How to Adjust the Carburetor for Poulan Chainsaws
Most Poulan chainsaws come with an adjustable carburetor, which allows you to regulate the mixture of fuel and air that gets mixed in the carburetor. For optimal performance, these carburetors require a precise mixture of fuel and air. While they're set at the factory, the carburetors should be adjusted on a regular basis--doing so can in fact solve many in-the-field problems. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Before Carburetor Adjustments
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1
Remove the air filter and clean it with warm, soapy water. Let it dry overnight before using it again.
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2
Remove the spark arrestor screen from the muffler. Clean it in warm, soapy water and let it dry thoroughly before using it again.
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3
Pop off the plastic limiter caps sitting above the carburetor screws, using the flat end of the screwdriver.
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4
Fill the chainsaw with freshly mixed fuel. Start the engine and let it warm up for a few minutes.
Low Speed Screw
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5
Locate the carburetor screw marked with an L. Turn the screw clockwise as far as it will go so it's seated. This is your lean setting. Listen to the engine and turn the screw back 1/4 turn. Remember the position of this screw.
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6
Turn the screw out counterclockwise until the engine starts making a heavy, bubbling sound or dies. This is your rich setting. Listen to the engine and turn the screw back in 1/4 turn. Remember the position of this screw.
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7
Readjust the L speed screw in between the richest and leanest settings you found earlier. Listen carefully to the sound of the engine at low speeds. It should sound clean, unforced and accelerate very quickly when the throttle is depressed.
High Speed Screw
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8
Locate the carburetor screw marked with an H. Throttle the engine to its maximum and turn this screw in clockwise. Turn it in slowly until the engine starts making a very high-pitched, metallic whine.
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9
Turn it back out 1/4 turn and remember the position of the screw. This is your leanest setting.
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10
Depress the throttle and turn the H screw counterclockwise until the top speed begins dying off rapidly. Turn it back in 1/4 turn and remember the position of this screw. This is your rich setting.
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11
Fine tune the H screw in between the leanest and richest settings. Listen carefully to the engine until it makes the cleanest, smoothest sound and has the most power while cutting. (Check with Poulan for your model saw's maximum RPM speed--do not exceed the highest allowable engine RPM.)
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12
Readjust the low speed screw again to ensure optimal performance.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Removing the limiter caps may void your warranty with Poulan.
Never adjust the high-speed screw above the maximum RPM setting, which will blow out your engine very quickly.
Don't adjust the carburetor if the engine is cold.
If you're in doubt about setting the high-speed screw without a tachometer, take it to a licensed mechanic to make those adjustments for you.
References
- Photo Credit cutting with chainsaw image by KtD from Fotolia.com
