Why a Chainsaw Won’t Start When It’s Hot: 7 Common Causes (FIXED)

Either you briefly turned off your chainsaw, or it ran out of gas and died on you. You won’t be able to start it up again at this point. I have included the causes that are most likely to account for this situation farther down.

When the chainsaw is hot, it will not start if the engine is flooded, the choke setting is incorrect, the carburetor is unclean, the spark plug is dirty, the ignition coil is defective, the fuel tank vent is clogged, or vapor lock is present.

Always be sure you observe the preventative measures outlined in the operator’s handbook before using your chainsaw. Always disconnect the wire from the spark plug in advance of performing any repairs.

How to Solve the Beginning Issue with Your Chainsaw: It Won’t Start When Hot

1. Flooding of the Engine; Improper Method for Starting the Engine

While starting a cold engine, you need to use the choke so that you may limit the flow of air. This is due to the fact that a cold engine demands a rich fuel mixture, which enables the engine to start with more gasoline and less air.

After the engine has reached operating temperature, the choke lever or knob must be moved to the “off” position so that the engine may get the necessary amount of air to continue operating. If you do not make the necessary adjustment to the choke, the engine may not start again.

It is impossible to start a cold engine with the choke engaged, and it is also impossible to start a warm engine with the choke engaged.

The engine may get flooded and refuse to start if the choke is completely closed and the starting rope is pulled an excessive number of times.

In addition, it is possible for it to occur with the switch off and the starting rope being pulled several times, as well as when the priming bulb is pressed an excessive number of times.

This is not a significant issue and can be quickly remedied by selecting one of the solutions provided below.

SOLUTION: Never activate the choke while starting an engine that is already at operating temperature. If you do so, the engine will get flooded since it will be allowed to take in an excessive amount of gas.

2. How to Repair a Chainsaw That Has Been Submerged in Water – Option 1

• The on position should be chosen for the on/off switch.
• Adjust the choke such that the open or run position is selected using the knob or lever.
• Maintaining constant tension on the starting rope while pressing the throttle lockout button and pushing the trigger will get the engine started. The number of pulls required to get this going might range anywhere from 5 to 15. The motor in your chainsaw will start off sputtering. Pull it again and again for another two or three times, and it ought to start.

How to Repair a Chainsaw That Has Been Submerged in Water – Option 2

• Turn the switch so that it is in the “off” or “stop” position.
• Take out the spark plug and give it a good cleaning.
• Six to eight pulls on the starting rope are required.
• Replace the spark plug after making sure it is clean and dry.
• Position the switch so that it is in the “on” or “start” position.
• When you turn on the chainsaw, make sure the choke is turned all the way off and that it is in the open/run position.

3. A Chainsaw that has an Unclean Carburetor

Your chainsaw’s carburetor allows you to adjust the quantity of gas that is combined with the minimum amount of air necessary for it to start up and continue operating.

It is possible for the chainsaw’s passages to get clogged, and the chainsaw’s smaller components may cease to work properly, both of which may result in the chainsaw being inoperable.

The use of stale gasoline is one of the primary contributors to the breakdown of a carburetor.

SOLUTION: It’s possible that you may get your carburetor to operate again by giving it a good cleaning or by rebuilding it. In the event that this does not work, the carburetor will need to be replaced.

4. A Chainsaw with a Defective Spark Plug

It is impossible to start and maintain operation of a chainsaw without a spark plug that is not only clean but also in good condition. It is possible that it will only give an intermittent spark, which will result in the saw being unable to start while it is hot.

Check to see whether the spark plug tip is in good shape. If the spark plug has a very black color, cracked porcelain, or a scorched electrode, it has to be changed immediately.

If the spark plug is just slightly soiled, you may give it a once over with a wire brush to see if it can be salvaged for further use. Just replacing it is my first choice. It is a necessary component that must be present in order for your chainsaw to start and function properly. Moreover, it is a low-cost maintenance component.

Check that the spark plug has the appropriate gapping and that the wire leading to the spark plug is secured firmly. (If you need to continue to do other repairs, you shouldn’t leave the spark plug connected to the engine.)

5. An improperly functioning ignition coil on a chainsaw

After you have determined that the spark plug is in excellent condition, next to inspect the ignition coil to see whether or not it is operating properly.

Your chainsaw’s coil is what delivers the electrical current to the spark plug, which causes it to produce the spark that ignites the gasoline and gets the chainsaw going in the first place.

When the coil reaches a certain temperature, the winding on the coil may get unwound and cause a short. This will prevent your chainsaw from starting when there is an inconsistent spark or when there is no spark at all.

In the event that the ignition coil is defective, it will be unable to provide the spark plug with an adequate voltage.

SOLUTION: Do an inspection of the ignition coil, and if you discover a break in continuity, replace the component.

6. A Chainsaw with its Fuel Tank Vent Blocked Off

When it comes to the gasoline tank of a chainsaw, having some form of venting mechanism that allows air to enter the tank is quite required.

It is necessary to leave the vent open in order to allow air to pass through it and escape the tank while gasoline is being added. When the amount of gasoline remaining in the tank decreases, there must also be space available inside the container for air to enter.

A vacuum will develop within the tank if it is unable to vent, which will prevent gasoline from being drawn from the fuel tank and delivered to the carburetor. Because of this, the chainsaw will stop working and will not be able to be restarted until the fuel tank is able to receive air.

SOLUTION: Find the fuel vent on your chainsaw, and if it’s blocked, replace it with a new one. It is a little circular component that is attached to the top of the tank in a permanent manner.

7. A chainsaw’s vapor lock mechanism

It is possible for the fuel mixture in a chainsaw to evaporate if it becomes hot enough. This would lead to the creation of bubbles, which would prevent gasoline from reaching the engine. There is a chance that the chainsaw won’t start until it has regained its normal operating temperature.

SOLUTION:

Please wait until the chainsaw is allowed to cool off. Always use new fuel, and make sure the engine oil is air-cooled, so that you can reduce the chances of running into a situation where the vapor lock occurs.

Operating the saw at very high temperatures for an extended period of time raises the possibility that the machine may experience vapor lock.

Take your time and be very careful while taking the cap on the fuel. It is possible for gasoline to spray out of the fuel tank if the cap to the gas tank is removed while the tank is still under pressure.