How To Prevent Chainsaw Overheating

How To Stop A Chainsaw From Overheating?

The chainsaw consists of a high-powered engine and is mostly used in summers which is why it has a lot of potential for overheating. There is nothing more annoying than having overheating issues when you’re in the midst of an outdoor project.

The best way of stopping a chainsaw from overheating is by cleaning the chainsaw. Other ways of preventing overheating is by replacing the chain, ensuring you have the right fuel and not overworking the chainsaw.

Clean The Chainsaw To Prevent Heating Issues

Above were some methods that are used to prevent a chainsaw from overheating. However, keeping your chainsaw clean also does the job in many cases. The dust, wood chips, and other debris block the machine to pull cool air from outside and blow the hot air outside, but if the chainsaw isn’t clean, it won’t work effectively and cause heating issues.

Here are a few steps that are easy to follow and help you avoid heating or any kind of issues.

  1. The first step is to put your machine on the dry workbench and make sure it is not connected to electricity. Also, wear protective clothing like gloves and glasses.
  2. Take out the chain from the bar and put it in an ammonia and water solution for 30 minutes. Take out the chain and rinse it with water. Make sure that the solution doesn’t touch your skin.
  3. Take off the cover on the starter side and clean any dust and wood particles with a dry brush.
  4. Take out the carburetor and clean it with compressed air spray. If the carburetor has a buildup of oil and dirt, it will hinder the fuel flow to the engine, causing heating issues.
  5. Take out the air filter and clean it with soap and water by using a brush. Make sure that you don’t damage the air filter while cleaning. If it is damaged, get a new one from any local hardware store.

How To Prevent Chainsaw Overheating

Reasons Why The Chainsaw Is Overheating

1. Dull Chain

People who are using chainsaws for a long time often neglect this factor which is why it is one of the major reasons for a chainsaw to overheat. Using a dull chain means the machine is not doing its job efficiently, which causes the engine to put in more effort to get the job done.

This issue can be resolved by sharpening the chain with a file, but this method is risky because even experts can make mistakes when filing a chain. This risk can be avoided by using a dedicated chain sharpener kit.

2. Right Fuel

The work rate of pistons in a chainsaw engine is extremely high, and using proper fuel is instrumental in stopping the machine from overheating. Most people usually use the fuel consisting of a 10 percent ethanol content limit, whereas the fuel should consist of no ethanol. The right fuel with no ethanol content is 87 octanes.

3. Bar Maintenance

Either it’s the pistons that move inside an engine or a chain that moves around a bar on the outside; both produce heat by friction. The chain rotates around the bar hundreds of times, and whenever it touches a burnt bar, it causes friction.

This can be avoided by lubricating the bar with bar oil. The oil is filled in the chain oiler that lubricates the bar itself. In some cases, it is difficult to oil the bar because the ports are filled with dust and debris. However, this issue can be resolved by cleaning the ports with a needle or a screwdriver.

4. Overworking The Chainsaw

Many users don’t realize that all machines are not built for the same tasks. A small chainsaw would have a really tough time cutting down a heavy hardwood tree. Overworking a chainsaw also causes overheating issues which is why it is crucial to use the chainsaw appropriately.

Know When To Replace The Chain

One thing that plays the most important role in the effectiveness of a chainsaw is its chain. As we know, a sharp chain is vital if you want to carry out any task. However, there comes a time when no matter how much effort you put in to keep the chain sharp, it can’t be sharpened anymore.

This is the time when replacing the chain would be more cost-effective and straightforward. Replacing the chain would not only eliminate any kind of heating issues but also provide more safety. Here are some pointers that will let you know when you should change the chain.

1. Smoking Chainsaw

If you have been taking care of your machine by regularly sharpening the chain and lubricating it, and it is still producing smoke when used, then it’s time to change the chain as soon as possible. This smoke will not only cause harm to the machine but also your health.

2. Missing And Damaged Teeth

When you sharpen a chain, you might find out that some teeth are either damaged or don’t even exist. There is no way to sharpen something that doesn’t even exist or is damaged. If the teeth are damaged, they should be replaced quickly because they might hurt you or someone around you when using the machine. Whereas replacing a chain with missing teeth can be delayed but not for too long.

3. Positioning Issues

When a chainsaw is being used against wood, it usually stays stable. But when you get a shaky feeling from using it, it’s time to replace the chain. A shaky chainsaw prevents you from carrying out your tasks effectively, and it also puts your safety at risk.

4. Requires Effort

These machines are made to stay stable automatically. It is designed in such a way that the chain pulls itself into the wood requiring a steady hand, not a strong one. This is why, when the work is requiring effort, you should replace the chain.

Final words

Although taking care of your chainsaw is very simple, it is still advised to take proper safety measures and follow the manual before picking it apart. If the maintenance is turning out to be too much for you, it is advised to consult a professional before you do any more damage.

 

 

 

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