Causes of Power Loss in Craftsman Chainsaw (How to Fix)

The power of your chainsaw diminishes when you press the throttle trigger to increase its speed.

When the oxygen, fuel, and spark needed for combustion are cut off from a Craftsman chainsaw, the saw becomes ineffective.

This could be due to a number of issues, including a filthy carburetor, clogged fuel lines, a dirty spark plug, a clogged air filter, a clogged spark arrestor, or a blockage in the fuel filter. You may also need to fine-tune your car’s carburetor.

Remove the spark plug wire and make sure all moving elements are at rest before attempting repairs.

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 are unsure of how to proceed, lack the necessary expertise, or are unable to execute the repair properly, you should seek the advice of a professional.

Why Your Craftsman Chainsaw Is Losing Power

Chainsaw Craftsman with Air Filter Plugged

The engine needs to be protected from debris, thus changing the air filter is a regular maintenance task. Its purpose is to prevent dust and debris from entering the air intake by acting as a seal.

Cleaning up after using your chainsaw is a hassle. Lack of frequent filter maintenance allows dirt and sawdust to accumulate, obstructing the flow of air to the engine.

If you notice this, it may be time to inspect the filter. If it’s dirty, clean it or get rid of it. A chainsaw must always have an air filter in use. Doing so can cause serious damage to the engine.

Listed below are procedures for maintaining two distinct Craftsman chainsaw filter designs. Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean your model.

Cleanse a Craftsman chainsaw FLEECE air filter:

• When cleaning the air filter housing and removing the filter, be sure to close the choke to prevent any debris from entering the carburetor choke.
• The air filter cover must be removed.
• Remove dust and sawdust from the area around the air filter.
• Take away the air purifier.
• Remove debris from the filter by tapping on it or by blasting it with compressed air. You should not use a brush.
• Rinse the filter thoroughly from inside out until the water flows clear after washing it in a solution of mild dish soap and water if it is really dirty.
• Air dry the filter entirely. The filter should NOT be heated, since this could destroy it. The filter should NOT be oiled.
• Put back the sanitized filter.
• If your current air filter is severely soiled or broken, you should go out and get a new one.
• Put the cover back on.

Cleanse a Craftsman chainsaw FOAM air filter:

• When cleaning the air filter housing and removing the filter, be sure to close the choke to prevent any debris from entering the carburetor choke.
  
• The air filter cover must be removed.
  
• Remove dust and sawdust from the area around the air filter.
  
• Take away the air purifier.
  
• Check for any signs of damage. If it is fragile, torn, or otherwise damaged, you should get a new one.
  
• Clean it in a solution of mild dish soap and water. After rinsing, squeeze the filter to remove any excess water.
  
• Air dry the filter entirely.
  
• After the engine is dry, apply fresh oil. Use SAE30 engine oil or 2-cycle oil.
  
• Put back the sanitized filter.
  
• Put the cover back on.

Craftsman Chainsaw with Blocked Spark Arrestor

Most Craftsman chainsaws feature a spark arrestor screen for added safety. The muffler has a screen attached to it to catch any stray hot exhaust before it can blast out.

Carbon accumulation on the screen might cause the Craftsman chainsaw to lose power and not spin at its full RPMs. This is due to insufficient exhaust from the engine.

Buildup on this screen can be avoided if it is checked and cleaned regularly. To do so, you must first remove the muffler and let it cool down by disconnecting the spark plug wire.

Take out the spark arrestor screen very cautiously. Metal brush in hand, please clean it. A new spark arrestor screen should be used if the old one has any holes or damage.

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

Adequate Fuel

Inadequate fuel supply will cause your Craftsman’s engine to progressively lose power. This may occur if the gasoline supply is impeded, either because of a clogged fuel filter, a blocked fuel line, or a dirty carburetor.

Perhaps all that’s needed to correct the fuel-to-air ratio is a tweak of the carburetor.

First, you should make sure the fuel is fresh. If the gas tank is empty, you should refill it. The best fuel for your Craftsman chainsaw may be found on this page.

Craftsman Chainsaw with Clogged Fuel Filter

To prevent debris and filth from entering the fuel system, a little cylinder-shaped component is fitted to the gasoline line. The fuel filter is housed in the tank itself.

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.

If fuel isn’t getting to a Craftsman chainsaw, it won’t work as well. If the air filter is clogged, get a new one.

Craftsman Chainsaw with a Blocked or Punctured Fuel Line

It’s not uncommon for varnish and sticky deposits to form on the inside of the fuel line after fuel has been sitting in the chainsaw for a while. This can reduce fuel efficiency.

If you discover a clog in your fuel line, you can clean it with carburetor cleaning after you take it apart. To remove the obstruction, spray the carburetor cleaner into the pipe. The blockage can then be blown out using compressed air.

It may take several rounds of spraying the cleaner and blowing compressed air to clear the clogged pipe. If you find that your line is dry or cracked, you should get a new one.

A broken gasoline line is another else to keep an eye out for. If a fuel line is punctured, air might enter the engine. When the right proportions of gasoline and air are no longer present in the cylinder, your Craftsman may experience a loss of power.

Unclean Craftsman Chainsaw Carburetor

The carburetor is what allows your Craftsman chainsaw to start and keep running by blending the right amount of air and fuel.

Blockages in the routing and malfunctioning of the saw’s finer parts are two common causes of the chainsaw’s inability to cut.

An old fuel supply is a common cause of a carburetor failure in a Craftsman tool. Your carburetor may be fixable by cleaning or rebuilding. If this doesn’t fix it, you’ll need a new carburetor.

The Craftsman Chainsaw Carburetor Requires Fine-Tuning

Carburetor fine-tuning may be required to achieve the desired variation in idle and maximum RPMs. The carburetor has adjusting screws that can be used for this purpose.

The screws include “L” and “H” markings to indicate what speeds they can achieve. To locate the “sweet spot” where the chainsaw runs smoothly but not too slowly, let it idle and turn the “L” low-speed screw clockwise and counterclockwise.

The next step is to fine-tune the “H” high-speed until the engine revs smoothly at maximum throttle. Don’t let the RPMs get too high or you could end up damaging the engine.

There are restrictions on the kinds of carburetor changes you can make on a Craftsman.

Your local Craftsman dealer is the place to go if you’re having carburetor issues and you don’t know how to securely adjust the carburetor.

A specialized instrument may be needed to prevent motorists from tinkering with their vehicles’ carburetors.

A Craftsman Chainsaw with a Dirty Spark Plug

To keep the chainsaw running, combustion of the fuel and air mixture in the cylinder needs to be sparked. If the spark is inconsistent, the Craftsman chainsaw will sputter and lose power.

The spark plug should be replaced periodically. Recurrent replacement is required. If you use it sometimes, you should replace it every year.

However, if you frequently use your chainsaw, it is recommended that you replace the plug every three months.

Dirt on the spark plug means less power and a less reliable ignition. Take off the spark plug and have a look at the electrode. 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.

Make sure the gap is right before inserting a new spark plug. Connect the spark plug wire and plug in the spark plug. The chainsaw will bog down and lose power if the spacing is wrong or the wire is loose.

Craftsman Chainsaw with Operating Chain Brake

The chain brake is an additional plastic handle placed in front of the chainsaw’s main handle. The saw’s operator is safeguarded by this mechanism in the event of a kickback.

Using the chain brake causes the chainsaw to sputter and lose speed. It’s important to make sure the chain brake is turned off.