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General Product Question

    Dan Walsh
    I have a problem with a Poulan Pro PP4218AV chainsaw. The...Answeredescalated
    General Product Question posted November 28, 2011 by Dan Walsh, last edited February 10, 2012 
    7814 Views, 6 Comments
    Question:
    I have a problem with a Poulan Pro PP4218AV chainsaw. The gas cap is almost impossible to screw in or out. I have called customer service, and the reason is the plastic cap expands because the gas has ethanol. Their solution: Put gas cap in the sun, so that it can dry out, or use a light bulb or other heat source to dry it out! What a lousy response. How about supplying a cap to consumers that doesn't expand? Just wait, some consumer will use a lighter or blow torch to dry a cap out, and then boom! It is probably time to contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
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    Best Answer

    Greg P.

    Hi

    Thanks for contacting the Answer Army to post your questions.

    You will need to take to a dealer so they can do the warranty on the gas cap.

    Then use at least 89 octane fuel and a jaso certified oil. Or you can use the tru fuel that has the 50:1 premix and has a 2 year shelf life for freshness. Cost a little more but it states on the can has no ethanol in it.

    Thanks again from the Husqvarna Technical Services Team

     

    Answer

     

    • Greg P.

      Hi

      Thanks for contacting the Answer Army to post your questions.

      You will need to take to a dealer so they can do the warranty on the gas cap.

      Then use at least 89 octane fuel and a jaso certified oil. Or you can use the tru fuel that has the 50:1 premix and has a 2 year shelf life for freshness. Cost a little more but it states on the can has no ethanol in it.

      Thanks again from the Husqvarna Technical Services Team

       

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    • Dan Walsh

      Although it has taken me awhile to reply, I thought an update on my problem should be written.

      I ran the saw until it ran out of fuel.  I then opened the cap (with channel locks!), and let the threads "air dry".  After just one day, the swelling of the threads of the cap had been reduced, and after a frew more days, I was actually able to screw the cap on without channel locks.

      I emptied the gas/fuel mixture from my portable fuel container, and refilled it with 89 octane gasoline.  The new 89 octane gas/oil mix was then put in the Poulan, and by the next day, the cap could only be removed with the channel locks!  So, I would say that 89 octane gas does contain ethanol (in Michigan), and I still have the same problem.

      Today, I just received an email from Husqvarna promoting the Ethanol Challenge.  It does not really tell much, except how to store fuel, and recommends 89 octane.

      Can you tell me if there is a gas cap replacement program, so that I can get a cap that does not expand with ethanol?

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    • Jim Meyers

      I agree totally with Dan.  This is such a frustrating problem with a totally unacceptable solution.  I found the part on the Web, but it was listed as Back Ordered with no delivery date provided by the manufacturer.  So, we're all stuck!  For all the sales of this chain saw the manufacturer should simply come up with a replacement cap for the marketplace and stop using the current version.  My goodness, the frustration and then the stonewall have become complete deal-breakers for me purchasing other Poulan branded products.  I'm done.

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    • Mark Jones

      My Poulon Pro PP4218AVX is the worst piece of junk I ever owned.  The gas cap is only removable with pliers.  Ethanol is not new to the gas you buy at the pump.  If they can not build a saw that works with gas from the pump then they should stop making saws.  I have had mine for a year and now I cannot even start it.  I will never buy a poulon product again ... and now that I know Husky makes them I will say the same for Husky!

      Mark Jones

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    • Olivia Fair

      I'm looking at buying my first gas chainsaw.   I've got a 2 acre stand to thin out and i don't want to do it by hand saw, thats for sure! thank you for any info regarding theses saws or any other saw recommendations.

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