I would fix it. I have a stihl MS 290 good saw but a bit heavy also have a poulan pro 220 for limbing nice saw well balanced and works fine it has anti vibe on it that is also a plus. your wild thing has no anti vibe but if you don't use it much for what it will cost to fix you may get 3 or 4 more years from it. Even the good saws need parts I had to put a fuel line on the stihl it cracked where it was under the carb.
regards
rod s

"I think the part is around 10-12 bucks and I'll probably have 20 bucks labor in it once all is said and done. Thanks for the time and input"

Have you priced the new part? Have you spoken to a shop who repairs Poulans to find out how long this job will likely take them, in bench hours? I`ll bet it`s atleast a half hour on the bench and I think that i`m being optimistic, I`d want hard numbers before I put this saw in a shop`s hands for repair. You could easily exceed the value of the saw in repair fees.

Is a cracked intake boot the beginning of the end for this saw? It depends on why the boot cracked in the first place.

Normally cheap saws like Poulans are considered throw aways at the first repair.

Hmm, I actually was talking with the guy as he disassembled it to see what was wrong. Within a few minutes he had gone through the saw, set the RPM's using an RPM guage, then we tested it. After 3 cuts, it started revving really high then gradually idled down. Once the saw was disassembled again, the "manifold" had cracked completely in two pieces. My thought is due to the years of use coupled with the fact that its a plastic part. So, I figure I've got maybe 20 bucks labor in it as well as a 10 dollar part. I can take that a lot easier than the 300 plus I was going to spend on a new saw. I went ahead and had him replace the clutch cover because the chain tensioner had worn through the side of it. So, for less than 50 bucks my saw will be good to go for probably 3-5 more years. If I continue to have problems with it (if this is the beginning of the end), I'll bite the bullet and buy a new Stihl. But, for now my homeowners saw should be good to go by this weekend. Comments?

All I can say is I went thru same process had cheap saws always working on them half the time spent fixing or looking for parts, twice the work because I would get ready to cut start the job and saw would conk out. I got a stihl it cuts all day everyday if you want it to always starts and runs well no more standing at the parts counter or telling the wife I need to spend another 50 or 75 bucks on a saw. I assume any good line like echo, stihl, husky jonsered or others will be the same. Price is not always the final issue in a purchase ease of use and resale also enter into it when you start to see poulan and poulan pro saws in bins at the clearance center it really says something about the quality. I still use a 220 poulan for limbing but the stihl is for the bigger stuff.
regards
rod s

I am with you on the repair of the "wild thing". Although I believe I would try to do it myself if I were you and had a few tools (You could buy the tools for what it would cost).
The manifold was probably broken due to overtightening of the carb. screws. What would really get your goat is to go and buy one of the Stihls, Husky, or Jonsered and then have a problem as I did with my New Stihl a few years ago. Would run great for a few minutes then bog down wait awhile and the same thing over and over finally found problem to be faulty fuel line (there had been recall but I never received notice of it). Husky and Jonsered are now cost cutter manufactured for Rural King and other discount stores. Have so far found no problem with Echo except for the cost. For occasional use the "wild thing" is great. But be sure and use correct Oil to Gas mixture and keep the exhaust screen clean of buildup.

My saw is still in the shop. He seems to have more important things to do than fix my saw. No problem. He sells Stihl saws and it looks like I'll probably be buying a Husky 350 as my next saw. I was seriously considering the MS250 but the Husky 350 is about the same price and has more power, larger engine and all at only 1/2 pound more in weight. We'll see what happens. I've got a limb down from the Oklahoma ice storm. I'd really appreciate him getting my saw back to me so I can take care of the damage in the front yard. Any comments on the Husky 350 vs. the Stihl 250? Thanks, Greg