QuestionI have a Craftsman 358.355140 chainsaw about 19 yrs. old (made by Poulan-ipl's & p/n cross-reference looks like Poulan 2000). When I went to use it this spring (with fresh mix), it was harder to start than usual - I had to pull the starter cord 10x or more with the choke closed before the saw would start to fire (before, I would pull about 5x with choke fully closed, then pull until it started at half choke). Finally got it started; used it a bit, then it died & I couldn't restart it. I took the air cleaner cover off, and noticed the foam air filter was wet with fuel, and fuel was setting around the carb. I thought that the carb (Walbro WT-20) was flooding, so I bought a rebuild kit. After rebuilding the carb (which I have done before and feel confident with my ability), I started the saw with the a/c cover off, and noticed that fuel mix was blowing back out the intake side of the carb. I was able to run the saw at least 5 minutes and adust the idle. It was idling fine, then just died. I believe I had run the saw long enough that I should be able to restart it without choking, but I had to close the choke and start it like a cold engine. I put the a/c cover back on, and started it again. Again, had to pull several times more with the choke closed to get the saw to start to fire. Ran it and made a couple of cuts; was letting it idle (smooth idle), then it just died. Had to start it like cold to get it running again. Searching this problem on the net, I came across a similar problem you had responded to 3 years ago (Poulan 180 spits gas from carb). You said it was probably a bad reed valve (which my saw has), and was common on Poulan saws. You also said it didn't seem to harm the engine or decrease performance. I imagine my blow back problem is the reed valve, but what about the hard starting/doesn't stay idling for long time issue? Is this also the reed valve, or something else? (air leak perhaps?). Your advice would be much appreciated. Sorry if I'm too detailed.
AnswerDetails are good. It could be an air leak but I would check the compression. I have had some Poulan products start on 75 PSI but would not idle. When I visually inspected the piston through the exhaust port I could see the piston and rings were shot.
I would check the compression with a compression tester. You need at least 90 PSI but 125 PSI would be better. I would also pull the muffler off and visually inspect the piston and rings.
All the 2000 series Poulans I worked on had some amount of blow-by...never could keep all the blow-back from entering the air filter box.
Did you set the carb metering lever arm flush with the bottom of the carb per the Walbro manual? You can get the Walbro manual from their website.
Check the compression and let me know about the meter lever arm.
Eric
