20 Most Recent Poulan 16" 38cc Gas Chain Saw P3816 Questions & Answers

This should be done by a local dealer but, to get close, turn the "L" screw in until it lightly seats, then turn it out 2 complete turns. The "H" side should turn in lightly seated and out 1 1/2 turn. This should get you started.

Remove the spark plug and stuff a rope that will NOT shed particles in the combustion chamber. This will keep the piston from full travel allowing you to remove the nut to replace the clutch.

Good morning Jeremy. I have a couple of thoughts, and pardon me if any of them might seem way too obvious. Most of them are based on my own wide range of trying to figure out why my old McCulloch wasn't working :-)

1. Is there oil in the bar/chain oil reservoir? This is the easiest one to fix, fortunately, by adding oil.
2. Is the oil outlet to the chain/bar clogged? Will likely require some disassembly to get there. The rear gear/drive area is a natural spot for wood chips and sawdust to clump together, bound with a bit of chain oil. With enough build-up, you'll get both more drag on the drivetrain, and possibly reduced or impeded oil flow. I seem to recall there being a couple of through-holes on my McCulloch where the oil feeds in from the side, and they have been clogged solid at times. This would likely be addressed by removing the chain and blade and giving them, and the junction area, a thorough cleaning. (Remember to properly tension the chain when you re-assemble)
3. There is an oil pump listed amongst the replacement parts for the saw on the manufacturers site http://www.poulan.com/ddoc/POUI/POUI2010_USen/POUI2010_USen__576754701.pdf It's possible that the oil pump has failed, or the oil pick-up is clogged or disconnected, in which case there will be no oil flow. See items 49-53 in the exploded part diagram.

Those are my primary thoughts. You can also see a soft copy of the manual here Poulan Pro 115327926 Instruction Manual Page 16 to look at other tips on running the saw. I hope this helps! D

For cross cutting is 30 degrees and if you only do ripping it is 10 degrees.

Sounds like it's time to rebuild the carb.

check to see if your magneto is rusty if so clean with fine grit paper if still does'nt fire may be time to replace the magneto

you might have a broken wire to the spark plug. Use a meter to check continuity on the wire.

It's out of gas or else the fuel pickup tube (inside the tank) is plugged or disconnected.

Mine did the same thing in addition the choke was very hard to pull out manually. My solution was to remove the cover and blast the linkage choke and switch linkage thoroughly with WD40. Then manually work the choke in and out and the switch up and down till it feels acceptable. You will not get it as easy as it should have been from the factory but it will be a lot better. Jon

http://lawn-garden.needmanual.com/2010-poulan-p3816-chainsaw-owners-manual.html?d=df_m_en

91sg ( hobby chain ) needs a 5/32 file, the top plate should be 30 degrees

Is the oil leaking when not running?