Starting problems & 2 cycle mix

[yeehaw1960]

Poulan chain saws were pretty decent up to 6 or 8 years ago. If they're not eating oil pumps or coils, they break in ever other imaginable way till you wise up and get an Echo (from a dealer) or a Stihl.

Beware the newest Poulans...they are not only junk, but you have to buy an entire carburetor if you need something as simple as a spring. Nice cases though on the internet order ones. If your chain saw starts easy when it's cold and very hard (or not at all) when it's hot, it's more likely your coil, plug choice, or plug wire. Look at the places the plug wire touches the engine too.

 

[Cmarti]

Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960
Poulan chain saws were pretty decent up to 6 or 8 years ago. If they're not eating oil pumps or coils, they break in ever other imaginable way till you wise up and get an Echo (from a dealer) or a Stihl.

Beware the newest Poulans...they are not only junk, but you have to buy an entire carburetor if you need something as simple as a spring. Nice cases though on the internet order ones. If your chain saw starts easy when it's cold and very hard (or not at all) when it's hot, it's more likely your coil, plug choice, or plug wire. Look at the places the plug wire touches the engine too.


You may very well be right. The E3 plug over the Champion EZ Start may have been the difference. Heat range of the plug? It was the only change other than oil and ratio. I swapped out a coil out of another Poulan my buddy junked (based on an earlier suggestion here), and it did not make a difference in the hot start.

I have had such good luck with small 2 cycle engines, even cheap ones. I have mccoulloch string trimmer I bought from K-mart in 1994 that starts perfectly. Everyone brings me their problems and the fix is easy. Clean carb and exhaust, change fuel lines and adjust it. I have always run everything on Valvoline or some other multi mix, with no problems. I always store equipment properly and use fresh gas. These saws have been a real frustration. I will keep the one running as a back up or a loan out saw.

I agree with your advice to others, but an echo or stihl. Thanks.

 

[cronk]

I have had an 18" Poulan "wild thing", for about 3-4 years.
I run the poulan full synthetic oil in it. Mine does require 1 shot of the primer for a hot start.
I think these newer saws run very lean due to emission requirement (thanks EPA). The carb on mine is not even adjustable according to my dealer. I cant complain though, its been a very good saw, I use it all the time and have cut alot of wood with it, no issues.
It has outlasted my cousin's high dollar Huskvarna!

 

[tamadrummer]

I know this is an older topic and the OP has his problem solved now but I will still add my $.02

Run only 93 octane fuel and Stihl Ultra HP or Stihl Super HP and add sea foam once a month. (Just my own insurance against gum up)

I have a Poulan Pro 4620 and have NO problems starting ever. Bosch WSR6F plugs and use the 50:1 mix with 93 octane and top quality mix oil!

At the first hint of trouble starting, the plug goes in the trash and a new plug solves the issue.

BTW my other saws are: Stihl MS290, MS250, MS025, and MS026

Never go with more oil than 50:1, it is totally unnecessary.