Poulan 2025; what is there to know?

[zuren]

I just acquired a Poulan 2025 for free. The previous owner claimed he "had problems starting it and just wanted to get rid of it". Based on the EPA sticker, it is a 1999 and hasn't seen the best maintenance. I cleaned it, installed a fresh spark plug, poured in some fresh fuel mix and it started just fine. I think the starting issues were from the nasty plug, dirty carb and air filter as none looked like they had been changed/cleaned in a while.

I've done some reading and this does not seem to be a very well thought of "homeowner" saw around here. But I didn't have a saw and anything I would do would be in the homeowner realm of capabilities. I figured a saw is better than no saw, and I'm not going to go out and buy a saw at this point.

Before I put any money into it (which won't be much), I have a couple questions:

1. When is a bar considered worn enough to take out of service? The 16" bar on it has a decent burr all the way around and there are areas that it is blued from it heating up.

2. The chains also look blued, leading me to believe they are dull and were abused. I'm inclined to just get something new (Oregon bar/chain combo 27857), or should I try to sharpen/have them sharpened?

3. Did these saws come with the option of bumper spikes? There are mounting holes on the front of the housing to suggest something like that could be mounted there.

4. I downloaded the 2025/2050 owners manual from the Poulan site. Is there a site where I can find a parts list/schematic?

Thanks for any input!

 

[scottr]

Zuren , you can find an illustrated parts list on outdoordistributors.com . Did you check to see if the oiler is working ?

 

[zuren]

Did you check to see if the oiler is working ?

Not yet. The oiler tank was empty upon receipt so I need to go pick up some or just put in some veggie oil just to see if it works. The tank was surprisingly empty.

 

[woodchuck361]

Sounds like its time for a new bar and chain. As the bur and the bluing on the chain are bad signs of neglect and lots of heat. You can pick us a set Very cheep if you look on ebay.
I would hold off on the veggi oil, keep that for cooking fries. Bar oil is cheep enough and available in Qt. bottles. I would make sure the oiler is working as scottr pointed out or you will burn up that new chain and bar.

The saw did not come with "spikes" or "dogs" as there called. The saw does not have the power to need them.
Its not a bad saw its just not a big or pro level saw. With that in mind if you don't ask it to do too much you will never be let down.

I ran a Poulan for several years before I bought my Stihl. Enjoy and you are right any saw is better than no saw.

 

[zuren]

The oiler IS NOT working, which explains the heat and wear damage. I found a couple places where the oiler kit is only $8-9.

I just ordered the clutch removal tool so I can get this thing apart.

 

[scottr]

The oiler IS NOT working, which explains the heat and wear damage. I found a couple places where the oiler kit is only $8-9.

I just ordered the clutch removal tool so I can get this thing apart.

Zuren , what kind of shape would you say the bar sprocket bearings are in after all that abuse ?

 

[zuren]

Zuren , what kind of shape would you say the bar sprocket bearings are in after all that abuse ?

It's hard to say. Everything spins smooth. The only way to really check is to take the clutch/sprocket apart and manually inspect......right?

 

[scottr]

It's hard to say. Everything spins smooth. The only way to really check is to take the clutch/sprocket apart and manually inspect......right?

Yes , it would be good to check the clutch bearings but I was asking about the bar sprocket bearings . If everything spins smoothly then I'd file the burrs off the bar , oil the bar sprocket bearings , oil the clutch bearing , file and oil the chain if it's in decent shape . What do the spurs look like on the clutch drum ?

 

[zuren]

Ah, sorry, I saw "sprocket" and "bearing" and immediately thought clutch assembly.