Setting a Chainsaw Carburetor
Start by placing your chainsaw on a sturdy and even surface. Power up your chainsaw and let
it warm up for roughly five minutes or so. Next to the pull rope on the body of the chainsaw
you will find three different adjustment screws. Each screw has a letter stamped next to it.
The adjustment screws work by fine tuning the carburetor. Think of them like guitar strings.
When they are not set perfectly, the sound and performance will be off. The letters on the
screws represent High (H), Low (L) and Idle (T). The H screw regulates the Air/Fuel mix
during high RPMs, while the L Screw does the same during low RPMs. The T screw regulates
how much fuel is sent to the carburetor while idling until the throttle is pressed.
L Screw - With the chainsaw still running, take a screwdriver and turn the L screw clockwise.
Keep turning it until the engine almost stops turning. Next, begin to slowly turn the adjustment
screw counterclockwise until you hear the engine idling smoothly. Rev the engine and check
for a nice, smooth and responsive rev up. Keep making fine adjustments to the L screw until
the engine accelerates smoothly.
T Screw - Next, locate the T screw. This adjustment screw is responsible for adjusting the
chainsaws idle. Begin by turning the T screw clockwise until the chainsaw chain begins to
move. As soon as you notice it moving, turn the T screw counterclockwise slowly until the
chainsaw chain stops. The engine should continue to idle smoothly with the chain not moving
around the chain bar.
H Screw - The final step is to adjust the H screw. Screw it counter-clockwise until the screw
comes to a natural stop. Do not try to force it beyond this point. You will notice that the engine
sounds rough. You then want to begin turning the H screw clockwise until the engine sounds
smooth. Give the throttle trigger a little squeeze. Smoke should not be blowing from the
exhaust, and the engine should accelerate with ease.
CHAIN SAW CARBURETOR TUNE-UP #2 (Non model specific)
The following are the steps for adjusting the carburetor:
1. Check and clean the air filter on a routine basis.
2. Balance the high and low speed screws - Start and warm the saw to operating
temperature. The high and low speed screws are turned completely in (clockwise). Each
screw should then be backed off (counter-clockwise) to the left one full turn (or some other
amount according to the instructions in you owner's manual.)
The high speed screw is then turned clockwise to reduce fuel (clockwise reduces fuel). As the
fuel mixture is leaned out, the saw will run faster until it sounds as if it is screaming. At this
point, turn the high speed screw to the left to allow more fuel until a "flutter" is heard. This is
the proper RPM for your saw.
This can be confirmed with a tachometer, but a tachometer alone cannot ensure that you
have the right fuel mixture. It is possible that air leaks may prevent you from obtaining the
proper fuel and air mixture and you may need to reduce the RPM to hear the "flutter".
Therefore, the "flutter" is more important than the tachometer reading. Chain saw operators
must understand that the fuel mixture accomplishes two additional functions--cooling of the
motor and lubricating the engine. If the saw runs too lean, neither of these functions are
accomplished effectively and the saw will be ruined.
3. Throttle - Ensure that the saw chain is not moving when the saw is on idle. If the chain is
moving, turn the throttle screw counter-clockwise to slow the chain to a stop.
4. Roll-over Test - With the chain brake engaged, let the saw idle for 10-20 seconds and then
turn the saw to different positions. If the saw stalls, it is getting too much fuel, which is
puddling below the cylinder. Turn the low speed screw clockwise (reducing the fuel) a little bit
and repeat the test.
5. Accelerate - Disengage the chain brake. If there is hesitation in acceleration, the saw motor
is not getting enough fuel. Turn the low speed screw counter-clockwise for more fuel and
repeat the roll-over test.
CHAIN SAW CARBURETOR TUNE-UP #3 (Husky 240)
Start with them both mixture controls out 1 turn. run the saw until it is at operating temp(few
minutes).Make these ajustments slow and at a rate of 1/4 turn at a time...............
Adjust the "H"(high RPM) first by turning it either in or out while holding the throttle wide open
to get the highest RPM's you can.
Use the idle adjustment at any time to control Idle to a point where the chain doesn't move on
its own, yet keeps the saw running well.
The "L" (low RPM) adjust this screw in or out so you don't have a "BOG" if you quickly give it
a burst of throttle, it should be adjusted so the off idle is very crisp.
Now revisit the "H" and adjust again for MAX rpm, back it down just a "C" hair.
The 2 fuel circuits overlap and each has a slight effect on the other, thus the reason for re-
checking the high side. keep in mind a temp change will have an effect on the settings. IE
tuning it in winter 20 degrees then using the saw in the summer at 90 degrees will require a
re-adjustment for optimal running.
