Gas Chainsaw: Why won't my chainsaw start?
The chainsaw engine needs gas, compression and spark in order to start. First, make sure there's fresh gas in the tank--old gas accumulates water and burns poorly. Replace the fuel if it's old. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas when you refill the tank to help keep the fuel fresh.
If the fuel is fresh, check for and replace cracked fuel lines. Air enters the carburetor instead of fuel when the fuel lines have cracks. If the fuel lines are okay, you may need to rebuild or replace the carburetor because a dirty carburetor won't supply the engine with fuel.
Next, disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug. If you see deposits or corrosion on the electrodes, replace the spark plug.
Finally, to check for compression, remove the spark plug, press your thumb over the opening and pull the starter cord. If you don't feel air pushing from the cylinder, it's likely that the piston rings need to be replaced. (For an accurate compression reading, use a compression gauge.)
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR GAS CHAINSAW PROBLEM
Rebuild the chainsaw carburetor
Rebuild kits are available for most carburetors. The kit contains essential components for rebuilding a carburetor, such as diaphragms, seals and gaskets. You can sometimes fix a fuel supply problem by dismantling and cleaning a carburetor. Use the kit to rebuild the carburetor after cleaning it.
Rebuild the chainsaw carburetor
How to rebuild a chainsaw carburetor
A clogged carburetor is one reason a chainsaw won't start. This repair guide gives step-by-step instructions for rebuilding a chainsaw carburetor, which is a cost-effective alternative to replacing it.
Replace the chainsaw carburetor
The carburetor mixes air and gasoline in the proper proportions to create a combustible gas. If the engine starts and then sputters, or doesn't start at all due to lack of fuel, you might need to replace carburetor. It's often more cost effective and practical to replace the carburetor rather than rebuild it.
Chainsaw carburetor
How to replace a chainsaw carburetor
If your chainsaw struggles to start or won't start at all, the carburetor could be clogged or its gaskets could be worn. This repair guide gives step-by-step instructions for replacing a chainsaw carburetor in less than 30 minutes.
Replace the chainsaw fuel lines
Fuel lines become brittle over time and can crack or tear. Replace a fuel line that's brittle or damaged. Be careful to install new fuel lines on the engine the same way the original fuel lines were configured.
Chainsaw fuel lines
How to replace chainsaw fuel lines
If your chainsaw doesn't start even though it has plenty of gas, the engine might not be getting fuel because a fuel line is clogged or cracked. This DIY repair guide shows how to replace chainsaw fuel lines in 30 minutes.
Symptoms for gas chainsaws
Choose a symptom to see related chainsaw repairs.
Main causes: stale gasoline, cracked fuel lines, dirty carburetor, damaged spark plug, worn piston rings…
Main causes: bad gas, engine needs tune up, cracked fuel lines, dirty carburetor…
Main causes: cracked fuel lines, leaky carburetor seals, damaged fuel tank cap, cracked fuel tank…
Repair guides for gas chainsaws
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your chainsaw.
How to rebuild a chainsaw carburetor
If your chainsaw isn't running well, a dirty carburetor could be the problem. You can take it apart, clean it and rebuil…
How to replace chainsaw fuel lines
The fuel line on a chainsaw becomes brittle over time and can crack. Replacing it doesn't require a lot of DYI experienc…
How to replace a chainsaw carburetor
If the engine won't start even though there's fuel in the chainsaw, the carburetor could be the problem. Sometimes, it's…
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