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Chainsaw Won’t Start? – Read These Tips in 2024

If you’re like me, then you know the dread that comes with trying to start a chainsaw. It seems like every time I use it, the chainsaw won’t start. I’ve tried everything from adding more fuel to the mix to spraying WD-40 into the engine, but nothing seems to work.

You hear that familiar sound of the chainsaw sputtering to life, but when you pull the trigger, nothing happens. It’s frustrating when your favourite piece of yard equipment won’t start up, especially when you’re in a hurry. Here are some tips to help you troubleshoot and get your chainsaw running again.

But don’t despair—I’m here to tell you about some of the things that you can do to get your chainsaw running again, including troubleshooting chainsaws and how to start a stubborn chainsaw.

How to Check for Spark on a Chainsaw?

Before you do anything else, you should check to see if there’s a spark. Most chainsaws have a place where you can attach the plug wire, and the spark will jump from one to another, so keep that in mind before continuing with other steps.

If you don’t have a good spark, your saw probably won’t run. Check the fuel tank. The next thing you should check is the fuel tank to see if there’s enough gas in it. If not, then pour some more fuel into your chainsaw’s gas tank.

How to check for spark on a chainsaw

If there was enough in it to start with, then that means that either the engine or carburettor are clogged. The first thing you should try is to turn off the chainsaw, open the gas tank, and remove any debris that may have gotten into it.

If there was still no luck after that, try giving the carburettor a good cleaning. If your saw doesn’t start even after all of this, then you might want to invest in a new one.

How to fix a Chainsaw that Won’t Start?

If your chainsaw still won’t start after you’ve tried all of the above, then your last option is to take it to a professional. If you live in an area where chainsaws are popular, there should be anywhere from one to five places near you to help get your saw fixed.

It doesn’t matter whether or not you were the one who broke it; whether you dropped it or misused it, all that matters is that you need help.

What to do next?

No matter the reason, if your chainsaw is unable to start, don’t panic! You can most likely get it fixed by trying a few things yourself, or you could take it to a professional.

If your chainsaw won’t start after trying these tips, then don’t despair! There are options out there available for you.

  1. Spark Plug
  2. Carburettor
  3. Carburetor Repair Kit
  4. Ignition Coil
  5. Recoil Starter
  6. Recoil Starter Pulley
  7. Rewind Spring

Spark Plug:

If you’re having trouble getting a spark, then it might be time to invest in a new spark plug. There are different plugs for different chainsaws; make sure that you do your research and find the right one for your model. The next thing you should try is to use an extension cord if there’s not one already attached.

Spark Plug

Carburettor:

If you’ve checked the fuel tank and there’s nothing wrong with it, then it’s time to move on to the carburettor. Opening up your chainsaw can be difficult if you’re not familiar with them, but sometimes you need that extra bit of horsepower. If your saw is still unable to start, then take it to a professional to fix it.

Carburetor Repair Kit:

If you have your carburettor open, then you might want to invest in a carburettor repair kit. Not only can these kits help with the small problems that you may run into, but they also come with instructions, so you don’t have to break out the manual every time something happens. After all of this, if your chainsaw STILL won’t start, then it may be time to invest in a new one.

Ignition Coil:

If you’ve checked your spark plug and it’s okay, but you still can’t get a spark to come from the ignition coil, then it may be time for a new one. Chainsaws don’t usually have these parts often replaced, so they need to be changed right away if something happens to them.

Recoil Starter:

If you’ve tried all of these things and your chainsaw still won’t start, then the next step would be to check out a recoil starter. Some models have them while others don’t; if yours doesn’t, you might want to check into having one attached.

Recoil Starter

Recoil Starter Pulley:

Is your chainsaw still unable to start after checking out a recoil starter? Then it might be time for a new one. Some models come with them attached while others don’t; if yours doesn’t, you should check into getting one installed.

Rewind Spring:

You’ve checked your spark plug, you’ve taken apart your carburettor, and it’s still not working? Then the last thing to look at is the rewind spring. Unfortunately, this is one of those things that are usually needed right away, so it wouldn’t be a great idea to try and fix it yourself if you aren’t familiar with it.

The most common reason you would need to get your chainsaw repaired is that it won’t start. If you’ve tried all of these tips and it’s still not working, then to the professionals. They’ll be able to fix your chainsaw right away and get it back into tip-top shape for you!

Why are Stihl Chainsaws so Hard to Start?

Stihl chainsaws are hard to start because they put easy starting as their top priority. Stihl chainsaws have a lot of safety features that must be overcome before the saw can be started.

Why are Stihl chainsaws so hard to start

If you are having problems with your Stihl chainsaw, find a professional to help you. The best ones are at Ace Hardware.

Why won’t the Stihl Chainsaw Start when Hot?

One of the most common problems that Stihl chainsaw owners encounter is that their saw won’t start when it’s hot. This can be solved by using the secret tool every Stihl chainsaw owner has – patience.

One should wait for at least ten minutes before trying to start it again. If this does not work, chances are your saw is experiencing a different kind of problem, and you should call a professional.

Reasons Why Your Chainsaw Won’t Start:

It can be very frustrating when you start using your chainsaw, only to find that it won’t work. This is when you need to give yourself some time and remember that there are several reasons why this could happen.

Reasons Why Your Chainsaw Wont Start

It may not be something major if it happens now and then; however, if this becomes a constant issue, then there is likely a more significant problem on its way.

Starting Kits:

You may need a starting kit, or it could be a minor cable adjustment. Even if this seems like an easy fix, it’s best to leave this in the hands of professionals because they know how to handle these scenarios.

Overheating:

Another reason why the chainsaw won’t start is that it may be overheated. This can happen if you have been working with it for a long time and then decide to try and use it again immediately, or if you store it outside in extreme weather conditions such as rain or winter weather.

Frozen Carburetor or Fuel System:

If your chainsaw won’t start when you try to use it, there is a chance that it may be because the carburettor has frozen up. This can happen in cold weather but is also possible in hot conditions if the saw has been sitting unused for some time.

Carburettor Adjustment:

Another reason why your chainsaw isn’t working is that it needs a carburettor adjustment. If the adjustment is off, you will have to adjust it in order to get the saw to work.

This may be something that you could do on your own with the help of instructions from your manual, or you can take it to a professional if you are unsure.

How to Fix Stihl Chainsaws?

 

Stihl chainsaws are hard to fix because it is a relatively expensive product. There are many things that you can do before asking for professional support. First, try checking your fuel tank for any leakages or malfunctions by using the old-fashioned method of shaking upside down.

How to Fix Stihl Chainsaws

If this does not work, check out your air filter and oil to see if they need to be changed. If all else fails, find a professional at Ace Hardware.

Why Chainsaw won’t start with starting fluid?

Using starting fluid is an excellent way to get a chainsaw because it helps to fill the carburettor with fuel. However, using this kind of fluid every time you want to start your chainsaw can cause problems for you in the long run.

This is because starting fluid is highly flammable, and it could end up causing damage to the saw.

Stihl Chainsaw Troubleshooting Tips

There are some simple troubleshooting chainsaw techniques that you can use on your Stihl chainsaw to find out what the problem is and fix it yourself without having to take it in for professional repairs.

If there is no sound when trying to start it:

This is a problem that can easily be fixed because all you have to do is check to see if the kill switch needs to be reset. If the switch is on, all you have to do is turn it off and then try starting the chainsaw again.

If it won’t idle:

If it’s not idling, there is likely a problem with the carburettor or the engine. When idling, you can use the chainsaw at low speed to see if it functions properly. If not, then the problem is likely with one of these parts. You can quickly fix it yourself or call a professional to come and see what the problem is.

Chainsaw won’t start after draining gas:

If you drained the gas from your chainsaw, then it’s best to start it up with starter fluid in order to get the engine going again. After this, you should add gas to the tank and then run it until the carburettor is full.

Safety First – Guide:

Chainsaws should only be used by people who have been adequately trained and educated in the proper use of these machines.

Be sure to read your chainsaw’s manual before attempting to start it: This will tell you how to best operate the machine and troubleshoot any problems that it may encounter.

Don’t immediately try and start it after long periods of non-use: It’s best to let your saw sit for a day or two before trying to start it. If you try starting it right away, then there is a chance that the engine may get flooded and won’t start again.

Chainsaw Won’t Start – FAQs

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How to start a stubborn chainsaw?
A chainsaw is considered to be stubborn when it fails to start or when it doesn’t show any sign of life. This can be due to various reasons like a drained or low gas tank, a dead battery, or a faulty spark plug.
What makes a chainsaw hard to start?
A chainsaw can be hard to start if it is cordless and the battery is dead. Similarly, if you have used it for a long time and then suddenly try to start it, it can be stubborn.
How do you start a chainsaw that has been sitting?
If a chainsaw has been sitting unused for some time, it can be hard to start because there may not be enough gas in the tank. However, a chainsaw that has been sitting for a long time should always be started with starter fluid.
How long to wait if the chainsaw is flooded?
If a chainsaw is flooded, you will have to wait for some time before starting it again, which can be anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. However, if you do not have enough time to wait, then you can try using starter fluid

 

CONCLUSION:

I hope this article has helped you to discover the root cause of your chainsaw not starting and what can be done about it. The troubleshooting tips should help you to get your chainsaw up and running in no time.

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