Sounds good, I knew you could get it running again. 
Help me resurrect my old Craftsman chainsaw
- Thread starter wavinwayne
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It cuts great. I'm very excited!Sounds good, I knew you could get it running again.
Super glad to hear you got it running. Terrible cell svc where I'm at so I will watch when I get home
If you need parts on the future, that saw looks like a poulan 2450, made for craftsman.
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I don't have any videos of me running it full throttle, just the one where it sits idling. Still have to figure out the low speed idle setting but I'll get there.
I usually turn the low speed screw in until I get the highest idle, then back out 1/4 turn richer. Re-adjust the idle screw if necessary and repeat again.
I adjust the high side with a small tachometer.
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What I did when reassembling the carb after cleaning is I turned the low and high speed screws until they stopped, then backed each out 1.5 turns. That's the only adjustment I've made so far. I didn't get to run the saw very long today because we had company coming. I'll probably do a little more cutting/adjusting Sunday afternoon.
Also of note is how clean the carb was when I disassembled it. I expected it to be full of varnish/deposits of some sort after sitting all these years, but it was mostly spotless. The gaskets were completely dry rotted, though. I had to scrape them off with a razor.
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One correction to the video I posted earlier where I said I installed a Hipa carb kit. It was actually a Hipa tune up kit (fuel lines, filters, spark plug). The carb kit and carb to engine gasket were kits I got from eBay. The carb kit and carb to engine gasket were both made in USA which was surprising.
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Latest update on this 1997 Craftsman (Poulan) 42cc saw. Trying to diagnose/fix a bogging/dying issue, because I'm a glutton for punishment. The saw runs and cuts GREAT until it gets hot, then bogs under load and dies, regardless of how I adjust the high speed jet. I just ordered a gently used OEM Poulan ignition coil from a small engine repair shop on eBay. I've already rebuilt the carb, replaced fuel lines, fuel filter, and air filter. Chain is sharpened by me before every use. In my mind, the most likely reasons for my issue are either a failing ignition coil or a loss of compression when the saw gets hot. I have never run anything other than 40:1 fuel/oil mix in this saw so I don't think the cylinder or piston are bad. What say you all?
I've thrown too much money and time at this old saw already. If I can't get it running right without much more effort, I'm permanently retiring it. I'm pretty sure I've already cut more wood with this saw than a cheap Poulan was ever intended to cut.
I've thrown too much money and time at this old saw already. If I can't get it running right without much more effort, I'm permanently retiring it. I'm pretty sure I've already cut more wood with this saw than a cheap Poulan was ever intended to cut.
Swap spark plug for another, especially if its a champion, I've had them cutout when hot. Take carb apart and check the diaphragm. I know you went through the carb, but aftermarket stuff is sometimes iffy. Coil is always suspect when its a heat related problem, but you have ordered one.
1. spark plug swap.
2. install the coil you ordered.
If above does not fix it
3. Check compression when hot.
4. go through the carb again.
1. spark plug swap.
2. install the coil you ordered.
If above does not fix it
3. Check compression when hot.
4. go through the carb again.
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Thanks for your feedback and suggestions.
Spark plug is an NGK with less than 8 hours on it, gapped to spec, and looks good to my eye.
The carb kit is an OEM Husqvarna/Poulan, so I don't suspect that as the issue.
Fuel lines and filter are from Hipa but seem fine.
Fingers crossed the newish coil fixes it. I don't think it would be smart to spend any more $ on this old thing.
I had hot coil issues with Sears/Poulan 16 in. saw. Common issue, retired Sears tech who knew the guys in the mower shop.
If the coil does not fix it, check the fuel tank venting.
Also these units need their mufflers drilled and opened up so they do not retain so much heat. Mine refused to idle hot until I drilled the muffler.
Also these units need their mufflers drilled and opened up so they do not retain so much heat. Mine refused to idle hot until I drilled the muffler.
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Assuming I can get this thing running well enough to finish cutting up the rest of my FIL's #*$*%!* Hackberry tree, I'm going to give the saw away. If I keep it, I'll be tempted to spend more money on it. Also, at least for the near future, the chances of me needing a new gas saw are slim to none.
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This saw vents through the gas cap. I just replaced the cap with a new OEM one last week. Bogging/dying is the same with the new cap.
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Retiring the old Craftsman saw. After replacing the coil today, the bogging/no power condition isn't any better. Everything else is tuned and adjusted as it should be on this saw. Crankcase seals are a known issue on these saws and that requires a complete teardown and rebuild. It's just not worth any more of my time, money, and effort. I'm going with an Echo if I ever need another gas saw, which isn't very likely.
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