Choking is required for operation of Poulan Pro chainsaws.
When the engine is receiving too much air or not enough fuel, a Poulan Pro chainsaw will only operate with the choke engaged.
The gasoline line, fuel filter, or carburetor might be blocked, the fuel vent could be obstructed, the gas could be old, or the fuel vent could be clogged.
Always disconnect the spark plug wire from the chainsaw’s ignition system before making any adjustments or repairs. Let the engine cool down and come to a complete stop before proceeding.
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Here Are 7 Causes Your Poulan Pro Chainsaw Requires The Choke To Be Engaged
Poulan Pro Chainsaw Leaks from Old Gas
Many of the issues you may be having with your Poulan Pro chainsaw may be traced back to stale gasoline.
Sticky chemicals and varnish that form in old gas may block fuel components in a Poulan Pro chainsaw, preventing the gasoline from reaching the engine.
If you’re trying to get by on less gasoline, you may need to utilize the choke to restrict airflow into the engine. For proper combustion, this is necessary to adjust the gas-to-air ratio.
What to do if you discover stale gas in your chainsaw:
- Empty the fuel tank.
- Mix new gas and 2-cycle engine oil in a fuel container at a ratio of 40:1 or 50:1 (depending on model).
- To aid with fuel system cleaning and moisture reduction, a fuel stabilizer such as Sea Foam or STA-BIL may be added to the gasoline.
- Put the top back on the gas can and give it a little shake to combine the gasoline.
- Put some new gas in the tank. Before refueling, you may want to inspect and maybe replace the gasoline filter.
- The gasoline mixture has to be worked through the fuel system, so start the engine and let it run the saw for a few minutes.
Follow these guidelines to lessen your fuel’s harmful effects:
- Fuel with at least an 87 octane grade should be used.
- Never fill up with gas that has an ethanol percentage of more than 10%.
- Poulan Pro 2-cycle chainsaws need a mixture of gasoline and premium 2-cycle oil of either 40:1 or 50:1. The amount of fuel needed is model specific.
- Keep gasoline in a cool, dry place.
- You have 30 days to use the gasoline before it starts to degrade, or you may add a fuel stabilizer to extend its shelf life.
Check read this post on selecting and storing gas for a Poulan Pro chainsaw for additional information on the best fuel to use.
Poulan Pro Chainsaw with Clogged Fuel Filter
The job of a gasoline filter is to trap debris and other pollutants before they enter the fuel supply. The Poulan Pro chainsaw’s fuel filter is housed in the gasoline tank.
It’s a little cylinder-shaped component that’s connected to the gas supply. The filter might get clogged with grime if it isn’t replaced often. In doing so, you’ll reduce the gasoline flow through the filter.
To keep the chainsaw running when there isn’t enough gas to combine with the air, you may need to run it with the choke just partially open.
To fix a clogged Poulan Pro fuel filter, you must:
- Before replacing the gasoline filter, wipe the area around the fuel cap with a clean cloth to prevent debris from dropping into the tank.
- Get rid of the gas cap.
- Take careful note of the filter’s location so that the replacement filter may be installed properly.
- Take remove the gasoline filter from the tank. A straightened wire or a pair of needle-nose pliers can do the trick.
- Take out the old filter in the gas line and replace it with a new one.
- Put the filter where it belongs within the gas tank.
Poulan Pro Chainsaw Fuel Line Leak or Clog
If the fuel line is blocked, limiting adequate fuel flow, or if air is entering the fuel system through a rupture in the fuel line, you may need to engage the choke.
If there is a blockage in the gasoline line, it must be cleared. Take the gasoline line off the chainsaw to do this.
To remove the obstruction, spray carburetor cleaning into the line. The next step is to use compressed air to blast the debris out of the pipe.
After the obstruction has been cleared, the line should be reconnected. If the gasoline line is dry and cracked and you are unable to access it, you should get a new one.
Check for a hole in the line that would allow air to enter the fuel system and force the use of the choke by adding air to the cylinder.
Poulan Pro Chainsaw with Blocked Fuel Vent
A Poulan Pro chainsaw has a tiny vent in the shape of a circle. Air must be able to flow via this vent in order to enter the tank during fuel consumption and exit the tank during refueling.
If the gasoline tank can’t vent correctly, a vacuum will create, preventing fuel from escaping. The gasoline flow to the carburetor will be cut down as a result.
A pressure gauge will reveal whether or not the tank is completely empty. If you don’t know how to make one, read on.
Determine quickly whether your gasoline tank’s vent is working properly.
- Make sure your chainsaw is working on a flat surface.
- Turn on the saw and free the air intake.
- If it starts to run slowly, try releasing some air from the fuel cap.
- After letting air into the tank, if the engine starts running smoothly, you may tighten the cap to see if you can reproduce the issue.
- Your gasoline tank vent is probably clogged if the engine starts running roughly and acts like it could shut off. Fix the broken vent.
The vent might be in the gasoline cap, or it could be a little piece put towards the top of the tank and covered with a brass cap; this would depend on the specific type of your chainsaw.
Poulan Pro Chainsaw with Leaky Carburetor Gasket
When the gasket behind the carburetor deteriorates, it may no longer seal properly, letting air into the system.
When there’s too much air in the cylinder compared to fuel, the Poulan Pro will start running lean.
Remove the carburetor’s nuts and connections gently to get access. Take off the gasket and carburetor. Replace the gasket on the carburetor.
The carburetor should be inspected prior to being installed. While the chainsaw is apart, you may use the opportunity to clean it.
A Poulan Pro Chainsaw with a Filthy Carburetor
To get your Poulan Pro chainsaw started and running, the carburetor controls how much gasoline is combined with air to create combustion.
Varnish and deposits might prevent the carburetor from functioning properly.
You should be able to clean your carburetor if you have a basic understanding of mechanics. Remove deposits from old gasoline by disassembling the carburetor and cleaning it using carburetor cleanser.
After cleaning, if the carburetor still doesn’t work, you may need to have it rebuilt or get a new one.
Poulan Pro Chainsaw Carburetor Requires Fine-Tuning.
Changing the RPMs at idle and full throttle may require adjusting the carburetor. The engine’s requirement for the throttle might be a consequence of it running too lean.
The carburetor has a set of adjustment screws for exactly such a purpose. These screws should be installed on the side of the chainsaw, close to where you’ll pull the starting rope.
The screws are labeled with the respective speeds: “L” for low, “T” for idle, and “H” for high. Turn on the chainsaw and let it run for a few minutes to get it warmed up before fiddling with the carburetor.
Make sure the air filter and air vents are clean before attempting to adjust the carburetor.
Chainsaw carburetor tuning for a Poulan Pro:
- Start with the L Screw – To stop the chainsaw, spin the screw clockwise while the engine is running. Next, move the screw counterclockwise until the engine is idling smoothly and the chain is not vibrating. About four and a half revolutions. Apply throttle and make sure the engine revs up and down smoothly. You should experiment with different settings until you discover the optimal one for running smoothly.
- Adjust the T Screw: This controls the idle speed, which ensures that the chain remains stationary. To adjust the T screw properly, crank it clockwise until the chain hardly wiggles. The chain may be stopped by turning the screw counterclockwise.
- Adjust the H Screw: This knob controls the air/fuel ratio at high RPMs. Without using too much force, turn the screw counterclockwise until it stops. It’s expected to get more slow. Turn the screw clockwise very slowly until the engine starts running smoothly. To ensure a steady acceleration, press the throttle. Do not over-adjust and force the engine to its maximum RPM; doing so might cause irreparable damage.
In order to prevent the operator from over-adjusting the chainsaw’s carburetor, several models are equipped with limiter caps. The carburetor on certain chainsaws can only be adjusted with specialized equipment.
Contact your neighborhood Poulan Pro repair shop if you’re having carburetor issues and don’t know how to adjust it.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, adjusting the carburetor on your chainsaw might cause the engine to break and render the tool unsafe to use.