Chainsaw Won’t Start? Learn How To Fix A Chainsaw
A chainsaw is one of the most reliable tools for the homeowner and the professional, but it becomes a massive problem if chainsaw won’t start. It can be a reason for a critical setback to your project or even cost you hundreds of dollars to fix that it. Sometimes it needs the guidance of a professional to fix it, but most of the time, it can be easily fixed if you know the cause of the problem.
If it failed to start after sitting and if the warranty period is over, then many of us find it worthy of spending hundreds of bucks rather than fixing it. I am not opposing about buying a new one, but if the problem can be solving efficiently, then there is no need to spend the money. In this article, I am going to discuss some of the issues that you may face and Troubleshoot Chainsaw.
Some basic Mechanics of a Chainsaw
Before you know about the issues which caused your Chainsaw not to start, you should know some basic about chainsaw Mechanics. If you are a pro and already know about it, then you could skip this part, but the beginners should know about it.
There are thousands of models available in the world, and each of them may differ from one another. But there are some basic things which are shared between all Chainsaw and the first of all is the engine. Both electric and gas Chainsaw comes with a motor through their fuel system may differ from each other. Another standard part is the chainsaw blade and the chain. Both the blade and the chain is made of sturdy steel alloy.
There are also some other parts like brakes, Chainsaw spark plug, fuel tank or battery, air filters, guide bar, etc. Initially, all these parts may seem a little bit confusing but trust me, once you give it some time, you will get used to it. You need to know that, about your Chainsaw in order the find the defect and fix it. No matter how quality model your Chainsaw is, anytime can go wrong.
Checking possible problems of your Chainsaw
Now here I am listing down some of the common issues that a chainsaw user may face and how can you overcome those issues. These issues are quite simple, and you can solve these problems by yourself, or you can take help from a professional.
The shark plug is one of the most commonplace what you should look first. It produces the spark which ignites the air-fuel mixture that burns in the combustion chamber. An electric spark jumps into the small spark gap. But if any dirt stuck between those gaps, then it's not possible for the spark to pass through the hole. Because the voltage created by the induction coil is not sufficient to overcome the thick layer of dirt.
To fix this, you need to unscrew the plug and see if any dirt stuck between the gap. If there is any soot, then clean it with a tiny brush. But you may have to replace the plug if the plug is faulty for any reason.
Change old fuel
If you leave the fuel in the tank for a couple of weeks, then the fuels could chemically alternate. After this, part of the liquid portion will begin to evaporate, leaving a sticky goo. This old fuel doesn't ignite in the combustion chamber or will poorly burn, which may not be enough to start the Chainsaw.
In that case, you need to remove all the old fuel, clean the tank properly, and put fresh fuel on it.
Check the fuel tanker
Before starting your chainsaw job, always make sure that there is enough fuel in the fuel tank. Otherwise, the combustion chamber won't find enough air-fuel mixture. Besides, you also need to keep in mind that the fuel tank is clean and the air-fuel fixture is right. Lastly, you should check that, the fuel you are using is not mixed with ethanol or other chemicals; otherwise, it will breakdown after burn and create corrosive acidic by-products.
Fuel Filters
You may face difficulty to start your Chainsaw because of the clogged oil fuel filter. When you use the fuel filter for a while without replacing it, dirt's stuck it and gets clogged, and only a little amount of fuel passes through it. So the combustion chamber doesn't get enough fuel, and as a result, your chainsaw won’t start. Before you buy a chainsaw, see the time limit of the fuel filter. Every manufacturer sets a time limit of replacing the Chainsaw.
In my suggestion, see the manual and replace the fuel filter using multiple times. Because once it gets dirty, your Chainsaw will face many problems including blockage of passages of the Carburetor
Check for flooded engine
Flooded Chainsaw may become one of the reasons behind not staring your Chainsaw. It mainly occurs when you press the primer bulb too many times for Easy start chainsaw. Because of that, a rich amount of fuel delivered into the combustion chamber. Now if the engine failed to start, then the fuel will remain the combustion chamber. You will smell it if your engine flooded with gasoline.
You can fix it, and you need to unscrew the spark plug and drain the fuels from the fuel tank. Now put the choke's control lever back to its usual point. While the engine is yet fully un-choked, crank it about eight times. Before screw backs the spark plug, clean it properly. If the gasoline is older than a weak or more, then replace those with fresh fuel.
Clogged Carburetor
If you leave the fuel in the combustion chamber for too long, then your Carburetor may have clogged. It is one of the essential parts of the Chainsaw, and it does the job of mixing the gasoline with the air and send it to the combustion chamber. If you leave the gasoline for too much time, then it may block the passage with suspended particles, and as a result, the combustion chamber will stop receiving the fuel-air mixture. So, your chainsaw won’t start if the Chainsaw not getting fuel.
To fix it, you need to clean it properly and ensure that both fuel and air filters are working correctly. You might think, how to clean chainsaw carburetor? Cleaning these parts are a little bit tricky, and often user prefer changing it, if the Carburetor goes beyond cleaning, then you may have to replace it with a new one.
Air Filters
Air filters are one of those parts which needed to be replaced on a regular basis. The air filter is mainly responsible for supplying fresh air into the Carburetor. If the air filter is dirty, they the Carburetor may not receive the sufficient amount air-gas mixture. Besides, polluted air often carries small particles which don't burn correctly, and as a result, they produce a thick layer of soot which disturbs the air-gas flow to the combustion chamber.
Ignition Coil
Ignition coil mainly converts the low voltage current into a higher voltage current to force it to jump across the spark plug gap. It can be damaged for various reason, and one of them is a short circuit or shortage of continuity wire.
You can check your Ignition Coil with a multimeter or an Ignition Coil meter to check the voltage flow. If you find it faulty, then you need to replace it with a new one. Otherwise, you won’t be able to start the chainsaw.
Compression Rings
It is found in the upper section of the piston head. These are used to create a compression zone above the piston head. If it damages somehow, then it will allow the fuel-air mixture to escape during compression. So, without enough fuel, the engine would not create enough power, and as a result, you won’t be able to start the chainsaw.
If the Compression Rings damages, you will notice it with the smell of the gasoline. These happen when you use the same Compression Rings for multiple times. So, try to replace it after numerous uses.
Clutch Pads
The clutch transmits power generated from the engine's crankshaft to the gears rotating the chain. If your chainsaw clutch pads damaged somehow, then you will not be able to attach correctly to the crankshaft's flywheel and transfer the power to the gear assembly. You may have noticed that the chain is rotating slowly even the engine is running hot. That means, then the engine is generating enough power, but the Clutch Pads are not working correctly.
You need to replace the damaged Clutch Pads with a new one. Always try to replace them with new original parts.
Is it too cold?
In the northeast area where the temperature is freezing, they often face this problem. If your Chainsaw is entirely ok, but still you are facing the problem with starting the Chainsaw, then give it more choke. It works most of the time.
These are some of the issues and How to fix a chainsaw that won't start. You can quickly fix these issues by yourself or some professional.
Suggestions to keep the Chainsaw working for a long time:
Here are some bunch of recommendation that you should follow. Some of them you may already know, but I suggest you read carefully.
If you follow this suggestion, then you may not have to face your Chainsaw stops working in the middle of the work.
Electric powered Chainsaw
Above most of the Chainsaw, the problem will be happed with the gas-powered chainsaws, but if you are operating an electric chainsaw, then you need to be careful about some small things too.
If it is a wired chainsaw, then make sure it is connected to its source and if it's a battery-powered Chainsaw, then make sure the battery is fully charged before you start working with it. However, you need to alert that the battery you are using is not too old. Often old batteries lose their power after a couple of years. You may face some other critical issues which you should solve it with the help of a professional. Those issues are crucial and not recommended to handle by a beginner.
Final Verdict
A chainsaw is a reliable tool, but if it chainsaw won’t start then no need to panic. Some of us think about purchasing a new chainsaw, but if you check the above issues, then 95% chance that your Chainsaw will start working. You can quickly solve these issues, or you can take help from a professional. But there is no need of replacing it. Because by replacing a small part, you can easily use this tool for a couple of years. I hope you will be benefited after reading this article and solve your chainsaw problems.
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