Craftsman Chainsaw Smokes (While Cutting or From Exhaust)

The engine or bar and chain could be damaged if the source of the smoke isn’t identified and remedied.

There could be too much oil in the fuel mixture, water in the fuel system, a clogged air filter, or more friction between the bar and chain if your Craftsman chainsaw is smoking.

Always use extreme caution when working on a chainsaw. The chainsaw must be turned off, allowed to cool, and then the spark plug boot removed.

When troubleshooting, repairing, or using a piece of equipment, be sure to first read and follow all safety instructions found in the manual. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to conduct the repair safely on your own, it’s best to call in an expert.

Craftsman Chainsaw Smokes from the Bar and Chain When Cutting

When the bar and chain of your Craftsman chainsaw begin to smoke during usage, you should inspect the area for sources of increased friction.

This could be due to the chain becoming dull, greasy, or stuck on the bar.

Craftsman Chainsaw Fault: Dull or Improperly Sharpened Chain

If the chain on your Craftsman chainsaw is dull, it will smoke. This is because greater force is required to cut wood when the chain is dull or improperly sharpened.

Under such stress, the bar and chain will grind against one another, releasing heat and smoke.

Indicators of a worn chain include:

• More force on the bar is required to make the cut.
• When a cut is made, fine sawdust is produced.
• Fragments or a broken chain.
• Raked teeth and worn teeth.

The chains are easy enough to sharpen on your own. It’s best to have a pro handle the sharpening for you if you don’t know what you’re doing with chainsaws. A poorly sharpened chain poses a significant risk to anyone using it.

A Craftsman Chainsaw with No Bar & Chain Oil

The chain needs oil to slide easily around the bar and prevent friction from building up. Running out of bar and chain oil in the tank or a clogged oiler are both potential causes of an oil shortage.

If the oil in the bar and chain tank is low or gone completely, fill it.

Run your chainsaw at about half to three-quarters throttle to make sure there is enough oil on the bar. Hold the bar less than a foot off the ground and observe for a line of oil to drip off it.

Check the condition of the bar and the oil channel to see whether they are blocking the lack of lubrication. If the guide bar is damaged or worn, you should replace it and clean the oil channel.

The bar and chain oil should be refilled every time the Craftsman’s gas tank is refilled for optimal performance. But if the oil you’re using in the saw is too watery, you may have to check and replenish it more frequently.

Using the Incorrect Craftsman Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil

Damage to the bar and chain as well as increased friction and smoke from the bar could result from using an oil that is too thin. Too light of an oil and the bar and chain can just slide right off.

Bar and chain oils from trusted brands like Craftsman and Oregon should be used.

Craftsman Chainsaw Has a Tight Chain

As you use the chain, it will become looser and looser until you check it and tighten it. Tightening the chain too much prevents it from circling the bar smoothly, leading to greater friction and, ultimately, smoke.

Craftsman chainsaw chain tension adjustment:

• Taking off the spark plug wire.
• Release the chain’s tension.
• The cover for the clutch and chain brake has to have its holding bolts loosened.
• Keep the bar’s nose in the air.
• The chain can be loosened by turning the tensioning screw counterclockwise and tightened by turning it clockwise.
• Hold the bar nose up until the desired tension is reached, and then tighten the bar holding nuts.

The chain needs to be snug around the bar without restricting its motion. It shouldn’t be so slack that it dangles from the guide bar.

A Craftsman Chainsaw’s Exhaust is Full of Smoke

If your Craftsman chainsaw is smoking while operating, check for airflow problems such a clogged air filter or an incorrect fuel mixture.

Blockage in the Craftsman Chainsaw’s Air Filter

Using a chainsaw is an extremely grimy occupation. Small wood chips and sawdust are flung around.

Your chainsaw’s engine will run more efficiently if you utilize an air filter. The filter prevents debris like dirt and sawdust from damaging the engine by entering the air intake system.

Check the air filter before each usage and change it once a year if you only use the chainsaw occasionally. If you plan on using the saw frequently, you should keep an eye on the filter to see if it gets too dirty, and replace it if necessary.

The accumulation of dirt and sawdust can prevent enough air from passing through the filter if it is not checked and cleaned on a regular basis to keep it in good working order.

There will be excessive smoke and a high fuel mixture. Lack of air could cause the engine to overheat and shut down.

The Fuel Mixture Contains Much Oil for the Craftsman Chainsaw

A Craftsman chainsaw’s engine requires lubrication, which can be provided by mixing oil with the fuel. A 40:1 mixture of gas and oil is recommended for use in Craftsman chainsaws. The engine may start smoking if you use more oil than this.

When you figure out that the smoke is originating from a poor gas-to-oil ratio, you may fix the problem by draining the tank and refilling it.

In most cases, this would not be harmful in the long run. However, increased carbon buildup in the exhaust system may cause running issues if fuel is mixed with too much oil.

If you need help deciding which fuel is best for your Craftsman chainsaw, read this page.

Craftsman Chainsaw Drowns From Water In Fuel System

White exhaust smoke can be caused by water in the fuel mix. The fuel system and engine are particularly vulnerable to the corrosive effects of water.

Instead of trying to find a technique to get rid of the water in the fuel, you should probably just drain the tank and fill it with a new mixture of gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil.

Attempting to save a few dollars on water removal could result in expensive repairs or the need to buy a new chainsaw.

If you want to get rid of any moisture and clean out the gasoline system, adding a fuel additive like Sea Foam Motor Treatment can assist. Turn on the saw and let it run to circulate the treated gasoline.