Chainsaw Rebuild Replace Piston, Cylinder. Low Compression. Poulan 2150 Won't start

Poulan 2150 Chainsaw will not start. Has low compression from scored piston and cylinder. In this video I do a compression test and replace the piston and cylinder. Full teardown and assembly.
Also Watch: How a 2 Stroke Carburetor Works: • How a 2 Stroke Carbure...

[@AndyH-13]

This is one of the best videos for how rebuild a chainsaw.

[@Conservative01]

Best “how to” videos I ever have seen. Terrific job showing and explaining each step. Thank you

[@David-uh9cc]

It's definitely worth a try for $27 dollars for the piston kit and $10 dollars for a carb rebuild kit... even a cheap chainsaw like this is approximately $150 new and who would trust a used one? Not me!! Your video gives us the confidence to DIY on this one... thanks!

[@danielnelson4623]

When I got done watching this video I confident that I could perform the same task. This was by far the best diy repair video I've come across so far. Direct and Correct. You Sir should start a business training these Utubers how to make videos. I feel like this was my first day at a new job being trained by the best the company had to offer. Thank you,, now I'm going to check if you have any life coaching videos. Thank you again

[@philliphall5198]

Can’t learn anything unless you get started, take pictures and get it done

[@jollymolotov5364]

This is the best chainsaw vid I've ever seen. Sure wish I had found this one before wasting all that time. THANK you.

[@JamesEberhardt]

Echoing other comments here, this is an excellent video. Excellent camera work, it's in focus, and clearly on the part being discussed. Excellent knowledge about the parts and steps required to take apart are re-assemble the chainsaw. Seeing this video gave me the confidence that I can repair my damaged chainsaw. I'll let you know how it goes! Thank you for making this video!

[@kenneththompson6927]

Just the best small engine repair video I have ever watched.

[@bobklimple1740]

I do not understand who would give this video a Thumbs Down.. Mr. Torres comment is dead on, AWESOME TUTORIAL!!!!!!! Thank You !!!!

[@jardimmanuel]

I AM COMPLETELY ASTONISHED BY THIS GENTLEMEN'S VIDEOS, THE VIDEOS ARE THE BEST INSTRUCTIONAL VISUAL TRAINING I HAVE EVER SEEN. CONGRATULATIONS AND CONTINUE WITH THE EXCELLENT TALENT.

[@trevorarial9456]

Thank you for the excellent step by step video! My rebuild went smoothly with your help!

[@lynnf6459]

MR. GOULD , YOU ARE THE MAN, BEST VIDEO EVER !!!!!!!!!

[@Jethrosgarage]

Mine that I bought new in 2003 needs a rebuild- the intake manifold screws came loose on the cylinder and she ran lean plus it was a 90* day out. Your video is very clear, I will take it all apart so like you I can clean out the crank case and replace crank seals. The parts are cheap. I've rebuilt old snowmobile engines before and I work on diesels with pistons bigger than that saw so it can't be too hard. :)

[@norbertopadua9228]

Now I could replace the piston and cylinder of my Craftsman chain saw. Thanks for showing the "how to" for this particular repair procedure.

[@muamero.8528]

Outstanding, just rebuilt mine. Super easy to follow. I have done my saw it and it was my first.

[@Steve_Wojo]

Outstanding video Jay. You produce some of the most EXCEPTIONAL tutorials I have ever seen. I just came across your channel and subscribing was a no-brainer for me. Looking forward to future content. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying your previous postings. Thank you.

[@harrydavidaererua8017]

Too much mate.My 10yr old gson and I did my chain saw.Me watching over him.Started first go. He's going to do this work to get him some money. Good work old timer.May you hv many more yrs ahead teaching our youth.Thanks from Auckland New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@1brjackson]

Thank you for producing this video and for the step by step process for disassembling and rebuilding the chainsaw.

[@11bayrat]

Thanks for sharing.this video helped me change my 1st piston and ring cylinder rebuild. Very helpful thanks

[@kennyr9924]

Thanks for this video, I know its older but I own a Poulan Pro PP333 trimmer with a scored upper piston and cylinder. watched this video and learned enough to do a top end rebuild. I was surprised how the engine was easy to disassemble and repair. The trimmer had been sitting in my shed for over 10 years (almost threw away several times). Bought complete long block from ebay (was cheap) and used the top end to repair. I didn't want to deal with pressing on the shaft housing fan clutch and starter recoil engage mechanism which was why I didn't use the whole assembly. The trimmer runs now!

[@jasonsmith3573]

good informative video that leaves other videos on the same subject in the dark

[@likits1999]

I gotta share this with you!!! Happy Easter by the way, He has risen!!! My 3314 is totally different than yours!!! Anyway, I tried your rope trick to remove the clutch and it worked. When I troed to rwmove the flywheel it was not working at all. To make the long story short, my crankshaft was broken off on the flywheel side. My 3314 had no compression because of that . It's 4 years old, I removed a lot of trees with it from my backyard but I degrease every time Im done working with it. What happened here, I dont know but the piston and the cylinder head are like new 4 years later after all the abuse I put it through. Ill be buying another crank shaft and returning my new cylindwr head and piston rebuild kit. Blessings to you and your my brother and thanks for posting the video!!!

[@ryanworks35509]

Excellent! I found an old chainsaw thrown out by a guy at my storage units and after cleaning the carb it still would not start. I did the compression test and it's at 30psi. So I'm going to do a full overhaul and have a nice saw by the end of the 9th time watching this video hahaha!

[@carljdipietro]

Thank you teacher, I'm so grateful for the time you took to teach us how to tackle this and to bring my chainsaw back to life 💪👍😇

[@jakeiseminger7317]

Great tutorial. I’ll throw a little addition....my piston came ported, where as the one in this video is not. I got a little wrapped around the axel figuring out which way the port went before I realized this dudes piston isn’t ported. The Ported side of the piston should be pointed at the intake/carb mount side of the cylinder. It also happens to be the same as his advice at the 18:44 mark....the pins for the rings should be on the same side as the port. Hope that helps someone out who wondered the same thing I did.

[@crxess]

Excellent Step-by-step Tutorial on the Poulan Engine Top end rebuild. I picked up a 4018WT Wild Thing - Running but a bit weak and hard to keep running at idle.(Cold Weather buy) In the heat of Summer it got almost impossible to start and restarting when hot was not going to happen. * I should have known what was going on when I had to all but close the low idle circuit to keep it idling, but decided it had to be a defective carburetor and ordered a replacement. Nope...... The saw started right up with the new Carburetor....but !!!! .... The Throttle was catching the Cover and not able to move. I shut the Saw off and got the Throttle rod freed up. The saw hasn't started since. I have known the Compression was (LOW) since the original Idle issue showed itself.(73psi then) .......*** This Video will act as a guide/Refresher when I replace the head/Piston and bring this Saw back to life. *** It will also act as a guide when I replace the Fuel Tank on my Sons SW4018, that I placed a wrong length screw in the Starter Cover and pierced the Tank, causing a leak. Most people would just throw them away, but where is the fun(and education) in that? *Thank You*

[@lawsonhollenbaugh3626]

AWESOME VIDEO, EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE CHAIN SAW.! I APPRECIATE YOUR TALENT..!!

[@DavidPerez-hl5lt]

I followed this vid very closely along with another one on poulan and was able to repair my chainsaw... This was the best of them all... Thanks...I spent altogether about $40 which for a cheap throwaway saw, it's better than buying another cheap throwaway or bringing it to a shop...I can keep doing this every few years as needed.. thanks again!!

[@kevinc.8869]

I have the Snapper S1838 and it appears to be the exact same saw. 41mm piston. I just pulled my saw apart to do this exact same thing for the exact same reason. Good little saw otherwise. Excellent tutorial, thank you.

[@travisjohnson6676]

My Craftsman 36cc is absolutely identical to this except for the color. Your instructions were absolutely crystal clear and easy to follow. I've now got about $60 invested in a $50 chainsaw but can you really put a price on knowledge?

[@robertsmith8632]

Another easy way to remove the flywheel nut is to just hold the flywheel with a strap wrench. Then use an impact gun to loosen the nut. I've done it - it works and won't damage anything.

[@timmyturnip1147]

We have the same chainsaw and this is exactly what I needed to fix it THANK YOU!!

[@danielnelson4623]

I started reading the comments after I wrote mine. I wasn't shocked to see you had the same impact on nearly all others that left a comment. You deserve a U tube tutorial award. What about Hunter and the big guy. Corrupt!!!

[@user-jv1kk7vg1f]

Use red hi temp gasket maker it will hold up better.

[@jsollien127]

Great video! I just successfully followed your directions for my own Poulan 2150 cylinder/piston swap. Had to go back to your video a few times...

[@ramoutdoors6415]

This was the best and exactly what I was lookin for.....thumbs up!

[@IIllytch321nonadinfinitum]

You helped me gain some confidence taking my Poulan PP3516AVX apart for an overhaul as it wasn't running. However, I found out that my model deviates from yours in terms of design and I ran into some snags. Took some time but it's all apart. Luckily, the cylinder, piston, and ring are all beautiful. I ordered some parts (including gas lines which were cracked) and hope to get it running in the next couple weeks. It was a fun puzzle of sorts. Peace and thanks.

[@glendonw8888]

everyone says a poulan saw is not worth a motor job.Well i have a 2150 for 10 or more years,and i cut a lot of BIG wood....its a great runner! I looked at my piston and rings the other week,,nice and shiny and no scoring,even with my very strong oil/gas mix.These are very good saws,dont let others tell you otherwise.

[@glendonw8888]

great vid. Easy to understand,no unnessary chatter,just to the point.Thanks,,i have a couple 2150s im going to to get up and running.

[@josephherron7671]

Last time I did this I was about eight years old in my grandfather’s small engine shop. I’m now 46. Not much has changed.

[@philliphall5198]

Same old stuff

[@martintorres7480]

Thank you Sir for such a AWESOME tutorial.

[@jeffblalock4630]

Totally agree! Perfect tutorial!

[@philliphall5198]

After installing a cly kit I placed a 20 inch box fan on them at fast ideal for at least a hour Works great and no problem yet

[@Mags120fish1]

Very well done. I ran mine yesterday with no oil in the gas for a bit. Still runs but need to check the compression. If I need to replace the piston I am confident I can do it with your video. Thank you!

[@JamesEberhardt]

I came across this video because I did the same on my chainsaw... ran it without oil in the gas!

[@rogerford4427]

Very nicely done. 🤙I have two 38 cc saws. One is 22 an one 15 years old. They have not been apart. Still run good. Poulon gets a bad rap, but if you take care of them, they last.

[@jimmyscoffield1988]

Nice video, good job explaining it all.

[@kevinstorm6009]

Interesting video. First, I admit that I learned a bit about how the chainsaw is disassembled, etc. I was an auto tech for years and hadn't worked on such a small engine in quite some time. That said, there were several 'don't do this' moments as well as some 'Wait! How did that happen?' items. When installing the new piston rings, instead of simply using his fingers to slightly stretch and guide each ring into place, he presses it on clearly scratching the side of the brand new piston twice (check the top of the piston at 17:00 and again 30 seconds later)! He did the same as he installed the C-clip for the wrist pin. You should install the long end, apply tension toward the center and then pop the other side in place. Instead, he twists it in thereby chancing damage to the piston again! There were some obvious editing issues as well. He was assembling the engine, installed the ground wire at the kill switch and then, as he began mounting the carburetor... lo and behold! The recoil starter and handle were already in place! Then later the video showed how that happened. I get it, the work is your forte. But at least watch the video before posting it so you'll find and correct the continuity issues. Things can often be damaged if not assembled in the correct order... and in the correct way. By the way, you showed the compression test 'before', with the scored cylinder so it would make sense to show the compression 'after' the new piston and cylinder was installed. Maybe give it a small squirt of break-in oil before installing the spark plug as well. The one item that made my comment necessary? The new piston and rings going into the new cylinder, scratches and all? "You're killin' me Smalls!"

[@williamhuskey8723]

What kind of oil is break in oil and what kind of oil for assembly of the piston rings and is loctite 518 a good gasket maker. Sorry for the questions this is my first rebuild ThankYou very much if you can help me out

[@davekurtz321]

MONDAY MORNING QUARTER BACK THE CYLINDER HAS A CAMPHOR THAT ALLOWS TO PISTON RINGS TO BE COMPRESSED INTO THE PISTON GROVES HE DID NOT) INSTALL THEM DRY ; HE PRE OILED EVERY THING) and NEVER EVER BLOCKING OFF OUR VIEW OF WHAT; HE WAS DOING)

[@klausschroeder8961]

Impressive video with a great explanation. Congrats!

[@FaithGardener]

Cool video, I really liked it. I was hoping to see the compression test re-accomplished with the new piston just to see where it was after install, but ntl, good video

[@swordfish1120]

Have you taken a compression reading since you put in the cylinder/piston? If so, what reading did you get?

[@jjyemg2397]

This was totally awesome!! Thanks

[@richardfote4083]

your a good teacher thanks.

[@crazyfeller5704]

Fine tutorial sir, well done. Thanks for sharing. Did you determine what caused the issue? Lean condition, air leak etc? I am working on two old Poulans with the same scoring. One I owned since new and the other I picked up for $5. I found what I thought initially was saw dust in the fuel tanks. I believe now it was ethanol/stable crystals that plugged up the filters on both. Made the decision, no more ethanol in my two cycles. It just plugs up carbs on the mowers, but absolutely ruins two stokes. Again, much appreciated for sharing.

[@scottruhl9002]

Very informative and put together well. Your work is very good. Found it very useful in rebuilding my 2150. Thanks for putting it out there.

[@mgoody8782]

Stuck rings , sometimes if you run it too rich and store it for a long time while the piston is on the compression stroke the old oil seizes one side of the rings. Notice the carbon build up on the old piston head?

[@likits1999]

Excellent Maestro, Meister, Master!!!

[@magaucher]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@mauricehumphrey6074]

very good video

[@swordfish1120]

Excellent instructional video. Much of what you say can be applied to any chainsaw cylinder/piston replacement.

[@Fourandaquarter]

Excellent video. Keep up the good work.

[@buchanansleeve7427]

Thank you for your video it helped immensely!

[@michaelevans2975]

Left hand thread on clutch noted.

[@acconboy]

good video, thanks. Two questions. 1. Why remove the entire engine rather than just the jug (leaving the bottom end in the chassis)? and 2. I noticed that the side slides in the cylinder weren't filmed inserting prior to reassembly - oversight or unnecessary ?

[@humbertosrperez]

Awesome video

[@redneckways1933]

You made that look easy .My saw done the same thing not as bad . Hopefully I won't have a problem getting my parts.

[@davidferrell1876]

Awesome video! Thank you.

[@brettjones220]

Great vid! Very instructional!

[@stentonmcintyre5753]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@pescayaventuraconjarocho..2229]

Great teacher

[@DIYVariety]

Would that piston be yhe same as ghe 4218A poulan pro

[@PaulSmith-ff1wy]

Brilliant , nicely explained. Thank you...Paul Smith, Australia

[@jimmycarter9099]

They do this because the muffler gets stoped up make sure guys your muffler is venting the chainsaw guy

[@magaucher]

What is the make of the Gasket Maker please, thank you.

[@dogsandwich77]

Shouldn't you open the throttle when you check the compression?

[@VinnyMartello]

I have a Husqvarna 372XP with a new OEM cylinder and piston but it only has 120psi. Only ran a tank of gas through it so far but 120 seems a little low. My smaller and weaker 455 rancher has 140psi

[@SheikShak]

Very good….thank u so much….

[@emiliosanchez5621]

Thank you.

[@williamwhite9321]

Very detailed well done Thanks for Sharing

[@rickdrury7840]

I noticed you didn't put the two black plastic pieces that go on the sides of the bore hole. How important are they? My new kit didn't come with any.

[@thanasisbarbagiannis7067]

Nice video and very helpful

[@robertdavis6708]

Thanks. Where did you buy the jug and piston kit?

[@alejandro24392]

hello, excuse me what sealer do you use to seal the carter??? from already thank you very much

[@w96725]

Very good video.

[@humbertosrperez]

Awesome

[@chashelicop]

I would be interested in what brand you bought to replace the piston and head. There are at least a half dozen on Amazon. Some reviews were not the best. I bought a parts saw but could get it running again. Just curious

[@WilliamFrawley]

I bought a cylinder / piston kit on eBay for $20.00. No brand name, shipped from California. Not sure how good the quality is but I don't use it much so hopefully it will last.

[@aorsin]

great video. only one question. what was the cost of the parts to justify a rebuild.

[@WilliamFrawley]

$20 on eBay, including shipping

[@NatesOutdoors]

Just how hard is it to replace the crankshaft seals on them?? Awesome video man you got my sub

[@lukez1729]

Nice video. I

[@MattyFatty365]

Great video!

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Very nicely done video !!!

[@zachwebb6879]

What kinda of gasket maker did you use I need to redo mine and hurd you have to use moto seal or yahama bond or something like that

[@growmowlawncare8245]

What is the brand of gasket maker that you use

[@youngjunkim79]

좋은 정보 감사 드립니다

[@lorettacaputo6997]

I am in the process of doing this to a 2050wt. I didn't see the need for removal of the flywheel, only the clutch to remove the cylinder from the saw body. Since the newer piston has two rings is there a need to place the orientation of the piston in a particular position on the crankshaft? I would have liked to have seen the post repair compression test numbers. Still an excellent video. Thanks.

[@WilliamFrawley]

maybe you can get it apart without removing the flywheel but it doesn't take that long and it's easier to work on it. Piston orientation may not be critical with two rings. Compression after repair was 125 psi.

[@slobabozanovic895]

Nice video.

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Very interesting video. What did sleeve assembly cost & were did you go? Thanks

[@WilliamFrawley]

I bought it on eBay. It was $20.00 including shipping. Purchased from California. Don't remember the name of the business.

[@donvoll2580]

@@WilliamFrawley Wow $20. reasonable! Did it stand up, running good. Thanks

[@tuneophilegym]

Excellent tutorial!!! Where could I get replacement p istons and cylinders for my poulan? I need to rebuild it.

[@WilliamFrawley]

I just bought mine on eBay. I think it was $20 from a place in California

[@alext8828]

Is there a reason you didn't put gasket maker on the cylinder side of the crank bearings?

[@WilliamFrawley]

Video at 20:25 I put some on

[@alext8828]

@@WilliamFrawley 22:00, no gasket maker, but I see an edit in which you probably added the gasket maker. Good video. Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to learn and your videos are very instructive.

[@Bigeye291]

Hello great video, but what about timing of spark and piston or do you not have to worrier about that part

[@travisjohnson6676]

That is handled by the fact that the spinning wheel under the left cover is keyed to the shaft it slides onto and that is in a fixed arrangement with the piston. The spark plug can only fire when the piston is in the correct position.

[@Bigeye291]

@@travisjohnson6676 Thanks a million Travis, you make KZbin great

[@rickinoakville1549]

Ouch mine is about the same PSI, never lend them to your relatives!

[@01mustang05]

Why? - It's a design flaw or done on purpose, not end user error!

[@davekurtz321]

NO SIR; NOT A DESIGN FLAW SEEN ENOUGH OF THESE POULAN SAWS TO KNOW THAT ; THEY WERE NOT BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED ; FUEL/ OIL MIX TOOO LEAN ; HIGH SPEED MIXTURE SCREW ; SET TO LEAN ; CAUSING THE CHAIN SAW TO RUN HOT AND THE R P M TO EXCEED THE SAFE ; UNDER 10,000 ; 12,000 SETTING) AMAZON) SELLES A SMALL Tachometer; UNDER $25.00 THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO ADJUST THE R P M ; SETTING; ON A SMALL ENGINE) AWESOME INVESTMENT; IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO KEEP YOUR CHAINSAW FOR YEARS MY OLD STIHL MS. 361 WAS PURCHASED IN ( 2006 STILL HAS AWESOME 🙌 COMPRESSION AND WHEN, i..pulled THE MUFFLER OFF TO VIEW THE CYLINDER, and PISTON RINGS ; ALL VERY CLEAN NO SCORING ) ALWAYS USED A RICH MIXTURE of THE (2 CYCLE STIHL OIL AND HIGH OCTANE GASOLINE ) STAY AWAY FROM THE CANNED CALIFORNIA; EPA PRE MIX FUEL ⛽️ TOO LEAN WILL CAUSE YOUR CHAINSAW TO RUN TOO HOT AND LEAN ( 2 CYCLE ENGINES ARE DESIGNED TO BURN 🔥 OIL FOR LUBRICATION OF THE BEARINGS ; CYLINDER ; PISTON & RINGS) JUST DO NOT) STORE THE CHAINSAW ) WITH THE FUEL IN IT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME) MARVEL Mystery oil IS GREAT FOR PORING IN TO THE SPARK ⚡️ PLUG HOLE ) and INTO THE FUEL ⛽️ TANK FOR LONG TERM STORAGE , i..have A LOT OF TREES 🌲 🌳 IN EAST TEXAS; SOOO my CHAINSAW’s NEVER GO ON VACATION

[@loralkinney]

How do you take off the crankshaft bearing on the end with the side that has no tapered shaft?

[@Fourandaquarter]

The gear that drives the oil pump is a spring and can be removed so the bearing can come off.

[@vdittycc]

Nice video! I have the same saw and trying to get the parts but options are for several models mine looks same as yours how to find the right model?

[@WilliamFrawley]

mine is Model# 2150 (it has a sticker on the side with the model number). I bought the cylinder / piston kit on eBay for $20.00. Not sure of the quality but I don't use it much so hopefully it will last.

[@vdittycc]

@@WilliamFrawley I did buy one on eBay and rebuilt it using your video !also had to do carb and lines thanks for a real good video!

[@Sensei948]

@@WilliamFrawley 14o pi good compresion 372 xp oe?

[@cliffordfeather7101]

How does it run with the new piston and cylinder?

[@WilliamFrawley]

it starts and runs much better, has power now

[@wonder6oy409]

Very well done video sir. It's exactly what I needed to see to convince me to throw away my old Poulan (low compression according to the expensive repair guy) and just get a good electric saw. :-)