How to Start a Stihl Chainsaw: Step by Step Guide

Chainsaws are an extremely important tool but they can be a little tricky sometimes.

When you get a new Stihl chainsaw after a lot of browsing and researching then you must also be aware of the mechanics on how to start a Stihl chainsaw.

Precautions:

Before you head straight into working a chainsaw, you must follow a few precautionary measures. These are meant for your safety and smooth function of the chainsaw.

First, before you start a Stihl chainsaw always wear gloves, safety goggles, and hearing aids. These will in covering up the major areas of your face and hands that will come in contact with the chainsaw.
Secondly, perform this initiation of the chainsaw in a safe and secure place. Make sure that you do not have any sensitive material, children, or pets near you.
Third, it is very important to check the lubrication of the machine. Stihl chainsaws have the feature of auto lubrication but it is safe to check once.
Lastly, make sure that the correct amount of oil and fuel has been filled in the chambers for the automatic lubrication to work.

Guide to starting a Stihl Chainsaw:

Chainsaw handling:

To start a Stihl chainsaw, start by removing the bar cover on the chainsaw.
The second step would be to push the chain brake forward to start a Stihl chainsaw smoothly. This will activate your chain brake.
The next step is the working of the decompression valve. This is usually located on top of the engine near the handle. Press the decompression valve if there is one on your Stihl chainsaw. With the help of this step, you will be able to relieve some of the engine compression. It will help when you are pulling the recoil starter as it will be easier.
The next button to look for is the primer bulb. Press the primer bulb a few times. This will make it easier for you to start a Stihl chainsaw because you won’t have to pull it as many times.
The next step will be operating the trigger. Press the throttle trigger and the lockout at the same time. Once these are both pressed simultaneously, push the master control level downwards. This will set it into a closed throttle position.
Now that all the technicalities are almost covered, the next step is to set the chainsaw on the ground. Try to engage the chain for smooth working. Also, make sure that the chain and it does not touch the ground. This will help avoid any sudden incidents.

Recoil Starter Rope Handling:

Start by putting the front of your feet into space under the rear handle. Try moving your foot a little and check if it is fine or not. Next, hold the front handle of the chainsaw with one hand. Once you have a firm and stable grip on the chainsaw, then it would be time to reach for the recoil starter rope.
Pull-on the starter coil rope a few times. Make sure that you don’t push it sideways and wedge it into the edges of the chainsaw. Pull it towards you in an upward direction. Make the pulls fast and smooth. If you feel like there’s a hindrance then just pull harder. After a few pulls, the chainsaw will fire up. Do not worry if it dies down as soon as it starts. Pull a few times again and you’ll be good to go.
When it dies down upon starting, simply move the master control level one notch upwards. This will open the choke. Now, pull a few times again and you will know how to start a Stihl chainsaw.
Before you lift the chainsaw from the ground press the throttle trigger. Do it as soon as your machine starts running, you will note that the master control level will go to idle setting. You can lift it from the ground now.
Moving on, when you are holding the chainsaw, make sure you have a tight and firm grip on the handle. Then push the chain brake backward, towards yourself. You can stop pulling it towards yourself when you hear a click.

Final Step:

Lastly, check the lubrication of the chain. You can do this by simply putting the chainsaw on a clear piece of paper or a white cloth. If you see any light stains on the paper or cloth then you should know that your chainsaw is good to go. You have successfully learned how to start a Stihl chainsaw.

This is a foolproof method to start a Stihl chainsaw and you should be fine if you follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure that you take all the safety precautions beforehand.

If you still have any queries then be sure to keep the Stihl chainsaw manual on hand to look through.

Are Stihl chainsaws hard to start?

Regular maintenance will help to ensure that your Stihl chain saw will always start. In addition, some storage steps can help with starting when the chainsaw has been left for an extended period. Problems starting a Stihl chain saw can be related to gasoline storage, spark plugs, and incorrect starting procedures.

Why will my Stihl chainsaw not start?

The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is often caused by leaving fuel in the chainsaw for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel will evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the engine from starting.

How do you start a choke on a Stihl chainsaw?

Using the Choke Position

Set the chain brake on your saw and put the master control lever into the choke position. Pull the starter cord until the engine begins to turn over. Quickly switch the master control lever to the warm-start position and pull the starter cord until the engine starts to run.

How do you start a flooded Stihl chainsaw?

Pull the starting rope five or six times to clear fuel out of the combustion chamber. Replace the air filter and spark plug, and connect the spark plug wire. Leave the choke open and pull the starting cord several times. The chain saw should start.

How do you start a Stihl chainsaw without flooding?

What do I do if my Stihl chainsaw is flooded?

How do you Unflood a Stihl ts420?

What is the easiest Stihl chainsaw to start?

The innovative STIHL Easy2Start™ makes starting STIHL power tools easy and straight forward, without requiring a lot of effort. The secret is an additional spring between the crankshaft and the starter rope rotor.

How long to wait if chainsaw is flooded?

The first is the easiest and most common method. Let your chainsaw sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the fuel to evaporate from the engine and then repeat the starting instructions. This method will work best with a mildly flooded engine.

How do you start a chainsaw that won’t start?

To solve this problem, open the spark plug hole with it facing away from you to drain all the fuel in the tank. Deactivate the choke by pushing in the control then pull the starter cord 6-8 times as you press in the throttle control. Dry off the spark plug and refit it back in place.

How do you start a chainsaw after flooding?

How do you Unflood a chainsaw engine?

Why does my chainsaw pull so hard?

If your chainsaw is hard to pull, here are some common causes: The pully system is snagged or stuck. The starter assembly is stuck or sticky. The housing may be damaged.

Why is my chainsaw not getting gas?

So, if your gas chain saw isn’t starting, it’s likely that gas isn’t feeding into the engine properly. If your chain saw isn’t getting gas, the trouble most likely lies in one of those three core components: the fuel tank, the spark plug or the carburetor, or one of the minor parts adjacent to the three.

Can you run a chainsaw without a primer bulb?

No, it won’t work depending on the engine design. Without going into details the primer bulb forces fuel to the carb jets and not the engine directly. It also forces pressure and vacuum. Without the bulb your carb will be flooded on a permanent basis.

Why isn’t my primer bulb won’t fill up?

Faulty Primer Bulb

Another cause of the primer’s filling problem could be the bulb itself. Small perforations on the rubber could inject enough air into the fuel system to make the suction too weak. These two holes can also get clogged or be blocked by dirt in the fuel.