Spark Plug Wisperers?

[MAWoodsman]

So I pulled my saw apart to get a better look. The plug looks lean, by the cylinder, piston, and exhaust are coated in oil. This would indicate it's rich, correct?

 

[sean donato]

No, oil ratio is different the fuel ratio. The oil falls out of suspension in the crankcase when the fuel vaporizes, and starts migrating up and out of the crankcase. You plug will indicate a general state of tune, ignition timing, correct plug heat range and proper jetting depending in the plugs age. The crud in your saw is a mix of fuel residue that didn't burn and possibly the mix oil your using. It can also be an indicator of being excessively rich leading to an incomplete burn that builds up carbon deposits.

 

[MAWoodsman]

No, oil ratio is different the fuel ratio. The oil falls out of suspension in the crankcase when the fuel vaporizes, and starts migrating up and out of the crankcase. You plug will indicate a general state of tune, ignition timing, correct plug heat range and proper jetting depending in the plugs age. The crud in your saw is a mix of fuel residue that didn't burn and possibly the mix oil your using. It can also be an indicator of being excessively rich leading to an incomplete burn that builds up carbon deposits.

I'm running the VP premix, 50:1

 

[sean donato]

I'd venture to guess it's running rich then. Carbon deposits with premix fuel is normally pretty close to zero with a good tune.