What Is The Stihl 024 AV Chainsaw (Saw Specs & CC)
The STIHL 024 AV is an older, two-stroke chainsaw with about 42.4 cm³ of engine displacement. “AV” refers to its anti-vibration system. It uses premix fuel, and its bar and chain must match the saw’s sprocket and bar specifications. Exact equipment can vary, so check the saw, its manual, and the bar markings before buying parts or cutting.
If you found “024 AV” in a manual, parts listing, or video, the key facts are its engine size and the equipment fitted to that particular saw. Displacement tells you the size of the engine, not how long a bar it can safely use. On an older saw, parts may also have been changed over time.
In equipment classes, I often see owners assume that any bar marked with the right pitch will fit. It will not necessarily work: pitch, gauge, and drive-link count must all match the bar, chain, and drive sprocket. Here’s how to identify the saw and check those details without relying on guesswork.
What the STIHL 024 AV is
The STIHL 024 AV is an older gasoline chainsaw with a two-stroke engine and anti-vibration features. Its displacement is commonly listed as 42.4 cm³. The model name identifies the saw family, but it does not confirm which bar, chain, or sprocket is currently installed.
The “024” identifies the model. “AV” stands for anti-vibration, a system intended to reduce vibration passed from the engine and cutting parts to the handles. It does not remove vibration or make the saw safe to use without proper control and protective equipment.
The 024 AV burns a fuel-and-oil mixture, rather than gasoline alone. Its cutting setup may differ from another saw bearing the same model name, especially if parts have been replaced. For that reason, use the saw’s serial-specific manual when you can find it, and inspect the parts actually on the saw.
STIHL 024 AV specifications at a glance
Specifications are useful for identifying a saw, but some values and configurations depend on the version and parts fitted. The table gives commonly listed reference figures for the 024 and 024 AV; use the manual for your specific saw when available.
| Item | Common reference for the 024 / 024 AV | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 42.4 cm³ | Confirm the model marking; do not confuse it with a similarly named version |
| Engine type | Two-stroke | Requires the correct premixed fuel |
| Fuel mix | 50:1 with STIHL two-stroke oil | Follow the manual if using another oil or if parts have been changed |
| Idle speed | About 2,800 rpm | Reference only; use the correct service data for adjustment |
| Maximum engine speed | About 13,000 rpm | Reference only, not a target for owner adjustment |
| Chain pitch | 3/8 inch equipment is common | Check the bar and drive sprocket; do not assume |
| Bar length | Often listed or fitted in the 13–18 inch range | Confirm that the exact setup is approved for the saw |
The speed figures are not a substitute for a proper tachometer check or service information for your exact saw. A saw that idles too fast may keep the chain moving, while incorrect engine tuning can affect safe operation. If the engine needs adjustment, a qualified service technician can check it against the correct specifications.
How to match the bar, chain, and sprocket
The bar, chain, and drive sprocket are a matched cutting system. Pitch, gauge, and drive-link count describe how the parts fit together. Check all three before buying a replacement chain; matching only one measurement can still leave you with incompatible parts.
- Pitch is the spacing between the chain’s drive links, measured in relation to the rivets. The chain pitch must match the drive sprocket and bar tip.
- Gauge is the thickness of the chain’s drive links where they sit in the bar groove. It must match the groove width.
- Drive-link count is the number of links that travel around the bar. It depends on the bar’s length and design.
Read the markings stamped on the bar, and check the sprocket and chain if their specifications are unclear. A 3/8-inch pitch is common on 024 configurations, but it does not tell you the gauge or the required number of drive links. If markings are worn away, take the saw and parts to a STIHL dealer or experienced chainsaw service shop.
A bar around 13–18 inches (33–45 cm) is a common range cited for this saw, but that range is not approval for every bar or every job. Bar choice depends on the exact saw setup, wood, and task. No single bar length makes a saw suitable for all tree work or felling.
Equipment Setup and Safety Preparation
Before starting, check that the saw and its safety parts work and that the work area is controlled. The 024 AV is an older saw, so condition matters as much as the model name. Do not use it if a key safety feature is damaged, missing, or not working as intended.
Start with protective equipment suited to chainsaw work, and inspect the chain brake, throttle lockout, stop switch, chain catcher, handles, bar, and chain. Check chain tension and lubrication, too. Keep bystanders out of the work zone, assess footing and overhead hazards, and plan an escape route where relevant. Follow applicable work rules, including ANSI Z133 or OSHA requirements where they apply.
Starting the 024 AV safely
Start on stable ground and follow the cold- or warm-start procedure in the manual. Engage the chain brake for starting if the manual directs, and do not drop-start the saw. Once it is running, check that the chain stays still at idle and confirm that the bar-and-chain oiling system works before cutting.
If the chain moves at idle, stop using the saw until the cause is checked. Do not raise the idle speed or continue cutting to work around the problem. Likewise, if the chain does not receive oil, stop and inspect the system or seek service; running a cutting chain without proper lubrication can damage parts.
Field Cutting and Landscaping Operation
The 024 AV is a chainsaw, not a substitute for training or a site risk assessment. Use a sharp, correctly tensioned chain and a bar-and-sprocket combination approved for the saw. The wood, cutting position, and hazards around the work all affect whether a particular setup and task are appropriate.
Keep a firm two-handed grip and secure footing, and keep the bar nose clear of wood and other objects. Rotational kickback can happen when the upper part of the bar nose contacts an object, rapidly pushing the saw back toward the operator. Do not cut above shoulder height.
Plan each cut to reduce the chance of the bar becoming pinched or the wood rolling or moving unexpectedly. Felling requires training, a site assessment, and a planned hinge and escape route. If you are not trained to handle the tree and its hazards, do not attempt the felling cut.
Common bar-fitment scenarios
These examples show how to think through fitment; they are not claims that a particular setup fits every 024 AV. Verify each part against your saw and the part maker’s specifications.
| Situation | What to verify | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing a worn chain | Pitch, gauge, and drive-link count | Match the bar markings and sprocket specification |
| Considering a longer bar | Saw approval, sprocket, chain, and work demands | Confirm the complete setup with the manual or a qualified dealer |
| Bar markings are unreadable | Groove gauge, pitch, and bar details | Have a service shop identify the parts before ordering |
| Chain does not sit or tension correctly | Correct chain size and bar condition | Stop; do not force the chain or use the saw until the mismatch is resolved |
Maintenance, Sharpening, and Tuning
Routine checks help keep the saw’s cutting parts and safety systems in working order. Use the chain maker’s sharpening instructions, since cutter angles and depth-gauge settings can vary. For many chains, a depth-gauge setting near 0.65 mm (0.025 inch) is cited, but it is not a universal setting.
Keep the chain sharp and tension it according to the saw manual. A dull or incorrectly tensioned chain can cut poorly and raise the risk of overheating, kickback, or derailment. Do not force it through wood. Use proper chainsaw bar-and-chain oil, not engine oil or fuel mix.
After switching off the saw and letting it cool, clear chips from the clutch cover, bar groove, and oil holes. Check the chain and bar for damage, and inspect the chain brake and other safety features. Some versions have adjustable oil delivery, so there is no single reliable oil-flow figure for every 024 AV. If it is not oiling, investigate rather than guessing at an adjustment.
Engine speed figures are reference points, not instructions to tune by ear. Because this is an older saw and the correct settings can depend on its configuration, use the appropriate manual and a tachometer check, or have a qualified technician service it.
Storage and Seasonal Care
Prepare the saw for storage according to its manual and local rules for handling fuel. Shut it off, engage the chain brake, and let the engine cool before cleaning or refueling. A clean, dry storage place helps protect the saw, but the manual should guide fuel handling and any longer-term storage steps.
Before putting it away, remove chips from the bar and cover area, inspect the chain and bar, and note any needed repairs. Do not store or return the saw to service with a known fault in its brake, throttle control, stop switch, or lubrication system. Recheck the saw before the next use.
Conclusion: identify the exact 024 AV setup
The STIHL 024 AV is commonly identified as a 42.4 cm³, two-stroke, anti-vibration chainsaw. Its most important buying detail is not just the model name: bar, chain, and sprocket specifications must match. Check the manual and installed parts, and treat published speed and bar-length figures as references rather than universal approvals.
FAQs about the STIHL 024 AV
How many cc is a STIHL 024 AV?
It is commonly listed at 42.4 cm³.
What does “AV” mean on a STIHL 024 AV?
“AV” means anti-vibration. The system is intended to reduce vibration transmitted to the handles.
Is the STIHL 024 AV a two-stroke chainsaw?
Yes. It uses a two-stroke engine and needs the correct premixed fuel.
What fuel mix does the 024 AV use?
A 50:1 mixture with STIHL two-stroke oil is commonly specified. Check the manual if using another oil or if the saw has non-original parts.
What chain pitch does a STIHL 024 AV use?
Three-eighths-inch pitch equipment is common, but check the fitted bar and drive sprocket. Pitch alone is not enough to select a chain.
What bar length fits a STIHL 024 AV?
Bars in the 13–18-inch range are commonly associated with the saw. Confirm that the exact bar, chain, and sprocket are approved for your configuration.
How do I find the right replacement chain?
Match the chain’s pitch and gauge to the sprocket and bar, then match the drive-link count to the bar. Use the bar markings or have a service shop identify worn or unclear parts.
What are the common idle and maximum speed figures?
About 2,800 rpm at idle and 13,000 rpm maximum are commonly published reference figures. They are not substitutes for serial-specific service information or a tachometer check.
Why does the chain move while the saw idles?
The idle speed or another part may need inspection. Stop using the saw until the chain remains still at idle and the cause is corrected.
Does every 024 AV have adjustable chain oiling?
Not necessarily. Versions can differ, so check the manual for your saw. There is no single oil-flow figure that applies reliably to every 024 AV.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Evan Bradley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
