By late spring, your chainsaw will have been sitting in the shed for months, but it’s important to get it running again before you need to use it. Never start a chainsaw cold, and always warm up the engine by letting it run at half-throttle for a few minutes before cutting. Make sure the chain has oil on it before starting.
Winter’s over, and your chainsaw’s been sitting in the shed for months. You’re ready to get out there and start chopping—but what happens when you pull the cord? Nothing but a sputter and a cough. If this doesn’t work, you might have to buy dewalt tools for lowest price. Don’t worry—it happens to everyone. Follow these steps to get your chainsaw running again, and in no time, you’ll be back on the job.
Check the Fuel
The first thing to do is check that your chainsaw isn’t empty! Pull out the fuel container, and give it a good shake. If it feels light, there may not be enough gas to get your engine started. If it feels full, remove the cap from the tank and look inside with a flashlight. Double-check that there’s actually gas in there! It might have leaked out during the winter months, or someone else may have borrowed it without refilling it.
If there’s gas in your fuel tank, check its condition by pouring a little of it into a clear glass jar or bowl. Is it bright yellow? Is there any water floating above the fuel? Both of those things indicate that you need to get fresh fuel before starting your chainsaw.
Check the spark plug
Remove and check for signs of corrosion on your plug. A white or yellow powdery substance can indicate that moisture has gotten into your spark plug hole, which means that water may also have seeped into other parts of your engine as well (this can cause significant damage). The gas tank may also need some attention after being stored all winter long. Make sure that there isn’t any sediment at the bottom of the tank, which can damage the engine. If there is sediment, you can strain it out using a paper towel or coffee filter placed inside a funnel and poured into an empty gas can. After that, you’ll need to mix in some fresh gas with an oil additive (unless your gas mixture already contains oil).
Seasonal Storage
Always store chainsaws in a cool, dry place (a garage or shed is ideal). If your tools generally spend time with your lawn and garden gear during the summer months, they may already have a home that’s suitable for winter storage. Any space where temperatures stay above freezing should be fine—just keep them away from extreme heat sources like furnaces and water heaters.
To help preserve the life of your equipment and protect against rusting, occasionally place a sheet of newspaper on top of any metal tools that may be stored on the floor or ground. You can also use this trick to help prevent condensation from forming on them (this is especially helpful if you’re using a basement storage area).