Chain on Your Poulan Chainsaw Won’t Turn or Spin: FIXED!

When you squeeze the throttle, you see that the chain hardly moves or doesn’t turn at all. I’ll explain how issues like worn components, improper adjustments, and inadequate lubrication can impede the chain’s motion.

Poulan chainsaw chains won’t budge, spin, or turn if the chain brake is engaged, the tension is too high, the clutch pads are old, or the bar and chain aren’t properly greased.

Turn the chainsaw off, disconnect the spark plug wire, and wait for all moving parts to halt before examining the bar and chain. Put on protective gloves and take all the safety measures outlined in the guide.

Before diagnosing, repairing, or operating, be sure you’ve read and understood all of the safety recommendations in the equipment’s operator’s manual.If you are unsure of how to proceed, lack the necessary expertise, or are unable to execute the repair properly, you should seek the advice of a professional.

Causes of Stuck or Unresponsive Chain in a Poulan Chainsaw

Poulan Chainsaw with Its Brake Engaged

The chain brake on a Poulan chainsaw is a safety feature that engages in the event of a kickback, preventing the user from being thrown from the saw.

It’s a safety measure for when you’re transporting the saw, too.

A plastic hand guard located at the top of the handle serves as the chain brake, preventing the chain from moving in response to forward pressure on the handle. In the case of a bribe, it becomes active as well.

Make sure the chain brake isn’t engaged because the hand guard was moved forward.

The chain might have stopped because you pulled the guard forward by accident. To release the brake, move the guard to the back and pull it.

Low Poulan Chainsaw Bar and Chain Oil

The bar and chain should be oiled regularly. Friction and heat will build up if they aren’t properly lubricated. The progression of links will slow down or stop altogether.

Run your chainsaw at about half to three-quarters throttle while holding it about a foot above the ground to make sure there is enough oil on the bar.

After 30 seconds, you should see a line of oil dripping off the bar and onto the ground. That means the lubricant is working as it should.

Check the condition of the bar and the oil channel to see whether they are blocking the lack of lubrication. If the oil channel is clogged or the guide bar is damaged, replace it and clean it.

Apply some oil, such as Poulan Bar & Chain Oil, to properly lubricate the bar and chain. Always remember to add more bar and chain oil when you refuel your vehicle.

Keep in mind that if your oil level becomes too low, you might not have enough time to replace the fuel tank before your chain oil runs out.

Adjust Poulan Chain Oil Temperature for Use

• Oil that thickens and becomes tacky at cold temperatures needs to be diluted.
• Typical temperature-appropriate weight

Tight Poulan Chain Tension

The chain will gradually lengthen with use and will need to be adjusted frequently. If the chain is excessively taut, it will not be able to wrap around the bar.

Tighten the Poulan chain so it slides easily along the saw’s guide bar:

• Pull the wire from the spark plug.
• Release the chain’s tension.
• Remove the cover from the clutch and chain brake by loosening the nuts holding the bar in place.
• Keep the bar’s snout raised.
• The chain can be loosened by turning the tensioning screw counterclockwise, and tightened by turning it clockwise.
• Hold the bar nose up until the desired tension is reached, and then tighten the bar holding nuts.

It’s important that the chain be snug around the bar without restricting its mobility. Avoid having the chain dangle from the rail.

Poulan Chainsaw with Worn Clutch Pads

Over time, the clutch pads may become worn. This prevents them from turning the chain via the clutch drum. If you own a Poulan chainsaw, you’ll eventually have to replace the clutch unit.

Why Does a Poulan Chainsaw Chain Move at Idle Speed?

Poulan Chainsaw Carburetor Requires Fine-Tuning

When the Poulan chainsaw is idle, the chain should not wiggle. If yours does, the saw’s settings need to be changed so that the chain no longer rotates.

The fuel-to-air ratio can be adjusted with the carburetor’s screws. The “T Screw” is one of the adjustment screws that controls the idle speed of the chain.

Turning the screw counterclockwise until the chain stops moving is the first step in adjusting the idle speed so that the chain does not move during idling.

Poulan Chainsaw with Exhausted Clutch Springs

The clutch weights on a Poulan chainsaw are retracted by springs on a centrifugal clutch.

The weights make contact with the drum as a result of centrifugal force generated by the rotating engine. The chain moves along the bar as the drum rotates.

The weights on the chain are designed to stop moving when the engine speed drops because of the clutch springs. A worn spring could be to blame for your chain’s continued motion.