Craftsman gas chainsaws cut through any type of tree or limb with ease. Powerful engines on Craftsman gas chainsaws drive the sprocket to move the cutting chain efficiently so you can finish your cutting chores quickly. When your Craftsman gas chainsaw quits working, find the repair parts you need to fix the chainsaw at Sears PartsDirect.
Fuel lines. The chainsaw fuel lines that carry fuel from the tank to the carburetor can clog, crimp or crack over time. Damaged fuel lines restrict fuel flow and prevent the engine from starting. If the chainsaw won’t start, clear clogs and check the fuel lines for cracks or crimps. Replace damaged or crimped fuel lines.
Carburetor. The carburetor mixes air and gas, which ignites in the cylinder to power the engine. If the engine won’t start when the tank is full of fresh fuel, test the carburetor by removing the air filter and pouring about a teaspoon of fuel into the carburetor. Pull the starter rope. If the engine starts and then quickly dies, the carburetor is likely the problem.
Carburetor rebuild kit. Sometimes you can clean and rebuild the chainsaw carburetor instead of replacing it. The carburetor rebuild kit has the seals, gaskets and components to refurbish the carburetor.
Spark plug. The spark plug provides the ignition spark to burn the fuel in the cylinder to drive the piston.
How to troubleshoot your Craftsman chainsaw when it won't start
The chainsaw engine needs gas, compression and spark in order to start. First, make sure there's fresh gas in the tank—old gas accumulates water and burns poorly. Replace the fuel if it’s old. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas when you refill the tank to help keep the fuel fresh.
If the fuel is fresh, check for and replace cracked fuel lines. Air enters the carburetor instead of fuel when the fuel lines have cracks.
If the fuel lines are okay, you may need to rebuild or replace the carburetor because a dirty carburetor won’t supply the engine with fuel.
Next, disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug. If you see deposits or corrosion on the electrodes, replace the spark plug.
Finally, to check for compression, remove the spark plug, press your thumb over the opening and pull the starter cord. If you don’t feel air pushing from the cylinder, it’s likely that the piston rings need to be replaced. (For an accurate compression reading, use a compression gauge.)
Owner’s manual
