Chainsaw rehab

[Bill Stock]

I've got a 16" Poulan Pro that gets occaissonal use only. It has several problems at the moment.

1) It kicks a bit when you try to start it. Cleaning the chain brake seems to have helped this, but it seems to come and go. Seems worse when cold.

2) It dies when you give it the gas. If you start it with the choke and then restart it without the choke it will run like a banshee until you gas it and then drop back to idle. It seems to keep runing after this.

3) It will stall after minimal use, seems to be overheating.

I've changed the air filter and plug with 0 difference. I'm hoping some carburetor rehab will help it out, but I'm thinking it's T.U..

Any advice on this.

[LinuxRandal]

Has gas been left in it? Gas will eventually varnish up, and some of the passages start to get clogged, and it won't run right. I take the stuff to some people I know, since I don't like working with those small carburators.

[tommyt654]

You may have an air leak. Check where the carb attaches to the cyl. head and make sure those bolts are not loose. Also sometimes carbon buildup in the exhaust port and muffler can cause erratic idling and kickback. Take off the muffler and place it on your gas grill for 5 min or so. This will help to harden the carbon buildup for easier removal. If your muffler can be dissasembled, do so and scrape away carbon buildup from the exhaust, also check the exhaust port on the cyl. head and clear it up as well. I have used a dremel tool w/wire brusk to do this or a deburing bit to clean out this port. Be careful not to allow any carbon buildup to fall into the cyl.. Reassemble and check your idle speed.

[Bill Stock]

You may have an air leak. Check where the carb attaches to the cyl. head and make sure those bolts are not loose. Also sometimes carbon buildup in the exhaust port and muffler can cause erratic idling and kickback. Take off the muffler and place it on your gas grill for 5 min or so. This will help to harden the carbon buildup for easier removal. If your muffler can be dissasembled, do so and scrape away carbon buildup from the exhaust, also check the exhaust port on the cyl. head and clear it up as well. I have used a dremel tool w/wire brusk to do this or a deburing bit to clean out this port. Be careful not to allow any carbon buildup to fall into the cyl.. Reassemble and check your idle speed.

Thanks, I did read about those bolts getting loose. I was going to clean the carb, but a new one is only $20; hardly seems worth the dicking around. It's also running a little loud, so I'll check the muffler.

[sparkeyjames]

Put some SeaFoam in the fuel. This stuff is magic. Cleans injectors and carburetors like nothing else. I put a cap full in the gas in my weed whacker tank and it started up after just a few pulls. This after being left all fall and winter with an empty fuel tank. Also if it turns out your carbon deposits are causing the problem use a cleaner burning 2 stroke additive.

[Bill Stock]

Followup question

OK, took the muffler off and it looked fairly clean. But their was some buildup on the plate between the cylinder and the muffler. Looks like the muffler was a bit loose and it was leaking. Piston looked clean from the little I could see. Tighted the muffler and the carb as they were both loose. I made the mixture a bit richer and put some gas cleaner in it and left it to gasp on the lawn. At least it's still running. Surprised it's not smoking with the gas additive in it. I did not want to add too much as 475ml is supposed to do 70l and the CS tank can't be much over a cup. (Manual does not say )

It seems to be a piston or ring problem though, as it really kicks when you try to start it. This seems to subside once you crank it enough times. I see the four bolts on the bottom of the cylinder, how difficult to take apart and reassemble? I assume new rings are worthwhile, but anything more and I might as well scrap it?

[eezlock]

chainsaw rehab

Bill, aren't chainsaws fun? At least they seem to be...anyway! Your problem sounds like "varnished gas" in the carb and fuel line. Clean it out and your problems should go away. Another poster advised using a product called
Seafoam, don't have any personal experience with it but would like to try it, but haven't seen or heard of it around here. eezlock

[Bill Stock]

Bill, aren't chainsaws fun? At least they seem to be...anyway! Your problem sounds like "varnished gas" in the carb and fuel line. Clean it out and your problems should go away. Another poster advised using a product called
Seafoam, don't have any personal experience with it but would like to try it, but haven't seen or heard of it around here. eezlock

I'm not sure the neighbours would agree! Seems a little smoother after revving it up with the gas additive (Seafoam substitute). I'll see how hard it is to start tomorrow. I plan to add a little more 'gas cleaner' tomorrow and cut up some logs. At least it doesn't die when you give it the gas now.

[conwaygolfer]

Chain Saw

Try adjusting the carb before you go too much deeper into it. There should be 2 jets / screws. One is the low speed and the other high speed. Turn the low speed jet until the idle is as fast as it will go (rpm wise). If necessary, adjust the idle screw down a little in order to keep the chain from spinning. This will be found on the side of the carb where the linkage attaches.

Then give it full throttle while adjusting the high speed screw. You want to turn it in until it reaches max rpm. You may even want someone else to hold the trigger while you do the adjusting. After you reach max rpm, turn it back just a hair. You will hear the difference in the rpm. If you leave it at the highest rpm, you run the risk of burningout the cylinder, as it will be running too lean. (not enough gas and oil mixture).

That should help. I have the same saw and never stabilize the gas or run it out of gas during periods of non use. And has never been a problem. A simple carb adjust from time to time is all thats ever been needed on my saw.

Hope this helps.
Glenn
PS: Years ago I replaced the piston and cylinder in a homelite XL 12. I had to borrow many speciality tools to get it done. If I were you, I would not even attempt it.

[Bill Stock]

PS: Years ago I replaced the piston and cylinder in a homelite XL 12. I had to borrow many speciality tools to get it done. If I were you, I would not even attempt it.

Thanks for the warning Glenn. I'm sure you guys are right that the carb is a large part of my problem, but the stiff pull has me thinking there must be some cylinder damage.

I was considering upgrading to the Poulan Pro 20" on sale at Sears if this doesn't work out, but I've read that the tool-less (plastic) tensioner is junk.

[dbhost]

Not sure if SeaFoam is okay for 2 stroke engines. Works like a dream on 4 strokers though... My 5.4L V-8 tends to get cranky if I feed it cheap gas too long. A bottle of SeaFoam in the tank for 2 fills and the truck runs like brand new again...

Probably a better idea to run good gas all the time, but all that are on my way to work are lousy gas stations...

[Woody]

If you are considering a new one..

If you are even thinking about a new chainsaw, think Stihl and don't even bother with these other chainsaws. You'll be happier in the long run and it will last a long, long time.

[SARGE..g-47]

I will join Woody if you are considering a new chain saw and have a look at the Stihl... I've done McCullough.. Husky and finally the Stihl about 9 years ago. I wouldn't consider another at this point. I can say the same about their weed-cutter.. brush cutter and leaf blower. I am fortunate to have a Stihl deaer about 4 miles away with a complete service center which even includes sharpening.

[JimD]

I have an old McCullough that I also only use about once a year. It has a manual choke which must be matched to the engine temperature but once it warms up it runs well.

I have had an issue with the air cleaner getting clogged by sawdust. I didn't see that mentioned by others. When I had the problem, it was pretty obviously clogged up. You could also take it off and see how it runs (briefly).

Stalling when you hit the gas also happens when you have too much choke on. Or too little.

Jim

[Bill Stock]

If you are even thinking about a new chainsaw, think Stihl and don't even bother with these other chainsaws. You'll be happier in the long run and it will last a long, long time.

Thanks I was looking at the Stihl, Husqvarna and Solo. But I'm hoping to make this one last another season since the saws are so much more this side of the border. It would be nice to have a saw that's rated for more than 50 hours though.