Question 1

saw vibrates really bad and the chain seems to jump or skip on the bar

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Worn or damaged drive links on the chain. Or, a damaged drive sprocket. FIX Inspect the drive links on the bottom of the chain. Look for hooks, burrs, or excessive wear. Replace the chain. Inspect the drive sprocket teeth for matching wear. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The bar groove may be packed with sawdust and chips. Clean it thoroughly with a narrow screwdriver or bar groove cleaner. HEADS UP Never run a damaged chain. It can derail and whip back. Always match the chain pitch and gauge to your bar.

Question 2

the chain gets tight on one side of the bar but is loose on the other, can't get even tension

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The bar is worn unevenly. One side rail is shorter than the other from friction. FIX You need to dress the bar. File down the taller side rail with a flat file until both rails are even. Or, replace the bar. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The drive sprocket bearing could be worn, letting the sprocket tilt. Inspect for side-to-side play in the sprocket. HEADS UP A worn bar destroys chains fast. Check bar wear monthly. Rotate the bar 180 degrees each time you sharpen to even out wear.

Question 3

my greenworks 40v saw only runs for like 2 minutes then dies, but the battery shows full charge on the charger

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS A weak or failing cell in the battery pack. The BMS (Battery Management System) is cutting power to protect the pack. FIX Try a different, known-good Greenworks 40V battery. If it runs fine, the original battery is defective. Contact Greenworks for warranty service on the battery. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The problem could be in the saw's battery terminals or wiring. Check for loose or corroded connections where the battery slides in. HEADS UP Do not try to disassemble the battery. Lithium-ion packs can catch fire if damaged. Warranty is your only safe option.

Question 4

the chain won't move at all when i pull the trigger, no sound or anything, but the battery light is on

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The chain brake is engaged. The front hand guard is locked in the safety position. FIX Pull the front hand guard back toward the front handle until it clicks. You should hear and feel it disengage. The chain should now spin freely by hand. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The trigger safety lock on the top handle may not be depressed. You must squeeze the lock and the trigger simultaneously. HEADS UP Never start the saw with the chain brake disengaged. Always engage it when carrying or between cuts.

Question 5

oil is leaking out of the reservoir all over my garage floor when the saw is just sitting

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The bar oil cap vent is clogged or the O-ring seal is damaged. Pressure builds and forces oil out. FIX Clean the small vent hole in the center of the oil cap with a pin. Check the black O-ring on the cap for cracks or nicks. Replace the cap if damaged. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The oil tank itself may have a hairline crack, often near the fill neck. Inspect it closely in good light. HEADS UP Only use bar and chain oil. Motor oil is too thin and will leak more. Store the saw on its side, not upright.

Question 6

chainsaw makes a loud grinding noise and smells like burning plastic when i try to cut

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The chain is on backwards. The cutting edges are facing the wrong direction. FIX Remove the bar and chain. The cutting teeth on top of the bar should point toward the bar tip. Reinstall the chain so the sharp edges lead into the wood. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The chain brake could be partially engaged. Ensure the front hand guard is fully forward and not contacting the clutch cover. HEADS UP A backwards chain will ruin the bar rails and overheat the motor. Always check direction after sharpening.

Question 7

new chain keeps coming loose and falling off my greenworks 16 inch chainsaw immediately after i tighten it

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The bar is not seated correctly on the bar studs. The tensioning pin is not engaging the hole in the bar. FIX Loosen the bar nuts completely. Pull the bar tip up to seat it fully against the studs. Hold it there while you hand-tighten the nuts. Then use the tensioning wheel. Finally, fully tighten the bar nuts with the wrench. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The bar could be warped or the drive sprocket damaged. Inspect the bar for uneven wear and the sprocket for broken teeth. HEADS UP Chain tension changes when the saw heats up. Check tension after the first minute of use and re-tighten cold.

Question 8

my greenworks 40v chainsaw just quit in the middle of cutting and won't turn back on, battery is charged

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The thermal overload protector tripped. The motor overheated from a dull chain or pushing too hard. FIX Let the saw cool down for 15-20 minutes. Sharpen the chain. Do not force the saw, let the chain speed do the work. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check the battery contacts on the saw. Look for green corrosion. Clean them with a pencil eraser or fine grit sandpaper. HEADS UP A sharp chain prevents 90% of performance issues. If it's making sawdust, not chips, it's dull.

Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Chainsaw

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