Why does a chainsaw cut badly? The chainsaw cuts poorly: causes and solutions

When working with a chainsaw, in some cases you can notice how, when cutting a tree trunk with a diameter of more than 30 cm, the tire gradually begins to move to the side. This is especially noticeable when it is necessary to cut large-diameter trunks using the double-cut technique, i.e., first sawing from the top, and then turning over and sawing to the end.

Wood logs cut crookedly with a chainsaw have an uneven surface, which causes some discomfort when splitting them into logs. And the use of such a chainsaw when laying a log house, for example, for trimming bars, is not at all acceptable, since the ends will turn out uneven.

Discomfort at work, decreased productivity, increased fuel consumption, curved cutting, these are all negative consequences of this phenomenon, but what is the reason?

There are actually only three reasons:

  1. Uneven sharpening of teeth;
  2. Using a chain that does not match the bus parameters or vice versa;
  3. Increased wear of the chainsaw saw set.

Uneven sharpening

According to the instructions, the teeth should be ground at the same distance, regardless of which side they are located on. By observing this simple requirement, you can protect yourself from problems associated with the fact that the chainsaw is pulled away when sawing.

Unevenly ground teeth are the most common problem with crooked cuts.

It is not always possible to control the length of a tooth using the technique of counting the number of movements with a file.

This is due to the fact that the wear of the teeth is uneven, some are more damaged and more movements with a file are required to bring them back to normal, which means the size of such teeth will decrease significantly compared to others.

How to avoid incorrect sharpening

In order to prevent a crooked cut due to uneven sharpening, you can use a special sharpening machine to straighten the chain from time to time or in case of severe damage. Buy a machine and sharpen it yourself or take it to a workshop for sharpening.

The fact is that during sharpening the machine is adjusted according to the most worn tooth, which has the smallest size among all. After sharpening is carried out, all teeth will have the same size, which will be equal to the tooth on which the adjustment was made.

The disadvantage of this method is that the life of the chain is significantly reduced, since even undamaged teeth have to be heavily ground down. Try to use the chainsaw more carefully, watch out for nails and any other metal products that may come across when cutting old boards and other rubbish.

Using the wrong chain

It's no secret that, like a chain, it has several main characteristics, one of them is the width of the groove for installing the chain. The groove width can have several basic dimensions:

  • 1.1 mm;
  • 1.3 mm;
  • 1.5 mm;
  • 1.6 mm.

Let's imagine that we take a chain with a fit width of 1.1 and install it on a bar with a groove of 1.3 mm. Initially, having tensioned it well, we may not notice the differences, but as soon as the tension loosens a little, a gap of 0.2 mm will not allow it to move evenly along the tire, it will tilt to one side and we will again get crooked sawn material.

When purchasing a replacement chain for your chainsaw, give the exact dimensions, not the make and model of the chainsaw. Identical chainsaw models may have different tires installed and, accordingly, the chains will also be different.

You can check the width of the chain using a caliper.

To fix the problem, if the chainsaw bar is not yet badly damaged and there is no uneven wear on it, you only need to replace the chain. If it is already showing wear, a completely new kit must be installed.

Increased wear

If the chainsaw cuts crookedly in an arc, the reason may be excessive wear on the saw set. You can check by visually inspecting their contacting surfaces. To do this, you need to remove the bar from the chainsaw and look at its plane of contact with the chain from the end, placing it at eye level so that the mounting groove for the chain is completely visible.

With this inspection, you can visually assess the wear on the left and right sides of the tire in relation to the groove. As a rule, the edges should wear evenly, and if one side is worn down more, to eliminate the problem it is necessary to replace the defective one with a new one.

To ensure even tire wear, some manufacturers recommend turning it over periodically. But it is worth remembering that this recommendation is not correct for all headset models, since many manufacturers indicate on the surface of the bus the direction of movement of the chain along it, and accordingly such a part can only be installed in one position.

The figure below shows several views, the top one has the direction of installation of the chain, which is indicated by the icon on the tip of the bar and the direction of movement indicator.

Experienced technicians at chainsaw repair service centers, if increased wear is detected, advise carrying out a full diagnostic of the saw set, since if the lubrication system is working correctly and the chain is installed in the appropriate chainsaw bar, this phenomenon should not be observed, therefore, the oil supply system may have malfunctions or incorrect adjustment.

If, when working with a chainsaw, you observe a crooked cut, the first thing you should pay attention to is whether the chainsaw chain matches its bar. If everything is normal, check the sharpening of the teeth and wear of the tire; if increased wear is detected, check the functionality of the lubrication system, since the problem may lie there. And the main thing to remember is that everything in a chainsaw is interconnected and the use of low-quality oils to lubricate chains can cause premature wear and loss of the chainsaw’s performance.

Electrical equipment, light, lighting

In the near future, the popularity and availability of chainsaws has increased greatly, as their cost has become more affordable for ordinary summer residents. You just need to keep in mind that the lower the cost, the more often chainsaw malfunctions occur. Breakdown can, of course, be prevented if you undergo preventive maintenance on time. You can extend the effective life of the tool for a long time if you make proper repairs.

Purpose of a chainsaw

A chainsaw is one of those tools that is very difficult to position clearly. This can only be explained by the fact that the use of chainsaws is now so universal that it would be incorrect to classify them only as a garden, construction or other tool.

At first, the chainsaw was a powerful, but at the same time expensive and heavy-duty professional equipment, which was first created for logging. True, now a chainsaw is no longer just a tool only for professional woodcutters. Answer: chainsaw calm 180. Repair and treatment of childhood diseases. Good afternoon I have a problem with the starter, I carefully looked through the topic, but did not find an answer that would help me deal with it. It is completely impossible to do without it when repairing and constructing wooden buildings, preparing firewood and trimming trees.

For those who prefer to work in the garden themselves and take care of their personal home, it is also needed. A chainsaw is now an undeniable high-performance candidate for a hand saw and an ax, especially when felling trees or sawing beams. It turns out that the chainsaw is familiar to almost every craftsman.

Types of chainsaws by type

The use of chainsaws has increased significantly, and this leads to the fact that there is an unlimited number of different models of this tool. Conventionally, chainsaws can be divided by type or by area of ​​application. By type there are household, professional and semi-professional chainsaws.

Professional models

Typically, professional chainsaws are used by those who work for a very long time and use the tool “for slaughter”: these are builders and woodcutters. Specifically, professional saws are distinguished by a huge resource, their own productivity, also vibration protection of the highest level and a perfectly balanced body with fairly comfortable handles - after all, you need to work with this saw once a day.

For buyers, the main thing in this tool is not only its properties, but also its service life. Another fundamental requirement is, naturally, unpretentiousness in maintenance, since these chainsaws are used in those places that are hundreds of kilometers from the nearest service center.

Therefore, the design should be such that it is possible to deal with small problems without the help of others. Such equipment cannot be cheap, but it is worth the money. For example, if malfunctions of the Stihl chainsaw do occur, then you can fix them even without the help of others.

Household models

Household chainsaws are used “in the yard.” You can at least consider sawing logs for firewood. The chainsaw falls over when cutting (that’s why it doesn’t cut on this side, but not much). Naturally, such equipment costs even less and is structurally quite simpler than the prof. These chainsaws are usually used occasionally, from one option to another, so any severe improvements that increase the resource of the unit are simply not necessary in this case.

Manufacturers are trying to greatly simplify any design in order to reduce the price of the instrument and make it easily accessible to a wide range of consumers. True, among household chainsaws from time to time there are models of the so-called “maximum configuration” - this is for wealthy buyers who can afford it.

Semi-professional models

Semi-professional chainsaws are a compromise of previous types. All of their characteristics are average: it doesn’t matter what the cost, service life or power are. Such tools are sometimes called farm tools, since they are created for work that is not so intense, but rather constant.

Types of chainsaws by area of ​​use

We can say with complete confidence that today the chainsaw market is dominated by medium and light universal models of the semi-professional or household class. This is one hundred percent understandable, because the demand among non-professionals, for example, summer residents, has increased several times.

First of all, affordable cost, service and ease of operation are important to them. The market provides equipment for every budget and taste, and from time to time the least massive saws for some reason cost significantly more, and malfunctions of Husqvarna chainsaws also occur from time to time. Chainsaws are divided into the following types according to their area of ​​implementation.

Gross models

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Shafts are tools that are designed for bucking and felling trees. If the chainsaw does not start, but the spark plug works if the engine is idling. These are the heaviest and most massive chainsaws. Typically, they are equipped with chains with increased performance and long tires.

One of the distinctive features of modern saws is the introduction of engines with a high traction force, as well as the lowest weight-to-power ratio. In addition, there are saws that are equipped with a rotating bar and long handles. This greatly simplifies the execution of felling cuts in difficult conditions, and malfunctions of the stihl chainsaw can be quickly corrected. Naturally, all felling saws are classified as professional equipment.

Universal models

Universal chainsaws are the most recognizable type of chainsaw. They can be household, professional, or even semi-professional (this is determined by the resource). Woodcutters, for example, use them specifically for cutting branches, and workers in gardening and municipal services and foresters clear away rubble and cut out dead wood.

Thanks to them, summer residents and rural residents can take care of the garden and prepare firewood. Builders also use this type of saw very intensively. They are also preferred by rescuers, road workers and others. Why doesn't the new Husqvarna chainsaw cut? They are even used to carve ice statues out of wood.

Small models

Small-sized (one-handed). Their second name is chainsaws, which are intended for caring for the crowns of trees, which fully characterizes their main purpose. When carefully removing already warped trees and crowning, it is necessary to work not, as usual, on the ground, but hanging on a rope or on a ladder.

The chain on the chainsaw/on the brake does not spin/consequences

Let's look at the consequences of use chainsaws with the brake on. And general tips for caring for benzos.

Why does a chainsaw cut crookedly?

The video carefully explains the reasons why it may be crooked sawing with a chainsaw, also about methods of elimination.

In this position, you have to hold the chainsaw with only one hand, and you have to hold the other hand yourself. That is why, unlike a conventional assembly, in one-handed chainsaws the handle for the right hand is not located at the back, as usual, but on top of the saw in such a way that the center of mass is located under the handle.

“One-handed” chainsaws are champions in weight and compactness. In addition to landscapers, hunters, fishermen and tourists are also interested in them. These saws are called professional, but they are distinguished by a very high price, which is typical specifically for professional equipment.

Parts Service

What maintenance items are usually the most important? The first is, naturally, sharpening the chain. This obvious action radically affects the condition of absolutely the entire instrument. The chain may get tangled, then no work will be done: the tool will only begin to “burn”, but not cut at all.

The only problem is that the chainsaw chain can very easily become dull. Therefore, when professionally repairing a faulty chainsaw, friendship cannot be corrected without very high-quality sharpening. This action must only be performed by a specialist. Otherwise, not all teeth can be sharpened evenly, and then the saw will definitely lose its effectiveness. Refurbishment of a tool usually costs more than the initial preventative maintenance done correctly.

The second is the chain tension in a chainsaw. And there is nothing strange at all in the fact that this chain can stretch: chainsaws are used so often that even a very tight chain quickly weakens. A loose chain can easily break. It is necessary to understand that in this case, human safety may be at risk.

The third is lubrication. Provided there is little oil, the chainsaw will fail very quickly. It must be remembered that the operation of the entire lubrication system must be checked after each start of the tool. It is very easy to determine correct operation; you need to look to see if there are drops of oil on the surface of the saw. If there is, then everything is in order and malfunctions of the Oleo Mak chainsaw will not appear.

Chainsaw malfunctions

Chainsaws, like other tools, sometimes fail. Therefore, you can also repair a chainsaw yourself. How to repair a chainsaw with an internal combustion engine? What are the possible malfunctions of a chainsaw? It won't start, or it starts and then stalls. It may be that it is not working at full capacity. The easiest breakdown is when the chain breaks. You can fix it very quickly, just replace the chain. There are malfunctions of chainsaw carburetors that you can repair yourself.

Checking the fuel mixture

You need to start repairs by checking the fuel level. Husqvarna 236 14 x torq is a chainsaw that replaced the earlier, but no less popular among users, Husqvarna 137. There is no need to save money here. It is necessary to understand that the cost of the entire repair of the cylinder-piston group will cost approximately 2/3 of the cost of a broken tool. This is probably a compelling argument to buy a fuel additive from a well-known brand with a good reputation. The proportions must be observed as indicated on the packaging for the use of gas-powered tools.

The fuel mixture should be made so that it can be worked out in two weeks. Next, domestic gasoline will begin to lose its octane properties, and then the pain of starting the chainsaw will begin. A mixture that has become stagnant is best disposed of. It should only be fresh, so that later there is no need to repair malfunctions of the Husqvarna chainsaw.

Checking parts

If everything is in order with the fuel mixture, you need to look at the trigger mechanism. If everything is fine with him too, then you should check the spark plug. To do this, you need to unscrew the spark plug and look at it. It should have a gap of 0.5 millimeters, which is necessary for the chainsaw to work properly.

It is imperative to pay attention to which candle is dry or not. If there are no signs of fuel, then the cause of the breakdown is in the carburetor. He could have gotten caught up in something. In this case, it must first be removed and then cleaned.

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If a new spark plug is installed, the carburetor is cleaned, but the chainsaw still does not start, then it is better to look at the cylinder-piston group. Simply put, this is what makes the chainsaw work. A chainsaw works that a chainsaw is not capable of idling either. The task is to pull out the cylinder inside which the piston is located. But even this technique with a chainsaw only works but the chainsaw does not cut. The chainsaw works calmly but it works, but when you give gas the chain does not spin. If it has characteristic chips or scuffs, then it definitely needs to be changed. Another cylinder can be given for repair size or for boring.

It is also worth checking the condition of the piston rings. They should fit very tightly on the piston. To do this, you need to insert the piston into the cylinder and pump it at the top point. If it dangles, then perhaps it has simply worn out and will not provide good compression. By analyzing the appearance of the piston, you can say a lot about why the engine failed.

Lack of lubrication

Seizing can occur due to the engine overheating while running on a lean mixture, and also due to the incorrect ratio of oil and gasoline in the fuel mixture, as well as the wrong type of oil that is used or even its complete absence.

There are cases when the heating is so great that the material of the piston itself becomes plastic. It comes off near the piston skirt and then sticks to the entire surface of the cylinder. Moreover, due to the very rapid expansion of the piston, the intake side also gets scuffed.

Usually the piston ring is not damaged and moves freely along the ring groove. Having discovered medium or deep scuffs on the chainsaw piston, it is necessary to carry out a set of actions:

  • Use a properly prepared fuel mixture;
  • Use fresh fuel with a high octane number;
  • Replace damaged parts;
  • Replace oil seals and current gaskets;
  • Clean the air intake and cooling fins;
  • Clean the spark arrestor screen.

Engine overspeed

There is also one typical reason for the malfunction of the partner chainsaw and bearings, damage to the retaining rings, piston rings of the piston pin - this is very high engine speed.

Destruction of the entire piston ring often occurs when the permissible engine speed is exceeded. When the temperature rises during movement, the ring gets stuck in the piston groove, which will not allow the piston ring to completely go into the groove. As a result of this, a sharp edge of the ring protrudes, which begins to cling to all the irregularities and becomes pinched in the cylinder, causing it to break down.

Very high engine speeds will cause the ends to tap against the piston ring pin as it moves along the groove. When the knocking becomes intense, it may well knock the pin out of the piston, causing significant damage to both the piston and the cylinder.

Soot and dirt

Often, damage due to excess carbon deposits has some symptoms that resemble damage caused by insufficient lubrication. Carbon deposits accumulate in the cylinder in the combustion chamber and in the piston at the top.

Its skirt has a slightly darker shade due to the passage of hotter gases that are formed during combustion and make their way under the piston ring itself. In this case, it is necessary to change the gasoline and then adjust the operation of the chainsaw carburetor.

Absolutely any substance, besides fuel and clean air, that enters the engine through the intake channel can easily cause damage to the piston, increased wear and malfunction of the Ural chainsaw. First, you need to make sure that the installations are done correctly and there are no defects. In addition, in case of significant damage, it is necessary to check the fastening of parts of the carburetor and intake system.

Problems starting the engine

How to start a cold engine immediately after purchasing it in a store or after storing it for at least two days? When purchasing gasoline-powered equipment from a specialized store, the consultant can tell you in detail all the details about the operation and startup of gasoline-powered tools, and will even demonstrate this in practice.

In order to start a cold engine, you should set the lever (also called a switch) to the position called throttle closed. Next, you need to pump the mixture into the carburetor, if there is a fuel priming pump. Then pull out the starting handle until the engine resistance becomes noticeable, and vigorously pull in amplitude, moving your hand to the side.

After two or three such movements, the engine should first start and then stall. This may not happen, then it is necessary to move the lever to the half-throttle position or simply to the working position and continue driving in this mode with the same movements. After all this it usually starts.

If it doesn’t work out again and the saw doesn’t start, you need to calm down, then take a breath for a couple of minutes and try to start it again in the same mode. Some gas-powered tools have a simple key switch for the ignition; you need to make sure it is turned on.

It should be remembered that current preventive maintenance and fairly competent repair of chainsaws will extend the effective operation of the tool for a long time, and then the reasons for the malfunction of the chainsaw will not appear.

Why does a chainsaw cut crookedly?

When working with a chainsaw, in some cases you can see how, when cutting a tree trunk with a diameter of more than 30 cm, the tire gradually begins to move to the side. This is especially noticeable when you need to cut trunks of huge diameter, using the double-cut technique, i.e., first sawing from the top, and later turning it over and finishing it to the end.

Wood logs cut crookedly with a chainsaw have an uneven surface, which causes some discomfort when splitting them into logs. And the use of such a chainsaw when laying a log house, for example, for trimming bars, is not at all acceptable, since the ends will turn out uneven.

Why does the chainsaw move to the side?

Discomfort at work, decreased productivity, increased fuel consumption, crooked cutting, these are all bad consequences of this phenomenon, but what is the reason?

There are essentially only three circumstances:

  1. Uneven sharpening of teeth;
  2. Introduction of a circuit that does not correspond to the characteristics of the bus or vice versa;
  3. Excessive wear of the chainsaw saw set.

Uneven sharpening

This is justified by the fact that the wear of the teeth is uneven, some are more damaged and more movements with the ratfil are required in order to bring them back to normal, which means the size of such teeth will decrease significantly in comparison with the others.

How to avoid incorrect sharpening

In order to prevent a crooked cut due to uneven sharpening, you can occasionally or in case of severe damage use a special sharpening machine to straighten the chain. The saw is sawing to the side, why? 1. Why does the chainsaw cut crookedly, why does the chainsaw lead to... Why does the plow go to the side? Why should you buy a chainsaw in our online store? Buy a machine and sharpen it yourself or take it to a workshop for sharpening.

The fact is that during sharpening the machine is adjusted according to the most worn tooth, which has the smallest size among all. After sharpening is carried out, all teeth will have the same size, which will be equal to the tooth for which the adjustment was made.

Why does a chainsaw cut crookedly?

The video carefully explains the reasons why it may cut crookedly chainsaw, also about methods of elimination.

The gas chain leads to the left or to the right, the reason?

I’m sitting in a mask, because there’s dust from sharpening, it’s everywhere!

The disadvantage of this method is that the life of the chain is significantly reduced, since you have to grind down even the teeth that are not warped. Try to use the chainsaw more carefully, watch for nails and any other metal products that may come across when cutting old boards and other junk.

Using the wrong chain

It’s no secret that the chainsaw bar, like the chain, has several main features, one of them is the width of the groove for installing the chain. I bought a Sturm chainsaw in the summer, but why? The cut moves to the side when the chain is not correct. The width of the groove can have several main dimensions:

Let's imagine that we take a chain with a fit width of 1.1 and install it on a bar with a groove of 1.3 mm. At first, having tensioned it perfectly, we may not see any differences, but as the tension weakens a little, a gap of 0.2 mm will not give it the ability to move moderately along the tire, it will tilt to one side and we will again get crooked sawn material.

Read also

When purchasing a replacement chainsaw chain, refer to the specific dimensions of the chainsaw rather than the make and model of the chainsaw. On similar models of chainsaws, different tires can be installed and, accordingly, the chains will also differ.

You can check the width of the chain using a caliper.

To eliminate the malfunction, if the chainsaw tire is not yet very damaged and there is no uneven wear on it, only the chain will need to be replaced. If it is already showing wear, you need to install a completely new set.

Increased wear

If the chainsaw cuts crookedly in an arc, the reason may be due to excessive wear on the saw set. Why does the chainsaw cut 1 why does the chainsaw move to the side; why does the chainsaw go to... You can check by visually inspecting their contacting surfaces. To do this, you need to remove the bar from the chainsaw and look at its plane of contact with the chain from the end, placing it at eye level in such a way that the mounting groove for the chain is one hundred percent visible.

With this inspection, you can visually assess the wear on the left and right sides of the tire in relation to the groove. Typically, edge wear should be moderate, and in this case, if one side is worn down more, to eliminate the problem it is necessary to replace the defective one with a new one.

To ensure even tire wear, some manufacturers recommend rotating the tire from time to time. Why does the chainsaw cut unevenly, does the tire move to the right or to the left? Don't touch the left side. But it is worth keeping in mind that this recommendation is not correct for all headset models, since many manufacturers indicate on the surface of the bus the direction of movement of the chain along it, and accordingly such a part can only be installed in one position.

The figure below shows a number of types, the top one has the direction of installation of the chain, which we are informed about by the icon on the tip of the bar and the direction indicator.

Experienced technicians at service centers for the repair of chainsaws, if excessive wear is detected, recommend carrying out a full diagnosis of the lubrication system of the saw set, since if the lubrication system is working correctly and the chain is installed in accordance with the chainsaw bar, such a phenomenon should not be observed, as it should, the oil supply system may have malfunctions or incorrect adjustment.

Modern chainsaws delight us with their reliability, ease of operation and the presence of many special vibration suppression systems, automatic chain lubrication, and easy starting. But even such equipment breaks down over time, especially if it is not properly and promptly maintained. We suggest studying the typical breakdowns of chainsaws and how to fix them yourself.

Signs of breakdown and self-repair of a chainsaw motor

One of the most common breakdowns of every chainsaw is a malfunction of its motor. Determining that this is the reason is quite simple. Several signs may indicate this problem:

  • The chainsaw does not start;
  • The motor of the tool is unstable and very noisy;
  • The engine manages to start, but it constantly stalls;
  • The motor overheats very quickly;
  • The chainsaw only works on suction;
  • The engine smokes a lot, and the power drops.

If you don’t know how to make a chainsaw work quietly, then first of all you will need to study its design. Only after this can you begin to repair the instrument yourself.


To understand why the chainsaw is heating up or running louder than before, you will need to study the essence and cause of the breakdown. It is quite possible that there is, in fact, no malfunction. For example, if when starting a chainsaw its motor does not start and you do not hear any strange sounds, then it is quite possible that you have been keeping it on choke for too long - this is one of the main reasons why the tool’s spark plug is flooded.

To avoid such mistakes, you should once again study the procedure for starting a chainsaw with a cold engine. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  1. Lower the throttle switch to the "Close" position;
  2. Press the carburetor primer several times;
  3. Pull the starter handle until resistance appears;
  4. After the saw starts and immediately stalls, move the damper lever to the “Open” position;
  5. Start the chainsaw again and let it idle for a while.

If this does not help, then you will need to inspect the spark plug. If you see a large amount of oil on it, then the part needs to be unscrewed and dried. After this, you will need to dry the combustion chamber, screw in the spark plug and try to start the saw again.

The serviceability of the spark plug itself can be checked as follows. First, you need to connect a high-voltage wire to it, place the spare part on the cylinder and pull out the starter cable. In this case, do not grab the candle with your hands under any circumstances. If you notice a blue spark, it means the spark plug is fully operational. Screw the part back into place in the chainsaw and restart the engine. If this does not help, then it’s time to check the ignition system and the wires connected to the spark plug.

If there are large stains of fuel on the spark plug, you will need to check the carburetor of the tool. If a thick layer of black carbon deposits has formed on the part, then the problem may lie in the use of low-quality motor oil - quite often this is the reason why the chainsaw spark plug floods. The product must be replaced, and the candle must be thoroughly cleaned with a needle or awl.


When checking the spark plug, be sure to pay attention to the distance between the electrodes - it should be from 0.5 to 0.65 mm. Very often, too much distance between the electrodes is the reason why there is no spark.

In most service centers, chainsaw adjustment is performed using special equipment. Each model has its own optimal screw rotation angles. As a rule, chainsaws do not require frequent carburetor adjustments. However, they may be required in certain cases:

  • If the engine pistons are heavily worn, this is precisely the reason why the chainsaw fires;
  • If a blockage forms inside the carburetor as a result of the use of low-quality gasoline and the failure of the air filter, in such cases it will be necessary not only to adjust, but also to flush the unit;
  • If the protective cover is damaged, this is often the reason why the chainsaw revs up on its own.

There are a number of signs that directly indicate the need to adjust the carburetor:

  • The engine does not idle or the chainsaw does not start at all - the reason lies in a poor fuel mixture;
  • Fuel consumption and the volume of exhaust gases have increased sharply - this is a consequence of the carburetor being oversaturated with the fuel mixture.

The carburetor setting diagram may differ for different chainsaw models. But despite this, the general principle remains unchanged.


To adjust the carburetor, you need to use 3 screws. They are marked as follows:
  • L – Stands for “Low”, and is used to adjust low speeds;
  • H – Has the value “High”, and is responsible for working at high speeds;
  • T (S, LA) – used to adjust idle speed.

Before adjusting the chainsaw, you should make sure that the cutting chain of the tool is directed in the direction opposite to you. The chainsaw must be placed on a flat surface so that its chain does not touch other objects.

Before adjusting the chainsaw, carefully study the procedure specified in the operating instructions. Setting up a chainsaw carburetor consists of two stages - the basic stage, in which the engine is not started, and the final stage, when the chainsaw engine is warmed up and running. The procedure is as follows:

  1. Slowly tighten screws L and H clockwise until they stop, then turn them one and a half turns counterclockwise;
  2. Start the engine and leave the chainsaw running at low speed for 10 minutes;
  3. Next, proceed to the final setup. Before adjusting the idle speed of the chainsaw, you will need to turn the idle speed screw counterclockwise until the engine speed is minimal, the engine runs stably, and the chain stays in place. If the motor stalls in this position of the screw, then the screw must be turned clockwise. If adjusting the idle speed on the chainsaw has resulted in the chain spinning at idle, then the screw needs to be turned slightly counterclockwise;
  4. Then you need to check the chainsaw for engine acceleration. To do this, gently press the gas lever. If the speed increases slowly, then you need to turn screw L slightly counterclockwise;
  5. Next, set the maximum engine speed. You can check them by the presence of malfunctions in the ignition system. If they are, then screw H must be turned counterclockwise;
  6. After setting the acceleration and maximum speed, you need to check the operation of the chainsaw at idle again. The fact that you did everything correctly will be indicated by the absence of chain movement at idle and stable operation of the motor,

After completing all of the above steps, you can continue working with the tool. To avoid adjusting the carburetor again in the near future, use only high-quality fuel and engine oil, and try to work with the chainsaw as carefully as possible.

Chainsaw chain lubrication system failures

There are several typical breakdowns of the chainsaw chain lubrication system. These include:

  • No oil supply or too little oil supply;
  • Excess oil, which leads to oil leakage.

Before considering why the chain on a chainsaw is not lubricated, you need to carefully inspect and carefully rinse the oil supply channels to the bar. It is quite possible that it is because of their clogging that the chain does not receive the amount of oil it needs.


If too much oil gets on the cutting element, you will need to check the tightness of the fittings and tubes of the oil pump. Often, applying sealant to the damaged area of ​​the tubes completely solves the problem.

Often the problem with oil leakage lies in the oil pump of the chainsaw. If it is faulty, then you should not immediately change the entire assembly. Very often it will be enough to replace only the plunger. In other cases, adjusting the oil pump may help.

Why does a chainsaw cut crookedly - reasons and repairs


If, when using a chainsaw, the bar and chain are pulled to the side, this indicates one of several common malfunctions:

  • The chain teeth are sharpened unevenly;
  • The circuit used does not match the bus parameters;
  • The saw set of a chainsaw is subject to severe wear.

In any of these cases, the first thing to do is replace the chain. To do this, you need to select a part that will correspond to the parameters specified in the operating instructions for the tool or use ours. If after this the chainsaw cuts to the side, then you need to inspect the tool tire. An accidental impact could cause it to become dislodged, and repair will require installing the part as shown in the pictures in the instruction manual.

We deal with typical chainsaw chain breakdowns

Why does the chain fall off?

Why does it break, or why does it get jammed when working with a chainsaw for a long time? There may be several reasons why the chain breaks, but the most common of them is mechanical damage to the bar on which the saw element of the tool is held.

Why does the chain on a chainsaw jam?

The reason for this also lies in the deformation of the tire. If it was compressed as a result of an impact, then, accordingly, the chain teeth will be locked inside the tire groove. Another reason why the chain does not spin is a broken adjusting bolt, which is used when installing a new saw element. To accurately understand why the chain does not rotate, you need to dismantle the bar and carefully inspect the internal structure of the chainsaw for debris inside it. You will also need to inspect the tool's air filter for blockages.

If the chain does not stop at idle

In this case, you will need to check the integrity of the screws holding the tire. It is quite possible that as a result of wear or impact, the threads on them have become unusable.

The chainsaw does not cut under load

If it also makes strange sounds, then most likely the chain tension screws have become deformed. To repair, faulty parts must be replaced immediately.

Why does the chain stretch?

Most often it is the poor quality of the saw element itself. If you notice signs of stretching, the part should be replaced immediately.

Despite the simplicity of the design of the chainsaw, if there are interruptions in its operation, and sometimes even with a complete failure of the unit, it is quite difficult to find the cause of the problem. Of course, an experienced technician will be able to immediately determine what led to this or that failure. But the average user, in order to find chainsaw malfunctions and carry out repairs with his own hands, will need to study the symptoms that are inherent in a particular breakdown.

The engine is the main component of the chainsaw, and most of the breakdowns that occur in it are associated with the gasoline drive. Correct diagnostics can determine the causes and troubleshooting methods even for an untrained user.

The main problems with starting the engine may be the following:

  • the engine does not start;
  • works unsteadily;
  • startup occurs, after which the unit immediately stalls;
  • stalls under load.

Ignition system malfunctions

First of all, the reason that the chainsaw does not start must be looked for in the ignition system of the unit. You need to start with checking the spark plug, since there is a possibility that the spark has disappeared.

By the state of the unscrewed spark plug, you can determine how the fuel system works. The spark plug is unscrewed with a special key.

The following figure shows 3 possible spark plug conditions.

Fuel-spattered candle indicates its excess in the cylinder. If the spark plug is flooded, then most likely the carburetor is incorrectly adjusted, or the rules for starting the engine were violated. The candle must be thoroughly wiped and dried. You should also drain the combustion chamber:

  • shut off the fuel supply;
  • With the spark plug unscrewed, pull the starter several times to remove all gasoline from the cylinder:
  • Reinstall the spark plug and adjust the carburetor according to the instructions.

A large amount of carbon deposits on the spark plug caused by an incorrect ratio between oil and gasoline during preparation of the fuel mixture, as well as problems in the fuel supply system. If the mixture is prepared correctly, using high-quality oil, then the carburetor should be adjusted. A spark plug with carbon must be cleaned by rinsing it in gasoline. After that, you need to wipe it dry, remove any remaining burnt residue with a needle, and clean the electrodes with fine sandpaper.

You should also check the spark plug for the correct gap between the electrodes. Normally, the spark plug gap should be in the range from 0.5 to 0.65 mm.

If dry candle, it is necessary to check for the presence of a spark on its electrodes in order to exclude a malfunction of the ignition system.

  1. Place the cap with the high-voltage cable on the spark plug.
  2. Holding the cap, attach the spark plug threads to the cylinder.
  3. Pull the starter handle several times and see if a spark jumps between the electrodes. Normally, the spark should be bright. A weak spark indicates a possible problem with the ignition coil or the spark plug itself.

If there is a spark, then the problem needs to be looked for in the fuel system. There is no spark - the reason may lie in the spark plug itself (needs to be replaced) or the ignition system. The absence of a spark may cause a damaged cable, which should be checked by “ringing” the tester. If the wire is in good condition, you need to move on - check the ignition module. A malfunction of the ignition coil or an incorrectly set gap between it and the magnet can also cause the spark to disappear.

Ignition on a chainsaw is simple: a permanent magnet is attached to the motor shaft. A coil is fixed near it under a certain gap. When the magnet rotates, an electric current is generated in the coil, which is supplied to the electrodes of the spark plug. In the next photo the arrow shows where it is installed correct gap between coil and magnet.

The gap between these parts should be 0.2-0.4 mm. The walls of a regular plastic bottle have this thickness, and you can make a template (probe) from it by cutting off a small strip.

The gap is set as follows:

  • unscrew the screws holding the coil;
  • place a template between the magnet and the coil;
  • lightly press the coil against the magnet;
  • tighten the coil mounting screws and remove the template.

Fuel system malfunctions

If the chainsaw does not start well, and everything is in order with the ignition system, then it is necessary to check the entire fuel system of the unit. First of all, it is required adjust the fuel mixture supply into the engine cylinder through the carburetor, setting it correctly.


Compression is checked with a compression gauge, which is screwed into the cylinder instead of a spark plug. Next, you need to pull the starter and observe the instrument readings. Normally, a new chainsaw shows compression ranging from 8 to 12 atmospheres. If the reading is below 8 atmospheres, the engine will not work.

Compression may be lost due to scratches on the inside of the cylinder and the side surface of the piston. In this case, you will have to change the entire piston group.

Chainsaw chain problems

In addition to problems with the engine, the chainsaw may experience operational problems due to a malfunction of the cutting (sawing) unit, consisting of an oil pump, bar and saw chain.

There is no oil getting to the tire

Usually, if oil does not flow to the chainsaw chain, you need to check the channels through which oil is supplied to the tire and clean them of dirt. If the previous steps did not reveal the cause of the problem, then you will have to check the oil pump. To do this you need:

  • remove part of the chainsaw casing;
  • remove the coupling;
  • unscrew the 3 screws and remove the cover hiding the pump;
  • get to the worm gear gear that rotates the pump shaft.

If the thread on it is worn out, the shaft does not rotate, the pump does not work, and the chain is not lubricated. A worn gear needs to be replaced. You can also remove the oil pump itself and manually try to pump oil through it. If it does not pump, the pump should be replaced.

Chainsaw oil filter

Be sure to remove the oil filter from the reservoir and clean it if necessary.

Also, lack of lubrication may be due to the reason for its leakage. You should check how tightly the tubes coming from the oil pump are connected. If the tightness is broken, the tubes are replaced with new ones.

The chain breaks

If the chain breaks while the chainsaw is running, this could happen when it hits a hard object, such as a nail. If the chain constantly breaks, then the reasons may be the following.

  1. Low quality metal, from which the saw chain is made. It is necessary to buy gas cutter saws from reputable brands.
  2. Overheating of the circuit due to bad lubrication. As a result, the saw overheats, the properties of the metal change, and it breaks under load. It is necessary to check the entire chainsaw lubrication system (discussed above).

You can also learn about the reasons for frequent circuit breaks from this video.

The chain doesn't turn

This nuisance often plagues inexperienced chainsaw owners. They forget after starting the engine remove the brake. As a result, the chain does not spin, the brake system overheats, and the clutch mechanism fails. The problem is solved by removing the saw from the brake. If the clutch is not burnt out, you will notice the chain turning. Otherwise, the clutch mechanism will need to be replaced.

The chain gets dull quickly

Basically, the reason why a chain becomes dull quickly is poor saw quality. Trying to save money on buying branded chains, chainsaw owners buy saws from unknown manufacturers, or, due to inexperience, purchase counterfeits of well-known brands. It is best to buy a cutting element for a gas cutter in company stores. Stihl saw chains are very popular among owners of this equipment.

The chain doesn't stop

If, when working with a chainsaw, you notice that the saw chain does not stop at the right moment, then this breakdown may have 2 options.

  1. The brake band is dirty. When operating the saw, dirt, sawdust, dust, etc. may get under the band. As a result, the brake mechanism becomes blocked and the chain does not stop when the gas is released. The problem is eliminated by cleaning this unit.
  2. Brake band worn out. This element of the brake system needs to be replaced.

The chain is jammed

This happens when the driving or driven sprocket wears out. The chain usually starts to jam under load. But without load the saw can rotate. The photo below shows a worn chainsaw drive sprocket.

The next photo shows that the reason why the chain jams must be looked for at the location of the driven sprocket.

But what to do if the chainsaw is completely jammed, and all attempts to pull the starter are unsuccessful? This malfunction sometimes occurs on Chinese-made chainsaws. It is caused by the bolts that screw the engine to the plastic casing of the unit becoming loose due to vibration. These bolts are located directly under the flywheel (magneto). In the photo below, arrows show the location of the problem bolts.

As they unscrew, they begin to rub against the flywheel and can completely jam the chainsaw. The following photo shows the flywheel with some scuff marks from the bolts.

To fix the problem, you will need to remove the flywheel from the engine shaft and tighten the bolts.

The chainsaw cuts crookedly

This problem can occur if the chain is dull or improperly sharpened. This applies to a greater extent to new chainsaws. But if the tire is worn out, then even after replacing the chain you will notice that the saw is pulled to the side. Tire wear can be easily determined by placing it on a level table and applying a square to it, as shown in the following photo.

In this case, you can see that there is a gap of about 2 mm between the tire and the corner. It is because of this one-sided tire wear that the chainsaw cuts crookedly. The problem can only be solved by replacing the tire with a new one.

Important: to extend the life of the chainsaw bar, it must be removed and turned over from time to time. Thanks to this, the tire will wear more evenly and will not cause chain misalignment.

Why does the chainsaw get hot?

The new chainsaw gets hot because all the parts of the piston group have not yet gotten used to it. Therefore, the unit must undergo a run-in process, during which the engine must not be overheated. If the unit has already been run-in, then engine overheating can cause retarded ignition, of course, provided that the combustible mixture was prepared without violating the proportions. To fix the problem, you will need to adjust the device's ignition system.

Why is oil leaking?

Many owners of chainsaws are faced with the problem of oil leaking from under the unit. Most often, oil leaks due to damage to the oil hose connected to the oil pump. The photo below shows exactly the case when the end of the hose has torn and does not fit tightly onto the pump nozzle.

But to get to this place, you will need to remove the clutch mechanism from the shaft. In some models of chainsaws, oil may leak out at the junction of the oil pump with the oil tank hose (indicated by an arrow in the photo).

To eliminate the lubricant leak, you will need to pull this hose out of the seat. To do this, you can use pliers to pull the outer part. At the end of the hose you will see rubber stopper, which is the cause of oil leakage. This plug needs to be wiped well to remove any remaining oil, after which its seat needs to be sealed with something. You can use automotive sealant or fum tape, as shown in the following photo.

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