Chain Saw issue.... Help !

bigdog · 09-03-2014, 08:50 AM

I have a Ryobi 20" gas chain saw with an issue, and need Forum feedback.
Saw is only 3 yrs old, and was a gift..... I would never have bought this brand, ever !

I used the saw last Spring, and it was working fine... I cleaned saw and put away at that time, no issues to report.

Took saw out the other day to do some cutting. Saw started up after 3 pulls.
I noticed after giving some gas, that the chain was not moving. I gunned it a few times, but no movement of chain? I placed the saw on the ground and noticed it started to smoke, at that time I shut down the saw.

Tried to move the chain by hand but couldn't, it wouldn't budge.
I tried to start saw again, but recoil pull cord woould not pull, seemed locked!
I removed the recoil housing and was able to turn the flywheel by hand after a lot of persuasion. Put housing back together. I was able to start the engine again, without problems. However, again, the chain was not moving?

Next' I removed the chain and bar, and tried to move the chain sprocket by hand but it did not budge. I've tried using various tools to move the chain sproket but it appears to be locked up.

Have taken the saw to 2 repair shops to service, but each business says they won't touch 'Ryobi' ! Apparently made in CHina and lot's of problems, and parts hard to get.

So now stuck without a saw to use

Any thoughts of what may have happend to saw? Sounds like the engine may have seized up, I'm guessing ?

Thanks,
Bigdog

Rusty · 09-03-2014, 08:55 AM

Sounds to me like the brake is on. Push the brake lever as hard as you can to the unlock position.

P-3 Guy · 09-03-2014, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Sounds to me like the brake is on. Push the brake lever as hard as you can to the unlock position.

I was going to say the same thing. If the engine was seized up, it wouldn't start and run.

Closetzguy · 09-03-2014, 10:57 AM

I would hope the two shops would have at least checked the brake for you! No?

Meredith AK · 09-03-2014, 02:43 PM

I've used Keenan at Lakeport Power Repair for all my small engines and he's been terrific and extremely fair in his pricing. Give him a shot.
143 Mechanic St
Laconia NH 03246
Phone: (603) 527-0940
lakeportpower@myfairpoint.net
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 8:00AM to 5:00PM Sundays and Mondays 8:00AM to 5:00PM During Snow

BroadHopper · 09-03-2014, 02:46 PM

First time I heard of a Ryobi gas chain saw. I always use Stihl. Mine is 40 years old and been cutting grapple loads!

'There are two things that I don't lend out. That is my wife and my chain saw'.

bigdog · 09-03-2014, 03:27 PM

FYI, got chain saw started, don't ask me how?
It's running now !

As stated at beginning of thread, saw was a gift from spouse. What could I do? Have had conversation with spouse to discuss with me before making any purchase of tools, etc beforehand....

I personally would only buy a major name brand saw, Stihl, Husqvarna, Jonsered, et.
I was actually hoping my saw wouldn't start and was junk !

For the time being, will use the saw until it dies.

Thanks for everyone's feedback !

Bigdog

Rusty · 09-03-2014, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

As stated at beginning of thread, saw was a gift from spouse. What could I do? Have had conversation with spouse to discuss with me before making any purchase of tools, etc beforehand....

Bigdog

Gee bigdog give your wife a break! She gives you a gift and you beat her up for it. You could have taken it back to the store she bought it at and exchanged it for a better one, or even just brought it back if she kept the receipt.

Now go give your wife a big hug and thank her for being so nice!

BTW, glad you got it going.

hoopdawg · 09-03-2014, 04:51 PM

two screws that adjust both the handle and the brake band tension. These two screws are located behind the outer chain cover just to the left of the chain drum/band. You need to turn these to release the chain and adjust the handle

secondcurve · 09-03-2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

FYI, got chain saw started, don't ask me how?
It's running now !

As stated at beginning of thread, saw was a gift from spouse. What could I do? Have had conversation with spouse to discuss with me before making any purchase of tools, etc beforehand....

I personally would only buy a major name brand saw, Stihl, Husqvarna, Jonsered, et.
I was actually hoping my saw wouldn't start and was junk !

For the time being, will use the saw until it dies.

Thanks for everyone's feedback !

Bigdog

Be careful with your chain saw. It is the most dangerous tool in the tool room.

dpg · 09-04-2014, 06:34 AM

For the time being, will use the saw until it dies.

Oh so you'll be buying what you want in another couple weeks?

09-03-2014, 08:50 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Chain Saw issue.... Help ! I have a Ryobi 20" gas chain saw with an issue, and need Forum feedback. Saw is only 3 yrs old, and was a gift..... I would never have bought this brand, ever ! I used the saw last Spring, and it was working fine... I cleaned saw and put away at that time, no issues to report. Took saw out the other day to do some cutting. Saw started up after 3 pulls. I noticed after giving some gas, that the chain was not moving. I gunned it a few times, but no movement of chain? I placed the saw on the ground and noticed it started to smoke, at that time I shut down the saw. Tried to move the chain by hand but couldn't, it wouldn't budge. I tried to start saw again, but recoil pull cord woould not pull, seemed locked! I removed the recoil housing and was able to turn the flywheel by hand after a lot of persuasion. Put housing back together. I was able to start the engine again, without problems. However, again, the chain was not moving? Next' I removed the chain and bar, and tried to move the chain sprocket by hand but it did not budge. I've tried using various tools to move the chain sproket but it appears to be locked up. Have taken the saw to 2 repair shops to service, but each business says they won't touch 'Ryobi' ! Apparently made in CHina and lot's of problems, and parts hard to get. So now stuck without a saw to use Any thoughts of what may have happend to saw? Sounds like the engine may have seized up, I'm guessing ? Thanks, Bigdog

09-03-2014, 08:55 AM	#2
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	Sounds to me like the brake is on. Push the brake lever as hard as you can to the unlock position. __________________ It's never crowded along the extra mile.

09-03-2014, 10:57 AM	#4
Closetzguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Andover, Ma and Tuftonboro, NH Posts: 97 Thanks: 15 Thanked 28 Times in 13 Posts	Safety brake I would hope the two shops would have at least checked the brake for you! No?

09-03-2014, 02:43 PM	#5
Meredith AK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Beautiful Town of Meredith Posts: 104 Thanks: 35 Thanked 42 Times in 31 Posts	Small Engine Repair I've used Keenan at Lakeport Power Repair for all my small engines and he's been terrific and extremely fair in his pricing. Give him a shot. 143 Mechanic St Laconia NH 03246 Phone: (603) 527-0940 lakeportpower@myfairpoint.net Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 8:00AM to 5:00PM Sundays and Mondays 8:00AM to 5:00PM During Snow

09-03-2014, 02:46 PM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,509 Thanks: 3,116 Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts	Ryobi First time I heard of a Ryobi gas chain saw. I always use Stihl. Mine is 40 years old and been cutting grapple loads! 'There are two things that I don't lend out. That is my wife and my chain saw'. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

The Following User Says Thank You to Rusty For This Useful Post:
ITD (09-03-2014)

09-03-2014, 03:27 PM	#7
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 307 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	FYI, got chain saw started, don't ask me how? It's running now ! As stated at beginning of thread, saw was a gift from spouse. What could I do? Have had conversation with spouse to discuss with me before making any purchase of tools, etc beforehand.... I personally would only buy a major name brand saw, Stihl, Husqvarna, Jonsered, et. I was actually hoping my saw wouldn't start and was junk ! For the time being, will use the saw until it dies. Thanks for everyone's feedback ! Bigdog

The Following User Says Thank You to Rusty For This Useful Post:
bigdog (09-03-2014)

09-03-2014, 04:51 PM	#9
hoopdawg Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 30 Times in 13 Posts	two screws that adjust both the handle and the brake band tension. These two screws are located behind the outer chain cover just to the left of the chain drum/band. You need to turn these to release the chain and adjust the handle

The Following User Says Thank You to hoopdawg For This Useful Post:
bigdog (09-03-2014)

09-04-2014, 06:34 AM	#11
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	For the time being, will use the saw until it dies. Oh so you'll be buying what you want in another couple weeks?

The Following User Says Thank You to dpg For This Useful Post:
Rusty (09-04-2014)

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