How to Troubleshoot a Chain Saw Engine That's Locked Up
If you live in the country or a rural setting, a chain saw is a particularly needed tool. Besides removing brush and cutting up dead limbs from trees, homeowners operate the chain saw to cut up downed trees to use as a source of heat in their fireplaces or wood stoves. Chain saws see a lot of use and easily get dirty because of the sawdust continually thrown during the cutting process. Chain saws operate with a pulley start, and any number of reasons could have a chain saw locked up.
Step 1
Look the chain saw over, and clean any debris or stuck pieces of wood from all areas surrounding the chain. Sometimes a stuck chip of wood will keep the chain locked in place. Wipe it down with a rag. Use a screwdriver to help scrape oiled sawdust out of the nooks and crannies of a chain saw.
Step 2
Grab the chain, and ensure that it turns on the chain saw bar. Use gloves to avoid cuts.
Step 3
Check the safety lock mechanism. Verify it is not kicked in the lock position, which will keep the chain saw from operating properly. This bar shifts into position when pushed by the operator, as a matter of safety to cut the operation of the saw. It can also be accidentally pushed and shut the saw down.
Step 4
Verify the pull-cord is operational. This may require removing the cover and inspecting the cord. Remove the screws holding the cover in place over the pull-cord. Use care when removing the cover as the cord winds into a spring-loaded mechanism. When this fails, the chain saw will fail to operate or start. Replace the pull-cord mechanism if needed.
Step 5
Remove the spark plug and inspect it. Pull the spark plug wire, and use a ratchet and spark plug socket to remove and inspect the spark plug. A damaged or bent spark plug tip indicates a bigger problem with the engine requiring replacement or rebuild.
Step 6
Pull the starting cord on the chain saw. If after freeing up the pull-cord or replacing it, you find it operational, this also means the piston is moving freely inside the chain saw engine. If not, the engine requires a rebuild or replacement as the problem is internal to the engine.
References
Tips
- Use care when working around a chain saw. The teeth on the chain saw cutting chain pose the threat of a serious cut. Annually inspect the spark plug and all moving parts of the chain saw for functionality. Small-engine repair shops will rebuild the chain saw engine for a reasonable fee. New chain saws cost upwards of $299 at the time of publication, whereas a rebuild can be done for as little as $90.
Writer Bio
As a native Californian, artist, journalist and published author, Laurie Brenner began writing professionally in 1975. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. Brenner graduated from San Diego's Coleman College.
Photo Credits
- Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
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