How to Winterize a Chainsaw

What you'll need

• Scrench (screwdriver/wrench combo)
• Clean rags
• Light machine oil or spray lubricant

The steps

1. 1

   Add fuel stabilizer and run for 5 minutes

   Pour fuel stabilizer into the gas tank at the recommended dosage. Start the chainsaw and let it run for 5 minutes. This pulls treated fuel through the carburetor and fuel lines, protecting the entire fuel system from varnish buildup over winter. Shut off the engine and let it cool.

2. 2

   Drain the bar oil

   Remove the bar oil cap and turn the saw upside down over a container to drain the remaining bar oil. Bar oil left in the reservoir over winter can thicken, clog the oil port, and leak slowly onto your storage shelf. Save the drained oil to reuse in the spring if it is still clean.

3. 3

   Clean the air filter

   Remove the air filter cover and take out the filter. Tap it against a hard surface to knock loose debris free. Wash foam or mesh filters with warm soapy water and let them dry completely before reinstalling. Replace paper filters if they are clogged. A clean filter is ready for spring without the delay of tracking down a replacement.

4. 4

   Remove the chain and bar and oil lightly for storage

   Loosen the bar nuts and remove the side cover. Slide the bar and chain off the saw. Wipe the chain clean with a rag, then apply a thin coat of light machine oil or spray lubricant to prevent rust. Coil the chain and store it in a dry container or hang it on a hook. Oil the bar rails lightly as well.

5. 5

   Clean the body of sawdust and sap

   Use a rag or stiff brush to clean sawdust, sap, and debris from the saw body, sprocket area, and cooling fins. Packed sawdust holds moisture against the metal and causes corrosion. Sap hardens into a varnish that is much harder to remove later. A clean saw is easier to inspect and maintain in the spring.

6. 6

   Store in a dry location with the bar cover on

   Reassemble the bar and chain or store them separately. Slide the bar cover (scabbard) over the bar to protect the chain teeth and your hands. Store the saw in a dry shed, garage, or basement. Avoid damp floors — set the saw on a shelf or hang it from a hook. Moisture is the enemy during storage.

Frequently asked questions

Should I drain the fuel or add stabilizer?

Add stabilizer. Draining the tank leaves residual fuel in the carburetor and fuel lines that will varnish over winter. Stabilized fuel protects the entire fuel system. If the fuel in the tank is already old or degraded, drain it, refill with fresh fuel and stabilizer, and run the engine for 5 minutes.

Why remove the bar for winter storage?

Moisture trapped between the bar and the saw body causes corrosion on the bar rails and the mounting studs. Removing the bar lets both surfaces dry and allows you to oil them for protection. It also gives you a chance to clean sawdust and debris from the sprocket area, which is hard to reach with the bar mounted.

Can I leave the chain on the bar during storage?

You can, but storing them separately gives better results. A chain sitting on the bar can trap moisture in the bar groove and cause localized rust on both parts. If you do leave the chain on, loosen the tension, oil the chain generously, and cover the whole assembly with the bar scabbard.

What should I check when I pull the chainsaw out in spring?

Check fuel condition (should smell like gas, not varnish), chain sharpness, chain tension, bar oil level, air filter cleanliness, spark plug condition, and chain brake function. Run the saw for a minute at idle before cutting. If it starts hard or runs rough, the carburetor may need cleaning despite the stabilizer.

Products you'll need

This section contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.