Why Does my Chainsaw Smoke? (3 Reasons Why)

Tree cutting is an arduous task that requires a lot of time and effort. It’s no surprise then that many homeowners put off this job for as long as they can. However, there may be a good reason to get it done sooner rather than later.

Some chainsaws can be used to do small tasks, but they are more commonly used for larger jobs.

There are many reasons why a chainsaw might smoke, most of which are easy to fix. The first thing you should do is make sure your chain isn’t too tight or loose because this will cause it to heat up and burn the wood quickly.

If the chain is in good condition, there could be an obstruction inside your saw that needs to be removed before it can function properly.

Sometimes these obstructions are pieces of dirt that have built up over time and need to be cleaned out or leaves that have fallen into the motor housing where they won’t allow air flow.

Hopefully one of these solutions helps you get back on track.

If you notice your chainsaw smoking while you’re using it, there are a few things to keep in mind before continuing the project:

  1. Stop immediately and inspect the saw blade-if there is any buildup from sap or other organic material on the blade, clean it thoroughly with soap and water before restarting work.
  2. Use only high quality fuel oil-this will ensure optimal performance from your chainsaw engine’s fuel pump system.
  3. Keep all moving parts lubricated-it’s important to lube your saw with a lubricating oil on an as needed basis.

If you do these three things, it won’t be long until you’re back in the swing of things!

What if Your Chainsaw Smokes on Startup?

Did you know that when your chainsaw smokes on startup, it’s not a good sign? There are many reasons this could happen and the best thing to do is stop what you’re doing and take some time to figure out why.

If your chainsaw smokes on startup, it’s likely that you are using an incorrect fuel mixture or there is a problem with the cooling system.

If your chainsaw smokes during use, it means there is an issue with either fuel supply or airflow into the engine. This can cause serious damage if left unchecked.  

The most common causes of smoking while in use are: dirty air filter, too much oil (or bad quality), improper chain tensioning/chain placement, low compression due to old age or poor maintenance practices like forgetting to check for worn spark plug wire/cables before using the chainsaw again. 

It can also happen if you open the throttle too quickly before it’s fully primed or if the spark plug isn’t firing correctly. There are other possible causes for this problem as well, but these are some of the most common culprits. 

If your saw starts smoking on startup, it’s probably time to take it in for maintenance before any serious damage happens.

What if Your Chainsaw Smokes When Cutting Wood?

If your chainsaw smokes while cutting wood, then there are three likely causes:

  1. The chain has dulled and needs to be replaced
  2. Your oil level is too low
  3. You have an air leak.

To find out which issue this might be, let’s look at each problem individually.

1) If the chain has dulled and needs to be replaced, then you’ll notice that you’re not getting as many cuts done in a certain amount of time and the saw will be harder to pull through the wood.

It’s important for you to keep your chains sharp at all times, even if you’re not using them daily. When the blade is dulled, this means that instead of cleanly cutting through wood like butter; it catches and tears into the fibers, which will cause the wood to burn and create a buildup of carbon on your saw blade.

If you’re noticing that it’s harder for your chainsaw to cut through wood, this is probably why. 

You’ll need to replace the chain or at least sharpen it back into place before using it again.

Some other reasons why a chainsaw might smoke while cutting wood including but are not limited to:

  • The bar needs more tension
  • The chain is too loose
  • Not enough oil in the reservoir tank (or bad quality)
  • Fuel mixture is incorrect. 

If your chainsaw smokes when cutting wood, make sure you remedy this problem before continuing to use it or serious damage may occur.     

Make sure your saw blade isn’t too tight or too loose, then check the oil level if it’s low add some more.

If you have done these two things and are still having problems with smoke while cutting wood, try to adjust your fuel mixture by checking the instruction manual for guidelines on how much gas to mix in accordance with different types of bar/chain combinations.