How to Adjust a Poulan Carburetor

The carburetor controls the fuel to air mixture which keeps the motor running smoothly. Many garden tools are equipped with small engines that require carburetors, and most are Poulan products. If your Poulan carburetor is out of adjustment, it can make the motor run roughly or not at all. Luckily adjusting a Poulan carburetor is fairly easy, and can be done with anyone who is intuitive and even slightly mechanically inclined.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Carburetor cleaner
• Flat blade screwdriver

Instructions

1. Locate the carburetor on the lower side of the engine and then find the petcocks with the fuel lines attached to them. Use the pliers to pull the fuel lines off of the petcocks.

2. Unsnap the mounting wire holding the carburetor float bowl on the bottom of the carburetor and then remove the float bowl. Spray carburetor cleaner inside the carburetor and throughout the float bowl.

3. Reattach the float bowl and snap the mounting wire across the bottom of the float bowl again. Use the pliers to press the fuel lines back on the petcock and locate the three adjustment screws on the left-hand side of the carburetor: the farthest left is the "Hi" screw, the middle is the "Idle" screw, and the farthest right is the "Low" screw.

4. Use the screwdriver to tighten all of the screws down completely. Back the Idle screw out 1.5 turns, and then back both the Hi and Low screws out 2.5 turns. This will be your starting point for idling adjustment.

5. Start the appliance up and allow it to idle. Adjust the Idle screw in or out until the appliance idles smoothly. Repeat this process at one-quarter throttle with the Low screw and at full throttle for the Hi screw.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not tighten the adjustment screws down too tightly or you could damage their seats and make the engine run worse.

References

• Lawnmowerman.com: Carb Troubleshooting

Resources

• Online Small Engine Repair