Craftsman Chainsaw Problems | Repair Guide

Craftsman chainsaws offer budget-friendly cutting power for homeowners. Available in gas and battery versions at Lowe’s and other retailers, these saws handle basic yard work and occasional firewood cutting. When problems occur, this guide helps diagnose and fix common issues across all Craftsman chainsaw models.

Table of Contents

• Model Overview
• Gas Chainsaw Problems
• Battery Chainsaw Problems
• Chain and Bar Issues
• Oiling System
• Maintenance

Model Overview

Craftsman offers several chainsaw options for homeowners:

Gas Models

Model	Bar	Engine	Use
S145	14”	42cc	Light duty
S160	16”	42cc	General
S165	16”	42cc	General
S180	18”	42cc	Heavier work
S205	20”	46cc	Firewood

Engine specs:

• Two-stroke (50:1 fuel mix required)
• Pull start
• Automatic oiler

Battery Models

Model	Bar	Battery	Use
CMCCS620	12”	V20 (20V)	Very light
CMCCS660	16”	V60 (60V)	Moderate

V60 series offers more power and is comparable to small gas saws.

V20 series is limited - best for pruning and small branches only.

[NEED REAL IMAGE: Craftsman chainsaw lineup]

Gas Chainsaw Problems

Won’t Start

Most common cause: Old fuel. Gas chainsaws that sit unused develop carburetor issues quickly.

Troubleshooting sequence:

1. Check fuel - Fresh 50:1 mix (under 30 days old)?
2. Check choke - Full choke for cold start
3. Check spark plug - Remove and inspect
4. Check air filter - Clean or replace if dirty
5. Check fuel filter - Replace if clogged

Starting procedure:

1. Set chain brake (push forward guard)
2. Set choke to FULL
3. Prime 5-6 times
4. Hold saw firmly, pull cord until fires
5. Move choke to HALF
6. Pull until runs
7. Move choke to RUN
8. Release chain brake

If still won’t start:

• Spray starting fluid into carburetor
• If fires briefly = carburetor problem
• If nothing = spark or compression issue

See our chainsaw won’t start guide for detailed troubleshooting.

Engine Surges or Hunts

Engine speed fluctuates up and down.

Causes:

1. Carburetor adjustment needed
2. Air leak at intake gasket
3. Dirty fuel filter
4. Clogged carburetor passages

Fix:

• Check air filter first
• Replace fuel filter
• Clean or rebuild carburetor
• Check intake gasket for leaks

Engine Lacks Power

Causes:

1. Dull chain (most common)
2. Dirty air filter
3. Clogged spark arrestor
4. Carburetor running lean
5. Compression loss

Check order:

1. Sharpen or replace chain
2. Clean/replace air filter
3. Remove and clean spark arrestor screen
4. Check carburetor adjustment

Engine Dies When Accelerating

Causes:

• High-speed jet clogged
• Fuel filter restricted
• Fuel lines cracked
• Air leak

Solution: Clean carburetor, paying attention to high-speed circuit. Replace fuel lines and filter.

[NEED REAL IMAGE: Craftsman chainsaw carburetor]

Hard to Pull Starter

Causes:

• Engine flooded
• Compression issue
• Starter mechanism damaged
• Hydro-lock from excess fuel

If flooded:

1. Remove spark plug
2. Pull cord 10+ times
3. Reinstall plug
4. Start with choke OFF

Battery Chainsaw Problems

V60 Won’t Start

Check sequence:

1. Battery fully charged - Check LED indicator
2. Battery seated - Push until click
3. Chain brake released - Pull guard back
4. Lockout pressed - Press lockout, then trigger

If still no power:

• Remove and reseat battery
• Clean contacts
• Try different battery
• Check for error lights

V60 Motor Stalls

Causes:

1. Dull chain overloading motor
2. Chain too tight
3. Battery low
4. Overload protection activated

Overload protection: Wait 30 seconds, then resume with lighter cuts.

V20 Limitations

The V20 chainsaw is truly light-duty:

• 12” bar limits log size
• Short battery life
• Motor overloads easily
• Best for pruning only

Not suitable for:

• Firewood cutting
• Trees over 8” diameter
• Extended use

Battery Won’t Charge

Check:

1. Outlet has power
2. Charger LED status
3. Clean contacts
4. Room temperature (40-100°F)

LED meanings:

• Green solid = Charged
• Amber = Charging
• Red flashing = Error

[NEED REAL IMAGE: Craftsman V60 chainsaw battery]

Chain and Bar Issues

Chain Won’t Move

Causes:

1. Chain brake engaged - Most common. Pull hand guard back.
2. Chain derailed - Reinstall on bar
3. Chain too tight - Loosen tension
4. Debris blocking - Clean around sprocket

Chain Comes Off

Causes:

• Improper tension
• Worn bar rails
• Worn drive sprocket
• Wrong chain for bar

Proper tension: Chain should pull 1/4” away from bar but snap back. Should glide freely when pulled by hand.

Chain Tension Adjustment

Gas models:

1. Loosen bar nuts
2. Turn tensioning screw
3. Tighten bar nuts
4. Verify tension

Battery models: Most have tool-free tensioners. Turn dial to adjust.

Dull Chain Signs

• Produces sawdust not chips
• Must push hard to cut
• Saw bounces or chatters
• Cut drifts to one side
• Smoke from cut

Sharpen or replace when performance drops. Most chains can be sharpened 3-5 times.

Chain Specifications

Model	Pitch	Gauge	Drive Links
S145 (14”)	3/8” LP	.050”	52
S165 (16”)	3/8” LP	.050”	56
S180 (18”)	3/8” LP	.050”	62
CMCCS660 (16”)	3/8” LP	.050”	56

Oiling System

All Craftsman chainsaws have automatic oilers.

No Oil Reaching Bar

Symptoms:

• Bar and chain dry
• Chain smoking during cuts
• Excessive wear

Check:

1. Oil tank filled?
2. Oil visible on bar after running?
3. Oil port not blocked?
4. Using proper bar oil?

Testing: Run saw 30 seconds over cardboard. Should see oil spray pattern.

Fixes:

• Fill tank with bar oil
• Clean oil port with wire
• Don’t use motor oil (too thin)

Oil Leaking

Some seepage normal when stored. Excessive leaking indicates:

• Overfilled tank
• Damaged cap seal
• Cracked tank or line

Maintenance

Before Each Use

• Check bar oil level
• Check chain tension
• Test chain brake
• Inspect chain for damage
• Verify fuel (gas) or battery (electric)

After Each Use

• Clean debris from saw
• Check tension (chains stretch warm)
• Top off bar oil
• Clean bar groove

Periodic Maintenance

Every 5-10 hours:

• Sharpen chain
• Clean bar groove
• Flip bar
• Check spark plug (gas)
• Clean air filter (gas)

Seasonally:

• Replace spark plug (gas)
• Replace fuel filter (gas)
• Deep clean saw
• Inspect bar condition

Storage

Gas models:

• Run fuel out or add stabilizer
• Clean saw thoroughly
• Store in dry location

Battery models:

• Remove battery
• Store battery at room temperature
• Clean saw

For storage tips, see our small engine storage guide.

Common Parts

Part	Price
Chain (14-18”)	$12-22
Bar (16”)	$25-35
Air filter	$8-12
Fuel filter	$4-8
Spark plug	$4-6
V60 Battery	$149-199
V20 Battery	$79-99

Related Guides

• Chainsaw Won’t Start
• How to Clean a Carburetor
• Small Engine Storage
• Stihl Chainsaw Problems
• EGO Chainsaw Problems

Summary

Craftsman chainsaws are budget-friendly options for occasional homeowner use. Gas models offer more power but require fuel system maintenance. Battery models (especially V60) provide convenience for moderate cutting. Keep the chain sharp - this single factor affects performance more than anything else. Don’t expect professional-grade durability, but with proper maintenance, Craftsman saws handle typical yard work reliably.