How To Clean Carbon Buildup in a Chainsaw (DIY Guide)

If your chainsaw sounds cranky or is underperforming, there may be a carbon buildup in some of its components. Fortunately, you can easily clean a carbon buildup from a chainsaw, and you don’t have to call a professional unless there’s a major problem. 

You can use solvents, lubricants, compressed air, or soap and water to clean carbon buildup in your chainsaw. It’s important to clean the components like the spark plug, chain bar, chain, fuel tank, carburetor, and air filter separately to maintain your chainsaw for longer. 

In this article, I’ll discuss how to clean carbon buildup from different components of your chainsaw. I’ll also give you tips on what to use if you have to remove more stubborn carbon buildup. 

1. Clean the Spark Plug Thoroughly  

The spark plug of your chainsaw may get affected by a carbon buildup. Unfortunately, this may cause it to malfunction or not start at all (source).

So if you don’t want to get stuck with a chainsaw that doesn’t start properly, it’s important to clean the carbon buildup from the spark plug. 

Here’s how you can clean the spark plug:

1. Use a wrench to remove the spark plug, which is located right above the air filter. 
2. Clean the carbon buildup using a rigid brush, but avoid scrubbing too hard against the spark plug. 
3. Dry the spark plug thoroughly before screwing it back in place. 

If the carbon buildup is too difficult to clean or it’s rusted, it’s better to buy a new spark plug. A dirty or damaged spark plug won’t last long, so replacing it will save you plenty of time and effort. Fortunately, spark plugs are not too expensive. 

2. Clean Carbon Buildup From the Chain Bar 

When you use a chainsaw constantly without cleaning it, the carbon buildup on the chain bar may worsen over time. To save yourself the trouble of cleaning a severely clogged chain bar, you need to clean it regularly. 

Clean your chainsaw’s chain bar by following these steps:

1. Remove the side covers or panels at the base of the chainsaw’s bar. 
2. Separate the guide bar and chain from the saw. Wear thick gloves while pulling both these components off the saw to keep your hands safe. 
3. Using a lint-free cloth, remove any visible dirt or build-up. For stubborn grime, use a screwdriver or stiff brush to get these parts clean. 
4. Place the side panels back on. 

3. Clean and Lubricate the Chain

While carbon buildup doesn’t usually affect the chain, it may have residue buildup if left idle for long enough. The chain might get stuck in such cases, and the power may not transfer from the motor to the blade. 

Here’s how you can clean the chainsaw chain:

1. Make a solution of ammonia and water in a large bucket. 
2. Put on goggles to protect your eyes from toxic fumes at this stage. It’s also better to work in a room with proper ventilation.
3. Submerge the chain completely, and then leave it for around half an hour. This will effectively remove the carbon buildup and dirt off the chain.
4. When you take the chain out of the solution, rinse it thoroughly with water. 

The last step to get a clean chain involves lubrication to ensure that the chain moves smoothly. 

Here are some of the best chainsaw lubricants on Amazon: 

• Sun Joe SWJ-OIL Premium Bar (link to Amazon category): This top-selling chainsaw lubricant is designed for all chainsaw types. It also prevents rust and can handle extreme temperatures. 
• Oregon Grease Gun for Chainsaws (link to Amazon): This is an easy-to-use lubrication dispenser that prevents premature damage to the chain. 
• STA-BIL Blade Guard (link to Amazon.com): This is a high-quality lubricant for cleaning and protecting mechanical tools. It prevents your chainsaw chain from rusting and can also remove debris. 

4. Use Solvent To Remove Carbon Buildup From the Fuel Tank

The fuel tank will become sticky and greasy if you haven’t used the chainsaw in a while. If the fuel tank isn’t too dirty, simply draining and replacing it with fresh fuel will help. If it has never been cleaned and could do with a good scrub, consider using water and white vinegar or sodium hydroxide to remove stubborn build-up. 

Here’s how to use solvent to remove carbon buildup: 

1. Simply drain out the fuel tank and fill it with your chosen cleaning product. 
2. Let the solvent settle for about 20 minutes. 
3. Drain it out and wait for the tank to dry before refilling it with fresh fuel.

5. Remove Carbon Buildup From the Carburetor 

If you don’t clean the carburetor of your chainsaw properly, it will have a reduced output. The carbon buildup in the carburetor will cause the engine to overheat, and it might suddenly stop working (source). 

If you want your chainsaw to give maximum output, remove the carbon buildup from the carburetor. Here are some components to consider when cleaning a carburetor: 

• Intake components: The intake components of the carburetor manage how much air enters the combustion chamber. You can thoroughly clean the intake components with compressed air. You can also use warm water and soap to clean the other valves of the intake components. 
• The needle valves: The needle valves are located under the intake components. To wash all the needle valves, you need to separate them from the carburetor. Loosen the screws holding the needle valves together, then use compressed air for cleansing. After going so, wash each part separately with warm water and soap. Then, put all the parts together and tighten the screws. 

Here’s a YouTube video showing how to clean a chainsaw carburetor in detail: 

Complete Guide on How To Clean The Carburetor On A Stihl Chainsaw

6. Wash the Air Filter

You also need to keep the air filter clean to prevent it from collecting dirt or other residue that can cause clogging. If you don’t clean the air filter regularly, it will eventually lead to excessive fuel consumption. 

Cleaning the air filter is easy because you don’t need to use compressed air. Simply use warm water and soap to wash off the dirt from the air filter. 

Wait for the filter to dry completely before placing it back in position. 

Final Thoughts 

Follow these steps to thoroughly clean your chainsaw’s components from carbon buildup. It’s better to clean it regularly so you don’t have to replace parts that may get damaged by excessive dirt and carbon buildup, and your chainsaw should last much longer if it’s maintained properly.