Chainsaw Stalls When Turned Sideways (Easy Solution)
If you are a chainsaw user, you may have experienced your chainsaw stalls when turned sideways. If yes, then you might be wondering why does it happen and how can you fix it?
There are a few reasons why your chainsaw may stall when turned sideways. It could be because the saw is dirty, the air filter is clogged, or the carburetor needs to be adjusted. Apart from that, sometimes the problem can be in the fuel line or the seal too.
Whatever the reason may be, we have compiled a few quick fixes that might help you get your chainsaw up and running again in no time.
If you are interested in learning about all the possible reasons that may cause your chainsaw to stall when turned sideways and how you can fix them, then read on.
Why Does My Chainsaw Stall When I Turn it on its Side?
There are a few reasons that may cause your chainsaw to stall when turned sideways. The main reason behind this is usually an air leak. This is usually caused by a broken or damaged fuel line.
It could also be because the saw is dirty, the air filter is clogged, or the carburetor needs to be adjusted. Let’s take a closer look at each of these and understand why it causes your chainsaw to stall.
1. Dirt and Dust
If you are using your chainsaw regularly, then it is bound to get dirty. The dirt and dust can clog up the air filter and prevent the flow of air. This can lean out the mixture and cause the engine to stall.
Not only this, but it can also make other parts of the saw stop working, and even worse it can make the saw overheat. So, you must keep your chainsaw clean at all times.
2. Clogged Air Filter
As we mentioned above, one of the reasons for your chainsaw to stall when turned sideways can be a clogged air filter. A clogged air filter will prevent the flow of air and lean out the mixture.
To clean the air filter, you will need to remove it and then wash it with soap and water. Once it is dry, you can put it back and see if that fixes the problem.
3. Carburetor Needs to be Adjusted
Another reason why your chainsaw stalls when turned sideways can be because the carburetor needs to be adjusted. This is a common problem and can be easily fixed.
To adjust the carburetor, you will need to find the screws on the side of the carburetor. Once you have found them, turn them clockwise or counterclockwise until the engine runs smoothly.
4. Fuel Line
The fuel line is another reason why your chainsaw may stall when turned sideways. If the fuel line is old or damaged, it can cause the fuel to leak and the engine to stall.
To fix this, you will need to replace the fuel line. You can do this yourself or take it to a professional.
5. Seal
The seal is another part that can cause your chainsaw to stall when turned sideways. If the seal is damaged, it can cause the engine to lose compression and stall.
This issue can be fixed in a few different ways, but the most effective is to replace the seal. You may do this yourself or hire someone to help you.
These are some of the reasons why your chainsaw may stall. Now I hope you will have a rough idea of what causes the chainsaw to stall in different situations.
Next, we will take a look at some of the most common and easy solutions to help you fix your chainsaw and start chopping the wood like a boss.
Chainsaw Stalls when Turned Sideways: Solution
Here are some of the easy solutions that can help you fix your chainsaw and make it run uninterruptedly even sideways.
So let’s get started!
Step 1: Check if the Air Filter is Clean
The first thing you need to do is check if the air filter is clean. If it is not, then clean it with soap and water. Also, use a little brush or something to rub it and make sure it is clean enough. Once it is dry, put it back and see if that fixes the problem.
Step 2: Adjust the Carburetor
If the air filter is clean and the chainsaw is still stalling, then the next thing you need to do is adjust the carburetor. To do this, you will need to find the screws on the side of the carburetor.
Once you have found them, turn them clockwise or counterclockwise until the engine runs smoothly. You can also try cleaning the carburetor to clean the clog (if there is any). This also helps run the saw smoothly.
Step 3: Clean or Replace the Fuel Line
If the carburetor is adjusted and the chainsaw is still stalling, then the next thing you need to do is clean or replace the fuel line. If the fuel line is old or damaged, it can cause the fuel to leak and the engine to stall.
To fix this, you will need to replace the fuel line. It is because a damaged fuel line will prevent the fuel from reaching the engine and as a result, the saw will stop working.
Step 4: Replace the Seal
If the fuel line is replaced and the chainsaw is still stalling, then the next thing you need to do is replace the seal. If the seal is damaged, it can cause the engine to lose compression and stall. This issue can be fixed by replacing the seal.
Step 5: Check the Spark Plug and Crank Arrestor
If all of the above-mentioned things are done and your chainsaw is still stalling, then the next thing you need to do is check the spark plug. If the spark plug is damaged or old, it can cause the engine to misfire and stall.
However, this rarely causes a problem when tilting the saw. It is because the spark plug is fixed at its location and it is independent of the orientation of the tool. However, sometimes the spark arrestor can cause issues.
Why does my chainsaw stall when I give it gas?
Sometimes, your saw may even stall when you give it gas. You may probably be wondering why does it happen
A chainsaw stalls when the engine either gets too much or less fuel. This is caused by the poor adjustment of the carburetor that needs to be fixed as early as possible.
There are three adjustment screws on the carburetor of most saws. These screws are responsible for changing the amount of fuel and air mixture entering the engine.
If any of these screws are not properly adjusted, it can lead to poor performance of the engine, and eventually, the chainsaw may stall.
The first thing you need to do is find out which screw is not properly adjusted. To do this, you will need to start the chainsaw and let it idle for some time.
Now, slowly turn the screws one by one clockwise or counterclockwise until you find the sweet spot. The sweet spot is the point where the engine is running smoothly without any issue.
Once you have found the sweet spot, you need to make sure that all the screws are tight enough so that they don’t get loose over time.
Why Does My Chainsaw Bog Down When I Hit the Throttle?
Another most common problem that most chainsaw owners face is that the saw bog down whenever the user hit the throttle.
If a chainsaw is bogging down when it is throttled, this indicates that the gasoline to oil ratio supplied to the saw has been incorrect.
An incorrect mixture is also known as a rich mixture which can be caused when there is too much gas as compared to the oil. This makes the engine flood and as a result, the chainsaw bogs down.
The first thing you need to do is check the gas to oil mixture. If it is not correct, then you need to adjust it accordingly. If you are a beginner then I highly recommend using pre-mixed fuel.
This is because it takes the guesswork out of the equation and you can be sure that the mixture is always correct. If you are using a 2-cycle chainsaw, then the gas to oil ratio is usually 50:1.
This means that for every 1 gallon of gas, you will need 2.6 ounces of oil. After adding the oil, always shake the container well so that the mixture is evenly distributed.
Once you have added the correct mixture, start the chainsaw and see if it is still bogging down or not. If it is, then there may be some other problem with your saw.
What Does a Spark Arrestor Do on a Chainsaw?
A spark arrestor is a device that is fitted in the exhaust of the chainsaw. Its main purpose is to prevent the sparks from coming out of the exhaust and starting a fire.
Spark arrestors are usually made of metal mesh or screen. This mesh or screen catches the sparks before they exit the exhaust port.
The spark arrestors can get clogged over time and when this happens, it can cause the chainsaw to stall. If you think that the spark arrestor is the reason why your chainsaw is stalling, then you need to clean it as soon as possible.
Is it OK to Remove Spark Arrestor?
Removing the spark arrestor from a chainsaw is always a bad idea. It is because this piece is there for a reason. By removing it, you are increasing the risk of starting a fire.
If you live in an area where there is a high risk of wildfires, then it is illegal to remove the spark arrestor from your chainsaw.
Even if you don’t live in such an area, I wouldn’t recommend removing the spark arrestor. The only time you should remove it is when you are cleaning it or replacing it with a new one.
Final Words
So why does my chainsaw stalls when turned sideways? When a chainsaw is turned sideways, the carburetor gets covered and this prevents the engine from getting the correct mixture of fuel and air.
As a result, the engine will flood and eventually stall. To avoid this problem, you need to make sure that the carburetor is always facing up when you are using the saw.
Besides that, I’ve mentioned some other reasons that can lead to stalling of your chainsaw so make sure you read them all.
I hope this article was helpful and you were able to find the answer to your question. If you have any further queries, please feel free to ask in the comments section below.
