Nik's Poulan Thread

[Wagnerwerks]

I don't really use any special tools to pull and reinstall a jug, but that the only way to check out what's going on in there.

 

[blk05crew]

Ok thanks!

 

[blk05crew]

Anybody have a link with step by step instructions on what I need to do to remove, clean and re install the piston?

 

[fossil]

I'm going to PM you a couple of shop manuals. You need to remove the cylinder which is very simple. Don't take the piston off the rod. Clean it attached to the rod.
When you get the cylinder off, post any questions you have here regarding clean up.

Check your inbox

 

[blk05crew]

Thanks a lot Tim I really appreciate the help and guidance!

 

[Craigwell]

Here's my Craftsman / Poulan 3400. Looks like the later model, looks like someone took a Poulan clutch cover at one point and sprayed it up. This saw pulled 125psi tonight, and the p/c seem ok through the plug hole. A little carbon.



Here's my Pioneer 1200A, the other member of my home firewood competition. This one pulled 150psi tonight. The 3400 has a bit of work to catch up to it. I don't think 58 vs 56 cc makes much difference, but so far the pioneer is a tick ahead. The 3400 needs a bit of tuning and a sharpening.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

Does the poulan have thin or thick rings? The compression says thick, but a lot of Canadian 3.4s seem to be 3.7s in disguise.

 

[Craigwell]

Interesting . I'll have a better look. For some reason I didn't feel I could see the rings at all last night with the plug out before I did my compression test. I'll look again next chance.

I'm curious what is smart to do to exhaust next (only removed spark arrestor screen, the rest is intact.

Anyone know what I should do with tune?

 

[blk05crew]

I looked over the service manuals, thanks Tim, but I still have a couple question when I go to clean up the p/c on this 4200. After I remove the top cylinder, do I have to remove the piston as well? What do I use to clean the p/c and are there any do's and don'ts? Also, am I going to need something to compress the rings in order to get it back together?
Sorry for all the questions, I haven't actually done anything this complex to a saw yet.

 

[fossil]

I looked over the service manuals, thanks Tim, but I still have a couple question when I go to clean up the p/c on this 4200. After I remove the top cylinder, do I have to remove the piston as well? What do I use to clean the p/c and are there any do's and don'ts? Also, am I going to need something to compress the rings in order to get it back together?
Sorry for all the questions, I haven't actually done anything this complex to a saw yet.

Don't remove the piston. There is no need to and I hear they are a pain to get back on.
You can remove the carbon from the piston by scraping the top with something soft like a piece of hardwood and I use Hoppe's #9 gun powder solvent for the carbon that's left.
Some guys use Easy off oven cleaner. Someone said a while ago that the Hoppe's will attack chrome plating.
Maybe someone else will chime in for the cylinder carbon.

Make sure the rings are free in the grooves and not stuck. Be gentle there.
Take some pic's of the inside of the cylinder before you do anything there.

Sometimes you can squeeze the rings with your fingers when reassembling. It depends what the base of the cylinder looks like. Some have a tapered lead in but I don't know about that on a 4200.

That is a very easy cylinder to take off as there is only the muffler attached to it.
I bought a set of plastic ring compressors for $10 or so and they make it really easy. Pic of one is attached. Bought mine at N o r t h w o o d s a w

 

[blk05crew]

Great thanks again Tim, hopefully I can tackle this sometime this week. I'd like to get it running!

 

[blk05crew]

What do you all like/recommend for a bar & chain combo for the 4200? My other saws have 20" set ups but I was thinking of running a little bigger one on the 4200.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

If it was mine, I'd be hanging a 24 on it if it was my bigger saw. If may handle more in a pinch. These other guys know that series far better than I do.

 

[blk05crew]

I was kind of thinking 24, I don't think I'll need anything much bigger.

 

[blk05crew]

That's probably what I'll go with. It'd be nice to have something a little bigger.

 

[blk05crew]

Is this breather screw supposed to have a line on it?

 

[fossil]

Is this breather screw supposed to have a line on it?
View attachment 372803

Mine did have a little piece of tubing. I just stuck a bit of filter foam over it with a bit of glue (don't block the hole) to keep dust out. There's also a duckbill check valve in there which is now part number 530026119 which is readily available for around $2. It may be OK or may have turned to a gooey mess.

 

[hotshot]

Don't remove the piston. There is no need to and I hear they are a pain to get back on.View attachment 372705

Good tip on leaving it alone. I bought this over priced Kawasaki made tool to remove a scored slug last year,
and still had to heat the piston up with a paint remover gun/blower to get it out.

Getting the wrist pin pushed back in to the correct depth with the tool, while the piston is hot, was the chore.
An extra set of hands would have made it a snap.

 

[blk05crew]

Going to my brother in laws tonight, he's got the right tools and has done this before so we'll get it cleaned up tonight.

Here is the relief tube i took from my parts 3400, it will work on the 4200 but I need to get the duck bill piece for the end right?

 

[blk05crew]

Got the fuel line replaced last night and also cleaned as much carbon out of the muffler with a screw driver as I could. There was a lot in there, wow! Could get the muffler apart for the life of me.




Gonna pull the cylinder and clean it and the piston tonight.