The chainsaw is one of the essential power tools that people use for various projects. If you have a chainsaw and you want to extend its life then regular maintenance and care are important because, with the passage of time oil, dust, dirt, and sap from the trees contribute to its wear and tear. You need to follow some basic rules to clean your chainsaw properly.
Step by step Method to Clean a Chainsaw Chain, Carburetor and Air Filter
- First of all, you have to place your chainsaw in a secure position such as on the table or any other flat surface. Now, in case of an electric Chainsaw you need to disconnect it from the power source.
- In the next step, you have to remove the chain and clean the grooves. With the help of a knob, you can lose the chain and easily slide it off. Once the chain is set aside then you have to carefully remove all the dust and debris from the guide bar. With the help of a special guide bar groove cleaner, you can easily clean the grooves.
- In order to clean the chain, the best thing you can do is to make a solution containing Ammonia and water and then soak the chain in that solution for at least 20 minutes. After 20 minutes you have to clean the chain with the help of a bristle brush until all the dirt and sticky grease is cleaned completely. One thing you have to make sure is to work in a fully ventilated area especially when you are using Ammonia. Wear protective gloves and eyeglasses to ensure proper safety.
- Once the chain is cleaned then you have to dry the chain with the towel or you can hang it in the dry air for a few hours. If you want to dry the change quickly then you can also make use of compressed air.
- In the next step, you have to lubricate the chain by using the chainsaw oil. Dip the chain in the oil for a few minutes and then take it out to get rid of excessive oil before attaching the chain to the guide bar. Now with the help of a knob adjust the chain and tighten it again around the guide bar. It is very important to lubricate your chain in order to minimize the wear and tear as it extends the life of the chain. However, with the help of a newspaper, you need to catch the extra oil from the chain.
- Moreover, you have to look for any residue in the air filter and carburetor. Most of the time you can see a gummy build-up in your carburetor and with the help of compressed air you can easily clean the entire residue. The carburetor is an essential part of a chainsaw but with the passage of time dirt and oil clog the carburetor thus, making the flow of fuel blocked so it is very important to clean it regularly insurance perfect oil flow.
- In the next step, you need to remove the cover plate from the chainsaw including needle valves and diaphragm. Those who don’t know to disassemble their chainsaw can take the services of local dealers or you can also consult the user manual to know more about the parts of a chainsaw.
- Make a cleaning solution containing ammonia and water and soak all these parts for 20minutes to remove all the dirt. After 20 minutes, you have to scrub the parts using a bristle brush. Dry the parts and reattach them in the carburetor. Make sure to completely dry them using the compressed air because wet parts could result in tool damage.
- The air filter also needs to be cleaned with the help of warm soap water. If you cannot clean the filter completely then you will have to replace it with a new one. It is advised to check your air filter regularly to avoid any serious issues related to engine parts. You should clean the air filter with compressed air as it is very delicate and compressed air can damage it permanently.
Note: The above-mentioned method describes how to clean an electric power chainsaw.