Chainsaws are tools that help with many tasks. However, it isn’t safe from the elements. This article will teach you how to repair water damaged chainsaw.
Aside from this, we will also run through some easy chainsaw maintenance tips that you can surely do with ease. Let’s get right on to it!
What do you do if your chainsaw gets wet?
The most straightforward answer to this question is that it depends. If the blade of the chainsaw encounters a little moisture from a wet tree trunk, for example, then that’s perfectly fine. Expert engineers and manufacturers built chainsaws to be sturdy: they can withstand minor things like a bit of moisture.
In situations like this, the smartest thing to do is to turn your tool off for a second and wipe it down. Wiping the wetness away helps avoid rusting, which renders chainsaws inefficient and can even cause injury in the long run.
However, if something like the fuel tank gets wet, you will need to do more than wipe it down. A fuel tank is where the chainsaw’s oil is stored. As we all know, oil and water are not a good mix.
If water ever enters the chainsaw’s fuel tank, it could be disastrous. A malfunctioning fuel tank means a malfunctioning chainsaw. This could very well cause severe injury or even death.
The steps detailing how to remedy this situation are in the following section. Read on to find out more!
How To Fix A Water Damaged Chainsaw
Aside from being an inconvenience, a water-damaged chainsaw can be a safety hazard. It is essential to make sure that your tool is in the best condition before using it so that injuries and even death can be avoided.
Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to repairing a water-damaged chainsaw.
Step #1. Determine how damaged the chainsaw is
The first step to repairing a water-damaged chainsaw is to determine how bad the damage is. What parts are wet? How wet are these parts?
As mentioned previously in this article, you can get away with simply wiping down the chainsaw if only the exterior of the chainsaw gets wet. Just make sure to wipe off all the moisture entirely so as to avoid any rusting.
However, if the water breaches the internal machinery of the chainsaw, that’s when things will become more complicated. Should this happen, you or your lawyer might want to review your insurance coverage to see if the following repairs will be paid for by the insurance company.
If you don’t want to get professionals involved, then the following steps will be helpful to you.
Step #2. Drain and dry
If water enters the chainsaw’s internal mechanisms, such as the fuel tank, you should drain its contents immediately. Even if you just put in a fresh tank of gas, you should still drain it. If oil and water mix, there is no salvaging it.
Once it has been drained, you will want to remove certain parts, such as the filter, plug, and carb so that they can dry out faster and better. Just make sure to remember how to put these items back in place. Allow the chainsaw to dry for a few hours to a few days to ensure that everything is in good condition.
Step #3. Reassemble
Once the chainsaw and its respective parts are fully dry, you can start putting it back together. This step is crucial because if you place it wrong, it can cause further damage to the tool. You can also replace the fuel in the tank in this step with fresh, high-quality gasoline.
Step #4. Lubricate
Since the chainsaw was exposed to moisture, it is a good practice to lubricate the chain and bar. This step helps prevent rusting and ensures that the chainsaw is in tip-top condition. Only use trusted lubricants so as to avoid any damage.
Step #5. Start the engine
Now that the chainsaw is dry and lubricated, you can try to start the bad boy up! It may splutter for a while because of its exposure to water.
It should take anywhere between one to six pulls to get the chainsaw up and running again. If it doesn’t start, then you may want to consult a professional.
Other chainsaw maintenance tips
As mentioned previously, chainsaws were built to be sturdy. However, it is not immune to the effects of poor handling. Here are a few tips for maintaining a chainsaw.
- Avoid using the chainsaw in the rain to avoid water damage.
- Keep the chainsaw’s filter clean to extend the tool’s life and enhance performance
- If you see any loose chainsaw parts, tighten them immediately to avoid further damage.
- Apply high-quality lubricant routinely to prevent rusting and other damage.
- Keep the chain sharp by filing it properly.
- Use only fresh gasoline to ensure the best performance.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to repair water damaged chainsaw and other helpful chainsaw maintenance tips, you never have to worry about your tool malfunctioning. Just make sure to be careful when using this handy but dangerous tool!