How to clean a chainsaw – maintenance tips for DIY enthusiasts

How to maintain different types of chainsaws

Manufacturers now offer chainsaws with different types of power sources, and each requires a slightly different approach to maintenance:

• Petrol chainsaws: These are the most complex in terms of construction. In addition to removing sawdust, you need to clean the air filter regularly. Usually, it is enough to remove it and tap out the dirt. You should also check the spark plug. Before storing the chainsaw for a longer period, meaning more than one month, it is important to empty the fuel tank and let the saw run at idle until it uses up the remaining petrol in the carburettor. This helps prevent the internal diaphragms from sticking together.
• Cordless chainsaws: The motor does not require special maintenance, but the battery does. After use, remove the battery from its slot and clean both the battery and the contacts with a damp cloth and a brush. Before storage, check that the battery is charged to approximately half capacity. This helps prevent damage caused by deep discharge. Store the battery separately in a dry, cool place.
• Electric chainsaws: These require the least maintenance. In most cases, you only need to clean the body of the saw and look after the cutting equipment, namely the guide bar and chain.

Preparing and checking the chainsaw

Before you start cleaning the saw, you must make absolutely sure that it cannot start accidentally. Modern chainsaws are extremely powerful, so safety must always come first. Follow these steps before cleaning:

1. Disconnect the power source: Unplug an electric chainsaw from the mains. Remove the battery from a cordless chainsaw and engage the chain brake. Switch off the engine of a petrol chainsaw and engage the chain brake as well.
2. Wear protective equipment: Always wear strong, durable work gloves, as the chain teeth remain sharp even when covered in dirt. If you are using a compressor and compressed air, wear safety glasses too.
3. Prepare the work surface: Place the chainsaw on a flat, stable surface, ideally a workbench.

How to clean a chainsaw – does it need to be taken apart?

Basic cleaning can be carried out on the outside of the saw, but a deeper clean requires partial disassembly. Fortunately, this is not particularly difficult:

1. Removing the cutting equipment: Use a spanner or the built-in quick-tensioning mechanism to loosen the nuts on the side and remove the chain sprocket cover. Then carefully remove the guide bar and the chain itself.
2. Cleaning the guide bar: Most dirt accumulates in the guide bar groove. Clean the groove using a special groove-cleaning tool or a narrow, flat knife and remove all deposits. Check the oil supply holes as well. Finally, wipe the guide bar with a cloth and a small amount of universal oil, such as WD-40, to protect the metal against corrosion. Carefully smooth any burrs on the edges of the guide bar with a flat file.
3. Soaking the chain: If the chain is heavily soiled, remove it and soak it for 10–15 minutes in a shallow container filled with degreaser, a specialist cleaner or paraffin. This will loosen the hardened resin and lubricant. Then scrub the chain with an old toothbrush, rinse it with water, dry it with a cloth and lubricate it evenly with chain oil.

How to clean a chainsaw carburettor

Sometimes the carburettor also needs to be cleaned. This is usually necessary when the saw starts but bogs down and loses power when you accelerate.  

Carefully disconnect the throttle and choke linkages, as well as the fuel hoses. Then unscrew the screws holding the carburettor to the body of the chainsaw. Remove the carburettor and begin taking it apart on a clean surface. It is very important to keep each screw, diaphragm and seal in exactly the same order and position in which it was removed, so that you can reassemble everything correctly.

Use a spray carburettor cleaner and thoroughly spray all internal parts. Pay particular attention to the small jets and fuel channels, where dirt and old fuel residue most often accumulate. Use a soft brush to remove any more stubborn deposits.

After applying the cleaner, use compressed air, for example from a compressor, and thoroughly blow through all channels and jets. This ensures that no loosened dirt remains inside and obstructs the fuel flow.

Before reassembling the carburettor, check the condition of the rubber diaphragms and seals. If they are cracked, hardened or stretched, replace them with new original parts. Carefully reassemble the carburettor. Tighten the screws firmly but gently, so that you do not damage the threads or deform the delicate carburettor body.

Frequently asked questions

Where does most dirt accumulate?

The largest deposits of dirt are found under the chainsaw’s plastic covers, especially around the chain sprocket. As the chain rotates, a sticky mixture of fine wood dust, guide bar oil and sawdust continually builds up in this area.

Can I simply rinse a dirty chainsaw with a garden hose?

This is generally not recommended for beginners or DIY users. If water gets into the engine components, carburettor or ignition system, it can cause corrosion and damage the saw. If you do use water, you must first securely block the air intake and exhaust openings. After washing, dry the saw immediately and blow it dry thoroughly with a compressor. However, using a brush, cloth and cleaning sprays is always the safer option.

How can I tell whether the chainsaw’s lubrication system is working correctly and the oil channel is not blocked?

You can check the lubrication system with a simple test. Start the chainsaw, point the tip of the guide bar towards a light-coloured surface, such as a clean tree stump or a piece of cardboard, and briefly accelerate. If you see a fine spray line of oil on the surface, the lubrication system is working correctly. If no oil appears and the oil level in the tank does not drop during use, the guide bar oil channel or outlet opening is probably blocked. These must be cleaned immediately, otherwise the guide bar may overheat and the chain may break.