When cared for properly, a good chainsaw should last a long time. Even with regular maintenance, however, problems can still come up. The good news for chainsaw owners is that many of these problems can be easily diagnosed and repaired so your chainsaw will keep cutting well for many years.
Whether you choose to complete a repair yourself or take it to a professional, you will probably end up working with a service department. For doing repairs and maintenance yourself, a service department can help you locate the right parts and they may also be able to give advice about completing specific repairs.
Sharpening Chains
As chains encounter dirt, grit, and other debris found on and around wood, the cutting edges will become dull. Signs that the chain needs to be sharpened include: the saw doesn’t cut straight, the chain stops self-feeding, you need to push on the saw to make it cut, and/or the chainsaw expels wood dust instead of chips.
There are a few methods that can be used to sharpen a chainsaws. The article How to Sharpen a Chainsaw Chain: 3 Methods covers three sharpening methods in detail with pictures to accompany how-to instructions. It also includes a brief introduction to the basics of chainsaw sharpening. In general, you want to keep filing strokes consistent and maintain the proper top plate angle and tilt angle. Information about the degree of each angle for your model of chainsaw requires can be found in the manufacturer’s information.
Incorrect sharpening methods can lead to a wrong angle on the chain or feathered edges on the cutting surface. If the chain continues to cut crooked, cuts at an odd angle, or dulls very quickly, it may need resharpened. Similar problems can also be caused by an incorrect depth gauge or a problem with the guide bar.
Engine Maintenance
If the engine doesn’t work and there is fuel in the tank, the first things to check are the spark plug and carburetor. Spark plugs are relatively cheap and easy to replace, so if the engine is not working properly it is a good idea to go ahead and replace the spark plug.
Old fuel in the carburetor can cause the chainsaw not to start. If it’s not too bad, draining and replacing the old fuel might be enough for the chainsaw to start. But leaving old fuel to sit in the chainsaw for long periods of time can cause more extensive problems by clogging the carburetor. To clean a clogged carburetor, start with the air filter. Some filters can be cleaned, but paper filters should be replaced. Next, check intake components and needle valves for buildup and clean if necessary. After that, try starting the chainsaw.
Knowing how to diagnose and repair common chainsaw problems can save you time and frustration in maintaining your chainsaw. If your chainsaw runs poorly or the engine won’t start, you can check the spark plug and carburetor for wear and tear or clogging. If there is a problem with how the chain is cutting, the issue can often be solved by sharpening a dull chain and performing maintenance on the guide bar. For all these tasks, you can also take the chainsaw to a service technician if you prefer a professional tune-up or do not have time to perform the repair yourself.
