Problems with older Poulan 4000

[ARGlock]

Folks I've got a Poulan 4000 (countervibe I belive its called) from the mid 80's. It has started fine on the first tank but after I fill it again with the second tank of gas it will not start. The plug also looks like it is wet after trying to start the second tank. I replaced the spark plug with a new one and the problem is still there when starting the second tank.

Someone suggested I take the plug out and dry it with a lighter. But this would get old, surely there is a fix for my saw. I was hoping I could figure it out myself and not have to take it in to a shop.

Do I need a carburator kit? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
AR

 

[blades]

it is possible that the coil is heating up after shutdown and going to an open circuit, which would prevent restarting until it was cold.

 

[ARGlock]

Thanks for the info Blades! This sounds like an interesting theory. It ran perfectly on the first tank but when trying to start the second I about pulled my arm off. I've been wanting a new Husky but just don't have it in the budget at the moment. I only use the saw for yard maintenance not really wood cutting since I've got a pellet stove but I've got a big yard with lots of trees!

Hopefully I can figure this blasted thing out.

AR

 

[ANeat]

If the plug is wet its either flooding (carb problem) or the choke is still on, or its not getting spark. You can get a rebuild kit for the carb.

Is the gas fresh??

 

[ANeat]

I cant recall but would a mid 80's saw still have points ???

 

[ARGlock]

ANeat, It's getting spark and I only used the choke in a normal manner. It does have fresh gas. We did take the plug out and cycled it a few times and there is way ample gas getting through the system. Looked like a fog in the chamber actually. Maybe it's getting too much gas from a carb problem? This could be where a carb kit would be needed. I'm not a chainsaw guru but do know how to work on pellet stoves, and solar thermal systems. Maybe I can eventually figure this one out.

Thanks,
AR

 

[ANeat]

2 stroke carbs like that are pretty simple. Certainly sounds like it flooding for some reason. Something that old could have a part in the carb dried out/cracked.


Something like this depending the make/model of the carb

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=WLB+K10+HDB&catID=12207

 

[ROBERT F]

How full are you filling the fuel tank? on one of my saws, had a problem with filling it too full, then when I would screw the fuel cap down, would flood the engine. took awhile and a lot of head scratching to figure that one out. could just be from turning it on its side to fill it too?

 

[ARGlock]

How full are you filling the fuel tank? on one of my saws, had a problem with filling it too full, then when I would screw the fuel cap down, would flood the engine. took awhile and a lot of head scratching to figure that one out. could just be from turning it on its side to fill it too?

Never have heard of that problem. But yes, I normally fill it quite full. I'll have to test not filling it all the way up and just maybe it will help.

Thanks,
AR