How to Perform Weekly Maintenance on a Chainsaw

Content provided by Husqvarna

Keeping your chainsaw running at optimal performance is going to require weekly maintenance.

First, let's take a look at your starter cover. Make sure there's no damage to the starter cover or any missing screws. Also make sure that the starter cord and the return spring are intact and working correctly. Make sure the vibration damping elements aren't damaged. Those are located, one here on the bottom, two over by the oil tank, and three up by the cylinder.

Next you want to check your guide bar for any burrs or excessive metal buildup. For this application, we'll use our flap file to just gently clean away any debris or burrs.

Now we want to take a look at the spark arrester. It may need replacement or just the cleaning for this spark, the arrestor is located on the front of the muffler, underneath the cover. We'll use a 10 millimeter socket to remove the cover. Once the cover is off, check the screen for any carbon buildup, in which we'll just clean off with a wire brush. If there's no damage to the spark arrestor and it's clean, put it back on.

Clean external surfaces. Also make sure that the carburetor and any of the adjacent areas are clean as well.

Also check the fins, which are in charge of cooling the engine as it runs. Make sure they're clear debris. The best tool for that job is compressed air. So gently clean out these areas. Just a note, make sure that the air filter remains on the carburetor so no unwanted debris enters the carburetor.

Last we want to check and clean the air filter. If the air filter is too dirty or damaged for any reason, we're going to go ahead and replace it.

You can also reference our other video on complete air filter maintenance. Perform these steps once a week, and will keep your chainsaw running at peak efficiency.