Echo Chainsaw Not Starting? 5 Easy Ways to Fix

Is your Echo chainsaw not starting? It is the worst feeling. You have wood to cut, but the saw sits silent.

Last Saturday, I walked to my back lot. I had my gloves on. I was ready to clear a downed tree.

I pulled the cord. Nothing happened. I pulled it again. Still nothing. My arm started to hurt.

If you are stuck like I was, do not worry. I learned a few tricks that day to get it running fast.

Here is what I do when my saw will not run.

1. Did I Flood It? (The Top Reason)

I will be honest with you. This is usually my fault. I rush the steps.

Echo saws are picky. They have a special start routine. You must listen for a “pop” sound.

If I miss that sound and keep pulling, I flood it. I dump too much gas into the engine. The spark plug gets wet.

How I Fix a Flooded Saw:

First, I turn the choke off. I push the knob all the way in. This is the “Run” position.

Next, I put my boot on the handle. I hold the saw down tight. I hold the gas trigger wide open.

Then, I pull the cord fast. I keep the gas held down. It takes a lot of pulls.

It feels like a workout. But soon, the engine roars to life. It puffs out white smoke. That is just the extra fuel burning off.

2. The Simple “Dummy” Check

After I rest my arm, I check the easy things. I have made silly mistakes before.

Is the switch on? I once pulled the cord for ten minutes. The switch was set to “Stop.”

Is the chain brake on? Most Echo saws need the brake locked forward. It helps them start.

3. Is the Gas Old?

This was a hard lesson for me. Last year, I left gas in my saw all winter. In the spring, it was dead.

Modern gas goes bad fast. It turns into a thick goo. This clogs the tiny tubes inside the saw.

My Rule for Gas:

If the gas is more than a month old, I dump it. I do not take the risk.

I mix a fresh batch. I try to find gas with no ethanol. It costs a bit more, but my saw runs much better.

4. Check the Spark

If the gas is fresh, I look at the spark plug. It tells a story.

I use the tool that came with the saw. I take the plug out. I look at the tip.

Is it wet? That means it flooded. Is it black and crusty? That means it is dirty.

How I Test It:

I touch the metal plug to the engine. I pull the cord gently. I watch for a spark.

I want to see a blue zap. If I see no spark, I buy a new plug. They are cheap and easy to swap.

5. Let the Saw Breathe

An engine is like us. It needs air to breathe. If it cannot breathe, it will not run.

I take the top cover off. I look at the air filter. Is it covered in dust?

If I cut dry wood, the filter gets packed tight. The air cannot get in.

I tap the filter on my boot. The dust falls out. If it is really bad, I wash it with soap.

The Muffler Screen

There is a small screen on the exhaust. It stops sparks. It is a safety part.

But soot can clog it up. I check this screen often. I scrub it clean with a brush.

Quick Fix Guide

Here is a chart I use to find the problem fast.

Symptom	What It Might Be	What I Do
Smells like gas	Flooded Engine	Turn choke OFF. Hold gas. Pull hard.
Saw is dry	No Fuel Flow	Check the lines. Check the fuel filter.
Starts then dies	Air or Gas Issue	Clean the filter. Pour in fresh gas.
No “pop” sound	No Spark	Check the plug. Buy a new one.

Final Thoughts

Usually, when my Echo chainsaw is not starting, it is just flooded. I pull the cord too many times.

Take a deep breath. Clear the engine out. Use fresh gas.

If you try this and it fails, the fuel line might be cracked. That is a harder fix.

But for most of us, a clean filter and new gas works. Now, go get that wood cut. Be safe.

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