Stihl MS290 problem

[Sigarms]

The "scenerio".

About a year and a half ago picked a 290. Ran it for a year, numerous days/weeks on the property no problem. Then about 6 months ago would not "crank". Replaced plug, filter, cleaned, gas...still would not work, took it to the dealer scratching my head. Dropped of at the dealer on a Saturday, "tech" could not figure out why it wouldn't start that day, told me to come back next week, which I did.

Might add seems like a great Stihl dealer (where I got the saw), lots of product, most of all, any part you may need they have, all the guys seem like they know what thier talking about as well.

Picked up the saw and the "tech" told me that it was a factory issue with the "coil" (?) that it was "installed off a bit" which was causing the starting issues (?). Told me it was under wrty and not to worry about it. Guy was busy, didn't have that much time to talk, so I figured, oh well, no problem, I can get back to using the saw.

Saw has run great since then, until yesterday.

Ran it for about 3 hours (yesterday), took down three trees including some limbs over a lady's house (per a previous thread of mine). Took the saw home to clean it up for this mornings "finish up work". Saw would not crank over at all. Father was in town for the week, and he told me it was "just flooded" to let it sit (indeed, you could see gas on the muffler).

Put the saw on the shelf and let sit overnight.

This morning get out the saw, yank it, starts right over no problem. Great, put the saw down, get the trailer ready to go over to the ladys house again. Grab the saw, start it one more time, "nothing". Checked the spark plug (which I changed last night) looks fine.

I do notice that gas seems to be "leaking" out of the bottom "left" screw in the muffler. Take the muffler apart, clean everything, put everything back, still will not crank over at all. But...when you go to crank it, you can still see what I'm assuming to be gas coming out of that bottom left hand screw. Each time you give it a yank to start, seems like more gas comes out.

Any ideas?

Just got back from the lady's house hauling what I cut up yesterday, and hoping some one can give me an idea what to look for when I take it apart again tonight. Dealer will be closed tommorow and I really would like to get this ladys yard done before the end of this "week" so it's done.

Never noticed gas on the outside of the muffler before, but then again, I really never looked until I had this issue.

Any input would be appreciative.

Thks

Might add that since I've been using the saw, been following "proper" start up procedure.

P.S First saw I've ever owned, and if I take it apart tonight and find the problem, don't think I'm that big of an idiot! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Sigarms]

The "scenerio".

About a year and a half ago picked a 290. Ran it for a year, numerous days/weeks on the property no problem. Then about 6 months ago would not "crank". Replaced plug, filter, cleaned, gas...still would not work, took it to the dealer scratching my head. Dropped of at the dealer on a Saturday, "tech" could not figure out why it wouldn't start that day, told me to come back next week, which I did.

Might add seems like a great Stihl dealer (where I got the saw), lots of product, most of all, any part you may need they have, all the guys seem like they know what thier talking about as well.

Picked up the saw and the "tech" told me that it was a factory issue with the "coil" (?) that it was "installed off a bit" which was causing the starting issues (?). Told me it was under wrty and not to worry about it. Guy was busy, didn't have that much time to talk, so I figured, oh well, no problem, I can get back to using the saw.

Saw has run great since then, until yesterday.

Ran it for about 3 hours (yesterday), took down three trees including some limbs over a lady's house (per a previous thread of mine). Took the saw home to clean it up for this mornings "finish up work". Saw would not crank over at all. Father was in town for the week, and he told me it was "just flooded" to let it sit (indeed, you could see gas on the muffler).

Put the saw on the shelf and let sit overnight.

This morning get out the saw, yank it, starts right over no problem. Great, put the saw down, get the trailer ready to go over to the ladys house again. Grab the saw, start it one more time, "nothing". Checked the spark plug (which I changed last night) looks fine.

I do notice that gas seems to be "leaking" out of the bottom "left" screw in the muffler. Take the muffler apart, clean everything, put everything back, still will not crank over at all. But...when you go to crank it, you can still see what I'm assuming to be gas coming out of that bottom left hand screw. Each time you give it a yank to start, seems like more gas comes out.

Any ideas?

Just got back from the lady's house hauling what I cut up yesterday, and hoping some one can give me an idea what to look for when I take it apart again tonight. Dealer will be closed tommorow and I really would like to get this ladys yard done before the end of this "week" so it's done.

Never noticed gas on the outside of the muffler before, but then again, I really never looked until I had this issue.

Any input would be appreciative.

Thks

Might add that since I've been using the saw, been following "proper" start up procedure.

P.S First saw I've ever owned, and if I take it apart tonight and find the problem, don't think I'm that big of an idiot! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[ronjhall]

My 031 has had a problem twice since about it. The fuel line get hard and cracks. This causes a fuel leak. You may have a problem with the fuel line. Although that 031 has a fuel at the rear of saw. The 290 may have it coming out the front. Have you check the air cleaner for being clean.

 

[ronjhall]

My 031 has had a problem twice since about it. The fuel line get hard and cracks. This causes a fuel leak. You may have a problem with the fuel line. Although that 031 has a fuel at the rear of saw. The 290 may have it coming out the front. Have you check the air cleaner for being clean.

 

[Sigarms]

Just had everything apart (although not entirely stripped).

Air filter was changed last month, although somewhat dirty, cleaned it and not that bad.

Took the bolts out that held the muffler in place, some "baked" material that I cleaned out.

Still would not start, no clue. Still can see some gas coming out of that one bolt.

Will head over to the ladys place tomorrow and take the saw, guessing it will start at that time like this morning, and take care of some big limbs to get in the trailer.

Not sure about the fuel line, will need to look. Not sure why it would start up in the morning, cut it off, then try it 20 minutes later and won't start (as well as last night after it ran fine for some time).

Just surprised with the "brand name" as far as reliability. Liked the saw so much bought a weedeater and happy with that so far. Just hate the drive to the dealers place, drop it off and wait. Was expecting a little more for the "brand name".

 

[Sigarms]

Just had everything apart (although not entirely stripped).

Air filter was changed last month, although somewhat dirty, cleaned it and not that bad.

Took the bolts out that held the muffler in place, some "baked" material that I cleaned out.

Still would not start, no clue. Still can see some gas coming out of that one bolt.

Will head over to the ladys place tomorrow and take the saw, guessing it will start at that time like this morning, and take care of some big limbs to get in the trailer.

Not sure about the fuel line, will need to look. Not sure why it would start up in the morning, cut it off, then try it 20 minutes later and won't start (as well as last night after it ran fine for some time).

Just surprised with the "brand name" as far as reliability. Liked the saw so much bought a weedeater and happy with that so far. Just hate the drive to the dealers place, drop it off and wait. Was expecting a little more for the "brand name".

 

[Michael_E_Tx]

If the dealer suggested it was a coil problem before, I bet it is again. You can check for spark the usual ways. Hold the sparkplug wire close to metal of engine and pull starter rope. Or put clean plug on end of sparkplug wire, ground to metal part of engine and pull starter rope. I ain't no expert, but it sounds like a coil problem to me. I doubt if it's brand name related at all. I know how you feel though.

By the way, I don't know how the air filter is on your model, but on my 036 especially, I need to clean the filter frequently for it to operate efficiently. I could never get away with "last month" if I were using my saw at all frequently. You might check and see if the saw will start without the air filter. If you had been cleaning it infrequently, it might have gotten plugged up enough to need replacement, even though as you say, it cleaned up "not that bad." I had one like that on my 036 when I bought it.

My two Stihls have been very trouble free, one I bought new and one used

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Michael_E_Tx]

If the dealer suggested it was a coil problem before, I bet it is again. You can check for spark the usual ways. Hold the sparkplug wire close to metal of engine and pull starter rope. Or put clean plug on end of sparkplug wire, ground to metal part of engine and pull starter rope. I ain't no expert, but it sounds like a coil problem to me. I doubt if it's brand name related at all. I know how you feel though.

By the way, I don't know how the air filter is on your model, but on my 036 especially, I need to clean the filter frequently for it to operate efficiently. I could never get away with "last month" if I were using my saw at all frequently. You might check and see if the saw will start without the air filter. If you had been cleaning it infrequently, it might have gotten plugged up enough to need replacement, even though as you say, it cleaned up "not that bad." I had one like that on my 036 when I bought it.

My two Stihls have been very trouble free, one I bought new and one used

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Sigarms]

Already tried it without the air filter, a no go, thks though.

 

[Sigarms]

Already tried it without the air filter, a no go, thks though.