Nik's Poulan Thread

[redunshee]

What do ya'll think this saw is worth?

Supposedly has new piston and cylinder. Ported. Boost port model, whatever that means. New gaskets and seals. Sounds like it has a new carb. Runs rich for some reason.

Had one in much better shape I sold a year ago. Think I got $400 but not sure. Ran great. Believe you may have a governed carb that will sound rich if not cutting. Once you start cutting it should clear up. That's the only way to tune them. If it doesn't clean up in the cut you may have to disable the governor.

 

[Ambull01]

Had one in much better shape I sold a year ago. Think I got $400 but not sure. Ran great. Believe you may have a governed carb that will sound rich if not cutting. Once you start cutting it should clear up. That's the only way to tune them. If it doesn't clean up in the cut you may have to disable the governor.

Oh so it's like a limited coil saw, have to tune in the cut. Disabling the governor sounds beyond my capabilities.

 

[jerrycmorrow]

people can help (not me). there's been discussions related to that. confront your fear and trepidation. you know you want to. BUT, we don't know how much they want for it so don't know if its worth it.

 

[Ambull01]

people can help (not me). there's been discussions related to that. confront your fear and trepidation. you know you want to. BUT, we don't know how much they want for it so don't know if its worth it.

I don't know what the hell I want lol. I'm all over the place trying to pick out a nice older Poulan. Smartest thing would be to read through this thread and educate myself about the older models. That would help me make a more informed decision.

 

[redunshee]

Oh so it's like a limited coil saw, have to tune in the cut. Disabling the governor sounds beyond my capabilities.

somewhat similar but its not a limited coil. The governor is on the carb. If it is governed you will see a brass plug on the side of the carb. you can disable by cutting a small round piece from a pie plate, for example, insert it in the opening and replace the brass plug. Again, I don't recall if it has a governor as its been a while since I had my 525. If it has the brass plug use a large enough screwdriver as brass is soft.

 

[Ambull01]

somewhat similar but its not a limited coil. The governor is on the carb. If it is governed you will see a brass plug on the side of the carb. you can disable by cutting a small round piece from a pie plate, for example, insert it in the opening and replace the brass plug. Again, I don't recall if it has a governor as its been a while since I had my 525. If it has the brass plug use a large enough screwdriver as brass is soft.

How did you learn to fix these Poulans?

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I just use a BB in my gov carbs. Some use a welch plug too.

 

[Acornhill]

I learn from my mistake

 

[Ambull01]

I learn from my mistake

Me too. Takes a lot of mistakes though. Often have to make the same mistakes more than once.

 

[redunshee]

How did you learn to fix these Poulans?

We
Ll,

How did you learn to fix these Poulans?

mostly from the great guys on this site. Also reading a lot of old posts that help provide a hint as to the cause of the problem. Saws are relatively simple machines and if you can repair one you can repair most all of them. Biggest issue is finding the cause or culprit. In my experience a rich running saw typically means it's getting too much fuel. Either the carb needs rebuilding or the governor is faulty. Perfect example is the PP 405 I'm working on. I can't seem to get the carb adjusted properly. First thought was an air leak, but saw passed a pressure/ vacuum test. I also saw a lot of fuel on the bench from the saw. Carb was Cleaned in a USC and new parts installed. Still the same issue. My next step is to disable the governor and see what happens. For me its trial and error.

 

[Ambull01]

Well, mostly from the great guys on this site. Also reading a lot of old posts that help provide a hint as to the cause of the problem. Saws are relatively simple machines and if you can repair one you can repair most all of them. Biggest issue is finding the cause or culprit. In my experience a rich running saw typically means it's getting too much fuel. Either the carb needs rebuilding or the governor is faulty. Perfect example is the PP 405 I'm working on. I can't seem to get the carb adjusted properly. First thought was an air leak, but saw passed a pressure/ vacuum test. I also saw a lot of fuel on the bench from the saw. Carb was Cleaned in a USC and new parts installed. Still the same issue. My next step is to disable the governor and see what happens. For me its trial and error.

Okay so process of elimination starting from most like culprit. Sounds fairly straight forward.

 

[redunshee]

Okay so process of elimination starting from most like culprit. Sounds fairly straight forward.

You got it. Likely a carb issue. You are referring to your 525, correct?

 

[Ambull01]

You got it. Likely a carb issue. You are referring to your 525, correct?

No, just in general. I was just saying that's the way you go about with fixing your saws. Figure out what's the problem, know what each part does to narrow down the likely culprit, then start doing easy fixes and re-test. Sounds exactly like what I do when I fix my car lol.

Haven't bought the 525 yet. Still shopping around. I want a fixer upper saw that is within my mechanical knowledge. Would love to get a beaten up saw and really restore it to its former glory.

 

[redunshee]

No, just in general. I was just saying that's the way you go about with fixing your saws. Figure out what's the problem, know what each part does to narrow down the likely culprit, then start doing easy fixes and re-test. Sounds exactly like what I do when I fix my car lol.

Haven't bought the 525 yet. Still shopping around. I want a fixer upper saw that is within my mechanical knowledge. Would love to get a beaten up saw and really restore it to its former glory.

Ok. Guess I misunderstood. Thought the 525 was running rich.

 

[Ambull01]

Ok. Guess I misunderstood. Thought the 525 was running rich.

No sir, you're right. The 525 is running rich, I just don't own it. I was thinking about putting a bid for it. The running rich part was part of the seller's description. Sorry, I should have put that in quotations.

 

[Acornhill]

3400 On the bay at 172.50, really? I can't sell a running one for 75

 

[redunshee]

3400 On the bay at 172.50, really? I can't sell a running one for 75

I was just about to post the same comment. I recently sold a better looking saw with a metal clutch cover and barely got $80. Guess you have to get the right bidder.

 

[Ambull01]

3400 On the bay at 172.50, really? I can't sell a running one for 75

Hold on now, you have a 3400 for $75?

 

[redunshee]

Hold on now, you have a 3400 for $75?

He had one. He like me was hoping to sell it for more but sometimes you don't get the right bidders interested.

 

[fossil]

We
Ll,

mostly from the great guys on this site. Also reading a lot of old posts that help provide a hint as to the cause of the problem. Saws are relatively simple machines and if you can repair one you can repair most all of them. Biggest issue is finding the cause or culprit. In my experience a rich running saw typically means it's getting too much fuel. Either the carb needs rebuilding or the governor is faulty. Perfect example is the PP 405 I'm working on. I can't seem to get the carb adjusted properly. First thought was an air leak, but saw passed a pressure/ vacuum test. I also saw a lot of fuel on the bench from the saw. Carb was Cleaned in a USC and new parts installed. Still the same issue. My next step is to disable the governor and see what happens. For me its trial and error.

Bob,

I am guessing it has an HS carb on it. I've had that very problem with two of them. I could only get it running pig rich. I disabled the governors which didn't help.
I finally pulled the carb covers, metering needle and mixture screws and dropped the carb in a glass and immersed it in Sea Foam for 24 hours and blew it out with low pressure air.
Worked like a charm. There must be small passages inside that the USC didn't clear.