Chainsaw Jim
CJ Saws, LLC
Yes. But you have to make sure the thing isn't seized up when you are checking. The flywheel side needs checked too.I popped off the sprocket and gave it a wiggle and it's really tight. Would the play be there with the clutch still installed?
Regardless what's wrong it needs to come apart, so pulling the cylinder without removing the carb is easy. You remove the handlebar and muffler before you remove the four cylinder bolts. Then you loosen the clamp on the intake and carefully pry the boot off the cylinder. If the cylinder bolts are removed before you take the boot off then the cylinder will likely pop loose and pull away from the boot as you're prying on it.