QuestionQUESTION: Very recent problem: saw dies immediately after starts up. Muffler clean inside. Before I remove carb for cleaning, wanted to ask if the fuel cap has a vent? What is strange is that the fuel cap, at the same time as this cutting out started, just began to be extremely difficult to turn - can barely turn it by hand. Was not that way before. Could higher ethanol in fuel be causing problem somehow? What do I do?
ANSWER: Hello Paul:
Most Caps Vent One Way. They Allow Air In but No Air or Gas Out of the Tank. Has the Tank Cap been Put on Cross Threaded at One Time or Another? I have Found that with Some Plastic Gas Caps the Higher Ethanol Fuel will Swell the Caps and Make them Harder to Remove and Replace. The Cap Should be a Non Issue here. I Suggest you You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram and Select the Catalog Poulan/Weed Eater. Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl, Float Pin, Float (if Applicable) and Needle Valve and Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. Then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air. Install New Parts if Required. I Require the OEM (Walbro, Zama, ect) and the Model Numbers Off the Carburetor. With these I can Locate a Breakdown of the Carburetor and Better Assist you. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi John
Thank you very much for your response. I am just getting back to the problem I originally contacted you about today. Following thru with your suggestion, carb is soaking in NAPA carb cleaner. However, having difficulty finding the correct gasket kit. Here's what my saw is:
Poulan Pro 295 Type 1 (SN: 94341H01088)
carb marking: K4-WT-285
Friend with shop got me a Walbro Kit K10-WAT. While looks like one of the gaskets will fit, the needle valve in this kit is much longer than the one that was in my carb. Went to the Walbro site but couldn't find my numbers. Can you help?
Thanks
Paul
AnswerHi Paul:
Poulan List 3 Carburetors for this Saw. The WT-285 is Not One of those 3. The Carburetors Listed for this Saw are as Follows; 1- WT529 P/N 530-071345, 2- WT610 P/N 530-071492 and 3- WT-657 P/N 530-071693 (there are Kits Available for this Carburetor). From what I can See, if the K10-WAT Kit is Not the Correct Kit, then the K20-WAT is the Kit that is Required for this Carburetor. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram and Select the Catalog Poulan/Weed Eater. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
