When you press the gas the chainsaw starts to stall

A chainsaw is a highly efficient tool that is designed for working with wood. However, the high-speed motor of this tool can be used to perform a number of other tasks, which is achieved through special attachments. Sometimes a malfunction occurs such that the chainsaw stalls when you press the gas, which can be triggered by certain factors. To avoid having to completely disassemble the tool, we will consider all possible causes of this problem with a detailed description of how to eliminate them.

Where to look for the reason or where to start checking

All chainsaws have the same design and work on the same principle. The structure of a chainsaw can be found in this material. It doesn’t matter much what brand the instrument is - Shtil, Husqvarna, ECHO, Champion, Partner, Sturm and others. A malfunction that manifests itself in the form of a chainsaw stalling when you press the gas can occur equally on both expensive and high-quality tools and on budget Chinese devices. If a problem arises, it needs to be solved.

A chainsaw is a system of mechanisms consisting of parts. Any part in the mechanism can fail, which will lead to partial or complete failure of the tool. If the tool’s engine starts, this does not mean that the chainsaw is fully operational. When the engine stops working when the speed increases, there are corresponding reasons for this. In case of this malfunction, you should first pay attention to a number of the following tool mechanisms:

Gas tank - make sure there is fuel. If there is sufficient fuel, you should also check the serviceability of the fuel filter, the connection of the supply hose to the carburetor, and also make sure that the breather is working
Spark plug - if everything is in order with the fuel supply system, then you should check the serviceability of the spark plug. By the color of the carbon deposits on the spark plug electrodes, you can determine the cause of the breakdown. If the carbon deposits are brown, then the spark plug, ignition and fuel supply system are operating in the correct mode. The presence of black carbon deposits indicates an ignition malfunction, and if the electrodes are wet, then the carburetor should be checked
Muffler - over time, carbon deposits accumulate in the exhaust gas removal device, which helps reduce the throughput of the mechanism. If the exhaust gases have nowhere to go, they will interfere with the normal operation of the engine. In addition to a decrease in power, if the muffler is faulty, the engine will stop working when the speed increases

These are the main parts and mechanisms that should be checked first if a malfunction occurs when the chainsaw stalls when the accelerator is pressed. There are other reasons why a chainsaw engine stalls when the gas trigger is pressed. What else can contribute to the occurrence of this malfunction, as well as the specifics of troubleshooting, we will find out further.

What to do

If a malfunction is detected, you can try to fix it yourself. If you can’t fix the device yourself, contact a specialist. The technician will inspect the device and make professional repairs. This will avoid the risk of damaging the instrument when trying to repair it with your own hands. Methods for eliminating dysfunctions depend on which part turned out to be faulty, causing the saw to malfunction.

If the chainsaw starts and immediately stalls, the cause is often a lack of fuel. You should monitor the amount of fuel liquid in the gas tank and refill the device in a timely manner.

It is important to operate the tool correctly, following the instructions. Using a chainsaw for other purposes may impair the quality of the cut and lead to breakdown or damage to the device.

New equipment can be difficult to start even with an easy start system. After some time, this problem resolves itself. If a person has doubts about the serviceability of the device, it is recommended to consult a specialist.

Adjusting the carburetor when the engine stalls when revving up

If the check shows that the fuel supply system, muffler and spark plug are working properly, then you need to look for a breakdown in other places. Initially, do not rush to disassemble the cylinder-piston group or change the carburetor. It is recommended to start repairs by adjusting the carburetor. For this, all chainsaws have special adjustment screws. They are designed to adjust idle speed, as well as adjust fuel supply at low and high speeds. A detailed description of how to adjust the carburetor of a chainsaw is described on the website.

Today we will look at the features of setting the carburetor at maximum speed. You can make sure that the chainsaw is not developing full power using a tachometer. If there is no device, then you can make sure that the engine is not developing maximum speed by ear. We are interested in the screw on the carburetor. Which is designed for high speed settings. It is usually denoted by the Latin letter "H", which is short for the word "High" (high or large).

To set up high speed chainsaws you will need to perform the following manipulations:

Screw screw H clockwise until it stops
Next you need to loosen it by 1.25-1.5 turns
Start the tool and test the speed performance

It is recommended to make the adjustment using a tachometer, but if you don’t have one, you can check the maximum speed when working with the tool under load.

This is interesting!
If you often work with a chainsaw, then you will need to purchase a tachometer, as it allows you to set the engine to operate as efficiently as possible, which affects the fuel consumption and power of the unit.

After simply adjusting the carburetor, you can fix the problem with the engine stopping when the speed increases. It should be noted that the chainsaw carburetor must be adjusted regularly depending on the frequency of use of the tool. It is not difficult to do this yourself, but precise adjustments can be achieved in one case - if you use a tachometer.

Air filter dirty

It is quite easy to verify that the air filter is dirty. You just need to remove it and start the chainsaw without it - if the saw works normally, then that means it’s the problem and you just need to change it or wash it, depending on its type. And don’t be afraid that the chainsaw will work for some time without protection from dust - if there is no dust cloud around you, then everything is in order.

So, remove the air filter. To do this, you need to remove the cover from the top rear part of the chainsaw, which is attached either with screws, or simply with some kind of fastener that you just need to turn or snap off.

If the saw operates normally when the filter is removed after starting, it means it is dirty.

The air filter can be felt or nylon. The first resembles cotton wool or padding polyester, and the second looks like a fine mesh of nylon threads stretched over a plastic body. The felt one needs to be replaced with a new one, but the nylon one can simply be washed in soapy water, dried and put back in place.

Nylon filterFelt filter

Well, we can continue to calmly use the chainsaw.

Why else might a chainsaw stall when you press the gas?

If after adjusting the chainsaw carburetor the problem remains, then you should resort to checking a number of other factors. There are enough such factors, and they must be checked sequentially, moving from easier to more complex. It is in this order that we will consider all the reasons why the chainsaw does not develop high speeds and stalls. It should be noted that in this case the tool starts and works properly at idle speed.

Check the chain tension - if you tighten the cutting element too much, this will create a strong load on the engine. In this case, it will be difficult for the high-speed engine to turn the chain, as a result of which we get it to stop working. The problem can be corrected if the chain tension is adjusted correctly. The chain should rotate easily by hand, but also keep in mind that it should not move at XX. If the chain moves at idle, then you need to adjust the upper XX screw
The quality of the fuel mixture and the correctness of its preparation. It is recommended to use AI-92 gasoline for chainsaws. It is mixed with two-stroke oil in appropriate proportions. Although the mixing proportions are indicated on the label of the oil container, you must use the data provided by the tool manufacturer. The optimal mixture of gasoline and oil is 40/1, that is, for 1 liter of gasoline you need to add 25 ml of oil. The proportion means that for 40 liters of gasoline you need to add 1 liter of oil. If you do not adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations, this will ultimately negatively affect the operation of the carburetor and the serviceability of the CPG
Muffler - very often sawmills do not pay due attention to the exhaust system of the tool. If the muffler becomes clogged, and this inevitably happens over time, this will negatively affect the operation of the engine. Mufflers on chainsaws are either collapsible or non-dismountable. In non-separable devices, the connections are flared, so in case of clogging, you need to either replace the part or flare it for cleaning. A clogged muffler affects the operation of the tool, so you should not wait until the chainsaw stops starting
Air leakage - parts and mechanisms of the chainsaw are connected to the cylinder through sealing gaskets. As a result, such connections are sealed, which is important for the operation of the internal combustion engine. You can verify this malfunction by tightening the bolts and nuts that secure the carburetor and muffler. Leaking can also occur due to deterioration of the gaskets, which should be replaced on the tool
Fuel and air filters are elements responsible for filtering the air and fuel mixture. If the air filter is clogged, then when the throttle opening is increased, sufficient air will not flow into the carburetor, which will lead to flooding of the spark plug. As a result, the engine will stall when trying to develop maximum speed. If the fuel filter is faulty, the required amount of fuel does not enter the carburetor. Its deficiency leads to the fact that the tool cannot develop speed and immediately begins to stall
Availability of a fuel filter. This element can not only become clogged, but also become disconnected from the fuel hose. As a result, it will turn out that contaminants will get into the carburetor, which will very quickly damage the mechanism
A breather is a hole through which air enters the chainsaw tank, thereby preventing the creation of a vacuum inside the sealed container. The breather is located on the gas tank cap or can be built into the wall of the tank. The principle of its operation is such that as the gasoline in the tank is consumed, the container is filled with air. If the breather is faulty, a vacuum is created in the tank, which prevents fuel from being pumped into the carburetor. The breather allows air to flow in one direction and eliminates the possibility of fuel leaking out of the tank. You can repair the part using a thin needle, which makes a hole
CPG malfunction - the chainsaw does not pick up speed even if the cylinder-piston group is worn out. To identify this reason, there is no need to disassemble the engine to look inside. You should use a compression meter to check the amount of compression. The normal value should be at least 12 atmospheres, and if the value is lower, then the CPG must be replaced
Ignition System - If the engine starts, it is unlikely that the problem is an electrical problem. However, it would not be superfluous to unscrew the spark plug and perform a visual inspection of it. The presence of black carbon deposits indicates the need to check the ignition. The first thing you need to check is the gap between the ignition module and the flywheel, the value of which should be 0.25 mm. The integrity of the armored wire is also checked, and if it is damaged, it must be replaced along with the module. Spark plugs have a corresponding resource, so they need to be changed, first setting the gap to 0.5-0.7 mm (indicated in the technical description for each tool model)

If checking all the reasons does not allow you to achieve a positive result, then you should remove and clean the chainsaw carburetor.

This is interesting!
Make sure fuel is entering the carburetor. To do this, you need to disconnect the hose from the carburetor and look at the activity of the stream. If the fuel flows quickly, then everything is in order, and this factor can be eliminated.

Turning off the engine in operating mode

Alternatively, if the chainsaw heats up and stalls, troubleshooting should be done in the carburetor settings or in the high-voltage circuit of the ignition system unit.

When it overheats, the spark disappears or becomes so weak that its power is not enough to fully ignite the fuel-air mixture.

The engine also stalls when hot if the anti-interference resistance, which is located in the tip of the spark plug, is faulty.

Chainsaw stalls at high speeds - simple carburetor repair

The carburetor of a tool is precisely the mechanism that most owners are afraid to disassemble on their own. The reason is that this mechanism consists of many small parts, the location of which must be remembered during dismantling work. However, not everything is as scary and difficult as it might seem. To understand how the carburetor relates to the problem of the engine stopping when the speed increases, you need to know its operating principle, described on the website.

The chainsaw stalls when you press the gas due to the carburetor if:

Damaged membrane
Clogged filter element (mesh in the carburetor). This malfunction may be encountered by tool owners who do not have a fuel filter or it is simply disconnected from the fuel hose.
Needle sticking, which may be due to the use of an outdated fuel mixture
Clogged jet channels or clogged carburetor
Bending the connecting part that combines the membrane with the needle to supply fuel to the fuel chamber of the carburetor. This part is also called the foot, since under the influence of the membrane on it, the needle moves and the channel opens. During operation, this foot may bend (wear out) or break (if broken, the engine will not start). If the foot is bent, it can be straightened, but this does not guarantee that the problem will recur soon, so it is recommended to replace the part

It is recommended to clean and wash the chainsaw carburetor, as well as replace faulty parts and elements. After this, you can put it back, not forgetting to also replace (if worn) the sealing gasket between the carburetor and the adapter.

There is little oil in the fuel mixture

First, let's look at the most unpleasant case. Why? Because before manipulating the filters, it is better to make sure that the oil and gasoline are mixed in the correct ratio.

Here, however, it is worth noting that if you have already started your saw many times (for example, ten times), but continues to start, and then stall again when the speed increases, then apparently everything is in order with the fuel. Otherwise, it would simply stop starting altogether.

But still, I recommend immediately dispelling the slightest doubt about the quality of the fuel as soon as your saw stalls when picking up speed for the first time. Because if the reason is fuel, then, as mentioned above, you can end up with expensive repairs. And so, everything can still work out. To dispel doubts is to drain the old fuel from the tank and fill it with freshly prepared fuel, in which oil and gasoline are mixed in the correct proportions.

It is better to look at the instructions for the saw for the correct ratio. If you have lost it, then look at the ratio on the oil package. Usually it is 1:50 or 1:40. If the oil used is “non-native” (well, for example, for Stihl chainsaws there will be little Stihl “native”), then I recommend using a proportion of 1:40, even if the oil package says 1:50.

For accurate dosage, I personally use a medical syringe and a measuring container in which one liter of gasoline can be clearly measured. I pour a liter of gasoline into a container, fill a syringe with 25 (at 1:40) or 20 (at 1:50) cubes of oil and add it to the gasoline.

After preparing a new mixture, we drain the previous mixture from the tank, which we are unsure of, and fill it with fresh, just prepared one.

Now that you have done everything to dispel any doubts about the quality of the fuel, let's move on to further actions.

As I wrote above, if there is a lack of oil, scuffing can form on the piston and cylinder walls - and they almost always do. If you are lucky and no scuffs have appeared, then with a new fuel mixture prepared in the correct ratio, the chainsaw should start working normally.

If scuffs appear, the saw may start and stall several more times, after which it will stop starting altogether. In this situation, I sympathize with you, since, most likely, now you will need to replace the piston group, which will be very expensive.

If the saw, as before, starts and stalls at high speeds, then we manipulate the filters.

Why does a chainsaw stall when the accelerator is pressed - to summarize

When making an upgrade for the reasons why the saw stalls after you press the gas, it is necessary to take stock of all possible reasons and eliminate them. The reasons can be divided into two parts - simple and complex. You need to start troubleshooting with simple causes and end with more complex ones.

You definitely need to start checking from the tank, not from the carburetor, but from the gas tank. Moreover, make sure that the correctly prepared mixture is used. Next, you need to check the serviceability of the muffler and the presence of carbon deposits on the spark plug. After this, you will already have an idea of in which part of the tool you need to look for a breakdown. There may be a breakdown in that. What you need to do is simply turn up the maximum speed, for which you adjust the carburetor. If this does not solve the problem, then you should check the air filter and clean it.

Pay special attention to the carburetor, after cleaning and possibly repairing which the chainsaw should work like new. If even after this the problem remains, then do not be lazy to check the compression value. Perhaps the engine is very weak and needs to be replaced.

At this point, the upgrade to restore the functionality of the tool is completed, and it is worth noting one more point, such as the use of fuel that has been stored for a long time. Many people dilute gasoline with oil and store the mixture for months, and sometimes for six months. This cannot be done in any way, since the mixture has the properties of aging, and therefore, after its preparation, it must be used within 1-2 weeks. If you do not follow this recommendation, you will need to frequently change not only the fuel filters, but also clean the carburetor, but the worst thing is that this contributes to accelerated wear of the CPG.

Fuel filter is dirty

If the option with the air filter does not suit you, then we try changing the fuel one. It is located in the gas tank and is attached to a hose through which fuel is drawn from the tank.

This hose needs to be carefully pryed with something and its edge, on which the filter is attached, is removed from the gas tank. Here, it is better not to use the option of working without a filter, as in the case of an air filter, since you cannot know for sure whether there are any unnecessary impurities in the fuel.

Fuel filter

Therefore, we simply replace the fuel filter with a new one and try to work. If everything is fine, then congratulations - you have found the reason.

The chain does not rotate

Why doesn't my chainsaw chain rotate when the engine is running even at full speed?

Leading sprocket. Either it is jammed, or the crown is worn out so much that it is not affected and the chain
does not spin on the chainsaw. In any case, you need to reassemble the sprocket to find out the exact reason why the chain does not turn. If the crown is worn out, it is necessary to replace the sprocket (or the crown, if the sprocket has a prefabricated structure).
The brake chain is jammed. As a result, the sprocket is blocked by the brake mechanism, while the motor runs. Stop the engine and release the brake. If this happens under load, the brake mechanism will have to be changed, as well as the sprocket, since due to the high temperature, many elements can melt and overheat.

Some maintenance tips

Careful adherence to the operating and maintenance instructions for the tool is a guarantee of its long and trouble-free operation. It is worth considering that each part of the chainsaw has its own resource, so they need to be changed in a timely manner.

The rules for working with the tool are as follows:

Before each installation, check that the chain is in good working order and has sufficient tension.
Use only a well-sharpened chain for work.
After using the saw, clean all components from sawdust.
Rotate the tire for even wear. At the same time, lubricate the sprocket.
If storing for a long time, drain the fuel and oil.

With improper operation and maintenance, not only budget-class instruments, but also quite prestigious models from well-known manufacturers are susceptible to spontaneous failures. To maintain the functionality of your chainsaw, follow the recommendations of professionals.