To tighten a Stihl chainsaw, first make sure the chain is properly installed on the guide bar. Then, open up the saw’s cover to access the tensioning screw located near the front of the drive sprocket (the round disc with teeth). Use a flathead or Phillips screwdriver to turn this tensioning screw clockwise until it stops turning and then back off 1/4-turn.
After this is done, close up your chainsaw and start it up to test out if you’ve tightened it enough; while running your saw should have very little slack in its chain. If there’s still too much slack present, simply repeat these steps until you find an acceptable level of tightness. Finally remember that over tightening can damage your chainsaw so please be careful when making adjustments!
- Disconnect the Spark Plug: Start by disconnecting the spark plug to prevent any accidental start-ups while working on your chainsaw
- Pull out the boot from the spark plug, and then use a ratchet and socket to loosen it up until you can remove it completely
- Secure Chainsaw: Make sure that your chainsaw is securely held in place before beginning work on it
- You can either clamp it into a vise or place it onto something like an old tire so that both hands are free for tightening purposes
- Tighten Bar Nuts: Use a wrench to tighten down each of the bar nuts located at opposite ends of your bar assembly until they’re snug but not overly tight as this could strip them out over time with use and vibration from the saw’s motor running
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- Adjust Chain Tensioner Screws: On most Stihl models, there will be two tensioner screws located near one end of your bar assembly where you can adjust chain tension manually without having to turn off and replace any parts–simply twist clockwise with a screwdriver until desired tension has been achieved
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- Test Chain Tension : Once all adjustments have been made, test out how well your chain is running by starting up your saw and seeing if it runs smoothly without any jerking or skipping when using full throttle power settings on different types of wood materials

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How Do You Tighten the Tension on a Chainsaw?
To properly tighten the tension on a chainsaw, it is important to first familiarize yourself with the correct procedure. Start by turning off the engine and removing any fuel or oil from the saw. Find the chain tensioner screw which is usually located near where the guide bar meets the body of your chainsaw.
Use an adjustable wrench to turn this screw in a clockwise direction until you feel resistance. Then use a flathead screwdriver to adjust and further tighten down that same tensioner nut until you hear a “click” sound as well as feeling some slight resistance when pressing against it with your thumb or finger. You can then start up your chainsaw again, making sure to check for proper operation before commencing use.
It’s also important to regularly check and adjust chain tension because if too tight, it could cause motor damage; whilst if too loose, it can be inefficient and prone to slipping off during cutting tasks – leading potentially dangerous consequences!
How Tight Should Your Chain Be on a Stihl?
Having the correct tension on your chain is essential for safe and efficient operation of your Stihl chainsaw. The chain should be tight enough that it doesn’t sag, but not so tight that it can’t move freely when in use. To check the tension on your Stihl chainsaw, first make sure the saw is turned off.
Then grab ahold of the drive link near the middle of the bar and pull up gently – if there’s no slack then you have sufficient tension. If there is some slack, then you need to adjust it until its taut but still able to move. When adjusting, loosen both nuts located at either end of the bar and turn one or both depending on which way will tighten or loosen them – lefty loosey righty tightey!
Once you’ve achieved an adequate level of tension, retighten both nuts securely using a wrench or ratchet set. It’s important to note that if you over-tighten your chain too much, this can cause excessive wear on parts as well as reduce performance by creating unnecessary friction between moving parts; therefore it’s best to avoid overtightening whenever possible.
How Do You Tighten a Stihl Ms170?
To tighten a Stihl MS170, you will need to adjust the chain tensioner. First, make sure that the chainsaw is turned off and unplugged from its power source. Then locate the bar adjustment knob which is located on top of the chainsaw’s body near the rear handle.
Turn this knob counter-clockwise until it no longer moves freely. Now take a flathead screwdriver or similar tool and insert it into one of two slots in front of the bar adjustment knob; turn clockwise to increase tension and counter-clockwise to decrease tension. Continue adjusting in small increments until there is enough resistance when pulling on the saw’s guide bar that an inch or less can be moved by hand without any difficulty while still allowing for smooth operation during cutting tasks.
Finally, check your work by starting up your Stihl MS170 again and verify that it operates smoothly with no further adjustments needed before use!
Why Does My Chainsaw Chain Keep Coming Loose?
Chainsaw chains can come loose due to a variety of reasons, some of which include improper tensioning, inadequate lubrication, and dull saw chain. Improper tensioning is a common cause for the saw chain coming loose. This happens when the tension lever is not tightened correctly or if it has been adjusted too low.
Inadequate lubrication can also cause the chain to become loose as it will slip off its sprockets more easily if there’s not enough oil on them. Lastly, another reason why your chainsaw chain might be coming loose could be because your saw teeth have become dull over time from use and age which will reduce their grip on the wood being cut resulting in slippage along with poor cutting performance. Taking good care of your chainsaw by regularly checking and adjusting its tensioner lever and ensuring that adequate levels of lubricant are present should help keep your chainsaw running smoothly without any issues relating to a loosening chain.
Chapter 5: Adjusting Your Chain Saw’s Chain Tension | STIHL Tutorial
How to Tighten Stihl Chainsaw Chain Stihl
Tightening a Stihl chainsaw chain is easy to do and only takes minutes. To do so, simply locate the tensioning screw on your saw and turn it clockwise until the chain is snug against the guide bar. Make sure you don’t overtighten as this can damage both the chain and guide bar.
If necessary, adjust the spark plug gap according to your manual’s instructions before tightening your chain. Once you’re done, start up your saw to check that everything runs smoothly before using it again!
How to Tighten Stihl Chainsaw Chain Chain
To tighten a Stihl chainsaw chain, start by loosening the bar nuts on either side of the saw’s bar. Next, use an adjustable wrench or pliers to turn the tensioning screw until it’s tight enough that you can’t move the chain with your hand. Finally, retighten both of the bar nuts and check that they are securely tightened.
With regular maintenance, this process should help keep your Stihl chainsaw running smoothly for years to come.
How to Tighten Chain on Stihl Chainsaw Ms170
If your Stihl MS170 Chainsaw chain is too loose, you can easily tighten it yourself. First, locate the tensioning screw on the side of the chainsaw’s body and use a flat head screwdriver to turn it counterclockwise until you feel resistance. Next, move the guide bar away from the saw body without disengaging it from its mountings and pull the drive links towards you so that they are tight against their stops.
Finally, re-tighten the tensioning screw in a clockwise direction until you reach your desired level of tightness. Be sure not to over-tighten as this may cause damage to your chainsaw!
Stihl Chainsaw Tension Screw Not Working
If the tension screw on your Stihl chainsaw is not working properly, you may need to adjust it or replace it. The tension screw is located near the front of the chainsaw and plays an important role in keeping your chain tight and secure. You can adjust the tensioning screw by turning it counterclockwise until you feel some resistance, then turn it clockwise slightly to increase the tension.
If adjusting does not resolve the issue, you may need to replace the tensioning screw with a new one from a Stihl dealer or other parts supplier.
How to Tighten Chain on Electric Chainsaw
Tightening the chain on an electric chainsaw is a relatively simple process. Before beginning, make sure that you have all of the necessary tools: a scrench (screwdriver/wrench combo), a flat file and depth gauge, gloves, and safety glasses. To begin, loosen the bar nuts using your scrench until they are hand-tight.
Afterward, adjust the tensioner screw to properly tension the chain. Lastly, use your flat file or depth gauge to sharpen any dull teeth on your chain before re-tightening the bar nut with your scrench for optimal performance.
How to Tighten Chain on Stihl Chainsaw Ms180C
If your Stihl Chainsaw MS180C has become loose, you can easily tighten the chain. First, make sure that the chainsaw is off and cooled down before beginning. Unscrew the tensioning screw located at the side of the saw with a flat screwdriver or wrench.
Tighten this until it stops turning, then turn it an additional quarter to half a turn more for proper tensioning. After tightening, start up your chainsaw again and check if the chain spins freely without wobbling or coming off entirely – if not, re-tighten as needed.
Conclusion
This blog post has provided helpful information on how to tighten a Stihl Chainsaw. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can adjust and maintain your chainsaw for optimal performance. Additionally, by ensuring that your chainsaw is properly tightened before each use, you can increase safety and prevent any accidents.
Taking proper maintenance of your Stihl Chainsaw will ensure that it lasts for years to come and continues to perform at its best.