An Energy Drain on the Troy-Bilt Chainsaw (9 Causes & Solutions)

You need to get the job done, but the chainsaw just isn’t cutting it anymore.

When the spark is weak, the air is restricted, or the fuel is scarce, the Troy-Bilt chainsaw becomes ineffective.

There are a number of potential causes of power loss, including a dirty carburetor, clogged fuel lines, a clogged fuel filter, a dirty spark plug, or a spark arrestor that is too restrictive. And it’s possible that your car’s carburetor needs tweaking, too.

If your Troy-Bilt seems to be losing power, continue on and I’ll explain why. Remove the spark plug wire and make sure all moving parts have stopped before attempting any repairs.

Power Loss in a Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Caused by:

  1. Air filter obstruction
  2. Stuck spark arrestor
  3. The Fuel Filter is Clogged
  4. The fuel line was either clogged or punctured.
  5. Wasted gasoline
  6. Unclean carburetor
  7. An adjustment to the carburetor is required.
  8. Unclean spark plug
  9. The chain brakes are on

poulan chainsaw

Before diagnosing, repairing, or operating, be sure you’ve read and understood all of the safety recommendations in the equipment’s operator’s manual. If you lack the expertise, experience, or physical ability to complete the repair safely, you should seek the advice of a professional.

Troy-Bilt Chainsaws Lose Power Without Air

Maintaining a steady chainsaw speed calls for a steady stream of air. If the saw’s power suddenly drops, it’s worth checking the air filter and spark arrestor for obstructions.

Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Air Filter Plugged

When operating a chainsaw, it’s crucial to have a clean air filter installed. This filter protects the engine from premature wear and damage by preventing dirt and debris from entering the carburetor throat.

You’re making a terrible mess when you cut with that Troy-Bilt chainsaw. When the air filter isn’t cleaned or updated regularly, dirt and debris can build up, limiting airflow.

Loss of efficiency and power as a result of a clogged air filter. If you notice this, it may be time to inspect the filter. If it needs cleaning or replacing, do so. If your chainsaw doesn’t have an air filter, it’s dangerous to use. Doing so can cause serious damage to the engine.

Methods for maintaining the air filter in your Troy-Bilt chainsaw:

  • Take off the hood of the car.
  • Take away the air purifier.
  • Clean the air filter housing of any dust or debris.
  • Dust can be removed from the filter by brushing it or shaking it.
  • Cleaning it is as simple as soaking it in a solution of mild detergent and warm water, if necessary. Clear the residue off with a thorough rinsing in cold water. You need to let the filter dry out fully.
  • Put back the sanitized filter. If your air filter is really dusty, torn, or not sealing properly, you should get a new one and put it in.

A Troy-Bilt Chainsaw with a Blocked Spark Arrestor

Many Troy-Bilt chainsaws feature a spark arrestor. A little mesh screen like this is placed over the muffler outlet to contain the hot exhaust gases.

If carbon builds up on the screen, it might cause the Troy-Bilt chainsaw to lose power and not spin as fast as it should. This is due to insufficient exhaust from the engine.

To avoid accumulation, this screen should be checked and cleaned regularly. First, remove the muffler’s spark plug wire and let it cool.

It’s important to take your time when removing the spark arrestor screen. Use a metal brush to scrub it clean. You should get a new spark arrestor screen if you detect any holes or damage in the old one.

After installing a new or cleaned spark arrestor, replace the engine exhaust cover and engine cover. If you’re through making repairs and maintenance, reconnect the spark plug wire.

Troy-Bilt Chainsaws Lose Power Without Fuel

When your Troy-Bilt runs out of gas, its performance will suffer. This may be the result of a blocked fuel filter, a clogged fuel line, or a filthy carburetor, all of which impede the fuel supply.

It could be as simple as adjusting the carburetor’s fuel-to-air ratio.

Make sure the fuel is fresh before proceeding. If the fuel in the tank is older than 30 days, you should replace it with new fuel. Here you may learn more about what kinds of fuel are compatible with your Troy-Bilt chainsaw.

A Troy-Bilt Chainsaw with a Clogged Fuel Filter

As fuel is drawn from the fuel tank, it is filtered through the fuel filter, which is connected to the fuel line’s terminus. The gasoline system needs this so that dirt and debris don’t get in.

It is possible for the gasoline filter to become clogged if it is not replaced on a regular basis or if very unclean fuel is used. Due to the restricted fuel supply, the Troy-Bilt chainsaw will lose efficiency.

Then, you should wipe down the area around the gasoline cap, and then carefully unscrew it. To remove the filter, hook the gasoline line with a clean, bent wire or a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull up. Fix the filter by changing it. Return the filter to its home in the tank’s front-right corner.

Damaged or Clogged Fuel Line on a Troy-Bilt Chainsaw

If you let your chainsaw’s fuel sit for a while, varnish and sticky deposits will form and clog the fuel line. As a result, fuel flow may be impeded.

If you discover a clog in your fuel line, you can remove it and clean it with carburetor cleaning. To remove the obstruction, spray the carburetor cleaner along the line. Then, clear the obstruction by forcing compressed air through it.

Cleaner spraying and compressed air blowing should be repeated until the line is unclogged. If you find that your line is dry or cracked, you should get a new one.

It’s also possible that the fuel line has been compromised. If a fuel line is punctured, air might enter the engine. As the air dilutes the fuel, your Troy-Bilt will lose power.

A Troy-Bilt Chainsaw with a Clogged Carburetor

Your chainsaw won’t start or keep running without the carburetor properly blending air and fuel.

The chainsaw may cease working because the passages have become clogged or because one of the many tiny components has stopped working properly.

A Troy-Bilt carburetor’s inability to function properly is often caused by the use of stale fuel. Your carburetor may be fixable by cleaning or rebuilding. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need a new carburetor.

A Troy-Bilt Chainsaw’s Carburetor Requires Fine-Tuning.

Changing the RPMs at idle and full throttle may require adjusting the carburetor. The carburetor features a set of adjustment screws for precisely such purposes.

Low-speed (L) and high-speed (H) screws are provided. Allow the chainsaw to run at idle, then turn the low-speed screw clockwise and counterclockwise until you find the point where it runs smoothly but not too slowly.

The next step is to fine-tune the “H” to a point where full throttle results in a nice, steady RPM. If you let the RPMs get too high, you could end up damaging the engine.

There are limitations to the carburetor changes that can be made on a Troy-Bilt. Take your chainsaw to an authorized Troy-Bilt service center if you’re having issues with the carburetor.

It’s possible that only your dealer has access to the specialized equipment needed to make the required modifications.

Troy-Bilt Chainsaws Lose Power Without Spark

To keep the chainsaw running, combustion of the fuel and air mixture in the cylinder needs to be sparked. Not obtaining regular spark causes the Troy-Bilt chainsaw to sputter and lose efficiency.

A Troy-Bilt Chainsaw with a Grimy Spark Plug

Because of their frequent use, spark plugs eventually need to be replaced. It needs to be switched out on a regular basis. If you use it sometimes, you should replace it every year.

Although a good plug can last for a long time, if you use your chainsaw frequently you may need to replace it every three months to keep it working smoothly.

With time, the spark plug will get dirty, resulting in a weaker spark and reduced performance. You need to check the spark plug’s tip, so take it out. Use a wire brush to clean it if it’s dirty but not extremely dark in color.

You should get a replacement spark plug if you notice it is particularly black in color, has shattered porcelain, or has a scorched electrode.

The spark plug gap should be checked before replacing the plug. Connect the spark plug wire and plug in the spark plug. The chainsaw will bog down and lose power if the gap is off or if the wire is loose.

Anything Else That Drains the Powered of a Troy-Bilt Chainsaw

The Chain Brake on the Troy-Bilt Chainsaw Is On

The chain brake is an additional plastic handle that is attached in front of the chainsaw’s main handle. To prevent injury to the user in the event of a saw kickback, this safety mechanism has been included.

Chainsaws lose power when the chain brake is activated. Make sure the chain brake is turned off and hasn’t been pushed forward onto the handlebars.