Auto oiler for Poulan Pro

[dannymbrown]

Unfortunately I purchased a Poulan Pro 20" chainsaw about 3-4 months ago.  Did not really need it as I own several "older" Echo's that run beautiful.  Anyway, this last weekend thought I would give the new one a try.  The oiler does not work until you shut it off and set it down, then it oils the ground very well.  No oil when it is running.  The piston is moving but no oil. 

The local stores will probably not want to work on it as I bought it online and several months ago.  Any ideas on what I could/should do to get it working properly short of junking it?

I bought one of the Echo's (20") in 1980 and the other (16") in 1988.  They both have run and run and then run some more.  Some weight to them, in fact I would say that it would take 2-3 Poulans to equal 1 of the Echo's.  The quality has most definitely dropped to a sub-standard of what they used to be????????

Let me know your thoughts........................

Thanks,
Dan

[Al_Smith]

 There was a time when  Poulan made some fairly decent inexpensive saws and in fact at one time made some professional saws that were real nice . Unfortunately those days have passed it seems .

I have no idea exactly what design your praticular saw uses for an oiler . The early ones often times had a check valve deal that pressurized the oil tank,not worth two shakes of a lambs tail .

The old S-25's had a diaphragm pump which worked pretty well . The later saws such as the 2800 used a gear driven pump similar to what Stihl uses .They worked pretty good .

Depending on the design of the pump you might just have a blocked or malfunctioning check valve on the oiler .Often times just runnig a part of a tank full of diesel fuel through the oiling system works wonders .

[Kevin]

If there's oil coming out maybe it's blocked at the bar.
Does the hole in the bar line up with the oil output when the chain is tensioned?

[dannymbrown]

Hi Kevin,

Yes I have already checked that and the slots do in fact line up.  I might add that it almost seems that when the saw is running - the pump is pumping - that it almost seems like a vapor lock - shut the saw down and here comes some oil.

Thanks Kevin,
Dan

[Al_Smith]

 That being the case it's most likely a check valve of some sort . Some were nothing more than a ball bearing held in place by a spring to allow flow in only one direction . If one fails for some reason the pump just sucks from and blows back to the tank and doesn't make it to the bar .

[Mooseherder]

I have been using a Poulan Pro for a couple years up until last month.  It is now my back up saw.  Haven't had the exact same issue because my oiler does work.  Mine also keeps oiling after I'm done using.  You can solve that By opening the oil filler cap and letting the built up pressure out.  There may be a hose that is disconnected from tank to oiler hole or some other blockage.  Try blowing some air in the inlet.

[cheyenne]

Return it, there not worth messing with, should be under warrenty. If not you now own a new boat anchor. Cheyenne

[scottr]

 Dan, if you'll post the model number of your saw then someone will probably be able to help you. My PP220 has a gear driven oiler that oils when the engine is running at idle or full rpm.

[dannymbrown]

It is a Poulan Pro Classic PP4620AV.

[rebocardo]

Having taken a few cheap saws apart including Poulan (never a "pro" though). They use cheap push on flared plastic tubing that can leak and not provide a good fit or the chinsy compression bushing is off.

I was surprised to find one electric chainsaw with plastic gears, the owner was wondering why the saw no longer cut  ;)

BTW: Every Remington and Poulan I have had oils when off  :D

[scottr]

 Dan, the Poulan website does not show the PP4620AV parts list but it does show a PP4620AVX which is the later toolless bar adjust model. They use the same oiler assembly as the Husqvarna 41, 141, and 141LE. If I were in your shoes I'd take off the clutch cover, clutch, and oiler and see if the snap together oiler pickup seal was leaking. If I remember correctly the PP4620AV is the older PP295 but with the helper spring in the starter. If you go to ordertree.com you can look up the IPL for the PP295. This type oiler pumps oil whenever the engine is running.

[dannymbrown]

Thanks for all the input - Sorry about the delay in getting back.  My parents both had a surgery in the last week and my wife and I have been tending to them. 

This weekend I should be able to use everyone's advise and get to the problem and get it fixed..

Thanks again,
Dan