Chainsaw Repair
Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Poulan => Topic started by: BikerBill on November 18, 2012, 09:59:56 am
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I recently purchased a ~25 year old Craftsman chain saw, model number 358.355051. I believe this saw was made by Poulan. The chain oiler does not work and it leaks oil. The leaks are due to two gaskets that are missing. I made gaskets using sheet gasket material and an Xacto knife. Following the exploded view diagram on Sears’ parts website I removed the oil pump. I am baffled as to how it’s supposed to work. It’s a small, round black plastic thing with an aluminum disk on one end that might be an oil metering device. On the other end is a small plastic barb, maybe 1/8 inch in diameter, that has nothing connected to it. It certainly looks like something should be connected there. The pump assembly mounts low on the crankcase in the front corner near where the chain enters the saw. I see no mechanical connection or attachment to power the pump. The hole in the saw casing (cast metal—no plastic!!) where the oil should come out is not clogged. On the inside of the casing there is no hose or tubing attached to this oil port. The parts diagram also shows an oil filter which is missing on my saw.
Can someone explain how this oiler is supposed to work and what might be wrong with mine? Should there be a hose that runs from the barb to the oil hole in the casing? BTW, I'm new to the world of chainsaws.
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I'm guessing that is the little 2.0 poulan top handle. ?
Oiler works off pressure built up in tank I believe.
IPL of saw. Click to enlarge http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-358355051/0247/1503200?pathTaken=&prst=0&shdMod=358355051
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Yes, you are correct it is a 2.0 cubic inch top handle model. I was wondering if the oiler might be pressure operated since I don't see any mechanical linkage to the pump.
The diagram you linked is the one I already looked at. I can't see any hose indicated that runs to the oiler hole at the top of casing. Since the oil level drops as oil is dispensed it would quickly drop below that level. So I still don't understand how the oil would get up to oiler hole. Any idea on that?
What is IPL?
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Sears didn't list it with that specific part number .Evidently not too many oilers work by the hits on the internet or the same saw doesn't work on many sites because there must be a zillion of them posted .
Never the less Poulan used a type of pressurization system which used crankcase impulse pressure to move the oil from the tank to the bar .The S-25 types had it located under the flywheel . Some of the early all metal 1.9 and 2 cubers it was located on the clutch side .
Now first of all for a type system like this to work obviously the tank would have to be able to hold pressure .Also there has to be a set of check valves some place else all it would do is suck in on one pulsation of the crankshaft and blow out on the other and nothing would happen if a check valve were inoperable in any way .I have not one clue where said items would be located .
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Without having said saw in front of me I cant tell nothing either on what you are missing or not, it's simple saw though to work on. Heck even pics of saw area?
I am just going by IPL = Illustrated Parts List.
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I'll tell ya what you could do .Somehow apply a little air pressure to the tank ,not much now and see if some oil comes out the bar oiling hole .
Danged old saws sit around for a coons age and the oil turns to wax which causes a lot of problems down the road .Sometimes you can soften it up with WD -40 if that's the case .I've fought with a few myself and some took a long time to win .
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I had a little chainsaw to quit oiling and I emptied the oil tank and then refilled it with kerosene.
The Kerosene ran right on through it when I ran the chainsaw.
Then I refilled the tank with bar oil.
Some of the little home owner saws do better with 10W-40 for bar oil?
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I had a little chainsaw to quit oiling and I emptied the oil tank and then refilled it with kerosene.
The Kerosene ran right on through it when I ran the chainsaw.
Then I refilled the tank with bar oil.
Some of the little home owner saws do better with 10W-40 for bar oil?
Thats what I do too use kerosene to flush the system. 8)
I also learned if it is least bit cold regular bar oil wont flow through them. I to go to 10wt-30 motor oil then for the little saws if needed.
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Way back when it seemed to get colder and I was lot dumber in near zero weather I'd use ATF in the S-25 Poulan .
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As Al Smith suspected, there are indeed two check valves that make this oiler system work. In my case, the one that pressurizes the oil tank was bad--air would flow both directions through the valve. It's located behind the clutch. I was able to just squeak it out without removing the clutch assembly. Of course the valve has been discontinued, but I was able to snag one on eBay. I installed the new check valve and for the first time oil flows from the oiler port. So it looks like I'm in business. And I did need to replace the oil discharge line that was completely missing. Thanks for your help with this.