13 Reasons an ECHO Chainsaw Won’t Start (Solved!)

You’re ready to go cut wood when you find your chainsaw won’t start. Without it, cleaning up downed trees after a big storm or preparing wood for heating is almost impossible. While it is still possible, it’s very labor intensive when you have to result to non-motorized hand tools.

An ECHO chainsaw won’t start when it doesn’t have sufficient air, fuel, or spark to form a combustion. A bad on/off switch, old fuel, plugged fuel filter, clogged fuel line, dirty carburetor, plugged air filter, plugged spark arrestor, bad spark plug, or faulty ignition coil can keep an ECHO chainsaw from starting.

Keep reading for additional reasons your chainsaw won’t start. Remove the spark plug wire before beginning any repairs and follow your operator’s manual for all safety precautions.

Items that cause an ECHO chainsaw to not start:

• Bad switch or incorrect setting
• Old fuel
• Incorrect 2-cycle oil mix
• Plugged air filter
• Bad spark plug
• Faulty ignition coil
• Plugged fuel filter
• Bad primer bulb
• Clogged or punctured fuel line
• Plugged fuel vent
• Dirty carburetor
• Bad recoil starter
• Plugged spark arrestor
• Flooded engine

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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual prior to diagnosing, repairing, or operating.Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Reasons an ECHO Chainsaw Will Not Start

Bad Switch or Wrong Setting on an ECHO Chainsaw

The switch on your ECHO chainsaw must be placed in the on position to start. If you find that is in the off position, flip it to on. If it is in the on position and your chainsaw won’t attempt to start, check for a faulty switch or bad ground wire.

Use a multimeter to test the switch. Replace a bad switch. Repair or replace a bad ground.

Old Fuel in an ECHO Chainsaw

Gas doesn’t last forever. It actually doesn’t last very long before it begins to break down and become less effective. Fuel should be consumed within 30 days or up to 60 days with a fuel stabilizer.

Much of today’s fuel includes an alternative fuel to make gas a little more environmentally friendly. This product is known as ethanol. It is made from corn or another high-starch plant. While ethanol is better for the environment, it is not good for the small engine in an ECHO chainsaw.

Ethanol attracts moisture from the air to the fuel system. The ethanol and water mixture will leave behind a sticky varnish that can gum up the fuel system and cause fuel restrictions and failures.

ECHO chainsaws require gasoline and oil mixed at a ratio of 50:1. Use a gas that has a minimum octane rating of 89 and a maximum ethanol content of 10%.

Avoid gas with high levels of ethanol content like those sold as E15 and E85. These fuels have up to 15% and 85% ethanol content respectively. Read more about the gas in “This is the Type of Gas and Oil ECHO Chainsaws Use”.

When you find old fuel in your chainsaw, drain it and fill it with a fresh gas and oil mixture. I like to add a fuel additive like Sea Foam Motor Treatment or STA-BIL to help reduce moisture and clean the fuel system.

Incorrect 2-Cycle Oil Mix in an ECHO Chainsaw

As mentioned before, ECHO chainsaws require a fuel that is made up of a mixture of gas and oil. Placing straight gas in the chainsaw will damage an engine and may result in you having to replace it.

Straight gas runs very dry. It can cause the engine to seize due to the lack of lubrication.

Mix gas with a premium 2-cycle engine oil like ECHO Power Blend, ECHO Red Armor, or any other equivalent oil that is ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified.

Ethanol-free fuel

Because ethanol in fuel negatively affects the performance you receive from your ECHO chainsaw, using an ethanol-free fuel is best, but more costly. ECHO makes a pre-mixed fuel that is ready to pour in the fuel tank.

This is a great option to have sitting on the shelf so you don’t run out of fuel and have to make a trip to the fuel station and then have to spend time mixing oil into the fuel.

Plugged Air Filter in an ECHO Chainsaw

The air filter is a routine maintenance item that is essential to protect an ECHO chainsaw’s engine. The filter keeps dirt and debris from getting to the engine causing wear and permanent damage.

When the air filter isn’t regularly cleaned or replaced, the buildup of dirt can be so significant that good airflow isn’t able to pass through it. A plugged air filter will prevent your ECHO chainsaw from starting.

It’s good practice to replace your air filter annually and clean it several times throughout the season if you’re the average homeowner that uses your chainsaw occasionally.

If you use your chainsaw regularly, you should change the air filter after every 90 hours of use.

Take time to inspect your air filter to prevent overheating the engine and causing damage. This takes less than a minute to check and can prevent larger issues from developing.

Never run a chainsaw without an air filter. You may get tempted to run your ECHO just a little longer to finish your task until you get a new air filter replacement, but doing so puts the engine at risk of damage.

Steps to clean an ECHO chainsaw filter:

• Close the choke by pulling the choke control knob all the way out.
• Remove the air filter cover.
• Remove the air filter.
• Wipe out any dirt from the air filter housing.
• Brush dirt from the filter. Compressed air can also be used.
• Reinstall the clean filter. Purchase and install a new air filter if the old filter is extremely dirty, damaged, or is unable to properly seal leaving a gap where dirt can bypass the filter.
• Reattach the air filter cover.

Bad Spark Plug in an ECHO Chainsaw

The spark plug provides the spark required to start and keep the chainsaw running. It is a wear item that should be changed once a year for the casual user and as often as monthly for a routine user.

A dirty plug can cause the spark plug to misfire causing starting and running issues. Inspect the spark plug and clean it with a wire brush to remove carbon buildup in between replacements.

Replace a spark plug if you find it is very dark in color, has a burnt electrode, or broke porcelain. Make sure the spark plug is gapped to ECHO’s specification and the spark plug wire is securely attached.

Faulty Ignition Coil on an ECHO Chainsaw

If the spark plug is in good condition, but you still aren’t getting spark, check the ignition coil. The winding on the ignition coil can separate and short out.

When this happens, the spark plug won’t get the voltage required to create a spark. This will cause your ECHO chainsaw to fail to start.

Identify a bad ignition coil using an ohmmeter to check for a break in continuity. Replace the ignition coil if you find a break.

Plugged Fuel Filter in an ECHO Chainsaw

Like the air filter is used to keep dirt out of the air intake to prevent wear on the engine, the fuel filter is used to keep dirt out of the fuel system.

The fuel filter on an ECHO chainsaw is located in the fuel tank. It is attached to the end of the fuel line to strain fuel before it enters the fuel line.

When the filter isn’t changed regularly or when dirty fuel has been used, it can become plugged restricting the amount of fuel that is able to pass through the filter.

When your ECHO isn’t able to get a sufficient supply of fuel, it will fail to start or run sluggishly. Replace the fuel filter annually and more often if you use the chainsaw regularly.

Replace an ECHO chainsaw fuel filter:

• Wipe around the fuel cap to keep any dirt from falling into the fuel tank when removing the fuel cap.
• Remove the fuel cap.
• Use a clean bent wire to hook the fuel line and pull the fuel filter out of the tank.
• With one hand securely holding the fuel line (needle nose pliers may help to hold the fuel line in place), pull the filter out of the fuel line with the other hand.
• Install a new fuel filter by inserting the male end into the fuel line and make sure it is securely in place.
• Place the filter in the fuel tank and reinstall the fuel cap.

Bad Primer Bulb on an ECHO Chainsaw

A cracked primer bulb that won’t fill up with fuel won’t function correctly to get fuel to the carburetor. Replace with a new primer bulb.

Clogged or Punctured Fuel Line on an ECHO Chainsaw

Over time, fuel sitting in the fuel lines can leave behind a varnish and gummy depositions that restrict fuel flow. When you find a clogged fuel line, you can attempt to remove the clog by removing the fuel line and using carburetor cleaner and compressed air.

The carburetor cleaner is used to help loosen the clog and the compressed air is used to blow air into the fuel line to remove the restriction.

If you are unable to successfully remove the blockage or you find the fuel line is damaged, punctured or cracked, it’s best to replace it with a new fuel line.

Dirty Carburetor on an ECHO Chainsaw

The carburetor regulates the amount of fuel that is mixed with air to create a combustion in the cylinder. Old fuel will gum up and clog the carburetor so it no longer functions as designed. This can keep your ECHO from starting.

If you are a little mechanical you should be able to handle cleaning your carburetor. Clean the carburetor by taking it apart and using carburetor cleaner to clean it.

If the carburetor does not function after being cleaned, you may need to rebuild it or replace it with a new carburetor.

Bad Recoil Starter on an ECHO Chainsaw

The recoil starter is used to start the engine on an ECHO chainsaw. When the pulley is bad, the springs are loose or the clips are broken, the recoil can fail to work.

You can attempt to replace the spring and restring the recoil. If it does not work because other components in your recoil are damaged, such as the clips or the pulley, you are better off just replacing the recoil assembly.

Plugged Spark Arrestor on an ECHO Chainsaw

You will find a spark arrestor on the muffler. This is a small screen installed on the chainsaw to prevent hot exhaust material from shooting out of the ECHO causing burns or fires.

The spark arrestor can become plugged with soot preventing airflow. This will cause the ECHO chainsaw to not start.

Remove the spark arrestor screen cover and spark arrestor screen from the muffler. Clean the screen with a wire brush. Replace the mesh spark arrestor screen when you are not able to clean it sufficient or if it is damaged.

Never run an ECHO chainsaw without this screen or with a screen that has a hole in it.

Flooded Engine on an ECHO Chainsaw

The engine can become flooded when the choke is in the closed position and the starter rope was pulled many times.

It can also happen with the switch off and the starter rope being pulled multiple times or when the primer bulb is pushed too many times.

How to Fix a Flooded Engine on an ECHO Chainsaw

• Turn the switch on to the run position.
• Move the choke lever to the run position.
• Press the throttle trigger while pulling the starter rope over and over. This can take anywhere between 5 and 15 pulls before it starts. Your chainsaw engine will sputter first. Continue to pull 2 to 3 more times and it should start.