Henry Rifle Forums

Last summer, I bought a DeWalt electric chain saw to keep in the back of the Kawasaki Mule. I used it several times during late summer and fall and found it to be very handy and quick to use, especially when compared to hand saws.

However, while I was using it, I noticed that it was leaking chain bar oil and more than just a bit. I got tired of cleaning chain bar oil out of the bed of the Mule and bought a large plastic container at one of the dollar stores to capture the oil.

Earlier this morning, I called DeWalt customer service and spoke to a lady who was very pleasant but hard to understand. In any event, I asked her if there was a fix I could do but she asked me if I was emptying the oil reservoir after each use. I told her no, that I was not doing that and I had never done such with other gas engined chain saws I have owned. She started the process to do a warranty claim but I can't find the sales/credit card receipt at this time and frankly, I don't want the hassle of returning the saw to DeWalt. I just wanted tech advice if there was a fix I could perform. I reread the Instruction Manual after speaking to the DeWalt lady and found no mention of drinking the oil after each use.

I later spoke to a friend who also maintains food plots and trails and he said he has a couple of electric powered saws and an electric powered pole saw and he has experienced the same thing. He believes there is not an oil pump to pressurize the oil supply to the bar, rather it is just a gravity fed drip. He said he has tried to position the saws a certain way after use to minimize oil leakage, with limited success.

Does this sound right? If so, it doesn't seem to be a good design.

It's a minor problem and I guess I will drain bar oil after each use but after spending a day working food plots and trails, it's a task I would avoid if possible.

Any advice is appreciated.

I have several saws, electric and gas. They all leak oil when in storage. I have the oiler adjustment as tight as possible, while still open enough for oiling the bar during use. I store my saws on rimmed cookie sheets. For my pole saw, I have a small pile of dirt on the shop floor to catch the drippings. I sweep it up and replace occasionally.

I have a DeWalt chainsaw and DeWalt Pole saw. The pole saw hardly drips. The Chainsaw drips a lot. I store it with the bar side up. Seems to work pretty well.
I'm with Mags, all my saws have dripped here and there.
That DeWalt saw is VERY handy in my opinion. It handles more than I ever thought it would.

My Stihl chainsaw does not leak any chain oil when not in use. It sits on the garage floor and there is never any sign of oil where it sits. It uses plenty of oil when running, I always have to add oil when filling the gas.

I have a 20-inch Makita that was purchased about 20 years ago. It has been a good saw, (gas powered), but it has leaked since new. Fortunately, it came with a plastic carry case which always has a pond in it.

Both mine leak.

I appreciate the responses, daytime dave's comment about storing the chain saw bar up may be a good way to minimize leakage.

When I called DeWalt customer service (see Post #1) the service rep asked me if I was emptying the saw after use. She typed for a few seconds and came up with her response quickly. When I read the Instruction Manual after that conversation, I found no mention of emptying bar oil from the saw after use. Not that I am a conspiracy theorist (at least not a full-time conspiracy theorist) but I wonder if this is a problem DeWalt is aware of but does not want to address.

I think I will store the same bar up (again, thanks daytime dave) and go to one of the many local dollar stores and get a large plastic container to transport bar oil and a second container and funnel in which to drain oil.

Thanks all.

I bought an battery chainsaw last year and it does leak a little bit more than my gas saws. Which all seep a little bit. When I carry the battery saw in the back of my side by side I have to place it on a towel to keep oil off the bed. It’s worth the inconvenience of the oil for the convenience of use. I still use my gas saws when cutting up firewood but the battery saw is great for small quick jobs.

HenryFan wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 31, 2026 9:54 am

I appreciate the responses, daytime dave's comment about storing the chain saw bar up may be a good way to minimize leakage.
...

I've tried different orientations, including saw on it's side with blade on top or down on it's side in the pan, also standing up on the handle. Still seeps.
I'd think the saw on it's side with the blade on top, it wouldn't seep because the oiler hole for the blade is in the upper side of the oil reservoir in that position. But it still seeps. Maybe the viscosity of the oil allows it to siphon seep anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I like the saw. It is a perfect size to keep in the back of the Mule and sure beats a bow saw. Handy as can be.

I bought it because my other cordless tools, with one exception, are DeWalt and I had a good supply ofDeWalt batteries.

Would I buy it again? I don't know, I would shop around for alternative makes in hopes I found something that used DeWalt batteries but that might be a fruitless chase.

I also have a DeWalt battery chain saw that does exactly the same as yours and others that have them. I keep mine on the garage floor on top of some granular oil dry and put it in the bed of the side by side when heading to the woods. My Stihl gas powered chain saws also leak bar oil but not as bad as my battery powered saw, but the battery powered saw is a handy rascal.

I happened to bump (literally) into my DeWalt saw yesterday. I have it in a kitchen trash bag in my man cave. I must have placed it there when limbs and trees could come down a few months ago. With no fuel to leak out, I find putting it on it's side the best alternative.

This from google search...

Chainsaws often leak bar oil while sitting unused due to gravity draining leftover oil from the bar/chain, and temperature changes causing the oil tank to breathe (expand/contract), forcing oil out. It is generally considered normal...

Minimization Measures:

Empty the Tank: Drain the bar oil before storing for long periods.
Store Properly: Place a sheet of cardboard or a mat under the saw.
Relieve Pressure: Slightly loosen the oil cap after use to allow the tank to "breathe" without forcing oil out, and store it on its side [oil cap up].
Clean the Saw: Regularly clean the oiler hole and surrounding areas

Mags wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 01, 2026 12:25 pm

This from google search...

Chainsaws often leak bar oil while sitting unused due to gravity draining leftover oil from the bar/chain, and temperature changes causing the oil tank to breathe (expand/contract), forcing oil out. It is generally considered normal...

Minimization Measures:

Empty the Tank: Drain the bar oil before storing for long periods.
Store Properly: Place a sheet of cardboard or a mat under the saw.
Relieve Pressure: Slightly loosen the oil cap after use to allow the tank to "breathe" without forcing oil out, and store it on its side [oil cap up].
Clean the Saw: Regularly clean the oiler hole and surrounding areas

Good info, thanks

My Stihl 029 Farm Boss (28 years old) is used regularly and the sits on a shelf in my out building. It has never leaked any chain bar oil. I would not be a happy camper if it did.

Paul

Headhog wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 02, 2026 12:59 pm

My Stihl 029 Farm Boss (28 years old) is used regularly and the sits on a shelf in my out building. It has never leaked any chain bar oil. I would not be a happy camper if it did.

Paul

I have that same saw, not sure how old it is but I got it from my wife’s uncle in 2008. Love how powerful it is, cuts thru a 20’ pine or fir tree like a hot knife thru butter. 24’ bar on it.