Why Your Makita Chainsaw Won’t Start – DIY Troubleshooting Guide

Have you ever been in a position where your Makita chainsaw won’t start? It is so frustrating and causes setbacks in your project schedule. This problem is not limited to used chainsaws; it could happen even if you have a new chainsaw.

Faulty components like the spark plugs and ignition coil can stop your Chainsaw from working. Also, the same problem can lead to dirty air filters, clogged carburetors, and a flooded engine.

In this article, we will discuss why your Makita Chainsaw won’t start and how to troubleshoot it.

How to Start a Makita Chainsaw

More often than not, many loggers complain of their Chainsaws not running because they are doing something wrong. Hence the need to know how to start the Makita chainsaw correctly. To start the Chainsaw correctly, follow the steps listed below:

• Remove the covering on the bar
• Place Chainsaw on a firm foundation (the ground or flat surface is most suitable)
• Push the chain brake forward to activate it (close to the top handle)
• Engage the decompression control (if available)
• Press the primer bulb several times (if available)
• Pull starter rope using smooth and quick motions (Makita Featherlight technology provides an easy start-up)
• Push throttle halfway until saw starts running.

Note: If the Chainsaw starts up and dies immediately, you need to move the Master Lever.

‘I followed these steps, and my gas-powered Makita chainsaw won’t start; what do I do?’. Read on to find out what could have gone wrong with your machine.

Common Reasons Why Your Makita Chainsaw Won’t Start, and How to Fix It

Usually, things go wrong even with machines, so you might not be doing anything wrong to prevent your machine from starting. If your Chainsaw still doesn’t start, you may need to check for malfunctioning or broken parts. Thankfully, you can replace the defective parts via your manufacturer or the local hardware store.

Typically, the recurring problems may not involve you replacing parts, and maybe you need to go on some DIY adventure. Your gas-powered Makita Chainsaw will stop working if any of the following is the situation.

Defective Ignition Coil

This coil is responsible for sending voltage to the sparkplug. In cases where your spark plug is in good condition and your Chainsaw still wouldn’t start, then you should suspect your ignition coil. To further confirm your suspicion;

• Check the health of your ignition coil with an ignition coil tester
• If faulty, replace the coil

Stale Gas

Everyone checks the gas level when Chainsaw stops running, but very few consider the state of the gas. Stale gas without moisture content affects the ignition of your engine. It is highly recommended that you replace gas in your tank with a fresh mixture when it is over one month.

Another consideration here is the type of fuel your Makita chainsaw uses; if 2-stroke, then you will need a mixture of gasoline and oil for adequate engine lubrication.

Spark Plugs

Without a spark within the spark plug, nothing happens. The spark plug is responsible for igniting combustion within the engine, making it wear out over time. To fix a faulty plug here’s what you can do;

• Remove the plug
• Use a plug wire to touch the metallic part and see if it gives off a spark
• If it doesn’t, clean it using a wire brush
• Remove the corrosion and repeat step 2
• If the problem persists, you need to replace the component entirely

Dirty Air Filters

A clogged or dirty air filter increases the carbon deposits in the engine by drawing in more gas than fresh air. It would help if you practiced removing your air filter every five hours and cleaning it thoroughly with soapy water before replacing it again.

Flooded Engine

We gave a heads-up about using your primer bulb to start your engine earlier, but your Chainsaw will not start when you overdo it. How, then, do you solve this problem? When you smell fuel from your Chainsaw or detect moisture in the spark plug, do the following:

• Remove the spark plug from its position
• Deactivate choke by pushing back its control
• Pull the starter cord about eight times as you press throttle control
• Dry off plug and refit before restarting the Chainsaw

Recoil Starter

In the recoil starter, you have a pulley and the rewind spring. Once any of these components go bad, it affects your ability to start your engine correctly. The rewind springs roll back the starter rope after it has been released. If this does not happen, you cannot start your engine.

In this case, you replace only the rewind spring or the whole recoil assembly if the pulley is also faulty.

Blocked Carburetor

This is a follow-up problem when you have stale fuel in your tank; it eventually attracts dirt and clogs up the carburetor. To solve this, clean the carburetor and refit it, but if it has been affected beyond repair, you need to replace it.

Makita Chainsaw Service Caution for DIYers

Although several troubleshooting tips can help you, always take caution when trying them. Ensure to take out the plug or battery when performing these steps so that the machine does not start suddenly. Also, a safety glove and boot won’t be bad to protect your hands and feet from any sharp tool or object falling off your repair surface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Ignorance of power tools can make you look unprofessional; you definitely won’t want that. Reading through our DIY troubleshooting guide is better than getting into such a situation. However, our article is all you need to solve your problem in such a condition.

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