Ryobi 540A need manual runs slow/ chain too tight?

visual check that the bar is not bent. ensure correct chain for the saw .different chains need different sproket tooth set ups. visually check this for proper full engagement.exactly how tight are you trying to get this thing? the chain may need a little slack to keep it from binding.

I get asked this question a lot , im gonna have to make a video on this subject someday .
but here:
1st ck your oil viscosity/SAE it should be 30 and say bar/chain oil
next dump out entire oil tank and wash out with kerosene (you'd be surprised what I seen come out)
then remove bar and chain , locate oil outlet it's in body of saw near adjustment screw , use a small can of air to blow in this port softly , use a touch more of kero to clean this all out , refill tank with proper oil !!!! and run saw (no need to put bar/chain back on yet ) might take several minutes but oil should start to flow out hole !! stop saw and reinstall bar/chain then run again .. fixed !! if no oil comes out ever your oil pump is gonna need some fixing

for a low cost oil I use filtered used motor oil cut down with a dab of kerosene

The fuel Ration is 50:1
I have included a link to the owners manual if you need it
http://www.ryobitools.com/product_promotion/discontinued_manuals/chainsaws/RY10532_867_eng_00.pdf

Hope this answers all your questions
Please remember to Rate/vote for any solution that helps you out.
Thanks for using Fixya.

it can be a normal maintenance problem and should be a part of the service routine
The pumps can fail or the outlet becomes blocked from wood spoil
To use it and know of the problem for 2 years means that you do not regularly service the unit

If your chain has recently jumped off the bar while running, your chain may have "burs" on the drive links (part of the chain that rides in the bar groove). These burs will make the chain rub the inside of the rails and thus bind the chain in the groove. You can file these off with a flat file if there aren't very many, but you may need to just replace the chain. You can find files, bars, chains & sprockets for your saw at PartsBuggy.com.

Any saw service dealer can fit a chain to your saw. 'Oregon' saw makes bars/chains for about any saw made in the last 50 years or so. Just take the chain itself in to get a replacement. Good luck!

Fuel/Oil Mixture

1. Use a quality 2 cycle oil and mix it to the OIL supplier's recommended ratio. Today I use Stihl 2 cycle oil mixed @ 50:1 in a Pioneer that I purchased new in 1980. There are no gouges or scratches on the piston or cylinder and I have no carbon build up on the piston top. The manual (on stone tablets) recommends 24:1. Over the years the mixture has leaned from 24:1 (Saw Recommendation) to 28:1 (Lawn boy mower recommendation) to 32:1 (Oil provider 8oz/2gal - used for many years) and finally the last 5 (±) years 50:1 (Stihl 2.6oz/1gal)
2. Any fuel containing ethanol is not good with chainsaws. Mix what you expect to use within a few months. Anything over 6 months old use up in a 4 cycle engine. HTH
   Lou

A COMMON PROBLEM FOR A CHAINSAW OVER 2 YEARS OF AGE IT IS USUALLY THAT A WIRE HAS BUSTED THAT NEEDS REPLACING CHECK FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE MANUAL IF YOU STILL HAVE IT THERE SHOULD BE AND AFTER CARE PHONE NUMBER FOR FURTHER ASSSISTANCE

loosen the two nuts that hold the chain cover on. Once they are just loose, then use a flat blade screw driver to turn the slot that you see right next to the base of the chain. Once the chain is tight, retighten the two nuts.