Chainsaw 'bog' what to look for and how to fix

Quick repair tip on basic chainsaw problems

[colebowman]

I was having low power from my saw as I tried to figure out what was wrong. My saw is the same model as this one. I spent the day cleaning the carburetor and not cutting wood. I saw your video and checked the screen on the exhaust and found it to be plugged just like the one you showed in video. At first soap and water, that didn't work, tried alcohol, didn't work.  I used Lucus injector cleaner, it worked well. Thanks for sharing the tip, it saved downtime and didn't need to take it in for repair at shop.

[martinswiney]

Of all the videos I have watched on chainsaw tuneups not a single one of them has mentioned this filter on the exhaust. Thank you for getting this information out there.

[dsgilmore]

My MS170 was only two years old and started bogging down at higher speed settings. Didn't think your fix would apply to such a new saw but it was the solution! Thanks for the great video!

[febsat]

Instant results on my Stihl MS 180! I had changed the fuel filter, air filter, mixed fresh fuel, installed a new spark plug and then stripped and cleaned the carb but to no avail. Checked the spark arrestor screen after watching your video and found it to be plugged solid, just as in your video. Cleaned up the screen with some carb cleaner and now the saw runs like a charm. Certainly appreciate you sharing this tip for trouble shooting. Cheers.

[denniscompton]

Straight to the point! Well done, no music you didn't introduce us to your dog or your kids, though I am sure they are great but I just wanted to know how to tune my saw up and that's exactly what I got.

[Jim-lpzf]

Thank you ! I'm a handyman guy and occasionally I've done some backyard mechanic stuff for over a half century. I've worked on all kinds of motors, but never had I come across a motor that uses some little screen over the exhaust. I had looked all over the internet to try to figure out why my small chainsaw was bogging down. Who would think there would be a little screen completely clogged with carbon. I cleaned it off and it's running great now, especially because I put a new spark plug in it. It's just a little Stihl ms150c that I use for cutting branches. Using my larger Stihl for that wears me out. Thanks again.

[vortexvid]

I had crap old fuel. As an amateur I never had realised this could have such a profound effect. New fuel, works a dream, thank you!

[Pescatore]

Thank You!! My 15 year old son watched your video, and now the chain saw is working great!

[SurvivalRussia]

The mesh screen is a "Spark Arrest" preventing sparks from flying out the exhaust in a dry environment ;)

[billstevens]

This is fantastic advice! I have the same model chainsaw and after I cleaned the screen and the deflector, it ran like a charm. Thank you for this valuable knowledge.

[Hitswing]

Brother you saved me $45 and taught me a new skill. Thank you 10 time over.

[militarychevy]

Hey good job on finding the problem! Carb, ignition, and plugged fire screen all yield the same issues with these engines. I'm a mechanic on saws as well and carb or plugged fire screens are the most common problem. And the plugged fire screen is normally caused from the customer not running the saw full throttle, or like you mentioned running to much pre-mix. Have fun!

[captain_kurbis]

It’s also good to keep in mind never to run the saw too long or at all without that bar and chain on and tensioned properly. Not only could you over heat and over rev the engine but it can cause very expensive irreparable damage in the long run. Cheers!!

[multirichard]

Thanks for getting and keeping it to the point without wasting time showing me where the dog sleeps.

[stephenzhang]

Nice, got them work immediately. I have Stihl 170 and 290, both of them had no power and hard to keep them running idle. I opened the front screens, both of them clogged. I did not have new screens and they are hard to clean, so I just got rid of them, when I get new, I put them on.

[robertking]

My teenage years of cleaning my pipe and bong screens have prepared me for this exact task.

[leehotspur]

Well explained Basic Maintenance Thank you for sharing The mesh is a spark arrestor for use in high risk Fire areas Dry forestry, Sawmills Etc

[fixtritephil]

Over revving a cold saw especially without a bar and chain installed can cause a "cold seizure"as the piston will expand faster at the exhaust port.Always allow the saw to warm up first.

[propdoctor]

Great advice on something I never thought to check. I have a similar model mine is the MS 250 and it is starting to bog a little occasionally so I'm going to check to see if mine has this screen as well. Thank you

[davidfaller]

My Stihl MS 290 started bogging down when giving it gas & with no load (not cutting). I tried all the basic stuff, .. fuel, carb setting, air filter, spark plug, ... nothing. I pulled the muffler filter and it was basically 100% clogged. I cleaned with carb cleaner and a wire brush, put it back in.... & the saw runs like it was new. I would have never thought of this simple fix if I did not watch this video. Thanks!