After years of fighting with Homelite chainsaws (trying to start )its time for a different make.
Don't waste your money on that big box store crap, buy a Stihl.
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11 years ago
Poulan chainsaws
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11 years ago
For home and occasional use the Poulan will be fine. I have had one for thirty years and it still works fine. It starts and runs fine with fresh fuel each season.
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11 years ago
aYes and my answer still holds. Poulan chainsaws are consumer grade only and poor ones at that.
Harry K
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11 years ago
Stihl, Husquvana or Echo would be my choice.
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11 years ago
Start with the air cleaner and a new plug, and always run it dry before you put it away for more than a short amount of time. That got mine (a Homelite) working "like new" again, and should be considered part of any standard tune-up.
Unfortunately, "like new" has to comply with EPA regulations, and generally results in a "too lean" condition. Fixing this required removing the limiter caps on the carb (use the drywall screw trick) and opening them up a little bit (maybe my saw was just a little lean, I don't know, but it helped a lot).
I also increased the idle speed a little bit to keep it from stalling out on me when I set it down.
Finally, I put a better chain on mine, an Oregon 91 VXL. This chain has no kickback prevention, so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't extremely aware of what causes kickback, how to prevent it, and how to live through it when it happens. In other words, I probably wouldn't recommend to anyone.
I also bought an angle guide to help me keep the file at the right angle when I sharpen the chain, because without it my angles aren't consistent.
Doing the above to my used $40 Homelite has it cutting through even hardwood like butter.
Oh yeah, I also removed the screen from the muffler, but I honestly didn't notice any difference from that.
Jon
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11 years ago
I didn't have to replace my air filter, as it was still in good shape, and stood up to a thorough cleaning and drying. That was made the biggest improvement on my saw, and judging from how dirty it was, I'm guessing was the reason that the previous owner sold it to me.
Some people would rather re-purchase an item than perform basic maintenance on it, which works great for me because I don't have a problem maintaining my equipment.
Jon
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11 years ago
Looking through thread I see that all Poulan makes are lower quality saws. I got their Wild Thing a few years ago and oil pump failed after about 5 hours use. Had it repaired under warranty and it still runs but throttle lock will not hold to start and I have to tie it down when starting. Son bought one which also failed and would not start. Don't know what he did with it. I cannot recommend Poulan.
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11 years ago
I didn't have to replace my air filter, as it was still in good shape, and stood up to a thorough cleaning and drying. That was made the biggest improvement on my saw, and judging from how dirty it was, I'm guessing was the reason that the previous owner sold it to me.
Some people would rather re-purchase an item than perform basic maintenance on it, which works great for me because I don't have a problem maintaining my equipment.
Jon
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11 years ago
Yep, that sounds like it would work. I used Dawn detergent on mine and soaked it in an agitator (AKA plastic container), rinsed it clean, then let it dry.
Jon
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11 years ago
Two easy methods. A bit of gas in a can and swish the filter around - then blow it out (carefull you don't blow a hole in it though). Warm water, soap and a tootbrush.
Carb cleaner sounds a bit "harsh" for a filter.
Bottom posted to show you it CAN be done. Harry K
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11 years ago
nions. After years of fighting with Homelite chainsaws (trying to start )it s time for a different make.
Or a Husky, or an Echo, or...
Harry K
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- posted
11 years ago
Yep, that sounds like it would work. I used Dawn detergent on mine and soaked it in an agitator (AKA plastic container), rinsed it clean, then let it dry.
Jon
- Vote on answer
- posted
11 years ago
Two easy methods. A bit of gas in a can and swish the filter around - then blow it out (carefull you don't blow a hole in it though). Warm water, soap and a tootbrush.
Carb cleaner sounds a bit "harsh" for a filter.
Bottom posted to show you it CAN be done. Harry K