How to Increase Compression on a Poulan Chainsaw

Check the left side of the engine where the spark plug and carburetor bowl are set. The iron valve cover sits here. Remove each of the bolts holding the valve cover in place using a socket wrench. Pry the valve cover off with your hands after you take out the bolts. The removal of the cover will reveal the valves.

Look at the two rocker arms revealed by the removal of the cover and loosen the screw at the center of the bolt on the top rocker arm. Use a Torx screwdriver to loosen this screw.

Slide a feeler gauge under the left side of the Poulan's top rocker arm. If you cannot insert the feeler gauge, use a socket wrench to twist the rocker arm's bolt counterclockwise. Loosen the bolt in this fashion just enough so as to slide the feeler gauge under the rocker arm. The gauge should not freely wiggle once under the arm. Tighten the bolt back up slightly if the feeler gauge moves too freely.

Tighten the Torx screw back up using your screwdriver.

Repeat this procedure with the feeler gauge on the lower rocker arm. Adjusting the rocker arms in this fashion will increase the compression on the Poulan's air valves appropriately.

Slide the valve cover back over the rocker arms. Insert the cover's bolts with your wrench.