Chain Saw repair

[Marv 979]

I have a Poulan 2150 chain saw. It has lost compression ( has about 50 lbs) . Pressure test and vacuum test hold well.

Can anybody help with a repair manual for this saw?

Marv

[wallfish 18,060]

A fully functioning one is about $40. Replace the whole thing. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365676406594?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1W-CzIJeESgyQFNNfJsKBJw7&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=365676406594&targetid=4580909052765420&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=51385&poi=&campaignid=603247545&mkgroupid=1236951576251627&rlsatarget=pla-4580909052765420&abcId=9316119&merchantid=51291&msclkid=15b3dc2c055315e7b72ab45823785234

[lynnmor 7,789]

9 minutes ago, wallfish said:

A fully functioning one is about $40. Replace the whole thing. 

 

Plus $85 shipping.

 

Pull the spark plug and look in the cylinder for damage, a borescope would be a big help.  If the cylinder is knackered, junk it.

[wallfish 18,060]

2 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

Plus $85 shipping.

My point was they are fairly inexpensive and abundant. Not worth fixing unless you want to tinker on something. 

[Handy Don 13,977]

54 minutes ago, wallfish said:

My point was they are fairly inexpensive and abundant. Not worth fixing unless you want to tinker on something. 

Kits with new cylinder, piston, etc are available but nearly the cost of a decent used saw. 

[wallfish 18,060]

Just now, Handy Don said:

Kits with new cylinder, piston, etc are available but nearly the cost of a decent used saw. 

But then it could be close to being a new saw by the time it's done. If one has the time to tinker on something like that 

[ri702bill 9,347]

Gotta figure in the cost of heavy duty hand cleaner too before breaking out the wrenches !! 

Yup, I was given a Craftsman 16" saw that the owner mixed his own fuel and "forgot" to swish it around before filling the saw. Ran it on straight gas that way - but not for long... I ended up stealing the coil & chain bar to fix another one...

Edited July 14 by ri702bill

[Treepep 680]

 

 

 

I would pay you 40 bucks plus the 85 shipping to recycle that plastic somehow and purchase a used saw that will last your lifetime. 

 

 I have have the same climbing saw since Goerge Bush junior.  It is difficult today to buy nearly anything that is good or lasts.  Poulan.  Is like JB weld.  Perfect to get you to something that actually works.

 

Place it in the bin,  Go to a reputable outfitter and get the smallest full chisel saw.  (mind your PPE) and use non ethanol with you mixing gas.  Even today you can get a Husk or my preference a Stihl.  That will be like a horse if you care for it.     Junk in, junk out.

[Wayne0 1,164]

Love my Stihl, but it can be cold blooded.

[Gasaholic 286]

2 hours ago, Treepep said:

 

  Even today you can get a Husk or my preference a Stihl.  That will be like a horse if you care for it.     Junk in, junk out.

The smaller model Husqvarnas ARE Poulan, just in orange (and the Craftsmans are Grey poulans) . (Husqvarna bought Pouan-Weedeater and their smaller consumer saws were the Poulan assembly line)  

My own first choice would be an Echo, second choice Stihl , anything else, I'd just buy a cheapo throwaway on Amazon and save some money over buying the brand. 

[davem1111 2,156]

1 hour ago, Gasaholic said:

The smaller model Husqvarnas ARE Poulan, just in orange (and the Craftsmans are Grey poulans) . (Husqvarna bought Pouan-Weedeater and their smaller consumer saws were the Poulan assembly line)  

My own first choice would be an Echo, second choice Stihl , anything else, I'd just buy a cheapo throwaway on Amazon and save some money over buying the brand. 

 

I have an Echo 20" ? that I paid $500-600 for a few years ago - it's a beast when I can keep it running, probably needs some carb adjustments.  I also have 2 Husky's, 440? 445?  18" that seem to take turns as to which one will run and which won't, so I often carry all 3 of those back to the woods.  Probably have owned 3-4 various brands in the past, none has left a really positive memory.

 

These days unless I'm cutting anything bigger than say, 5" diameter,  I'll just use my battery-powered Dewalt 12".  I have about 4-5 batteries so I can cut quite a bit without recharging, and it "always starts and keeps running" 

Edited Monday at 08:22 PM by davem1111

[wallfish 18,060]

Since I have a big 2 stroke tool collection with plenty of old Homelite stuff, I keep a Super XL-12 for a working saw. Yes, a bit more heavier than the plastic junk of today but it sits for very long periods of time yet still fires right up and has plenty of power. I'm not out lumber jacking all day so the weight isn't really a problem.

It only gets canned gas ( 4 stroke Tru Fuel) and I mix in my own oil. Old school reliable saw

Pic off the internet

[Treepep 680]

 

 

 

Same biz.  Not aware of all the corporate buyouts.  When husky ended up at regular hardware store should have been a hint.  It was a great brand.  Dad still has a 36"  that takes 2 men and a boy to start correctly. 

 

I have a couple David bradley that are in need of restoration when the universe gifts me time.  No safety biz so they will probably just be "art"  

[Wayne0 1,164]

16 hours ago, wallfish said:

Since I have a big 2 stroke tool collection with plenty of old Homelite stuff, I keep a Super XL-12 for a working saw. Yes, a bit more heavier than the plastic junk of today but it sits for very long periods of time yet still fires right up and has plenty of power. I'm not out lumber jacking all day so the weight isn't really a problem.

It only gets canned gas ( 4 stroke Tru Fuel) and I mix in my own oil. Old school reliable saw

Pic off the internet

Dad taught me how to cut with one of those. I think I was 13. Always said "Don't forget to pump the oil!"

Edited Tuesday at 01:29 PM by Wayne0

[Handy Don 13,977]

23 minutes ago, Wayne0 said:

Dad taught me how to cut with one of those. I think I was 13. Always said "Don't forget to pump the oil!"

I have the yellow (Craftsman) version of this saw. Never let me down.

After one long session I mentioned to my wife about my hands being numb from the vibration. A couple weeks later she gifted me a new Poulan Pro with the anti-vibration technology.

Anyone want the Craftsman?

[lynnmor 7,789]

2 hours ago, Handy Don said:

 

After one long session I mentioned to my wife about my hands being numb from the vibration. A couple weeks later she gifted me a new Poulan Pro with the anti-vibration technology.

 

I use anti-vibration gloves, they help a lot.  

[Marv 979]

6 hours ago, Wayne0 said:

Dad taught me how to cut with one of those. I think I was 13. Always said "Don't forget to pump the oil!"

The super XL solved that problem

[Marv 979]

All interesting comments. Thanks. I like fixing things so I will repair it, I think.

Marv

[kpinnc 14,573]

On 7/14/2025 at 1:43 PM, Wayne0 said:

Love my Stihl, but it can be cold blooded.

 

About to buy another. My previous one lasted 26 HARD years.