Stihl Chainsaws are very useful products for your home. They can be used in times of emergency but people usually ask why are chainsaws so hard to start. In this article, we will discuss the ways to solve this issue, various precautionary measures, and how to start a Stihl Chainsaw.
For instance, you’ve attempted to put fuel in, properly use the choke, and crank the starter cord multiple times, all in vain. Possible causes include a clogged fuel line, a plugged air filter, or a defective spark plug. You don’t need to look further because we’ve offered a sufficient fix in this post to help you figure out the causes of a halted Stihl chainsaw.
Problems and their troubleshooting
Here is a list of typical causes why your Stihl chain saw won’t start, along with a strategy you can use to fix the problem.
1. Residual Fuel
The typical homeowner’s Stihl chainsaw will malfunction if it is left unsupervised in storage for weeks unless you are a Handyman t interested in woodworking. The old gas left as a deposit in the chainsaw’s fuel tank after usage is one of the most frequent causes of stuck chainsaws.
Generally, this chainsaw is powered by ethanol. Big engines are unaffected by ethanol’s negative impacts on performance and efficiency, but tiny engines may experience mechanical problems as a result.
Water vapors are drawn in by the fuel that is still in the chainsaw’s fuel tank. Water builds up in the tank over time and combines with the ethanol to form a sticky residue that can block the fuel system.
The fuel filter becomes clogged as a result of this mixture of poor gas. The fuel line, which may be wiped using a turbo cleaner and pushing compressed air through it, can be punctured or blocked by the poor fuel in the tank.
The most straightforward approach to avoid this occurrence is to use the proper chainsaw gasoline.
Many Leading industry professionals at Stihl advise using ethanol and the company’s 2-cycle oil at a 50:1 ratio. The high ethanol concentration in the fuel causes gas accumulation. The steps listed below should be used to release the trapped gas.
- To release the gasoline cap, raise the lock lever.
- Slowly turn the fuel cap an eighth of a turn.
- To release pressure, slowly turn the cap one more time.
- Stop opening M g the fuel cap if you see a lot of venting, and wait until the chainsaw has cooled before attempting to do so.
Do the procedure outlined below if your chainsaw will be unattended for a lengthy period?
- Remove the old fuel from the chainsaw’s fuel tank.
- Fill it up with the ethanol and oil combination for fresh gas.
- To prevent moisture from forming and to clean the gas tank, mix in a fuel additive.
Now, hopefully, your chainsaw will start easily with only one pull of the starter cord.
Engine problems and consequent failure happen from using the wrong oil or running ethanol on regular petrol. Only oils that are JASO M345 FD and ISO-L-EGD approved should be used with ethanol. Customers can save time and effort by using the pre-mixed, ethanol-free fuel that Stihl offers, which is ideal for chainsaws.
2. A defective spark plug
The spark plug creates the spark required to ignite the engine when you rev your chainsaw. The spark plug deteriorates with use over time. One spark plug replacement per year is advised. Every month, regular chainsaw users require a replacement.
Broken porcelain, burned electrodes, or a spark plug that has completely burned through are additional indications that it is time to replace it. If none of the aforementioned problems are present, dirt and debris accumulation may be caused by obstructing the spark.
The only oils that should be used with ethanol are those that are ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified.
The spark plug creates the spark required to turn on the engine of your chainsaw when you rev it. Spark plug usage causes accelerated wear over time. The spark plug should be changed once a year, as advised. Every month, regular users of chainsaws require a replacement.
Moreover, cracked porcelain, burned electrodes, or a completely burned spark plug are indicators that the spark plug needs to be replaced. The accumulation of dirt and debris, which prevents the spark, may be the cause if you don’t locate any of the concerns mentioned.
You can remove the muck and get it working with a wire brush. Read the article on how to clean Chainsaws.
3. Obstruction in Air Filter
These practical yet potent chainsaws operate similarly to a typical internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline. Like the chainsaw, an air filter ensures the engine has the air it needs to burn the fuel.
The air filter prevents contaminants from accessing the engine, but it has a threshold that determines how much dirt it can block before being blocked.
Extra dirt and debris that enters the air filter may enter the carburetor before entering the engine and harming it. Look for any signs of wear on the filter, and replace it if required.
You may avoid having to figure out what to do when the chainsaw stalls by regularly cleaning the air filter and doing appropriate maintenance on your chainsaw. The Stihl chainsaw won’t start because of a blocked filter.
To guarantee maximum effectiveness, change the air filter at least once a year and clean it as needed. Another negative effect of an air filter that is blocked is engine overheating.
Keep the chainsaw from operating with a broken filter or without one at all. Even more so if you are running behind schedule, you might be tempted to rush through the task, but doing so will only harm the chainsaw’s engine.
4. A defective ignition coil
The ignition coil winding may be defective if your spark plug is in good condition but there is no spark. This problem prevents the spark plug from receiving the necessary voltage. If a circuit breaker is found, you can check for it with an ohmmeter and then replace the ignition coil.
5. Obstruction in Fuel Filter
The chainsaw’s fuel system features a fuel filter to stop dirt and other contaminants, comparable to the air filtering system. The chainsaw’s fuel system features a gasoline filter, much like the air filtration system does, to stop dirt and other foreign items from harming the engine.
Every year, these fuel filters must be replaced. They clog up, preventing fuel from entering the engine and bringing it to a stop.
6. Primer Light
The priming bulb may crack or break while using the chainsaw. As a result, the fuel supply to the carburetor is further constrained because the bulb cannot fill up. Your Stihl chainsaw may be having problems because of a bad priming bulb.
7. An obstructed carburetor
The carburetor mixes the exact amount of gas and air to start the combustion in the engine’s cylinder. A clogged and dirty carburetor can keep your chainsaw
Your chainsaw may not start if the carburetor is dusty and blocked. The carburetor may be disassembled and cleaned with a carburetor cleaner by anyone with a basic understanding of mechanics.
The chainsaw’s carburetor can be kept in good condition by purchasing a carburetor repair kit. Repair the carburetor with a fresh one if it still doesn’t work after cleaning. You can also read articles on how to clean a chainsaw carburetor for your help.
8. Overflowing Engine
Engine flooding ensues when the choke is opened and the pulley is repeatedly revved. When your Stihl chainsaw is turned off and you have often attempted to start it, the problem also arises. The easy repair for engine flooding is provided here.
- The lever should be in the “0” position.
- Make sure the choke is in the proper position, then take out the spark plug.
- At least eight to ten times, try starting the engine.
- Before replacing the spark plug, clean it.
- Launch your Stihl chainsaw by leveraging the throttle setting.
A chainsaw that has been flooded can also be started from scratch. Cartridges are typically included with Stihl chainsaws to facilitate cold starts.
9. A failing spark accumulator
Soot and other carbon-based compounds build up on the spark arrestor over time. If there is an issue with this component, airflow to the engine is restricted, which limits the chainsaw’s ability to operate properly.
When you see the damage, use a wire brush to clean the net spark arrestor screen and replace it.
10. Recoil Starter Assembly Problems
To start the engine, the recoil starter turns the crankshaft. Your Stihl won’t start if there is a problem with the pulley or crankshaft. How to examine and repair the assembly is shown here.
The tabs should ideally catch the engine’s hub when the starter rope is pulled, giving the engine adequate torque to start.
Rewinding the rope on the pulley occurs when the string is released. If you wish to use the chainsaw, it’s best to replace any broken parts of the assembly that you have found.
There are numerous other reasons besides those already stated, such as a broken rewind spring, bad ground wiring, problems with the master control lever, or a damaged engine.
FAQs
To sum up
We’ve highlighted the most typical problems that you could encounter with your
The most frequent problems that can stop your Stihl chainsaw from working are mentioned below. You may surely help yourself by investing the necessary time in research and information collecting to resolve these problems on your own. We have a list of the best Sithl Chainsaws, you can review them for selection.
If you have any queries, please leave them in the comments so we can get in touch with you. Even so, it is advised to bring them to your local Stihl dealer for repair or replacement if you cannot identify the malfunction’s root cause.
