Chainsaw Not Starting

Without a fuel stabilizer, old gas accumulates moisture. If your gas is more than a month old, or has been stored between 3-6 months, drain the tank, primer bulb and fuel lines. Bad fuel needs to be removed from the entire fuel line before replenishing with fresh fuel.

The air filter feeds your carburetor with clean, ambient air. If your air filter is full of oil or sawdust, you can try spraying with compressed air or washing with soap and water. In the event your filter is too destroyed, replace the filter completely.

Old or poor quality gasoline along with sawdust and dirt can plug the filter in the gas tank. If your saw isn't getting enough gas, remove and clean or replace this filter.

If fuel cannot get to the carburetor, or air is sucked into a cracked line, then your saw won't start. Replace old and cracked lines with hose rated for use with fuel.

Remove your spark plug with a scrench — screwdriver wrench — or spark plug wrench and check its condition on this chart. If the tip is "normal", you can reinstall the plug.

If the tip is "fouled", clean the tip of the electrode with 220-grit sandpaper or a file, and clean the threads with a wire brush. Alternatively, a torch can be used to burn carbon deposits. Lock the plug into a vise and heat. A wire brush can then clear the ashes off. Spray carburetor cleaner on the plug to clean all deposits off, and check the gap on the plug with a tool before re-inserting.

If the tip is mechanically damaged, glazed, detonated, or otherwise destroyed, replace the spark plug.

Your gas engine needs more fuel when starting. Follow proper starting procedures for your saw. Press the primer bulb to get fuel to the carburetor. Turn on the choke by moving to the full choke position until the saw almost starts, then move the choke to half position. The saw should start.

Running too rich over time can clog the metal screen in the exhaust. Remove and inspect the screen. Put the screen into a vise, and use a torch to heat and burn all of the carbon on the screen until it becomes ash. Use a wire brush to remove the ash, then replace.

The carburetor is a mechanical computer that feeds the engine a ratio of fuel and air. If fuel sits in the system for too long, the carburetor — and the engine and fuel lines — can become sticky and clog. Remove the air filter and spray the carburetor with carb cleaner, an aerosolized acetone spray made to remove the gunk.
In the event that the carburetor is too dirty or cannot be cleaned, it likely needs replacing.

Remove your spark plug with a scrench or spark plug wrench and see if the spark plug is covered in fuel. Wipe clean with a rag, and pull the starter cord 5-6 times to clear the fuel. Replace spark plug and turn switch to on. Open choke (no choke) and put chain break on. Hold the throttle trigger down so the carburetor is wide open. Put a knee on the top of the saw, and pull the cord. It may take upwards of 50 pulls to get it started again.

Your carburetor has several adjustment screws that change how your saw performs at idle and at wide open throttle. Below are a few conditions where adjusting the screws may solve your problems. Note: chainsaw must be warmed up for 20-30 seconds before making any 'H' Screw adjustments.

If your saw has trouble idling and will die shortly after starting, then adjust the ‘L’ screw by unscrewing. This will allow more fuel through the carburetor during idle.

If your saw has trouble idling and then runs lumpy with a lot of smoke, adjust the ‘L’ screw by screwing in. This will limit the amount of fuel to the carburetor at idle.

If your saw idles fine, and then bogs down when pressing the throttle, then adjust your ‘H’ screw by unscrewing. This will increase the amount of fuel to the carburetor under load.

If your saw idles fine, then runs lumpy with a lot of smoke when pressing the throttle, then adjust your ‘H’ screw by screwing in. This will limit the amount of fuel to the carburetor under load.

Functioning spark is an important and necessary part of a functioning saw. After verifying your spark plug health you can verify spark. This can be tested by removing the spark plug, reconnecting the ignition wire, and then holding the end of the plug so it’s touching a metallic part of the engine cylinder head. You can also test using an in-line spark tester which a built in light.

Turn the ignition switch on. As you pull the cord and turn over the engine check the tip of the spark plug for a spark. You should clearly see a blue spark between the tip of the electrode and the piece of curved metal. If you see the spark, great! Ignition is fine.

If your spark is not visible, or is absent and weak, then check the condition of the spark plug. Typical use gives spark plugs a brown or light grey residue, and not covered in oil or other black deposits, then replace the plug. Test the spark again. If there still is no spark, the only remaining culprits are the wire, and ignition coil. Replace both.

Follow this guide for more help testing an ignition coil.