Fricken new two stroke chainsaw

[boscoe99]

Just bought one from HD. Poulon Pro. If this is a Pro model I would hate to try the amateur model.

Hard to start. Won't run worth a crap. Tamper proof mixture screws that require a special tool for adjustment.

Do I try to get it to run or just take it back? Or spend more bucks buying an adjustment tool with no promise that it will work.

I note that the owner's manual says in big bold letters that if there is a problem and gas and oil have been added not to take it back to Home Depot. Rather, take it to a service center. Nearest is 10 miles away. Two trips required, one to leave it there and another to go and get it. With no real expectations that they will fix it.

Of course HD will take it back and then give it back to the maker. Probably what I should do. Let it be HD's and Poulons problem. What say yee?

I remember why I hate two strokes.

[walleye1]

Take it back, does it have a primer on it?

[pstephens46]

Stihl and Echo. I've wasted lots of money and time on the other cheapies...

[boscoe99]

Take it back, does it have a primer on it?

Yes. Maybe I have not yet found the proper sequence of pumping the primer, pulling the choke, pulling the starter handle and God only knows what else.

They make these things run so lean that they don't.

[boscoe99]

Stihl and Echo. I've wasted lots of money and time on the other cheapies...

Poulon is made by Husqvarna. I thought they made good stuff. I thought wrong.

[amahaork]

have you read manual

[pstephens46]

Poulon is made by Husqvarna. I thought they made good stuff. I thought wrong.

Not compared to the two I mentioned. I blame CA too.....

[zenoahphobic]

Know the feeling. All that energy wasted yanking the pull cord, should have just put a handsaw on that arm, the job would have been done.
I have an Echo for 35 years now, choke out, idle up lever locked in held by foot, two tugs a fart, push in choke, pull scream to life, release throttle to unlock fast idle, then warm up with slight throttle.....done.....every time. I don't lend this saw to anyone because when you find a twostroke that starts with the same simple effortless sequence every time, they are worth ****.

I expect they call yours " Pullon " for a reason.

And I expect your rage will raise a notch if you do manage to start the thing cold, when you try to start the thing hot after it has run!

[scofflaw]

Poulan.....pure crap , just made that mistake myself. Stihl is the way to go.

[zenoahphobic]

Poulan.....pure crap , just made that mistake myself. Stihl is the way to go.

Past Stihl weedwackers with slide carries suffered the same temperamental starts/ running. I suspect the changing tilt of these motors has something to do with it.
But if I was to generalise about small two stroke motors, their weak point invariably is the inherent weak ignition system.

[robert graham]

I have 4 chainsaws, 3 gas 1 electric.....the electric always works perfect, the 3 gas ones, not so perfect....in fact, they suck!...it's those darn little carbs that's the problem!!!

[scofflaw]

Past Stihl weedwackers with slide carries suffered the same temperamental starts/ running. I suspect the changing tilt of these motors has something to do with it.
But if I was to generalise about small two stroke motors, their weak point invariably is the inherent weak ignition system.

Have owned stihl chainsaws, blowers and hedge trimmers for years....never a problem,ever. never heard of a slide carry weedwacker.. Never an issue with with weak ignition system.

Over fueling can be a problem with some cheap ass brands. Soooo is it over fueling or weak ignition ????? Symptoms will be similar... Poulan for sure is crap

[panasonic]

I had same trouble with a Poulan chain saw. I got the special screwdriver set on amazon for $6.00 and adjusted the Hi/low screws...runs alright now.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have a Poulan Pro chain saw (got used, cleaned the carb and replaced fuel lines years ago) as well.

The issue your having is it's simply set too lean (like most engine's nowadays).

Pull off the air box cover,(under the handle) see the carb. You'll likely have to remove the TWO carb mounting screws, remove the black plastic air intake, then the carb. The outer most, closest to the air filter SCREW is the HIGH SPEED SCREW. There should be an "H" above it). The other is the LOW SPEED screw. Counter clockwise richens the mix, which is what's needed.

If you don't want to invest in the adjuster tool, VERY inexpensive for a set (chinese but work well), take a cut off wheel dremel tool and cut a thin slot in each adjustment head screw-SMALL for a FLAT HEAD screw driver.

Now you can adjust away.

Over the years (if you keep the machine), those screws will need tweeking..

You want to set the high speed adjuster for the fastest, RPM's you can get @ WOT. For the low speed (it's probably already very lean), you can richen that up a tad till you get a nice steady idle and QUICK THROTTLE response..


My neighbor had a similar machine that wouldn't rev and idled at half throttle. Adjusted those for the HS, then fattened up the LS and it now idled and revved up as it should. I asked if it ever idled before and he said no. Well it does now!

I'd personally buy a small cheapo set of the "drivers", their used on most small engines, EVEN 4 strokes..

OR, you can R&R my VST filter and I'll get your machine purring!

[99yam40]

Just bought one from HD. Poulon Pro. If this is a Pro model I would hate to try the amateur model.

Hard to start. Won't run worth a crap. Tamper proof mixture screws that require a special tool for adjustment.

Do I try to get it to run or just take it back? Or spend more bucks buying an adjustment tool with no promise that it will work.

I note that the owner's manual says in big bold letters that if there is a problem and gas and oil have been added not to take it back to Home Depot. Rather, take it to a service center. Nearest is 10 miles away. Two trips required, one to leave it there and another to go and get it. With no real expectations that they will fix it.

Of course HD will take it back and then give it back to the maker. Probably what I should do. Let it be HD's and Poulons problem. What say yee?

I remember why I hate two strokes.

when did you buy it?
what kind of fuel and oil did you put in it?
how long did you set it up after using it?
or did you ever get it started at all when brought home?

I have Poulen pro weed eater and blower that were given to me because they would not run.
the adjustment tools are worth buying.
a little cleaning of carbs and replacing fuel lines and filters and they run very well.

the blower I had to pull the piston and unstick the rings, now it runs very well with good compression