How to find out why a chainsaw stalls: causes and solutions to problems

A chainsaw is a useful household tool that is appreciated by many. It is easy to use and does not require any complex manipulations. If a chainsaw stalls, the reasons may be different - from the wrong fuel to a breakdown of the carburetor or cylinder-piston group. The solution to the problem also varies: sometimes it is enough to mix oil and gasoline in the correct proportions or replace the gasket, and sometimes you will need to replace parts.


A chainsaw may suddenly fail Source routestofinance.com

Most common reasons

A chainsaw is considered a fairly simple and trouble-free tool, but it can suddenly stop working. The reasons why a chainsaw is difficult to start and stalls can be different: from low-quality gasoline to serious problems. Most often, you can find the cause on your own, but in some cases you will have to contact a specialist. It is important to remember that you cannot operate a faulty chainsaw.

Fuel mixture

The most common reason for failure is a problem with gasoline or oil. It is necessary to use fuel of the brand recommended by the manufacturer. When choosing oil, you should choose oils with special additives. Manufacturers usually recommend choosing AI-92 gasoline and two-stroke oil.

The second reason is quantity. If there is too little gasoline, the chainsaw will not start; if there is not enough oil, the tool blade will jam, after which it will stop working.

In addition, it is important to maintain the proportions of gasoline and oil. They are indicated in the instructions for the tool. Most often, 25 ml of oil is required per liter of gasoline.


High-quality fuel is the key to long service life Source amazon.com

Filters

The reason why the chainsaw does not pick up speed and stalls may be a dirty air filter. It does not allow air to pass through in the amount that the tool needs for high-quality work. Initially, the carburetor is configured to mix a certain amount of incoming air and gasoline. When the filter is dirty, the amount of incoming air decreases, but the amount of gasoline remains the same. The result is an enriched mixture.

The filter also needs to be changed depending on the time of year:

  1. In summer, when the air is dry, use a cotton filter;
  2. The HD2 filter is used when working in winter or in dusty conditions, for example, when logging large quantities of timber.

When the fuel filter is dirty, the situation is the opposite: the amount of fuel decreases and the mixture becomes leaner. The uniform supply of fuel is disrupted, and the chainsaw stalls when you press the gas.


Air filter for chainsaw Source drel-master.ru

Spark plug

When figuring out why the chainsaw stalls at idle, you should immediately check the spark plug. It is an important part of the tool. There may be several problems with it:

  1. It may become filled with oil or fuel during the startup process. This happens especially often when inexperienced craftsmen do not follow the startup sequence. You need to unscrew the spark plug and let it dry or screw in a new one.
  2. The candle may become covered with soot due to prolonged use. To prevent this from happening, the spark plugs must be cleaned regularly with a wire brush or fine-grit sandpaper. It is also worth changing the spark plugs regularly.
  3. There may be problems with the spark plug tip. This is easy to check: you need to unscrew the spark plug and pull the starter cord. If a spark appears, then the spark plug and electronics are ok. If there is no spark, the problem may be due to depressurization of the pipes or a clogged fuel filter.
  4. The problem may be due to a violation of the gap between the magneto and the ignition coil. The gap size is indicated in the instructions for the tool; on average it is 0.5-0.65 mm. The problem may arise from working in difficult conditions where the saw is subject to shock.


Spark plug filled with oil Source renault-portal.ru
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Breather

If the chainsaw does not hold idle speed, it is worth checking the breather. This is a small valve, a hole in the saw's gas tank through which air passes. Thanks to this, a vacuum does not form in the tank, and the tool works without interruption. The breather can be located in the tank lid or in the wall.

When the breather is clogged, a rarefied atmosphere is created inside. Because of this, gasoline does not pass into the carburetor. It happens that the primer (this is a pump for pre-feeding fuel) pumps a small amount of gasoline into the carburetor, and the chainsaw starts. But after the carburetor runs out of gas, the tool stalls because a clogged breather prevents fuel from passing through.

Carburetor

If your chainsaw stalls, the problem is most likely in the carburetor. This part accounts for about half of all cases.

Problems may include:

  • The injectors, channels, filter, and jets are clogged. This is often due to low-quality fuel. The filter is not able to clean gasoline from impurities and debris, which leads to clogging of the jets. Gasoline stops supplying in the required quantity, or even stops supplying altogether. At the same time, the saw loses a lot of power and soon stops working completely. To fix the problem, you will have to disassemble and clean the carburetor.


Instrument disassembly may be required Source svenezia.co.il

  • If the chainsaw stalls when “hot”, it is worth checking whether the rubber seal in the accelerator pump is damaged. This leads to additional air entering (“suction”), which causes the speed to increase, and soon the tool stalls. The problem is solved by replacing the cuff. It happens that replacing the cuff does not solve the problem - air continues to “suck in”. If you cannot determine where the air is coming from, you will have to replace all gaskets and seals.
  • The accelerator pump needle began to stick. The cause may be wear and tear or foreign objects getting inside. The saw will stop starting or start turning off during operation.
  • The check valve needle does not fit tightly to the seat. In this case, the chainsaw will begin to stall when the load increases, it will work poorly and unstably, and the spark plugs will begin to flood. It is not possible to repair the needle; it is better to replace the entire carburetor.

The problem may also be due to improper carburetor adjustment.

How to restore functionality

Therefore, the procedure depends on exactly when the saw stalls:

  • Immediately after starting - there is too much oil in the fuel mixture. In this case, the octane number of gasoline decreases, and the saw operates only on suction.
  • When tilted , there is little fuel in the tank. The easiest way to solve this problem is to just add gasoline.
  • It starts with difficulty and immediately stalls - the spark plug is covered with carbon deposits or is flooded. The part needs to be turned out and washed. If the resin has already hardened, heat the candle with a lighter and then clean it. Just be careful not to damage the contacts. Then rinse the candle in gasoline and dry it. During this time, dry the cylinder by pulling the starter rope several times. Put the candle in place.
  • At idle speed , the muffler is clogged. You need to remove it from the tool, wash it with a fat-dissolving agent or gasoline, dry it and put it back in place. The saw stalls at idle also when the gap between the spark plug and the wire increases. Adjusting it will help solve the problem.


Each of the described reasons manifests itself at a certain stage of the instrument’s operation.

  • Immediately after starting work , the carburetor settings were lost. It can be adjusted at idle speed using bolts L and H.
  • At maximum speed - the fuel filter or breather is clogged. The filter needs to be replaced. Clean the breather with a thin needle.
  • Under load , the air filter is clogged. You need to take it out and blow it out to remove dust. In case of significant contamination, rinse and dry thoroughly.
  • It works exclusively on suction - the fuel pump is faulty. The part needs to be removed and checked to see if fuel is leaking. If gasoline is leaking, replace the gasket or replace the pump completely.
  • Stalls after heating - magneto malfunction. In most tool models, this part cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

Briefly about the main thing

A chainsaw is not a necessary tool in the household, but it greatly simplifies life in various situations. It is easy to use and easy to maintain, but at times the saw may stop working.

I've had problems several times. The first time, I, still an inexperienced master, mixed gasoline and oil in the wrong proportions and filled the spark plugs. I had to replace them completely because I bent the contacts while cleaning them. In the second, the chainsaw suddenly began to stall when heating up. I had to check the muffler and carburetor, then review all the gaskets and seals, and replace one of them.

I would like to give a little advice to everyone who has just started working with a chainsaw. If a problem arises, you should first check the oil and gasoline levels, the proportions of the fuel mixture, and only then climb inside. You also need to store the tool properly (be sure to drain the oil and gasoline for the winter) and regularly check it before use.

Basic elements of chainsaws

Before we begin to delve into the issues of tool breakdowns and repairs, let’s first figure out what the chainsaw itself consists of. First of all, I would like to note that this tool belongs to the category of equipment whose operation directly depends on the internal combustion engine.


Single cylinder engine

It is also important that chainsaws are equipped with a single-cylinder engine , which runs on fuel such as gasoline. It is worth noting that, despite its similarity with other tools, it does not have a gearbox. And it is replaced by a kind of single-stage chain transmission, through which the chain (saw) itself moves.

In fact, a chainsaw is a fairly simple design, but this does not prevent it from being reliable, practical and capable of fully ensuring immediate uninterrupted and cyclic operation even in quite difficult conditions. This tool consists of a huge range of certain elements “vital” for its correct and productive operation. This is a carburetor, a direct chain tensioner, a tire equipped with a chain and other elements.

Before purchasing a chainsaw, be sure to explore all your options and choose the brand of chainsaw that suits you.

To make your choice easier, we have compiled a reliability rating of chainsaws for you.

If you have a limited budget, then read the article about Russian chainsaw manufacturers.

To sum it up...

Definitely, every item we buy has its own expiration date and sooner or later it breaks, and it becomes a shame when the degree of its breakdown is so great that it cannot be repaired. But you must admit that quite often we are simply negligent in our use of technology (see about proper operation and how to properly cut down a tree so that it falls in the right direction), and when it stops working, then we try to find ways to fix the breakdowns, resulting in a huge number of services.

But remember that even though the equipment breaks down, we can extend its “life” . All that is necessary is to simply take care of it, break it in after replacing parts (read how chainsaws are broken in here) and keep its spare parts clean and tidy. And then, undoubtedly, it will serve for many more years. It is also important to use exclusively high-quality spare parts and “additives” (see attachments for chainsaws). Then your equipment will work smoothly, and you will simply forget what repairs are.

We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Shtil ms 180 chainsaw.

How to stop the engine if it has gone into overdrive

You need to know what to do if the engine goes into overdrive. This will help save the life of both the engine and the owner. So, to stop the spread, it is necessary to reduce the fuel supply or completely remove the air supply. If the situation gets out of control while driving, then the best way out is to increase the load. This step will help to somehow normalize work. If a runaway starts and the driver is behind the wheel, he will definitely feel a sudden acceleration

It is necessary to take your foot off the gas pedal and press the brakes - it is important to keep an eye on the cars behind you. The main thing here is to prevent an accident

Experts do not recommend valuing the engine above human life. Let him drive “all the money” and rotate at speeds close to the sky-high.

Additional Tips

First of all, what you should remember when purchasing this kind of tool is that certain parts of the saw need to be replaced with new ones after their service life (passport) has expired. It is for this reason that the instructions should always be at your fingertips, since everything is described there in detail.

These types of parts include: a sprocket (drive), a tire, part of the system (anti-vibration), as well as a chain . Since we should not forget that if this “filling” is not replaced with a new one at the required time, then these worn-out spare parts will negatively affect the remaining parts of the chainsaw. It is for this reason that you should check the depth of the immediate tooth cutting quite often. Remember that it should not be higher than 0.5 mm a week.

Power system: incorrect fuel mixture

Two-stroke engines are designed to run on a mixture of gasoline and oil, which is needed to lubricate the cylinder-piston group. Lack of oil will quickly damage the tool and lead to major repairs.

In gas-powered tools from different manufacturers, the ratio of oil to gasoline is 1:40 or 1:50. This proportion must not be violated under any circumstances. If you pour more oil than necessary, this will lead to coking of the piston compression rings. They will lie tightly in their grooves, and the engine will lose compression and power.

The only exception is the tool running-in mode. In this case, the mixture is made 1:25 and is used for a short time, with minimal load.

Signs of an excess of oil in gasoline are as follows: the chainsaw stalls, smokes profusely, and does not develop power.

The chainsaw engine turns off after reaching maximum speed

The power unit stalls at high speeds due to the performance characteristics of the electronic unit not meeting the stated requirements. Failure is more typical for budget chainsaws made in China.

The reason for refusal may be:

  • lack of fuel mixture in the float chamber due to valve sticking;
  • clogging of the fuel filter or the breather located in the fuel tank cap.

Read also: Soldering stainless steel at home with a gas torch

The power unit also stalls at high speeds due to a dirty air intake filter. The same symptoms are typical for a situation where the chainsaw started up in standard mode and stalled during the warm-up stage.

The chain does not rotate

Why doesn't my chainsaw chain rotate when the engine is running even at full speed?

  • Leading sprocket. Either it is jammed, or the crown is worn out so much that it is not affected and the chain
    does not spin on the chainsaw. In any case, you need to reassemble the sprocket to find out the exact reason why the chain does not turn. If the crown is worn out, it is necessary to replace the sprocket (or the crown, if the sprocket has a prefabricated structure).
  • The brake chain is jammed. As a result, the sprocket is blocked by the brake mechanism, while the motor runs. Stop the engine and release the brake. If this happens under load, the brake mechanism will have to be changed, as well as the sprocket, since due to the high temperature, many elements can melt and overheat.

No. 10. Chain brake does not work

All chainsaws are equipped with a main and inertial (emergency) brake. The latter turns on only when a backfire occurs. The main brake is designed to stop the chain while the engine is running. Why does the chain on the chainsaw jam and it doesn’t stop? Option two:

  • The brake band is badly worn and does not provide sufficient stopping effect. The brake band needs to be replaced.
  • Contamination of the tape. When working, debris may become clogged in the under-cover space: shavings, sawdust, dirt, etc. Debris is blocking the brake mechanism, so if the brake does not work, you need to clean the brake mechanism.

Carburetor check and repair


The operating principle of a chainsaw carburetor.

If checking the ignition system, fuel filters, and muffler did not produce tangible results, the tool still does not want to work normally at minimum speed, you need to check the carburetor.

To adjust the operating modes, there are three screws on the device body designed to set the minimum rotation speed, maximum speed and idle speed.

On many models, manufacturers install only the idle air adjustment screw to avoid incompetent attempts to adjust the device. In all versions of the device, adjustment must be performed exactly according to the manufacturers' recommendations.

If adjusting the device does not restore normal operation of the instrument, you need to completely disassemble the device and inspect it. It should be understood that a carburetor is a rather complex device; if you lack experience, it is advisable to contact specialists.

When disassembling, it is important to carefully inspect and wash all jets, air and fuel channels, and filter mesh. Damaged elements must be replaced with new ones. The jets must be cleaned with soft wire of the appropriate diameter.

It is advisable to carry out work in appropriate conditions. The carburetor contains many small parts, the loss of any of them will render the device inoperable.

Why is it heating up?

In some cases, during operation, you may notice that the tire heats up excessively; there are two reasons for this phenomenon. The first is a manufacturing defect. Such parts are equipped with low-quality bearings, which heat it up during operation. A defective part will heat up and nothing can be done about it, only replace it with a new one.

The second reason is, again, not enough lubrication, or its complete absence. If signs of overheating appear, such as melting of the paint on the tip of the tire and strong smoking, you should stop using the tool and contact a service center.

This is what an overheated chain looks like

The choice of chainsaw tire largely depends on the characteristics of the chainsaw itself. You should only choose components recommended by the manufacturer, taking into account the pitch of the drive sprocket, the width of the chain groove and the shape and size of the shank. The key to long-term service of a chainsaw saw set is the uninterrupted supply of a sufficient amount of lubricant of the appropriate brand. Excessive wear of the bar and chain, as well as their heating, is a sign of improper operation of the saw chain lubrication system. We have highlighted the main points of choice, remember them and take them into account when purchasing, and then you will definitely buy what you really need.

Gasoline is not supplied

To find the source of the breakdown and determine why the device does not pump gasoline, disconnect the gas line from the carburetor. Try pumping fuel. If it feeds slowly, problems may include:

  • in the fuel filter, it is clogged with debris;
  • in contamination of the gasoline supply channel.

Experts do not fill the container with fuel to the brim. This may damage the device.

Smokes

If your equipment smokes or loses power, pay attention to the engine. Its breakdown may also be indicated by unstable starting, overheating

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