Solved: RYOBI Chainsaw Only Starts When Choke Is Engaged

Get your chainsaw going. However, the choke must be kept open in order to keep the engine going. If the root of the issue is not identified and corrected, your chainsaw’s engine might be damaged.

If the engine is receiving too much air or not enough fuel, a RYOBI chainsaw won’t operate until the choke is engaged.

The gasoline, the fuel line, the fuel filter, the carburetor gasket, or the fuel vent may all be to blame for this issue. The chainsaw’s carburetor may also require adjusting.

Always remove the spark plug boot from the chainsaw before servicing it. You must wait until the engine has cooled and all moving components have stopped.

Reasons Why Your RYOBI Chainsaw Requires the Choke to Be Engaged

Incorrect Fuel for a RYOBI Chainsaw

If your RYOBI chainsaw develops a fuel limitation, the likely culprit is old gas.

Using the choke to restrict airflow to the engine is sometimes necessary while operating on a lower fuel load. The proper gas-to-air ratio for combustion will then be restored.

If you let gas sit in your RYOBI chainsaw for a while, it may develop varnish or other sticky things that block the fuel system and starve the engine of the oxygen it needs to run.

If you discover stale gas in your chainsaw, it is recommended that you empty the tank and refuel it with new gas and oil. To aid with fuel system cleaning and moisture reduction, a fuel stabilizer such as Sea Foam or STA-BIL may be added to the gasoline.

Start the chainsaw and let it run for several minutes after refilling the tank with new gasoline and a stabilizer mix to push the treated fuel through the chainsaw and break up the gummy buildup.

Follow these guidelines to lessen your fuel’s harmful effects:

• Fuel having an octane value of 87 or higher is recommended.
• Don’t fill up with gas that has more than 10% ethanol in it.
• For RYOBI 2-cycle chainsaws, combine the gasoline and premium 2-cycle oil at a ratio of 50:1.
• Keep gasoline in a cool, dry place.
• Use the gasoline up within 30 days, before it starts to degrade, or add a fuel stabilizer to extend its shelf life.

Check out this piece on selecting and storing gas for a RYOBI chainsaw to get the most out of your tool.

The RYOBI Chainsaw’s Fuel Filter Clogged

The job of a gasoline filter is to trap debris and other pollutants before they enter the fuel supply. Fuel filters for RYOBI chainsaws are housed in the fuel tank.

It’s a little cylinder-shaped component connected to the gas supply. The filter might get clogged with grime if it isn’t replaced often. The gasoline filter’s flow rate will be decreased as a result.

If there isn’t enough gas to properly combine with the air, you may need to partially engage the choke and run the chainsaw that way.

To prevent dirt from entering the gasoline tank when replacing the fuel filter, first wipe the area around the fuel cap with a clean cloth. Take remove the gasoline filter from the tank. A neatly curved piece of wire would do the trick.

Remove the RYOBI fuel filter from the line and replace it with a new one. Take cautious not to misplace the locking ring. The gasoline line is fastened to the filter with this little ring.

Put the filter back into the gas tank. Put the gasoline tank cover back on.

A RYOBI chainsaw with a clogged or punctured fuel line.

If the fuel line is blocked, limiting adequate fuel flow, or if air is entering the fuel system through a rupture in the fuel line, you may need to engage the choke.

If there is a blockage in the gasoline line, it must be cleared. To do this, the chainsaw’s fuel line must be disconnected. Carburetor cleaning may be sprayed into the pipe to help break up the obstruction. The next step is to use compressed air to blast the debris out of the pipe.

Once the obstruction has been cleared, the line should be reconnected. If you are unable to unclog the gasoline line or if you discover cracks or dryness in the fuel line, you should get a new one.

Check for a hole in the line that would allow air to enter the fuel system and force the use of the choke by adding air to the cylinder.

An Obstructed RYOBI Chainsaw Fuel Vent

On the side of a RYOBI chainsaw is a little circular vent. Air must be able to flow via this vent in order to enter the tank during fuel consumption and exit the tank during refueling.

Inadequate venting causes the fuel tank to develop a vacuum, preventing gasoline from escaping. The gasoline flow to the carburetor will be cut down as a result.

Put the saw on a flat surface, turn it on, and take the choke off to see whether the fuel tank vent is blocked. Remove or loosen the gasoline cap to let air into the tank if it starts running sluggishly.

As long as air can get into the tank, the motor shouldn’t have any problems. You may attempt to recreate the problem where the engine starts to run sluggishly and perhaps shut off by replacing and tightening the fuel cap while letting the saw continue to operate.

Fix a clogged fuel tank hose or vent. Most RYOBI chainsaws include a tiny component called a breather built into the body of the saw ahead of the handle.

An ineffective RYOBI chainsaw carburetor gasket

When the gasket that seals the area behind the carburetor deteriorates, air might leak into the system. When there is an excessive amount of air compared to fuel in a RYOBI cylinder, the engine operates in a condition known as “running lean.”

Carefully dismantle the carburetor by releasing its connections and loosening its fasteners. Take off the gasket and carburetor. Replace the gasket on the carburetor.

The carburetor should be inspected prior to being installed. While you have the chainsaw apart, you may give it a good cleaning.

A RYOBI chainsaw with a dirty carburetor.

The carburetor is a part of your RYOBI chainsaw that controls the ratio of gasoline to air during combustion. The accumulation of varnish and deposits in the carburetor might prevent it from functioning properly.

You should be able to clean your carburetor if you have any mechanical aptitude. Remove deposits from old gasoline by disassembling the carburetor and cleaning it using carburetor cleanser.

It may be necessary to rebuild or replace the carburetor if it fails to operate after being cleaned.

A RYOBI Chainsaw’s Carburetor Requires Fine-Tuning.

Changing the RPMs at idle and full throttle may require adjusting the carburetor. It might be making the engine run too lean and requiring the use of the choke.

The carburetor has a set of adjustment screws for exactly such a purpose. These screws are located on the side of the saw, not far from the pull starter.

The screws are labeled with the respective speeds: “L” for low, “T” for idle, and “H” for high. Before tinkering with the chainsaw’s carburetor, let it run for a few minutes to get it up to operating temperature.

Make sure the air filter and air vents are clean before attempting to adjust the carburetor.

How to fine-tune the carburetor on a RYOBI chainsaw:

• Start with the L Screw – move the screw clockwise until the chainsaw hesitates and seems about to shut off, and then gently move it counterclockwise until the engine idles smoothly. Maintain a consistent throttle position as the engine revs up. You should experiment with different settings until you discover the optimal one for running smoothly.
• Adjust the T Screw: The chain shouldn’t wiggle around when the engine is idling, so do this. Turn the T screw clockwise until the chain hardly moves; this will set the screw correctly. The chain may be stopped by turning the screw counterclockwise.
• Adjust the H Screw:This knob controls the air/fuel ratio at high RPMs. Don’t force it, but turn the screw counterclockwise until it stops. It’s expected to get more slow. Turn the screw clockwise very gradually until the engine starts running smoothly. Accelerate smoothly by pressing the throttle. Do not over-adjust and force the engine to its maximum RPM; doing so might cause irreparable damage.The carburetor on many chainsaws has a limiter cap so the operator can’t turn it all the way. The carburetor on certain chainsaws can only be adjusted with specialized equipment.

  If you’re having carburetor issues and don’t know how to adjust it, or if you’ve tried and failed, your local RYOBI service shop can assist.