6 of the Most Frequent Issues with Troy-Bilt Chainsaws (Troubleshoot)
Performing periodic tests and service on your chainsaw as part of your maintenance regimen will help you identify and address any issues before they become more serious.
Not only can periodic maintenance help spot issues before they become serious, but it will also keep your chainsaw operating at its peak performance by ensuring that the filters are clean, the gasoline is fresh, and the spark plug is in excellent condition.
The purpose of this tutorial is to assist you in determining the reason behind the issue you are having with your Troy-Bilt chainsaw. You can find here some straightforward charts that outline potential causes and potential remedies. In addition, I have included links to articles that go into additional depth to assist you.
Always be sure to follow the safety measures that are outlined in the operator’s handbook for your Troy-Bilt. Before making any repairs, it is necessary to wait for the engine to reach operating temperature, for all moving components to become still, and for the spark plug wire to be removed.
Problems That Typically Affect Troy-Bilt Chainsaws:
- There is a problem starting the Troy-Bilt chainsaw.
- The Troy-Bilt chainsaw will start, then stall, and eventually stop working.
- The chain on my Troy-Bilt chainsaw won’t spin or move.
- Troy-Bilt chainsaw can only be used with the choke engaged;
- The Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Begins to Suffocate and Loses Its Power
- The Troy-Bilt chainsaw is producing smoke.
Table of Contents
Solutions to the Most Frequent Issues with Troy-Bilt Chainsaws
1. The Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Is Unable to Start
Checking components that prevent the engine from receiving the minimum amount of air, gasoline, and spark that is necessary to start the engine is a good place to start searching for a starting issue.Be certain that you are using the appropriate fuel combination of gas to oil, with a ratio of 40:1. Always use fresh gasoline that has a rating of at least 89 octane and contains no more than 10 percent ethanol.Combine the gasoline with a high-quality 2-cycle engine oil, such as the oil sold by MTD. It is recommended that this gas and oil combination be used up during the next month.If you want to make new gasoline last a little bit longer, you may extend its shelf life by using a fuel stabilizer such as Sea Foam. A stabilizer is included in certain 2-cycle oils, but not all of them.Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons The Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Is Unable to Start
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
| Bad or old gasoline | As time passes, gasoline degrades, which makes the fuel less effective and increases the risk that it may block the fuel system. | The fuel tank should be drained before being refilled with new gas and 2-cycle oil. combine in a proportion of 40 to 1. To prevent the gasoline from deteriorating and to aid in cleaning the fuel system, you should use a fuel additive such as Sea Foam. Utilize the appropriate fuel. |
| Incorrect 2-cycle oil mix | If the ingredients are not combined properly, the engine could not get the lubrication it needs. | Gasoline and oil for 2-cycle engines should be combined at a ratio of 40:1. Utilize fuel with an octane value of at least 89 and an ethanol percentage of no more than 10%. |
| Bad spark plug | It may not be possible to start the engine if the spark plug is filthy or broken, the spark plug wire is loose, or the gap is improper. | Replace it with a brand-new spark plug, make sure the connections are tight, and gap it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Plugged air filter | The air filter might get clogged with dirt, restricting airflow. | Take out the filter and give it a good cleaning. If the filter is in poor condition, you should replace it. |
| Plugged fuel filter | If the fuel filter is unclean, the flow of gasoline will be restricted. | It’s time to change the gasoline filter. |
| Blocked gasoline lines. | The deposits left behind by old gasoline, along with dirt, have the potential to choke the fuel lines, preventing fuel from reaching the engine. | To remove the blockage from the gasoline line, you may use a carburetor cleaner in conjunction with compressed air. If required, the line should be replaced. |
| Plugged gasoline tank vent | If the vent on a gasoline tank is stopped, the tank will no longer be able to vent. The formation of a vacuum will prevent fuel from escaping the tank in any way. | Remove and replace any obstructions in the fuel tank vent. |
| Plugged spark arrestor. | When the spark arrestor is clogged with soot, the chainsaw’s air intake is restricted, preventing hot air from escaping. | Take out the spark arrestor screen and give it a good cleaning. |
| An unclean carburetor | As a result of ethanol deposits and contaminated gasoline, the carburetor might get blocked and unclean, which restricts the flow of fuel. | It is important to clean all of the components that make up the carburetor. If it’s broken, replace it. |
| Bad primer bulb | A primer bulb that has been fractured will prevent gasoline from being transported to the carburetor. | It’s time to change the priming bulb. |
| Flooded engine | The ratio of fuel to air is excessively high, and as a result, the combination cannot be ignited. This may happen if the priming bulb is pressed an excessive number of times, or if the starting rope is pulled an excessive number of times while the choke is closed. | Make the necessary adjustments using the approach described in this article. |
| Broken starter recoil | If the recoil is broken or damaged in any way, it will not be able to start the engine. | Examine the rebound to see whether or not it can be restrung. It is necessary to repair any damaged components. In the event that it is necessary, replace the recoil assembly. |
2. The Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Crashes, Stalls, and Starts Again
A good number of the factors that may prevent a Troy-Bilt from starting are also among the factors that can bring to the machine’s inability to continue operating and its eventual demise.
After the engine has been warmed up, you need to make sure that the choke is set to the open position. If it is not, the engine will begin to run slowly and eventually stop due to a shortage of air.
It is possible that there is an issue with the fuel tank vent if your chainsaw stops working after it has been running for a time and won’t start again unless you allow air to enter the fuel tank.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Crashes, Stalls, and Starts Again
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
| Incorrect adjustment of the choke | After the engine has been warmed up, the choke lever must be moved to the open position before the engine may be restarted. | When starting a cold engine, close the throttle to limit the airflow. After the engine has warmed up, you may open it. |
| Bad gasoline. | As time passes, gasoline degrades, making it less effective and increasing the risk that it can block the fuel system or cause harm to the engine. | The fuel tank should be drained and then refilled with a mixture of new gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil in the ratio of 40:1. Utilize a high-quality fuel additive so that you can aid in maintaining the fuel’s consistency and cleaning the fuel system. |
| obstructed air filtering system | The air filter might get clogged with dirt, which can limit airflow. | Take out the filter and give it a good cleaning. If the filter is in poor condition, you should replace it. |
| Plugged fuel filter | A gasoline filter that is clogged will not enable an adequate amount of gas to flow through it. | It’s time to change the gasoline filter. |
| Clogged gasoline lines | Deposits of contaminated gasoline and dirt may accumulate and block the fuel lines, which prevents the engine from receiving the necessary amount of fuel. | To remove the blockage from the gasoline line, you may use a carburetor cleaner in conjunction with compressed air. Replace a faulty fuel line. |
| An unclean carburetor | Due to poor gasoline quality and ethanol deposits, the carburetor might get dusty and blocked, which prevents fuel from flowing properly. | It is important to clean each of the components that make up the carburetor. If necessary, either rebuild or replace it. |
| Plugged gasoline tank vent | If the vent on a gasoline tank is stopped, the tank will no longer be able to vent. The formation of a vacuum will prevent fuel from escaping the tank in any way. | Remove and replace any obstructions in the fuel tank vent. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | It is possible for the spark arrestor to get clogged with soot, preventing the exhaust of hot air. | Take off the spark arrestor screen and give it a good scrub with the metal brush. Replace a screen that has been damaged. |
3. The chain on my Troy-Bilt chainsaw won’t spin or move.
It’s possible that the chain won’t go around the bar as smoothly as it formerly did. First and foremost, for reasons of safety, you should never touch the chain while the spark plug wire is still attached.
Check for broken bars or chains, as well as improper chain tension, after that. Check to see whether the clutch pads have worn down and ensure that the bar and chain are suitably oiled.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Chain Won’t Move, Spin or Rotate
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
| Chain brake is engaged | The chain brake is a safety protection that stops the chain in the case of a kickback, hence reducing the risk of an accident occurring as a result of the kickback. | Check that the chain brake is drawn all the way to the back of the saw to ensure that it is not engaged. |
| There is insufficient lubrication on the bar and chain. | When there is not enough lubrication, a buildup of friction and heat may cause the chain to get stuck on the bar, preventing it from rotating. | Completely fill the oil reservoir for the bar and chain. Check to see if there is any kind of obstruction in the oil route. |
| The strain on the chain is too high. | The chain needs to be allowed to move freely around the guide bar despite the fact that it should be sitting firmly around it. There should be no slack in the chain where it is attached to the bar. | Take off the wire from the spark plug. To make the necessary adjustments to the chain, loosen the bar holding nuts. Keep the nose of the bar up. To relax the chain, turn the tensioning screw in the opposite direction, and to tighten it, turn it in the other direction. |
| The use of clutch pads is required. | When the clutch pads are worn, they no longer contact the clutch drum, which prevents the chain from turning. | It’s time to get a new clutch assembly. |
4. The Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Can Be Operated While the Choke Is Engaged
When there is an imbalance between the amount of air and gasoline entering the engine, a Troy-Bilt chainsaw can only be started by engaging the choke.
When the piston compresses the mixture, the choke is turned on to adjust the ratio of gas to air that must be present for the mixture to ignite.
Detailed information can be found at:
Your Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Only Runs with the Choke is engaged
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Old fuel | Varnish and deposits may be left behind by stale gasoline, which can lead to limits in the fuel supply and failures in fuel component parts. | Empty the tank of its gasoline. Refill the tank with new gasoline and two-cycle oil at a ratio of forty to one. Include a fuel stabilizer as well as a fuel system cleanser in the mixture. Turn the engine on and give the gasoline some time to go through the fuel system before continuing. |
| Fuel line puncture | In order to increase the volume of air that reaches the engine, it is possible to draw air into the line. | It’s time to change out the gasoline line. Check for any limitations in the fuel line. |
| Plugged fuel filter | Airflow might be restricted when an air filter is unclean and clogged. | It’s time to change the air filter. |
| Bad carburetor gasket | It’s possible that the gasket doesn’t seal properly anymore, which would let extra air into the carburetor. | Take the carburetor apart, and then replace the gasket. |
| An unclean carburetor | It’s possible for fuel channels to get clogged, in which case they won’t be able to let through enough gas for the combustion process. | Take apart the carburetor and clean it well. If necessary, either rebuild it or replace it. |
| Plugged gasoline tank vent | A vacuum will be created within the fuel tank if the outlet to the fuel tank is blocked off. Because of this, gasoline will not be able to escape from the tank. | Changing out the vent on the fuel tank. |
5. The Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Begins to Suffocate and Loses Its Power
When it comes to power loss and bogging down, a filthy carburetor is often the culprit with a Troy-Bilt chainsaw. The fuel channel becomes clogged with old gas.
Make sure there aren’t any obstructions in the way that the air and gasoline combine. In addition to this, you need to inspect the exhaust to ensure that the chainsaw has a way for hot air to escape.
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Begins to Suffocate and Loses Its Power
| Cause | Reason for the Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Old fuel | Varnish and deposits may be left behind by stale gasoline, which can lead to limits in the fuel supply and failures in fuel component parts. | Empty the tank of its gasoline. Refill the tank with new gasoline and two-cycle oil at a ratio of forty to one. Include a fuel stabilizer as well as a fuel system cleanser in the mixture. Turn the engine on and give the gasoline some time to go through the fuel system before continuing. |
| obstructed air filtering system | A clogged air filter will prevent a normal flow of air from passing through it. | It’s time to change the air filter. |
| Dirty spark plug | An intermittent spark could be caused by a spark plug that is filthy. | Spark plugs should either be cleaned or replaced. |
| Plugged gasoline filter. | A clogged filter prevents an adequate amount of gasoline from passing through. | It’s time to change the gasoline filter. |
| gasoline line that is clogged or has been ruptured | If the gasoline lines get clogged, then fuel will not be able to reach the carburetor. | It is recommended that you either clean or replace the gasoline line. |
| Plugged gasoline tank vent | A vacuum will be created within the fuel tank if the outlet to the fuel tank is blocked off. Because of this, gasoline will not be able to escape from the tank. | It’s time to get a new gasoline tank. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | It is possible for the spark arrestor to get clogged with soot, preventing the exhaust of hot air. | Take off the spark arrestor screen and give it a good cleaning with the wire brush. |
| Chain brake is engaged | In the case that the chain is kicked back, the chain brake will engage and stop the chain from moving. | Turn the chain brake off by moving the lever to the off position. |
| An unclean carburetor | It’s possible for fuel channels to get clogged, in which case they won’t be able to let through enough gas for the combustion process. | To remove the varnish that was left behind by the old gasoline, clean the carburetor. If it is essential, either rebuild it or replace it. |
| Carburetor needs an adjustment | For optimal performance, you may need to make adjustments to the RPMs both while the engine is idling and when it is at full power. | You may get information on how to modify the carburetor on a Troy-Bilt chainsaw by consulting this guide. |
6.The Troy-Bilt chainsaw is producing smoke
If you are using a Troy-Bilt chainsaw and it is smoking while you are cutting, you need to search for anything that might generate higher friction between the bar and chain.
There is a possibility that smoke will come from the engine and the exhaust. There might be water in the gasoline, the air filter could be clogged, or the fuel could have the improper fuel combination.
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons a Troy-Bilt Chainsaw is producing smoke
| Cause | Reasons for the Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dull chain | When utilizing a chain that is either dull or not sharpened adequately, more pressure is required. Friction is increased when there is pressure. | Bring back the shine to a worn chain. If you are unclear how to safely sharpen the chain for usage, you should take it to an expert to get it sharpened. |
| Closed-link chain | When the chain is restricted in its ability to travel freely around the bar, friction and smoke are produced. | To adjust the chain, first remove the wire from the spark plug. |
| Bar and chain oil tank with no contents | When there is insufficient oil, friction will begin to build up. | Bar and chain oil should be poured into the tank. |
| Wrong bar & chain oil | If the oil is not thick enough, it will not adhere to the bar properly. | Make use of a high-quality oil such as ECHO bar & chain oil. |
| Clogged oiler | When the oiler becomes clogged, oil won’t be able to reach the bar and chain to lubricate them. | Scrub the oiler well. |
| obstructed air filtering system | If the filter is clogged, this will cause the fuel mixture to run rich, which will result in smoke. | Air filters that are exceedingly unclean should be replaced. Maintain a routine inspection and cleaning schedule. |
| There is an excessive amount of oil in the fuel mixture. | The chainsaw can start smoking if you use more oil in the Troy-Bilt 40:1 fuel mix than is recommended. | First, remove all of the gasoline from the tank, and then refill it with a 40:1 mixture of fuel. |
| There was water included in the gasoline mixture. | It’s possible for water to produce white smoke when burned. | After draining the gasoline, the tank should be refilled with new gas and oil in the ratio of 40:1. |
It Is Important That You Don’t Neglect the Chainsaw Maintenance for Your Troy-Bilt.
Your Troy-Bilt chainsaw, similar to the other pieces of outdoor gear that you possess, will inevitably give you trouble at some point.
By doing routine maintenance on your saw and ensuring that it is supplied with new fuel at all times, you can help prevent issues from developing in the saw and extend its useful life.
To ensure that your Troy-Bilt chainsaw stays in top shape, I advise giving it a thorough tune-up at least once a year by way of preventative maintenance.
The replacement of the spark plug, air filter, and fuel filter is included in the yearly service that is performed on the vehicle. In addition to that, you need to clean the outside of the vehicle and check the cooling and fuel systems.
Adjust any hardware that is loose and replace any components that are broken or missing. In addition, you are obligated to do a pre-use inspection on the chain to guarantee that it is in adequate condition for usage.
