Running saw out of gas

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rob066

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I was wandering how much damage could be done by running a saw out of gas. Seems damage would be slow, but compound itself by running a saw out of gas. Especially when it goes lean when there is a lack of gas. I sometimes accidently do this, but try to avoid this by checking fuel in my tank frequently. Especially on saws like Huskys that you cant see how much fuel is in the tank.
 
I never did worry about it until I got on here. It makes sense that it is not good for the saw and now I try not to do it, but I never noticed any immediate harm on a saw by doing it. You may be right in that it could be cumulative over time.
 
I never used to worry about it either and my old Mac10-10 survived it for 30 odd years. When I got my 076 the main reason I avoided running it out completely because that made it harder to restart. With my new saws I'm more careful and always top up so I rarely run out. I don't think it matters if the saw is run lean for a few seconds where you hear the saw rpms pick up Then I believe it's better to let the saw idle and cool down before refilling.

It matters more you have been running the saw hard, on a hot day, close to the ground where it's not getting a lot of cooling, and haven't stopped for the whole tank, and it's already on the lean side and maybe has a very small air leak. Then that last 30 seconds might be enough to tip if over the top.
 
I read on here before about idling a saw until it was out of gas for storage.


I would assume that since your saw is running its richest at idle and wot the preferred method to get the gas out (and keep the engine lubricated) prior to extended periods of storage would be to empty the tank and then let it idle until it quits.

Running the saw hard right up until it is empty is totally different though.
 
We've done it literally thousands of times, no damage so far. We've got some saws over thirty years old and they are stihl sawing. In our wood business we usually run them until they are dry, fill them up and go again. It's never hurt any so far, sure don't have time to pull the cap on the old non transparent tanks to check. Unless you are milling I don't see most saws getting that hot, firewood cutting won't get one near as hot as noodling of milling.
 
Its prob not a big deal but not that hard to ck when you know you're gettig close and running the saw hard.
Its not just that last hit that drives the nail.
 
One advantage to getting old and fat is I never run a saw long enought to empty it before I need a break. When I was younger I used to run the old XL-12 empty all the time and thought it was cool when the rpms would pick up.

By the way, anybody want to buy an Xl-12?
 
The only time I rum my say out of gas is when I put it in storage for a long period of time. That was the recomedation of the dealer. Is this a good practice? Thanks
 
YMMV, but I don't see how letting your saw's oil supply suddenly run out while turning 10,000 RPM could be a good thing. If it happens occasionally it shouldn't be a major problem unless your fuel settings are already too lean or you're running less oil in the mix than you should.

If running it dry for storage, let it run out at idle

If cutting and the telltale signs (idle creeps up, boggy response to throttle, etc) are noticed, shut it down right away and refill.
 
I listen to my saw, and when I hear the sounds of it starting to run out. Like when I tip it sideways, and then I fill er up. I do try not to run it out.
 
I just fill up after two trees. The saws usually run out on the third and it is just easier to just fill after two trees. I think running hot and lean is a bad combo. I also let them idle for a minute so they cool down a bit before shutting them down. I see videos on the AS forum of saws are just shut off after a long cut and think it would be better to let them cool down before shutting them down. Cool down must not be needed but I do it.
 
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