A good chainsaw will last for many years if it is cared for properly. With regular attention to maintenance, you can prevent many problems which would otherwise send your chainsaw to the repair shop. The majority of this maintenance is simple and can easily be performed at home.
Checking Fuel
If fuel is allowed to sit in the chainsaw longer than about 30 days, it can become stale and prevent the chainsaw from starting. You can avoid this problem by adding a fuel stabilizer if you know the chainsaw will be stored with fuel in it for an extended period of time.
When fuel has been left in the chainsaw too long, draining and replacing the old fuel might be enough to make the engine start. If the chainsaw does not start after fuel has been replaced, you may need to clean the carburetor.
Basic Cleaning
There are several parts of the chainsaw that can become clogged with repeated use. Performing maintenance on these parts of the chainsaw is relatively easy and helps prevent more extensive repairs in the future. Carburetors, exhaust systems, and fuel tanks all benefit from regular cleaning.
Once the air filter box is removed from the carburetor, foam or plastic air filters can be cleaned with a solvent or soap and water. Paper filters should be cleaned with compressed air or replaced.
In the exhaust system, the muffler and spark screen can be removed and cleaned with a brush and solvent to prevent buildup of residue from engine exhaust.
Most saws have a fuel filter at the end of the fuel pick-up line. If you remove this from the fuel tank, you can pull off and clean the filter screen before replacing it. The inside of the fuel tank can be cleaned at the same time.
Spark Plugs
If the chainsaw is being used regularly, spark plugs should be checked on a weekly basis. The spark plug can be cleaned by brushing with a wire brush and wiping off oil residue with a rag and solvent. When replacing a chainsaw spark plug, make sure the gap is half a millimeter. 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.
Sharpening Chains
Signs that a chainsaw needs sharpened include: the chain stops self-feeding and you need to push on the saw to make it cut, the chainsaw expels wood dust instead of wood chips, and/or the saw doesn’t cut straight. Chainsaws can be sharpened professionally by a service department or at home. The article How to Sharpen a Chainsaw Chain: 3 Methods covers three sharpening methods in detail. The article has pictures to accompany how-to instructions and a brief introduction on the basics of chainsaw sharpening.
Performing regular maintenance can extend the life of your chainsaw. Keeping the fuel fresh, making sure the chainsaw is clean, checking spark plugs, and sharpening the chain will all help keep you chainsaw running smoothly. In the event that a simple or serious repair is required, a service department will be able to perform quality repairs or assist you in finding the parts to complete the repairs yourself.
