This is to ask some advice on trying to fix an old chainsaw. It's a Poulan Wild thing model 2375 with an 18" bar. For the last few years it's become hard to start after it gets hot. It ran pretty well two weeks ago but suddenly it wouldn't start. It just will not fire. Here are the things I've checked:

- the gas is fresh

- the gas is mixed with two cycle oil about 40 to 1

- I've removed the cover and cleaned the air filter sponge and dried it

- I've sprayed outside the carb with carb cleaner to remove any dust around it

- I've made sure linkages to choke and throttle are working

- the gas lines are intact and I can see a bubble move in the line from tank to carb when I prime it

- the gasket between carb and head is intact with no tears

- I've removed the spark plug and it isn't corroded or abnormally dirty. I've made sure it sparks by seeing a blue spark jump when I pull the starter with the spark plug hanging loose

- a compression test shows about 60 psi on a cold engine

And it won't fire even when I spray a bit of ether Engine starter directly into the carb or into the cylinder. All I can think of is to replace the carb but I can't find one that I'm sure will fit.

Am I just wasting my time here?

Now before we get into a lot of criticism of Poulan, let me say I bought the thing in 1998 for just $100 and I've used it every year. It's cut pines, maples and oaks downed by hurricanes, trees 12" to 24" diameter and cut up firewood, though only about a cord a year. So I think it's given good service.

Thanks for your help.