Echo Chainsaw Won’t Start: 11 Common Issues & Fixes

You’ve just bought your new Echo chainsaw and can’t wait to try it out. Or maybe your Echo chainsaw has been sitting in storage for a while and you’re ready to fire it up again.

Whatever your situation, sometimes you go to start it and nothing happens. Your Echo chainsaw won’t start at all.

There are a few things that could be causing this issue. Check out the list of common issues below to troubleshoot the problem and get your Echo chainsaw started up again.

echo chainsaw won't start

Not Enough Fuel or Bad Fuel

One of the most common reasons a chainsaw won’t start is that it isn’t getting enough fuel. The fuel tank might be empty, or the fuel might have gone bad. If you’re using gas that’s been sitting in your garage for a while, it might have gone bad.

Gasoline will deteriorate over time and start to form gum and varnish. This can clog the fuel line and prevent the chainsaw from starting.

If you think this might be the problem, try filling up the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. You can also try using a higher octane gas than what the chainsaw is designed for.

To fix this problem, add fresh fuel to the tank and try starting the chainsaw again. If the chainsaw still doesn’t start, you might need to clean out the fuel tank and carburetor.

Engine Flooded With Fuel

echo chainsaw engine flooded

If you’ve been having trouble starting your Echo chainsaw, it might be because the engine is flooded with fuel. This can happen if you try to start the chainsaw too soon after adding fuel to the tank.

To fix this problem, wait for a few minutes for the engine to cool down, then try starting it again. If the chainsaw still doesn’t start, you might need to clean out the fuel tank and carburetor.

Another reason for a flooded engine is a bad spark plug. If the spark plug is wet or dirty, it won’t be able to create a spark and the chainsaw won’t start.

To fix this problem, remove the spark plug and clean it off with a wire brush. Then reattach the plug and try starting the chainsaw again.

Related Articles:

Activated Choke in Warm Weather

If the weather is warm, you might need to deactivate the choke on your Echo chainsaw. The choke is a device that regulates the air and fuel mixture going into the engine to improve the fuel flow in cold weather.

If the choke is on in warm weather, it can cause the engine to flood and the chainsaw won’t start.

To fix this problem, deactivate the choke on your Echo chainsaw. You can do this by turning the choke knob to the “off” position. Then try starting the chainsaw again.

Dirty Air Filter

If the chainsaw isn’t getting enough fuel, it might be because the air filter is dirty. The air filter keeps dirt and debris from getting into the engine, and if it’s dirty, the chainsaw won’t be able to get enough air to start.

To fix this problem, clean or replace the air filter. You should clean or replace the air filter every few months to keep the chainsaw running smoothly.

Bad Spark Plug

echo chainsaw spark plug

Another common reason a chainsaw won’t start is a bad spark plug. The spark plug ignites the fuel in the engine, and if it’s bad, the chainsaw won’t start.

To fix this problem, replace the spark plug. You can buy a new spark plug at any hardware store.

Clogged Carburetor

If the chainsaw still isn’t starting after you’ve checked the air filter, spark plug, and fuel tank, the carburetor might be clogged. The carburetor mixes the fuel and air together and sends it to the engine, and if it’s clogged, the chainsaw won’t start.

To fix this problem, clean the carburetor. You can buy a carburetor cleaner at any hardware store.

Once you’ve cleaned the carburetor, try starting the chainsaw again. If it still doesn’t start, you might need to take it to a professional for further diagnosis.

Related Articles:

Bad Carburetor

If the chainsaw still won’t start after trying all of the above fixes, it might be because the carburetor is bad. The carburetor mixes the air and fuel together, and if it’s not working properly, the chainsaw won’t start.

To fix this problem, you’ll need to take the chainsaw to a professional to have the carburetor cleaned or replaced.

If you are experienced with small engines, you can try cleaning the carburetor yourself. But be warned, this is a delicate process and if you’re not careful, you can damage the carburetor beyond repair.

Faulty Ignition

echo chainsaw ignition

Another possibility is that the ignition is faulty. The ignition creates the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine, and if it’s not working properly, the chainsaw won’t start.

You can purchase an ignition coil tester at any hardware store to test the ignition coil. If the ignition coil is faulty, you’ll need to replace it.

Defective Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is what pulls the cord to start the chainsaw. If it’s defective, the chainsaw won’t start.

If you suspect the recoil starter is defective, you can test it by removing the spark plug and pulling the cord. If the cord doesn’t pull, the recoil starter is defective and will need to be replaced.

Broken Rewind Spring

The rewind spring is what winds the cord back up after you pull it. If the spring is broken, the cord won’t wind back up and the chainsaw won’t start.

If you think the rewind spring is broken, you can remove the spark plug and pull the cord. If the cord doesn’t wind back up, the rewind spring is broken and will need to be replaced.

Related Articles:

Worn Out Chainsaw

If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting tips and the chainsaw still won’t start, it might be because the chainsaw is just worn out. Chainsaws are built to last, but they do have a limited lifespan.

If your chainsaw is more than a few years old, it might be time to replace it. You can buy a new chainsaw at any hardware store.

Echo Chainsaw Won’t Start: Final Thoughts

Hopefully one of these fixes will get your Echo chainsaw started up again. If not, you might need to take it in for repairs. If you are comfortable with small engines, you can try cleaning the carburetor yourself. However, be aware that this is a time-consuming process, and if you’re not careful, the carburetor may be irreparably damaged.

Good luck!

Related Articles:

Randy Peterson Cutter Life

Randy Peterson

Randy is a chainsaw enthusiast and an experienced lumberjack. He'll most likely be found cutting, chopping, and trimming trees, usually working with a wide variety of tools. Randy likes the outdoors and socializing with friends.