Chain saw trouble shooting (Poulan)

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REM505

REM505

New Member
Mar 14, 2011
98
Chester/Lancaster county area PA
I was trying to use a borrowed Poulan 3100. It appears to be several years old. It ran good until it ran out of gas (and the return on the pull cord stopped returning). After refilling the engine would start but die out after a couple of seconds or a couple of minutes. I tried the fuel mix in another saw and it ran fine.
 
Could be the carb needs adjusting or a tuneup.Some saws flood easy too.
 
The cord rewind on my Ryobi weed trimmer began to stick yesterday. I squirted some WD-40 around the cord pulley and it works like new...
 
Some saw will do that when you run them dry...My 880 if you let it run dry its going to be a very long day!
 
smokinjay said:
Some saw will do that when you run them dry...My 880 if you let it run dry its going to be a very long day!
Click to expand...


Yup. Then you practically pull your shoulder out of the socket trying 20 times to start it.Time for a cup of coffee & a break lol
 
After my 009L has set for a while or ran out of gas you might as well prime it with a squirt of gas in the carb other wise theres gonna be cussing going on.
 
Just for the record. It was a dirty spark plug and or stale fuel (if thats possible). The spark plug had a coating on it. Just looked like a normal used spark plug so I wiped it off and stuck it back in. After a couple days I decided to revisit the spark plug and this time I used a wire brush and some sand paper. This did the trick, started and stayed running. I think the saw is a Poulan 3100 Forester or maybe Woodsman. Not sure of the name as the sticker is ripped where that is. Also got some fresh 89 octane gas and remixed the 32:1
 
Jack Wagon said:
Just for the record. It was a dirty spark plug and or stale fuel (if thats possible). The spark plug had a coating on it. Just looked like a normal used spark plug so I wiped it off and stuck it back in. After a couple days I decided to revisit the spark plug and this time I used a wire brush and some sand paper. This did the trick, started and stayed running. I think the saw is a Poulan 3100 Forester or maybe Woodsman. Not sure of the name as the sticker is ripped where that is. Also got some fresh 89 octane gas and remixed the 32:1
Click to expand...

At 31:1 plugs can get fouled up often. Oh I would not let it run out of fuel again. My 880 hard starter when it runs out...Wow You only make that mistake a couple times.
 
smokinjay said:
Some saw will do that when you run them dry...My 880 if you let it run dry its going to be a very long day!
Click to expand...

You need to put an electric start on that thing
 
HittinSteel said:
smokinjay said:
Some saw will do that when you run them dry...My 880 if you let it run dry its going to be a very long day!
Click to expand...

You need to put an electric start on that thing
Click to expand...

3 pulls unless it runs out of gas then its 30+ thats a half days work.lol
 
I often laugh at the superstitions we get into to start a saw. I will still fully pull out the choke, yank the cord three times then push the choke back in and yank again.

"starts every time"... Or I repeat the ritual... :)
 
Tatnic Corners said:
I often laugh at the superstitions we get into to start a saw. I will still fully pull out the choke, yank the cord three times then push the choke back in and yank again.

"starts every time"... Or I repeat the ritual... :)
Click to expand...

My 880 will humble anyone...lol You can even feel it in your stomach muscles! Never let it you out of gas.
 
I have a small 16" home saw, and it more than humbles me at times, I think the 880 you have will humiliate me :)
 
smokinjay said:
[At 31:1 plugs can get fouled up often. Oh I would not let it run out of fuel again. My 880 hard starter when it runs out...Wow You only make that mistake a couple times.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for how things go in all saws for all people but. . .

I've been running a 20 to 1 mix for 40 years. With any of my "more modern" saws built from the late 70s up to present - I've never, ever fouled a spark plug.

I have had to clean the plugs a few times in some old, slow running gear-drive Homelites and Mall 2MG saws.

As to the following - all used hard and none ever fouled a plug. Poulan 46 and 55 cc saws, Efco/Deere CS56, Dolmar/Makita DCS510 and DCS6401, Husqvarna Rancher 55, Echo CS530, Stihl 040, 041, 041 Super, S10, Contra, 045 Super, 056 Magnum II, and maybe a few more I'm forgetting at the moment.

I've never bought any high-end two-stroke oils and that might make some difference. I've been using the cheaper stuff in gallon jugs for many years. Usually with ratings for TCW and general air-cooled engine use.

When you get right down to it, few of the high-price oils carry API ratings anyway. It's often based on brand-name trust.

I can say for sure I've never had wear problems and never had any fouling problems with spark plugs. Spark arrestors screens in mufflers - yes. No problem once removed.
 
Tatnic Corners said:
I have a small 16" home saw, and it more than humbles me at times, I think the 880 you have will humiliate me :)
Click to expand...

Does the same to me and a friend....lol sure would split a few pulls with you. If I let it run completely out of gas again probably just put it up for the day.
 
jdemaris said:
smokinjay said:
[At 31:1 plugs can get fouled up often. Oh I would not let it run out of fuel again. My 880 hard starter when it runs out...Wow You only make that mistake a couple times.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for how things go in all saws for all people but. . .

I've been running a 20 to 1 mix for 40 years. With any of my "more modern" saws built from the late 70s up to present - I've never, ever fouled a spark plug.

I have had to clean the plugs a few times in some old, slow running gear-drive Homelites and Mall 2MG saws.

As to the following - all used hard and none ever fouled a plug. Poulan 46 and 55 cc saws, Efco/Deere CS56, Dolmar/Makita DCS510 and DCS6401, Husqvarna Rancher 55, Echo CS530, Stihl 040, 041, 041 Super, S10, Contra, 045 Super, 056 Magnum II, and maybe a few more I'm forgetting at the moment.

I've never bought any high-end two-stroke oils and that might make some difference. I've been using the cheaper stuff in gallon jugs for many years. Usually with ratings for TCW and general air-cooled engine use.

When you get right down to it, few of the high-price oils carry API ratings anyway. It's often based on brand-name trust.

I can say for sure I've never had wear problems and never had any fouling problems with spark plugs. Spark arrestors screens in mufflers - yes. No problem once removed.
Click to expand...

Fouling a plug to me is when it needs to be cleaned. More idling time you have the more likely you will need to clean it.
 
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