Top 20 Poulan PP4218AV 18" Chain Saw Questions & Answers

I don't think your problem is vapor lock. Your machine is just starving for fuel. Your problem can be solved by removing and cleaning your carburetor, changing the gaskets, changing filter , and checking for bad fuel lines. Your problem is very common. GOOD LUCK FRIEND.

Check coil pic up or the electrical pick up in the pull string housing. Remove that and u will see the fly wheel next to that is the electrical pick up .look at fly wheel make sure magnets are clean surface ,they are in the fly wheel itself.after that remove coil and clean surface that faces fly wheel. Using a match book cover place it between fly wheel and coil ,make sure it moves but not falls out snug ,tighten coil screws and remove match book cover. If it dose it again re place coil look for small engine shop in your area and the can help get u a new one .weak spark means coil,sparkplug

Trun over saw look at BAC handle small screw should b there

are you using a chain bar oil as this is a lot thicker than normal engine oil

did you fill it up with the ratio of 25-1 of fuel and oil?
if not then the carb will be block and will need cleaning out as it will be full of oil

hope this helps

John

Hi,

On your label you should see the number 2150 plus a type number. There might be another part to the name, such as Predator or PR. You need the entire model to be able to find parts.

Here is the customer service number should you label not be readable or you still can't find it: 1.800.554.6723
or email at www.poulan.com customer service option.

If you find the model and need parts, here is a web address for Milaca Lawn and Garden:http://www.milacalawn.com/parts.asp
They provide parts schematics and fast delivery.

Hope this helps. If it does, I'd appreciate a 4 thumbs up. Thanks,

Handie Andie

Sounds loike its running lean, start by replacing the fuel filter on the end of the pipe in the fuel tank, if this does not help you need to richen up the mixture screws, unfortunayly you need a special toll to adjust the screws ( they have a spline, not a screwdriver slot ) the tool is part no. 530035560, once you have the tool unscrew the carb screws 1/2 turn on each and try again.

Here is a Link to a couple of my Tips. They should solve your problems:
www.fixya.com/support/r6081405-cleaning_small_engie_carburetor

I don't know anything about outboard motors, so I can't answer the reed valve question. There is a needle valve on the diaphragm side of the carburetor though. Maybe these two parts perform that operation.

Good Luck!

Jim

Sounds like the ignition module. Have you tried replacing that?

Remove the chain bar and look just below the bolts holding it in place. You'll see a small hole where the chain bar oil pump pushes out oil. Make sure this hole is clear then run the saw without the bar on.
Be CAREFUL of fingers!
You should see oil coming out of that hole. If not, you may need more serious work done with the saw (chain bar pump replacement).

Before you try to start it, push the primer bubble on the side 3 or 4 times, then pull the choke all the way out. On poulans they can be tricky. When pulling the choke button out, make sure it does not go back in. After you pull the crank rope and you hear it "hit" push the choke back in and pull the crank rope again. It should start after that. If it still won't start, check for a faulty spark plug.

Check the fuel filter, air filter, and muffler for clogging. Check the fuel lines for condition. The carburetor may need cleaning and re-kit. Make sure the chain is being properly oiled and sharpened. Good luck!

I have this saw and really like it. Does the the primer seem to work? Most problems on these saws can be traced back to cracked fuel lines. Either tank to primer, primer to carb, or carb return back to tank. I would recommend it the saw it more than 3 years old to replace all the fuel lines. Total cost about $5. Buy your fuel line at Ace Hardware.

Check the fuel filter, air cleaner, and muffler for plugging. Check the fuel lines for condition and replace with original rubber lines, not plastic if needed. Check the carburetor fasteners for tightness including those holding the carburetor to the cylinder. If the two jet screws have not been adjusted, they should be ok. There is a chance that the diaphragm in the lower carburetor chamber is hard, cracked, or has a hole. Also, check the fuel metering valve that the diaphragm controls for tip damage or dirt accumulations. Go to http://www.drystacked.com for a 12 page article on Walbro carburetor theory and troubleshooting which applies to nearly every brand of carburetor used in saws. Hope this helps!

First, if the chain is getting hot it will get longer making it seem like it is loosening up, if this is the case turn up the chain oil adjustment, and make sure that you loosen it up before you store it as the chain will shorten as it cools and can put a lot of stress on the engine bearings.

Next, If it is a new chain they can stretch as they break in, you will have to keep adjusting it for a while as this happens.

Finally, the two nuts that hold the bar on the saw should be plenty to keep the chain tight. if the bar is moving inwards you might be putting too much stress on the chain, try getting your chain sharpened by a pro at a saw dealer or cutting a bit slower if it is sharp, you know let the saw do the work.

Be careful, the chain coming off can really ruin your day.

This may help.
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4146814-chainsaw_chain_installation
You can have chains sharpened.
Just because you added oil does not mean it is getting to the bar. Your manual shoul explain how to test.
Chain Adjustment

1. Make sure the chain brake is off (gloves will protest your fingers).
2. If necessary, loosen the bar nuts that are clamping the clutch cover in place (or whatever holds the clutch cover and bar on). They do not need these really loose - finger tight will do.
3. Ease the tension adjustment until the chain is obviously loose.
4. Using one hand, hold the nose of the bar up.
5. While holding the nose up, adjust the tensioner so that the center of the chain just touches the underside of the bar, add a touch more.
6. Continue holding the nose of the bar up & tighten up the bar nuts / bolts / quick-release system. HTH

Lou

Mine did the same thing. Take off the cylinder cover as described above. Take off the screw holding the on/off switch. <br /> Bend the bottom of the silver metal shutoff band down where it rides against the back of the switch. Bend until switch turns on and off smoothly.<!-- from fixya rte -->

There is an adjusting pawl with a screw that does the tightening. The nuts only clamp the bar once the chain is tightened. The adjusting screw is in the plane of the bar. The pawl may have disengaged the bar or may have broken.

Pages 6 and 7 are quite detailed.
http://weborder.husqvarna.com/order_static/doc/NOUS/NOUS2004/NOUS2004_530165555-01.pdf

If you saw is not a Poulan PP4218AV you can find your manual here (chain installation should be similar):
CurrentModels
http://www.poulanpro.com/node4043.aspx
Type just the model numbers (choose the suffix after the list is provided).
I hope this was helpful. Additional assistance can be found adding a reply below.
Lou