Chain Saw: Leaks Gas

Gaskets are designed to create a seal to prevent fuel from leaking out of the fuel tank. If the gasket is worn or damaged, the seal will not be created and fuel can leak out. In some cases, the gasket is simply an O-ring inside the fuel cap that creates the seal. A damaged or missing gasket will need to be replaced before this issue is resolved. After you have accessed your gasket and determined its condition, you should be prepared to replace it at this stage regardless of its state of wear, as gaskets are designed to hold their tight seal only once, and re-using a gasket that has been taken apart is ill-advised.

The primer bulb on your chainsaw helps pull fuel into the carburetor prior to combustion. As the bulb is normally made of rubber or plastic, it can crack and leak. You will be able to tell if the bulb is cracked, if fuel leaks out of it when it is depressed. You also may be able to smell fuel coming from the bulb. You can simply disconnect the primer bulb from the carburetor and replace it with a new one to fix this issue. Use a pair of pliers to remove the bulb, and clean the housing before installing a new one. Ensure the tabs are facing out on your new bulb, and use a socket that fits over the bulb. Push the new bulb into the housing and use a rubber mallet to tap it in gently, ensuring that the metal clip is in as far as it can go without damaging the bulb.

The fuel tank on your chainsaw is a plastic reservoir that stores fuel. The plastic can occasionally become cracked, and when this happens, fuel can leak out. There are several places on the fuel tank that can cause leaks, such as the grommet, the gasket, or the fuel cap. Please see the individual sections on each of these parts to learn more about them. On the tank itself, the most common place for a leak is along one of the seams. If the fuel tank is cracked, it will need to be replaced. Drain the tank of fuel before removing the fuel lines and the tank itself.

The cap on your fuel tank screws on and off so you can refill the tank. Occasionally, the cap will become cross threaded, and this can allow fuel to leak out. Additionally, the cap can become cracked, causing fuel to leak out as well. This is a simple fix as the cap can either be adjusted or replaced easily to stop the leak from occurring.

The grommet is the location at which the fuel lines and vent line enter the fuel tank. They are usually made of rubber, and can eventually become loose or damaged due to their exposure to fuel. When this happens, a seal will not be possible, and fuel can leak out of the tank. To replace the grommet, simply pull the lines out of it, then thread the lines back through the new grommet and re-attach. Spray your new grommet with a lubricant before assembly to allow for an easier assembly of the fuel lines.

Your chainsaw’s fuel lines run from the tank to the carburetor and are designed to transport fuel. They are often made of either rubber or plastic, and therefore can crack and break. Cracked and leaking fuel lines will need to be replaced. This is something of an urgent repair, as cracked/leaking fuel lines pose a fire hazard. Fortunately, the repair is as simple as disconnecting the lines from the carburetor and the fuel filter and replacing with new lines. Before you look for a crack in the lines, ensure that they are properly connected to the carburetor, as this can be a quick and easy fix.