Poulan Chainsaw not starting

Pixguy · Apr 27, 2020

I have a 4yo 50cc Poulan Pro that I couldn't start last year so I used a smaller one for the few limbs I had to trim. Today I had a downed tree due to high winds and tried to start the Poulan again and had no luck. The saw has maybe 10hrs on it.
The plug appears clean and gapped correctly, air filter was only slightly dirty, carb was clean and I replaced the gas with fresh gas and still not turning over.
I will have to test the plug for spark and maybe replace the gas filter and gas line.

Any other suggestions?

radios1 · Apr 27, 2020

if the plug was clean, and not wet from gasoline, the cylinder is not getting gas, it's possible you have bad fuel hoses, or a clogged carburetor. have you tried putting a small amount of gas in the carb, and tried starting it?..

RalphVa · Apr 27, 2020

Get a battery one. They're great. No starting problems. No fuel mix or storage problems.

Unless you do commercial work, I don't see why anyone is still using a motor driven chain saw.

Ralph

Wasmeneh · Apr 27, 2020

If you left non ethanol gas in it the carb is probably shot. You can get a carb for it for not much on EBay or Amazon. The only way I could keep my small chainsaws running is to drain the tanks after use and let them idle until they die. I only use non ethanol gas with stabil.

Maxify55 · Apr 27, 2020

Go ask Steve:

How To Fix a ChainSaw if it Won't Start

How To Fix a ChainSaw if it Won't Start - Video - YouTube

Great vids

orezok · Apr 27, 2020

Same problem with my pullin’ & pullin’ & pullin chainsaw. I drain the tank after every use, pump the bulb numerous times and put the choke on and pull it numerous times to get as much of the gas out of the carb. Some times it works other times it doesnt. My remedy was to drill a small hole in the cover over the air cleaner and with a straw give it a shot of ether. Starts every time.

MossRoad · Apr 28, 2020

Pixguy said:
I have a 4yo 50cc Poulan Pro that I couldn't start last year so I used a smaller one for the few limbs I had to trim. Today I had a downed tree due to high winds and tried to start the Poulan again and had no luck. The saw has maybe 10hrs on it.
The plug appears clean and gapped correctly, air filter was only slightly dirty, carb was clean and I replaced the gas with fresh gas and still not turning over.
I will have to test the plug for spark and maybe replace the gas filter and gas line.

Any other suggestions?

As others have suggested, give it a shot of starting fluid (a small shot!) right into the carb and give it a pull. If it pops, you know your spark plug is good. Then you can concentrate on a fuel issue. If it doesn't pop on starting fluid, it's most likely a spark issue.

It's a simple test and takes just a minute. Good luck.

Pixguy · Jun 13, 2020

Update here, I found no spark at the plug so my neighbor who knows some replaced the coil saying, yup that's what it was. Still won't fire up. Brought it the local repair shop and he says Nope, Poulan is a $100 saw, throw it away and start again.

Really?

radios1 · Jun 13, 2020

Pixguy said:
Update here, I found no spark at the plug so my neighbor who knows some replaced the coil saying, yup that's what it was. Still won't fire up. Brought it the local repair shop and he says Nope, Poulan is a $100 saw, throw it away and start again.

Really?

true, but you can try replacing the fuel hoses, they do dry out and crack, 4 years is about right for that, usually, repair shops don't charge more than 50% of the new price for a repair, it's not worth it!.. add the price of say a new carburetor to the shop repair charge, and sometimes it's not worth it!.. fuel hose replacements are not expensive though, maybe $5 a foot for the hose, if you can find someone to do it for free, else add a shop charge to that!..

MossRoad · Jun 13, 2020

Pixguy said:
Update here, I found no spark at the plug so my neighbor who knows some replaced the coil saying, yup that's what it was. Still won't fire up. Brought it the local repair shop and he says Nope, Poulan is a $100 saw, throw it away and start again.

Really?

After you replaced the coil, did you try using some starting fluid sprayed into the carb with the air cleaner removed to see if it pops?

KennyG · Jun 14, 2020

If you now have spark and compression, the starting fluid should pop. Fuel lines (and filter) are the next probable issue, although 4 years are not much. I had to replace the lines on my Poulan and it's not an expensive or particularly difficult job. However, mine was almost 20 years old when it needed it.

stevem5215 · Jun 20, 2020

As someone who just went through all of that with my 14 year old Craftsman (Poulan) saw, don't bother. Sure the carb is only $15 and the gasket kit is only $8.95 and on and on till you spend waaaaayy too much trying to fix it when you can get one from DirectTools.com for $99.

Steve got a $63 14" Ryobi 37cc instead. (and wasted other money on useless parts)

5030 · Jun 20, 2020

Pixguy said:
Update here, I found no spark at the plug so my neighbor who knows some replaced the coil saying, yup that's what it was. Still won't fire up. Brought it the local repair shop and he says Nope, Poulan is a $100 saw, throw it away and start again.

Really?

Really.............:laughing:

5030 · Jun 20, 2020

Poolans are disposa saws.

RSKY · Jul 1, 2020

A few years ago my father in law bought a Poulan at Lowes. They got it running and he took it home and used it once. Next time it wouldn't start. He took it back and the guy at the store got it started. He used it once and the next time he needed it, no start. Asked me what to do and I told him to get his money back and get a Stihl. He took it back to the store, got his money back, and gave $20-30 more for a little Stihl. He makes sure he uses non ethanol gas and it starts every single time on the second or third pull.

My advice is to junk the Poulan, chalk it off as a lesson learned, and buy a Stihl from a shop that works on what they sell. Ten years from now you will be money ahead.

RSKY

5030 · Jul 1, 2020

Any saw marketed by a company that specializes in vacuum cleaners has to be top shelf.....:laughing:

/pine · Jul 1, 2020

There are several small equipment repair shops in town...in every one there is more Stihl brand saws, trimmers, blowers etc. in for repairs than about any other brand...

Before replacing the coil on any piece of equipment...it's prudent to check the kill switch leads etc. for shorts that will prevent a spark...

To check a coil remove the plug and hold the wire in a hand and hold it against the head...slowly pull the cord or spin the crank...if the coil is working you will feel it...

kenmbz · Jul 1, 2020

/pine said:
There are several small equipment repair shops in town...in every one there is more Stihl brand saws, trimmers, blowers etc. in for repairs than about any other brand...

Before replacing the coil on any piece of equipment...it's prudent to check the kill switch leads etc. for shorts that will prevent a spark...

To check a coil remove the plug and hold the wire in a hand and hold it against the head...slowly pull the cord or spin the crank...if the coil is working you will feel it...

and wake up a while later about 10 feet away from where you were standing