How to Replace the Chain on a Poulan Chainsaw (Model P3314)

Chainsaw need a checkup? It's time to face the fix. Whether you are a legendary lumberjack or a weekend woodworker, eReplacementParts.com provides the parts, procedures and facts you need to fearlessly fix what fails you.

Chainsaws are amazing tools. There is nothing quite like them for making quick work of removing a tree in your yard, pruning branches, or cutting firewood for the winter. When you think about how fast a chainsaw cuts, and the abuse the chain takes, it's amazing that the chain stays sharp as long as it does.

Like any blade, the chain will eventually become dull, and it will need to be replaced (or sharpened). As the blade becomes dull, you will notice that the saw doesn't cut as fast. You will see the sawdust change from thin shavings to a powdery dust. Often, you will notice smoke coming from the bar and chain while cutting.

A single chain can easily cut down an entire tree (or more), as long as the wood is clean and debris free. A single stone, nail (or the like) will almost immediately dull a chain (if struck). To avoid chain damage, care should be taken to keep the chain from touching the ground when cutting branches from fallen trees, or when cutting shrubs.

If a chain is run with too little tension, it may come free from the bar. This is a dangerous situation, and it usually leads to a damaged chain. When the chain leaves the bar, it often damages the driver links. Those are the spurs on the inside of the chain (which fit into the bar). Inspect the driver links for burrs. The burrs keep the chain from fitting into the bar, and can lock the chain up (so it can't rotate around the bar).

This article provides step-by-step instructions for removing and installing the chain on a Poulan chainsaw.

Let's get started.   REMOVING THE CHAIN [top] 1. Remove the clutch cover assembly.

Remove the (2) nuts from the bar mounting bolts.

Rotate the chain tensioner screw counterclockwise to release tension from the chain.

Remove the clutch cover assembly.

  2. Remove the chain.

Remove the bar and chain assembly from the saw.

Remove the chain from the guide bar.

  INSTALLING THE NEW CHAIN [top] 3. Install the chain.

Lay the guide bar on a flat surface.

Install the new chain onto the guide bar; ensuring that the sharp side of the teeth (along the bottom of the chain) are facing the saw.

Partially install the bar and chain assembly onto the saw, ensuring that the chain engages the drive sprocket on the clutch drum.

Continue installing the bar (and chain) over the bar bolts.

Pull the bar assembly forward (away from the engine) to align the drive links (on the new chain) with the groove in the bar.

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 4. Reinstall the clutch cover assembly.

Install the clutch cover assembly.

Apply (side) pressure to the clutch cover assembly.

Using a long screwdriver, rotate the tensioner screw (in either direction) until the bar adjustment pin engages the hole on the bar. (The entire assembly should “snap” into place when this occurs).

Once the adjustment pin engages the bar; rotate the tensioner screw in the opposite direction until the chain begins to tension.

Install and hand-tighten the bar nuts.

  5. Tension the chain.

Grasp and raise the distant end of the bar and chain assembly (opposite the engine) until the saw begins to rise.

While holding the bar in the raised position, grasp the chain at the center (and top) of the bar.

Lift the chain away from the bar assembly and inspect the gap between the two components.

The chain is tensioned correctly when the weight of the chain does not cause it to sag below the guide bar.

Rotate the tensioner screw (as necessary) to tighten or loosen the chain until it is correctly tensioned.

Tighten the bar nuts to secure the clutch cover assembly.

Do-it-yourself repairs like these are easier than you might think: From lawn machines to cordless drills, kitchen mixers to outdoor grills. Our "how-to" articles walk you through each repair from start to finish.

So, doing-it-yourself means never having to do it alone.

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