and after 1 pull she started right up. Boy, was I relieved. Back to the woods tomorrow.

Mike EM, I really haven't been cutting in dusty conditions. What I found was really fine saw dust similar to what you would find in a random orbital sander dust canister. By the way, what town are you near in Central Texas? I lived in Abilene for 13 years. Moved back to my home state of Ohio due to a lack of trees in Abilene.

[mikevan]

All 3 of my Homelites leak dust into the carb. box. I mean DUST too - With new filters that seem to seal, dust still gets in. Funny thing is, they keep running & cutting just fine, even with a filthy carb box. Locust is the worst, it's real dry & really hard. When you think about it, the dust gets sucked into the carb where it's mixed with the fuel, goes through the reeds into the crankcase, pulled [or pushed] up into the cylinder where it's burned [dust & all] then blown out the exhaust. Would I rather have it squeaky clean? Yes, but it's not killing my 40 year old saws either, that I use just about everyday. Not today though, it rained.

[mikem]

Aug 13, 2009 15:06:50 GMT -5 fmaglin said:

Thanks for the tip MCS. I'll give it a try. Well today I thought my VI200 had bit the dirt. I was cutting some Hornbeam, probably about 20-16" pieces when all of a sudden my saw came to an abrupt stop on its way down to idle. When I went to re-start it it was locked up. I could feel a pain of panic run through me. I pulled the starter housing and as I tried to turn the flywheel, what resembled a needle from a needle bearing fell out. I figured it probably came from a crank bearing. I pulled the flywheel and immediately found a piece called a back plate that is held on with 4 flathead screws. Each screw was loose as was the back plate itself. The piece I found that I thought was a needle from a bearing was actually a dowel to align the back plate. I locktited the dowel and four screws and tightened everything back up. Re-installed the flywheel and starter cover. flipped the switch and after 1 pull she started right up. Boy, was I relieved. Back to the woods tomorrow.

Mike EM, I really haven't been cutting in dusty conditions. What I found was really fine saw dust similar to what you would find in a random orbital sander dust canister. By the way, what town are you near in Central Texas? I lived in Abilene for 13 years. Moved back to my home state of Ohio due to a lack of trees in Abilene.

I am glad you got the problem solved with the backplate. I am about 60 miles northwest of Austin, Texas. It is too hot here to chainsaw....105 today. I sweated out a tee shirt just getting a carb boot off a 330.