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Chainsaw Problem

R

RiverDog

Senior member
I have a Poulan Pro 20" chainsaw that doesn't seem to have any power. It has a new chain but when I try to cut anything it just stops the chain. The saw isn?t more than six months old so I could get it covered under the warranty but that is such a hassle I would prefer just to fix it myself if I knew what to look at. Has anybody run into this problem before? I have tow of these saws and the other one works fine so I know it?s something with this one. Any ideas?
 
Does it have good compression? Is the chain brake working and releasing properly?

Also are you sure it isn't a carb issue?
 
The compression SHOULD be ok. As far as the brake, I dont see any problem there, I can turn it by hand ok. I thought about the carb but didn't try any changes since it seem to rev up ok. The oli goes through it ok and the chain was loose enough to come off the othe day. This one has always seemed weak form day one. I don't know if there is a clutch somewhare that is the problem or not. I'm stumped on this.
 
I let my neighbor borrow my chainsaw a few months ago and he adjusted everything on it, it is running like a top now. He's a fireman so he knows how to tune a chainsaw. 😉
 
Originally posted by: boomerang
Originally posted by: RiverDog
This one has always seemed weak form day one.
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Take it in for warranty repair.
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Proably what I'll end up doing. The last time I took one in it wouldn't even start when I got it back. That kind of gives me a reason to fix it myself if I can.
 
I would try a new spark plug, drain the gas and refill with fresh gas with a little Stabil in it to help clean the carb. And check the oil level for the chain. If it is low, it might bind and not work. Also, are the teeth sharp ? ? It will bog and stall trying to cut if they are dull.
 
This'll sound stupid, but you said "new chain" - is the chain facing the correct direction? Since you've operated a chainsaw in the past & have two, I doubt you'd make that blunder.
 
Originally posted by: DrPizza
This'll sound stupid, but you said "new chain" - is the chain facing the correct direction? Since you've operated a chainsaw in the past & have two, I doubt you'd make that blunder.
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I made that mistake when I got my first one but would never admit that... Oops....
 
Originally posted by: bruceb
I would try a new spark plug, drain the gas and refill with fresh gas with a little Stabil in it to help clean the carb. And check the oil level for the chain. If it is low, it might bind and not work. Also, are the teeth sharp ? ? It will bog and stall trying to cut if they are dull.
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Its got fresh gas and the saw is only a couple of months old. I bought it in March and used it once till now. It seemed a little weak when I got it. The chain is getting the oil ok and I put a new chain on it to eliminate that as a problem
 
Originally posted by: LTC8K6
What is the engine doing when the chain stops?
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The engine bogs down too but the chain will completely stop even with just the weight of the saw. I can rev the engine but the chain still won't turn until I lift the saw.
 
It sounds like the chain brake might be the problem. If you pull it back towards the saw, it should disengage it.

It almost sounds like it's partially engaged or disengaged, depending on how you look at it.

You could remove the cover and the bar and chain and move the chain brake lever fore and aft and see what you can see.
 
Can't be the brake if the chain turns at all, imo. If it were the clutch slipping, I don't think the engine would bog down.

I'll guess it's a problem with the carburetor.
 
One other thing. Might be the spark arrestor being plugged in the muffler. Take the muffler off or take out the arrestor screen and give it a try.
 
without any load on it, does it thottle up fine? If so, then maybe the chain is too aggressive in it's cutting for the engines power or lack of in this case. Go toss it out and buy a stihl. 😉 j/k, not really. 😛
 
Originally posted by: KK
without any load on it, does it thottle up fine? If so, then maybe the chain is too aggressive in it's cutting for the engines power or lack of in this case. Go toss it out and buy a stihl. 😉 j/k, not really. 😛
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Revs up fine with no load. This is the same chain I put on the other one and it works fine. The toss it solution is sounding better all the time.
 
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