Old saw (US made Poulan 245A). Ran when I put it away.

Couldn't get it to start. Broke the cord trying. Took it all apart, new cord and cleaned it up nicely.

Has good spark - added a new plug. Fuel is fresh. Can't even get it to half fire.

At this point it seems like it has to be fuel. With the plug out I did not see any vapor. Opened the low & high adjustments, pulled it and then put them back.

Funny thing is with the choke on and the aircleaner off, it seems fine, but when I turn the choke off, fuel dumps out the back of the (Tillitson) carb.

Pulled it some more and saw vapor coming out the plug hole.

Could it have gotten gummed up? I ran some mix that was a bit too strong, but it never seemed to be a problem. What else can I try?

My next move it to try and pull the carb off and unscrew what I believe to be the jet and see if it is blocked. Its a pain because the mounting screws and linkage are small and really tucked in there....

Toyota Jim? Anyone?

TIA,

Jim

If you have to run it with the choke on you have an air leak. Air leaks come from several places. Cylinder base, crank seals/bearings, or crankcase halfs. 90% of the time it's the cylinder base. Get it running and spray carb cleaner in these areas to find the leak.

Good luck

I have not got it running - choke on or off!

Like I said it was running fine in December....

Paging Toyota Jim!!!! Jim is the resident expert on Chain saws, he can help you.

Maybe your fuel pickup hose fell off inside the tank? My weedeater had it's hose fall apart when I let it sit for a long period of time.

sigh.............................................. ..................

Old poulan :D

From what it sounds, and probably is. Old saw syndrome.

good spark. Shitty fuel probably. Take the plug out, get a new one maybe, bosch WSR6F or CJ8 chumpion. Dump old gas, check fuel line in the tank, check fuel filter, remove it and blow some air thru it. if the lines are ok then take the plug out and blow the cylinder out with compressed air, pull it over a few times while blowing it. Fresh gas in the tank, good plug in it, give it a shot of carb cleaner down the carb maybe a 1/2 second squirt, Try to start it, if it starts and dies its in the carb.


without seeing it id bet it needs a fuel filter, maybe lines, and possible a carb kit.
Carb on it is a Tillotson HS-59A i think. Get a carb kit at a smallengine dealer, just bring the carb with you, don't even need to be a poulan dealer.

It could be a air leak but I wouldnt bet on it. Cylinder gasket? ive replaced 10-1 crank seals over the base gaskets..

Nope - hose is attached, and filter is allowing fuel to flow.

Oh ya you said you closed the adjusting screws? They should be out a turn and a half to start with, may need adjusted once running.. screws closed you get no fuel through the carb.

try cleaning it out and giving it an enima of carb cleaner and see what it does..

Dumped all the gas out. Pulled the plug and blew compressed air thru the plug hole.

Went and got a gallon of premium and mixed up a fresh batch of mix.

Got the saw running! Old saw lives again! Cut at least a cord of wood, and cut up a bunch of slash and other junk wood and had a big bonfire!

Never giveup....

Oh and of course it never ends: the starter on our riding mower ate the gear, so no mowing the lawn until I get another one.

Jim