Poulan woodshark won't run

[165masseyky]

I have a little Poulan Woodshark chainsaw that was given to me by my Mother In Law 2 years ago. And before you say it I know there a quote unquote "throw away saw". But the thing is she gave me the saw and wants me to get it fixed and keep using it. And to be honest I like the little saw. Keep it out of the dirt and the bar oil tank full and it is a joy to operate. Not to heavy and has a surprising amount of power as long as you let the tool do the work. So if someone could help I would appreciate it. Here is what the saw is doing and what I have done to try to fix it unsuccessfully.

Runs for about 3 minutes with no problems then acts as if it has ran out of fuel. Wait 30 seconds and will run for another couple a minutes. You can run it all day as long as you keep repeating the cycle.

I have to this point tried operating the saw without the fuel filter(which has been put back in after a test run showed no improvement)to check if the filter was stopped up and it didn't help. Visually made sure the priming bulb was staying full of fuel and not leaking or collapsing. Cleaned the plug and made sure the fuel reservoir cap was still venting.

All this has been a bust. Anyone for pointing me in the right direction? There isn't a local saw shop for 40 miles of me so i am trying to look at the obvious stuff before making the drive.

 

[creekbend]

Just a thought? You might have water in the gas tank. Have you tried emptying all the gas and filling it back up with fresh gas. The gas in it presently may have water present, especially if it has been subjected to moisture. Just be sure to drain the fuel line also. Just a thought, but one that I would surely try. It does not cost much to refill the tank. Good Luck.

 

[Depmandog]

I know you looked at the primer bulb, but it sure sounds like its starving for fuel My guess is the following - small air leak in the plastic tubing or primer bulb that allows the system to lose prime after it burns the fuel in the fuel line. .

Or, the pickup tube in the tank is getting plugged either by debris or is positioned so that it sucks air or seals itself shut against the tank side. I don't think you would see the primer bulb collapsing if there was a plug fuel line.

Of course, I assume you have cleaned / replace the air filter, have fresh properly mixed fuel (correct ratio of oil / gas).

Past that, I would yank the little carb off and visually inspect for gunk. Spray it / soak in carb cleaner.

Good luck.

Dean

 

[165masseyky]

I know you looked at the primer bulb, but it sure sounds like its starving for fuel My guess is the following - small air leak in the plastic tubing or primer bulb that allows the system to lose prime after it burns the fuel in the fuel line. .

Or, the pickup tube in the tank is getting plugged either by debris or is positioned so that it sucks air or seals itself shut against the tank side. I don't think you would see the primer bulb collapsing if there was a plug fuel line.

Of course, I assume you have cleaned / replace the air filter, have fresh properly mixed fuel (correct ratio of oil / gas).

Past that, I would yank the little carb off and visually inspect for gunk. Spray it / soak in carb cleaner.

Good luck.

Dean

Yep tried that too still no change. I wonder if the coil could be getting hot

 

[Army grunt]

Put a new filter in the tank an use a new gas line. I had one doing that the gas line in the tank was collapsing.Also take the carb apart clean an dry it.I don't by into the toss away saw thing.
Army Grunt

 

[gwdixon]

Sounds like you have a carb rebuild issue. It is not hard and I've done several so anybody can do it. Just make sure to note how the throttle cable and gas lines are hooked up before taking it apart to make sure they go back together the same way.

A carb rebuild is indicated especially if you have gas in the primer bulb. The diaphragms go out on the Chinese carbs with disturbing regularity.

Google the saw model and "parts" and you come up with something.

Jack's Small Engines usually has parts for just about everything.

 

[BeeferMan]

Not sure how the fuel tank is vented on a saw like that, but it sounds like the vent is plugged...

 

[JohninCT]

Found a guy on YouTube that has some real informative videos... may help you out. Your carb might be a different model, but the adjustment and repairs will be similar.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lw0pJcEPYo"]HOW TO ADJUST POULAN CHAINSAW CARBURETOR - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxh95KZNt68"]HOW TO Remove WALBRO Carburetor From the Poulan 2150 Chainsaw - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0fKiP_P_i0"]HOW TO Disassemble Poulan 2150 Chainsaw Walbro Carburetor - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm7dqm_PQLI"]HOW TO REASSEMBLE Walbro Carburetor on The Poulan 2150 Chainsaw - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU-EAqsyJHM"]HOW TO INSTALL Walbro CARBURETOR ON THE POULAN 2150 CHAINSAW AFTER TEARDOWN AND REBUILD - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Dead Horse]

Try this. Run it until it stops. Refill the tank and see if it will start right back up again after priming.

If that is the case the fuel line in the tank may have degraded (thank you ethanol!) and has pin holes in it. It is drawing air and causing the engine to go lean and then run out of fuel. I have had to put fuel lines in all three of my Husqvarna saws, thanks to the crap gas the corrupt government foists upon us. I started putting a couple oz of Startron in my mix and that seems to have made the saws a lot happier.

 

[wolc123]

I also have a Poulan Woodshark and I agree that it is a Joy to use. Much more pleasant than my big Husqavarna. By the way, my big Husky has twice needed new fuel lines after exhibiting symptoms exactly as you describe. The last time I used Sthil fuel line and that has held up well. I suggest you replace your fuel line prior to anything else.