Chainsaw Starting Guide

My Chainsaw Won’t Start. 

 

We are very sorry to hear that your chainsaw won’t start for you.  In most cases if a chainsaw will not start it is down to an incorrect staring procedure, engine flooding or poor / old fuel. To Eliminate these issues please see the below guide.

 

Starting Procedure

 

Newer chainsaws have different starting method to older models and each model can have a slightly different starting procedure.

 

The starting procedure for your model is within your user manual provided within in the box at the time of purchase. If you require a copy please email [email protected] and we can email you a PDF copy.

 

If you have used the incorrect starting procedure at all (even once) it is then likely that the engine will be flooded so will need to be started in a different way to unflood this prior to resuming the usual starting procedure.

 

Starting a cold engine requires a different starting method than a warm engine, please refer to your owner’s manual as this is all details here under the starting / stopping the engine section.

 

Engine Flooding

 

If you have tried to start the saw incorrectly, pulling on the recoil more than a few times it is possible that you have flooded the engine. This can happen quite easily and is a common mistake, even with professionals.

 

A wet spark plug can be a sign of a flooded engine.

 

• -Ensure your chain brake is ON
• -Ensure the choke is OFF
• -Ensure it is in the RUN position
• -Get into your starting position
• -Hold the Trigger / Throttle in fully
• -Pull the recoil – please note this could take up to 20 or more pulls depending on how badly the chainsaw is flooded. You will hear a splutter when the engine comes back to life but keep pulling until the chainsaw starts.
• -You may see some smoke come from the chainsaw this is normal as its burning off the excess fuel.
• -Take off chain brake
• -Keep feathering the trigger running the chainsaw until any smoke has cleared.

 

Poor Fuel / Old Fuel

 

Petrol has a shelf life which is very dependent on the conditions it is kept. If your fuel is more than 14 days old then its possibly pas its best to use with your chainsaw and may cause starting issues. Fuel older than this can suffer fuel segregation. Contamination of fuel all could also cause issues so a clean fuel can should be used.

 

My Chainsaw Will Start But Dies

 

• Ensure the chain brake is fully released (you should hear a click)
• Ensure a good quality 2-stroke oil is used offering the best lubrication
• Ensure the correct fuel to oil ratio is used as per the user manual
• Check the fuel filter is free flowing (open the fuel cap and look inside to ensure its free)
• Does the carburetor need an adjustment? Check your user manual for instructions and if required.

 

Chainsaw Won’t Start After Storage

 

You should not store your chainsaw with petrol in it, to avoid any blockages or corrosion of the fuel delivery parts, you should completely drain fuel of any petrol tool before storage.

 

• Ensure fresh fuel is being used – anything over 14 days should be disposed of correctly. If you have used old fuel, mix a completely new fresh fuel/oil mix and try again.

 

**We have prepared this document as guidance from our experience, this should NOT replace the owner’s manual, you should ALWAYS read your chainsaws user manual PRIOR to use of the chainsaw.