13 Causes of RYOBI Chainsaw Failure to Start, Stall, or Die

Your RYOBI chainsaw may occasionally start to malfunction and run less efficiently. There are a number of other things that can prevent your saw from operating, though old gasoline is frequently to blame.

If a RYOBI chainsaw doesn’t have air, gasoline, or spark, it will start and then stop.

This could be brought on by a broken ignition coil, clogged cooling system, unclean carburetor, plugged spark arrestor, plugged air or fuel filter, clogged fuel line, bad fuel tank vent, or plugged spark arrestor.

For more information on why a chainsaw will break, continue reading. Never work on a chainsaw without first removing the spark plug wire, letting the engine and muffler cool, and ensuring that all moving parts have stopped.

Prior to diagnosing, repairing, or operating your equipment, make sure to follow all safety guidelines contained in the operator’s manual. If you don’t have the expertise, the abilities, or the health to safely complete the repair, consult a professional.

Table of Contents

13 Causes of RYOBI Chainsaw Failure to Start

Choke Setting Error on a RYOBI Chainsaw

When starting a cold engine, the choke is utilized to limit the amount of air drawn into the cylinder. To ensure that the engine gets the air it needs to continue running, the choke must be turned to the off position after the engine has warmed up.

The engine will shut down if the choke is not set to the off position.

FIX: Make sure the choke lever is positioned correctly: Run for a warm engine and FULL CHOKE to start a cold one.

Air Filter Clogged on a RYOBI Chainsaw

Your RYOBI chainsaw’s air filter is a maintenance component that needs to be kept clean and in good working order. It serves as a barrier to prevent debris like dirt and sawdust from getting into the carburetor throat and harming the engine.

For the typical homeowner, it is preferable to change the air filter once a year and check it regularly during the year to clean or replace it as needed.

If filter maintenance is neglected, dirt, sawdust, and other particles may clog the filter. The accumulation may be severe enough to hinder airflow through the filter. The chainsaw will stall and die if this occurs.

FIX: If the air filter is in good shape and just a bit dusty, inspect it and clean it. When the filter is severely clogged or broken, replace it with a new one.

Cleaning the FLEECE air filter on a RYOBI chainsaw:

When cleaning the air filter housing and removing the filter, shut the choke to prevent dirt from entering the carburetor. the air filter cover must be removed.
Remove any debris and sawdust from the area surrounding the air filter.
Take the air filter off.
Either use compressed air to blow air from the inside of the filter or knock dirt out of it.
NEVER use a brush.
If the filter is extremely unclean, wash it in a solution of water and a mild dish detergent, then rinse it from the inside out until the water is clear.
Allow the filter to air dry fully. The filter should not be heated because doing so could harm it.
AVOID rubbing oil on the filter.
Clean filter reinstalled.
If the old air filter is seriously broken or unclean, buy and install a new one.
Put the cover back on.

Cooling System Clogged on a RYOBI Chainsaw

To prevent the engine from getting too hot, overheating, and shutting down, the cooling system needs to be kept clean. Remove any dirt or debris that is obstructing the air intake or cooling fins to aid in engine cooling.

FIX: Remove the spark plug first, then wait for the engine to cool before continuing. Take off the engine cover, clean the area surrounding the exterior of the cylinder, and clean the cover.

Clean the flywheel pawls, the cylinder cooling fins, and any other places where air passes through the chainsaw. Put the engine cover back on. Continue to clean the chainsaw’s exterior, paying particular attention to the air intake on the starter.

Spark Arrestor Filled on a RYOBI Chainsaw

On RYOBI chainsaws, a small metal spark arrestor screen is located off the muffler. Many nations need this as a safety measure to stop hot exhaust material from spewing out of the chainsaw.

The carbon accumulation on this tiny screen can restrict airflow, causing a RYOBI chainsaw to overheat and stop working.

Regular inspections and cleanings of the spark arrestor screen are required.

FIX: Remove the spark plug wire first, then let the muffler cool. Then take off the muffler’s spark arrestor screen.

Use a metal brush to wash the screen. Replace the screen with a new spark arrestor screen if you discover that it is severely broken, holed, or highly dusty.

Make careful you run your chainsaw at full power occasionally to prevent carbon from rapidly accumulating on the spark arrestor. Carbon will accumulate in your chainsaw if you operate it at low rates or when it is idle for an extended period of time.

Used Gasoline in a RYOBI Chainsaw

When a chainsaw isn’t operating smoothly or dies, fuel is frequently to blame. Varnish and gooey deposits from old fuel can block fuel system components and reduce the amount of fuel that reaches the engine. The saw might turn off as a result of this.

Always use fresh fuel with a low ethanol level in your RYOBI to minimize the effects of fuel on your machine. Make certain that the fuel is a 50:1 mixture of oil and gasoline.

Here are some pointers for choosing and maintaining fuel:

Use only brand-new fuel. 30 days after purchasing, fuel can start to deteriorate.
In your 2-cycle RYOBI chainsaw, use a 50:1 gas-to-oil ratio.
Choose gasoline with an octane value of at least 89 and an ethanol level of at most 10%.
Include an ISO-L-EGD and JASO M345 FD certified premium 2-cycle oil.
Including a gasoline stabilizer Add a gasoline stabilizer like Sea Foam or STA-BIL to extend the lifespan of the gas a little bit. These goods also clean the fuel system while lowering moisture. Some 2-cycle oils come with stabilizers, but you’ll need to figure out how long they’ll last as they can last anywhere from 30 days to two years.

FIX: Deplete the gasoline supply. Use new gas and 2-cycle engine oil to mix 50:1 fuel in a gas can. To assist in cleaning the gasoline system, add a fuel stabilizer. A decent product is available from Sea Foam or STA-BIL.

Fill the fuel tank with this combination. To let this combination circulate via the fuel system, turn on and use the chainsaw.

Fuel Filter Clog on a RYOBI Chainsaw

The purpose of the gasoline filter is to prevent dirt from getting into the fuel system and harming the engine. A tiny cylinder-shaped component inside the fuel tank is the fuel filter.

It is affixed to the fuel line, as you can see. If the filter isn’t replaced on a regular basis, it may fill up with so much dirt that the carburetor is unable to receive adequate fuel.

FIX: Examine the filter and change it if necessary. I prefer to update it once a year, and more frequently if I start using it frequently.

Change a RYOBI chainsaw fuel filter:

To prevent dirt from falling into the tank, first wipe the area surrounding the gasoline tank cap.
Using a filter hook or a clean, bent wire, remove the filter from the tank.
Grab the gasoline line with one hand and the filter out of the line with the other once it has been removed from the tank.
Replace the gasoline filter by inserting a new one.
The fuel filter should be put inside the tank.
Put the gasoline cap back on.

Clogged or Punctured Fuel Line on a RYOBI Chainsaw

Old fuel can leave gummy deposits in the fuel line that might choke the fuel line and reduce fuel flow. If you discover a gasoline line that is clogged, take it off the chainsaw and clean it to clear the line.

FIX: To clear the obstruction, spray carburetor cleaning into the pipe. Compressed air should then be used to push the clog out and remove it. To clear the obstruction, repeat as necessary.

Replace the fuel line with a new one that is the same diameter and length if you are unable to clear the obstruction or discover that the line is dry and cracked.

Replace any punctured lines as well. A chainsaw may run slowly as a result of too much air being injected to the cylinder as a result of a punctured fuel line.

Fuel Tank Vent Blocked on a RYOBI Chainsaw

For air to enter and exit the fuel tank of a RYOBI chainsaw, the tank must be able to vent.

When gasoline is added, air must be able to exit the tank through the vent. When the fuel level falls, air must also be able to enter the tank.

Fuel cannot leave the tank for the carburetor when the tank can’t vent because vacuum and pressure build up.

FIX: On your RYOBI chainsaw, find the fuel vent, and replace a blocked vent. Installed on the top edge of the tank, in front of the handle, it is a tiny round component.

RYOBI Chainsaw Filthy Carburetor

For your RYOBI chainsaw to start and keep running, the carburetor mixes the right amount of air and gasoline.

The chainsaw may cease operating because the passageways can clog up and the little parts may stop working properly. An important factor in a RYOBI carburetor breaking down is old fuel.

FIX: Your carburetor might be fixable with some cleaning or rebuilding. If this doesn’t work, you’ll have to replace the carburetor.

A RYOBI chainsaw requires carburetor adjustment.

To change the RPMs at idle and full throttle, the carburetor may need to be modified. To make these modifications, turn the adjustment screws on the carburetor.

“L” stands for low speed and “H” stands for high speed on the screws. Turn the “L” low-speed screw around and counterclockwise until you locate the “sweet spot” where the chainsaw runs smoothly and without being slow when letting it idle.

The “H” high-speed should then be adjusted to provide a decent, smooth RPM at full throttle. Avoid over-adjusting and letting the RPMs rise too much to avoid damaging the engine.

The modifications you can make to the carburetor with RYOBI are restricted in various ways. Bring your chainsaw to your nearby RYOBI servicing dealer if the carburetor difficulties persist or if your RYOBI model does not allow you to adjust the carburetor.

Only your dealer may be able to make the required modifications since a specific tool may be needed.

Ineffective Spark Plug on a RYOBI Chainsaw

An unclean or damaged spark plug won’t produce the steady spark required to operate the chainsaw. It might only spark occasionally, which would make the saw run out of electricity and possibly die.

Check the spark plug tip’s condition. The spark plug has to be changed if it is extremely dark in color and has shattered porcelain or burned electrodes.

If the spark plug is only somewhat filthy, you might be able to reuse it by cleaning it with a wire brush. I’d rather just swap it out. It’s an essential component needed for your RYOBI to function properly and it costs little to maintain.

Check to see that the spark plug is properly gapped and that the wire is fastened. (If you need to make more repairs, remove the spark plug immediately.)

RYOBI Chainsaw with a Defective Ignition Coil

Once you’ve established that the spark plug is in good shape, make sure the ignition coil is operating properly. The spark plug receives electrical energy from the coil to create a spark, which ignites the fuel to start and maintain the operation of your chainsaw.

The coil’s winding may separate and short out when it becomes heated. When there is an erratic spark, this will make your RYOBI chainsaw lose power, operate slowly, or stop operating altogether.

A defective ignition coil won’t be able to supply the spark plug with enough voltage.

Engine Compression Issue with a RYOBI Chainsaw

It’s possible that you’ll experience compression loss while you draw the starter recoil rope. A RYOBI chainsaw won’t be able to maintain enough pressure to keep running if the compression is low.

This can be the result of damaged pistons, worn piston rings, or worn crankshaft seals.

I suggest taking your chainsaw to a small engine technician or your local RYOBI service facility so they can examine it and do any necessary maintenance.

13 Causes of RYOBI Chainsaw Failure to Start, Stall, or Die