Stihl 023 Chainsaw Won't Stay Running

Clogged Air Passages

• Air needs to circulate through the 023's engine to keep the fuel igniting and the engine cool enough to keep working. Air comes in through the carburetor and blows out through the muffler. However, before air can come in, it needs to pass through the air filter. If this filter is too dirty, air will stop coming in and the engine will shut off. Also, if the heated air can't escape out of the muffler, the engine will shut down. Clean the air filter after every 10 hours and the muffler after every 60 hours.

Clogged Fuel Passages

• Fuel also needs to circulate throughout the 023's engine for the piston to keep turning the crankcase and driving the chain. If the fuel can't reach the cylinder in correct proportion to the incoming air the engine will shut off. Numerous factors can cause the fuel to get out proportion. For this reason, it is best to start at the fuel tank and work up to the carburetor to locate any possible problems in the fuel system.

Carburetor Needs Adjusting

• With the air and fuel systems are cleaned out, the carburetor will need to be readjusted to account for the increase in air and fuel. Carburetor adjustments regulate the amount of fuel that reaches the carburetor at idle, low and high speeds. This will allow the operator to manually set the fuel limits for these speeds, which will allow for greater performance. However, a carburetor adjustment shouldn't be substitute as a cure to fix a minor running problem. The problem exists elsewhere and will need to be addressed.

Other Carburetor Problems

• The carburetor is the heart of the 023 and it needs to suck fuel in, measure it and mix it with air in rapid succession. The carburetor on a 023, with an integrated fuel pump, contains many small parts that are easily damaged. If these parts get dirty, warped or broken, as will naturally happen over time, the fuel will not reach the cylinder and the engine will shut off. Serious carburetor problems will need a Stihl service mechanic, as poor carburetor adjustment, cleaning and repairs can ruin the engine on a 023.