Old Poulan 1800 worth fixing up?

[Nardoo]

When you get as old as me you will find yourself reaching for a little micro more and more. Light and nippy and they go for ever - what is not to like?

Al.

 

[jus2fat]

UOTE=MnSam;3845866]Partially agree. If the p/c is toast, leave it be. However, if the fix is simple as it is often, this saw is definitely worth a few bucks investment. Not sure how you can completely dismiss a saw without actually running one. Fun little saw.[/QUOTE]
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Well..not trying to starting a pissing match..LOL..!!

Basically..there's very few "general" folks that have any interest in a top-handle saw - other than climbers.

If it was a 'name brand' like Husky or Stihl...I would still advise owner of repair $$...and no market..so they're the owner..!!

And an old Poulan top-handle....surely you're joking....unless it has some sentimental value to the new owner..??

If for some reason...it does - - well...I hope it works out to his satisfaction.....I've seen people do strange thing over sentiment.
(I would be a perfect example...I spent $300+ to fix an old microwave that I gave to my grandmother...just had to do it...!!!)

J2F

 

[3000 FPS]

And even if you do pay to have them fixed..(other than carb adjustment)..they're still "one step from death"..!!

J2F

I must be good at raising the dead.

 

[jus2fat]

So top handle poulans are money traps...And you've never actually worked on one.... And you have a saw shop and $11 for carb kit and $3 worth of fuel line is too much coin to put into a saw? Honestly man if I repaired saws for a living..... well I guess Ill give you the benefit of doubt and say your only giving advice based on what you've heard others say about these saws without actually putting a wrench on one or operating one yourself.

Again..not trying to start a pissing match...

Just sayin'...that there's little reason to throw $$ at these top-handles. - Nobody wants them..!!

And if you'll read in my last post..if it's sentimental...well that's something else...

And ...Yes...I've never had an old top-handle Poulan saw in my shop....because likely there's None here..!!
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As I said from the start...I was gonna be the 'out-cast" .

(The site is a bit dull right now...so I just injected something for folks to comment on..!!)

I am Fish's protege........so I can be provocative....but NOT demeaning.....thanks to all that posted..!!

Seriously..??..LOL..!!

J2F

 

[Modifiedmark]

Well..actually I seldom get a Poulan small saw in for repair.

The closest stocking dealer is 27 miles away (54 miles round trip)..so the owner does the driving..NOT me..!!

I mostly get 'wild-thing's in to fix...not top handle Poulan saw for sure...actually never had one in.

Just sayin'..these small engine Poulan saw are $$ bandits....i.e."$$ traps"....just not worth the coin to fix.

And even if you do pay to have them fixed..(other than carb adjustment)..they're still "one step from death"..!!

J2F

You really dont understand do you?

Do you realise that the Poulan micro's and there later versions were produced for at least 20 years that I know of and were labled for at least 25 different brands?

They were produced in Canada as well as the US and they were exported to who knows how many countries wearing names like AL-KO, Emel, Landoni, Dolmar, Partner, Husqvarna. This is facts, and I have factory documents to back it up.

They set the market on there ear in 1977 when they were first intoduced, and they listed for a unheard of at that time $79. They didnt last over 20 years of production being $$ Bandits.

I have thought of this before wondering what might have been the most produced model of chainsaws of all time and I cant help but think if you include all the models based on the original Micro that this may be the most produced model of all. If it aint, I sure dont know what would have sold more.

Personally, cant think of any other saw that would cost less for a fuel line and a carb kit to fix either.

 

[joe25DA]

Again..not trying to start a pissing match...

Just sayin'...that there's little reason to throw $$ at these top-handles. - Nobody wants them..!!

And if you'll read in my last post..if it's sentimental...well that's something else...

And ...Yes...I've never had an old top-handle Poulan saw in my shop....because likely there's None here..!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I said from the start...I was gonna be the 'out-cast" .

(The site is a bit dull right now...so I just injected something for folks to comment on..!!)

I am Fish's protege........so I can be provocative....but NOT demeaning.....thanks to all that posted..!!

Seriously..??..LOL..!!

J2F

I dont run or work on anything for "sentimental reasons". I have the luxury of picking and choosing based off a few simple facts when it comes to saws:
Quality of construction
Performance
Maintenance
As I said before if you haven't worked on a micro how can you bash it or any other saw?
Ill be honest, I don't particularly like the micro! But I cant deny they are a well built simple saw.

 

[Martijn]

Poulan 2300

I must be good at raising the dead.

Found a Poulan 2300av 2 years ago at my mother in law. It was stored outside in its case.
In the past did a lot of 2 stroke repairs on mopeds and figured that I could give that green little saw a try. Cleaned it out ,took it apart and replaced fuel line , spark plug and just cleaned the carb out and soaked it overnight in sea foam. Put everything back , and 7 pulls later it was a runner! Now it starts easy and I run a 14" bar on it with Oregon chain. Cost me less than 10$ to fix this up. Made my money back many times just cutting oak and cherry wood for the BBQ smoker!

 

[homelitejim]

Don't forget Craftsman, how many walked out the door of Sears to average Joe? I really enjoy that the starting instructions printed on the top of the saw call for a drop start starting procedure. I have owned a few different top handle saws including a really nice 020A/V Stihl and the Poulan 1800 is the one I still have. It is a very handy saw for crawling through the buck brush cutting trails.

 

[roostersgt]

I've now worked on 3 Poulans and all are working. A couple of 2000's and a Super Deluxe 25. The parts for the Super Deluxe 25 were extremely hard to obtain. A nationwide search, including a begging session on this site, could produce only 2 offers. A NOS diaphragm kit for $18.95 plus shipping, and a NOS complete pump for $49, which I got for $25. Add to that the new Tygon fuel line, carb kit, air filter, air filter gasket and fuel cap and it's hardly worth doing when one considers what the saws sell for. This is not mentioning the original cost of the PHO, which was $40. Add a NOS banana bar and "pro" Oregon X chain, and you're in pretty deep. Good luck if you think finding oil pump parts are readily available. My experience is they are not and are quite cost prohibitive. I built this saw for educational purposes only,,,,,and CAD/OCD issues.

The Poulan 2000's were another story altogether. I only had to replace the fuel lines, filters and carb kits to get them running properly, plus a new bar/chain. Seem to be really well built saws, IMHO, if the piston/cylinders are okay, otherwise, I'd pitch them or sell as parts saws.

 

[3000 FPS]

I've now worked on 3 Poulans and all are working. A couple of 2000's and a Super Deluxe 25. The parts for the Super Deluxe 25 were extremely hard to obtain. A nationwide search, including a begging session on this site, could produce only 2 offers. A NOS diaphragm kit for $18.95 plus shipping, and a NOS complete pump for $49, which I got for $25. Add to that the new Tygon fuel line, carb kit, air filter, air filter gasket and fuel cap and it's hardly worth doing when one considers what the saws sell for. This is not mentioning the original cost of the PHO, which was $40. Add a NOS banana bar and "pro" Oregon X chain, and you're in pretty deep. Good luck if you think finding oil pump parts are readily available. My experience is they are not and are quite cost prohibitive. I built this saw for educational purposes only,,,,,and CAD/OCD issues.

The Poulan 2000's were another story altogether. I only had to replace the fuel lines, filters and carb kits to get them running properly, plus a new bar/chain. Seem to be really well built saws, IMHO, if the piston/cylinders are okay, otherwise, I'd pitch them or sell as parts saws.

I have a Poulan 2000 I got off of ebay 40 bucks including shipping. I pulled the cylinder off put on a new ring 5 bucks, carb kit 12 bucks, and then I widen the ports alittle, modified the transfers alittle, lost the base gasket and modified the muffler. Wow what a great running little saw. You find me an equilvalent stihl for the my 57.00 dollars and I'll buy it.

I have a Poulan 260 42cc that I put a new piston and ring in, new bearings and seals, new oil pump, new sprocket. I ported this one with a degree wheel changed the timing on the ports and transfers, advanced the ignition timing, and muffler modded this saw also. Once again wow what a runner. Find me an equivalent stihl for my 130 dollars I have in this saw and I will buy it.
I love these saws for what they cost, and they are easy to work on, easy to maintain, and always reliable. They may not be a 500.00 dollar Stihl but for the money they are just fine by me and the wood I cut, never knows the difference.

I will grant you that your Poulan Super Deluxe 25 does have certain parts that are hard to find but most saws of that age are going to have parts that are NLA.

 

[stubnail67]

i will take every one you got

Again..not trying to start a pissing match...

Just sayin'...that there's little reason to throw $$ at these top-handles. - Nobody wants them..!!

And if you'll read in my last post..if it's sentimental...well that's something else...

And ...Yes...I've never had an old top-handle Poulan saw in my shop....because likely there's None here..!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I said from the start...I was gonna be the 'out-cast" .

(The site is a bit dull right now...so I just injected something for folks to comment on..!!)

I am Fish's protege........so I can be provocative....but NOT demeaning.....thanks to all that posted..!!

Seriously..??..LOL..!!

J2F

that does not have a sored piston .... i love them great lil saws.....

 

[3000 FPS]

that does not have a sored piston .... i love them great lil saws.....

How many of those little saws did you say you have now.

You know you just might be an authority on those.

 

[jammin_with_j]

If it was me I would fix it. I bought one for 20$ and it was the first saw I tore into and tinkered with. They were very simple and easy to work on. I went to my local Husky dealer and was talking with the Tech about top handle saws. He really hated the 338xpt they sell because of the difficulties working on them. We started talking about these little Poulan top handles and he can remember selling the Husky version in the shop. Said they were a great little saw and easy to work on. Coming from a place where they have a sign hanging in the front door saying "we do not sell or work on chinese junk" I figure this little poulan must be somewhat decent if they're willing to take em in and look at em.

 

[MnSam]

I'm wasn't trying to start a pissing match, I was just wondering how there can be such harsh words for a saw without having experiencing it. Just sayin'. You're certainly entitled to your own opinions, so am I. Look for one to play with, I dare you.

 

[dynodave]

cheap/free poulans

I finally picked up 3 saws from my BIL, that he picked up at the town dump/transfer station.
last weekends diagnosis:
1800 fuel line off coupler between tank and handle... runs like a top... good 10" B&C!!!:hmm3grin2orange:

2150 new 4040 tygon lines..but ..lines hooked up wrong to primer bulb... good bar, dull saftey chain just polishes the wood, runs like a top!!!

S25DA fires up....no low speed circuit, changed carb from donated junker, runs like a top. worn out 1/4" chain and sprocket. bought new 3/8 sprocket and bar is hardface tip type. have spare chain from other saws.:msp_thumbup:

3 saws fixed $11.80

Plus new looking 25cc homelite weedwacker, rusted/stuck starter dogs..oiled and freed up..now runs like a top:yoyo:

moral of the story if you have a good P&C you should fix it

 

[jaytree]

My first cutting ever, was running either a Poulan 25 or a micro25.
Big bushy Balsam on my Dad's popple job. I worked on the limbs.
Last that saw ran, was when it got hot working on a tree stand. FK

 

[jus2fat]

Quote Originally Posted by joe25DA View Post

"I dont run or work on anything for "sentimental reasons".
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Well Joe...maybe it's just a Southern thing that you maybe don't understand about with you being in the North.

Sentimental belongings from family and relatives sometimes have special meanings to folks..like remembering when..whatever.

If someone brought me a broken dawg turd and it had "sentimental value" to the owner...I would do whatever I could to fix it..!!
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EDIT: Please NO requests for fixing broken dawg turds...even if Southern..and it's sentimental to you.

Most I can't fix..and just spray paint gold and give in a 'gift box' to my latest "Golden Turd" award winner...
the recipients vary month to month...though it's generally the last person to screw (or try to) me over.

Latest winner was Save Edge files for NOT giving us a notice that they would NO longer sell to us direct.
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And YES..Russ (owner) and Randy got an ass-chewing....Mikko has quit...this wouldn't have happened if Mikko was there..!!
(Mikko was a member here..and was like talking to a brother on the phone...exit reason....unknown...but I suspect...)

J2F

 

[joe25DA]

Quote Originally Posted by joe25DA View Post

"I dont run or work on anything for "sentimental reasons".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well Joe...maybe it's just a Southern thing that you maybe don't understand about with you being in the North.

Sentimental belongings from family and relatives sometimes have special meanings to folks..like remembering when..whatever.

If someone brought me a broken dawg turd and it had "sentimental value" to the owner...I would do whatever I could to fix it..!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: Please NO requests for fixing broken dawg turds...even if Southern..and it's sentimental to you.

Most I can't fix..and just spray paint gold and give in a 'gift box' to my latest "Golden Turd" award winner...
the recipients vary month to month...though it's generally the last person to screw (or try to) me over.

Latest winner was Save Edge files for NOT giving us a notice that they would NO longer sell to us direct.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And YES..Russ (owner) and Randy got an ass-chewing....Mikko has quit...this wouldn't have happened if Mikko was there..!!
(Mikko was a member here..and was like talking to a brother on the phone...exit reason....unknown...but I suspect...)

J2F

Once again...your assuming without knowing, you know nothing about me or quality saws for that matter. And just about everyone on this thread can see how that has worked out for you. I guess I was lucky in my family my dad ran Poulan S25s and a 3700, my uncle has a Poulan S25 and SXLAO. They still have those saws along with some newer huskys and stihls. Ill fix things for sentimental reasons, but I wont fix junk. I fail to see why where a person lives has anything to do with the situation.

 

[jus2fat]

First off..'ModifiedMark' is one cool dude..!!..We PM'd..and he bought it to my attention that the saw was "in hand".

Now I read the OP's post as saying it would be fixed by someone other than himself...big difference.

If the saw came into my chickenchit shop..I'd check the muffler screen for free...after that you're on the clock.

I'd pull the muffler and check the piston...if OK there replace fuel line..I have Tygon in stock.

A carb kit will have to likely be ordered for an old Poulan..dude doesn't seem to be in a rush.

I don't have a USC as if a carb kit doesn't fix the problem...buy a New carb...(I hate small engine carbs..!!)

As said..after the muffler screen check...he's on the the clock at $40 an hour...and I'm $20 under dealer..!!

I'm just sayin' that if I owned that saw...I wouldn't put more than about $30 into it to get it running.

I would put the $$ over that into a newer saw...as said..a 'wild-thing' for $99 at Lowe's or TSC when on sale.

If the dude can do the work himself...well then...sure...maybe worth a $20 shot..?? But to pay someone..NO WAY..!!

J2F

 

[Fish]

I personally would buy up every junk Poulan I could getmy hands on, as they have made most of their stuff NLA,and there is a good e-bay
value there. I even make decent money parting out their featherlite trimmers.