There are several reasons why power equipment such as chainsaws, trimmer, tillers, and lawn mowers will not start. Some problems result from a flipped safety switch, or not pulling long enough on the starter cord. Other problems can arise after a long period of storage or because maintenance is needed resulting from normal use. Many of these tasks can be performed at home. A reliable service department can provide help in finding replacement parts, such as air filters or the correct spark plug for your equipment.
Safety Features
Safety features designed to prevent power equipment from starting unexpectedly can also keep equipment from starting when you need to use it. Before trying to start the equipment, make sure the power switch is in the “on” position. This is important on chainsaws, mini tillers and other equipment with an on/off or a safety switch. When starting a chainsaw, make sure the brake is disengaged. This is an easy thing to forget or overlook, and it will prevent the chainsaw from starting.
Air Filter
The next thing to check is the air filter. A dirty air filter in a trimmer, chainsaw, or mower will block air from getting to the engine and prevent starting. Air filters can be cleaned or replaced, depending on the type of filter. Paper filters typically need replaced, while foam filters can be cleaned with compressed air or by washing in warm soapy water. Once the foam filter is dry, saturate with engine oil and then pat off excess oil before replacing.
Bad Fuel
If a chainsaw will not start after being brought out of storage, try replacing the fuel. Over time, fuel left in power equipment can go bad. Completely drain the fuel tank and replace with new fuel. Most chainsaws run on a 2-cycle engine which uses a mixture of gasoline and oil. A sample ratio is 50:1, which can be achieved by mixing 2.6 ounces of oil to 1 gallon of gas. Double-check the manufacturer’s instructions included with the chainsaw to be sure you are getting the right fuel mix.
This same problem can occur with lawn mowers, string-ling trimmers, and other power equipment. In each case, drain the old fuel and replace with new. For 2-cycle engines, mix oil and gasoline at the manufacturer’s recommended ratio. For 4-cycle engines, fill with gasoline. Adding a fuel stabilizer can prevent problems with stale fuel in the future.
Spark Plug
Once the air filter is clean and the fuel has been replaced, the spark plug is the next likely candidate for why power equipment won’t start. Remove the spark plug and inspect it for damage. If the spark plug is dirty, it can be cleaned with a wire brush and reinstalled. If the spark plug is damaged, replace with an identical spark plug. The same basic method can be used to perform spark plug maintenance on lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, and other power equipment.
Re-Starting
When attempting to start the lawn equipment again, be sure to continue pulling the starting cord until after the engine has completely started. This is particularly important with smaller equipment such as mini tillers, trimmers, and even chainsaws. Lawn mowers are larger and have more momentum to keep the engine turning, and so they are not as sensitive to this issue.
If there is a strong smell of fuel after trying to start the engine a few times, there is a chance the equipment has flooded. Place or park the lawn equipment on level ground and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. This will allow the gas to evaporate so you can try starting the mower, chainsaw, trimmer, or tiller again.
