Stihl MS290 vs. 029?

[Pilot]

I have an 029 which is about the right size for my needs. However, it is a bear to start when cold. Pull the rope about 15 times, go to half choke and after a few more pulls it starts & runs fine. Guy at the shop says it's a common problem with those saws, that he was told Stihl tried a different material for the cylinders and it didn't work out, creating the problems I have.

So I'm thinking about getting an MS290. What does anyone know about those? Do they start easily?

 

[DT86]

I went from a old 029 my Dad had to a MS290, both with 18" bars. It will be 4 years old this Fall and has been trouble free. I don't cut much firewood but use it to do general clean up around the farm.

They had a free carrying case offer when I bought mine.

 

[Birdhunter1]

The MS 290 is the same saw as an 029. A few minor differences depending on year of manufacture but for the most part same saw.
On second thought an 029 might be different from a 290, but an 029 Super is the same saw give or take a few different part #'s on gears, or gaskets.
I had an 029 Super for 10 years or better then sold it after getting an MS 261, roughly the same power, faster and 2 lbs lighter.

 

[gwdixon]

Stihl is renown for starting problems. My MS361 and blower require several yanks - especially when cold. They run great once they get underway.

On the other hand, I have several Husqvarna saws of several sizes. They all start within a couple of pulls and cut very well. They are a bit more high-revving than the Stihls.

You might consider a Husqvarna with the same engine displacement. Something like a 455 or 460 - less expensive, too. Tractor Supply now sells Jonsered saws, the same saw as a Husqvarna. The guy I cut wood with gave up on his MS361 for the Husqvarna 455 and really likes it for the starting and power.

However, if you are a Stihl fan this discussion is moot in a Ford/Chevy way. Soon we will have a war on this topic.

You might want to post in the "Chainsaw" forum on TBN to get more views on the topic. Just do a search and the forum will come up in some of the results. Also, check the very bottom of this page for "Similar Threads" to get headed in this direction.

EDIT: Oh, and if you can get it, use ethanol-free gas. It does make a difference.

 

[clemsonfor]

Really? I got a Stihl becasuse of how easy they start!! I cut a "shirt tail" of wood yesterday, as my grandmother would of said. I had not used the saw in a few months at least. I think 2-3 pulls on choke it burped, then half choke 2 more pulls and i was running.

 

[JakeBrake]

A couple of years ago I went to my Stihl dealer to replace my 031 that I bought in 1980. When I told him that I wanted to replace my 031 he immediately showed me an MS310. It seemed logical to me that the MS310 would replace the 031. However, the MS310 is larger and totally different from the 031. I bought the MS310 and it has been very satisfactory.

 

[Furu]

Stihl is renown for starting problems. My MS361 and blower require several yanks - especially when cold. They run great once they get underway.

On the other hand, I have several Husqvarna saws of several sizes. They all start within a couple of pulls and cut very well. They are a bit more high-revving than the Stihls.

You might consider a Husqvarna with the same engine displacement. Something like a 455 or 460 - less expensive, too. Tractor Supply now sells Jonsered saws, the same saw as a Husqvarna. The guy I cut wood with gave up on his MS361 for the Husqvarna 455 and really likes it for the starting and power.

However, if you are a Stihl fan this discussion is moot in a Ford/Chevy way. Soon we will have a war on this topic.

You might want to post in the "Chainsaw" forum on TBN to get more views on the topic. Just do a search and the forum will come up in some of the results. Also, check the very bottom of this page for "Similar Threads" to get headed in this direction.

EDIT: Oh, and if you can get it, use ethanol-free gas. It does make a difference.

I wold definitely agree on the non ethanol gas.
Use the Stihl ultra oil it does make a difference.

Yes there are folks that will start a saw war a the drop of a hat.

I have multiple Stihl's and have no problem with starting any of them. If you know how to start them and do not flood them they start just fine.
I have never heard of the 029 "common problem" that your dealer quoted. Ask another service dealer and see if you get the same answer. Maybe he is trying to sell you a saw sensing your frustration.
How long since you replaced your tank filter and fuel line? Ethanol is hard on them in some cases. Stihl recommends routine replacement.

 

[Pilot]

I never use ethanol in any equipment, so that's not the problem. I have taken the saw to 3 shops & none of them were able to make it start any easier, but they were able to bill me for trying.

I'll look at the chainsaw thread--didn't know there was one as this is the only one I look at.

 

[rekees4300]

So I'm thinking about getting an MS290. What does anyone know about those? Do they start easily?

Recently bought a new MS391. It's one a helluva beast! You may want to look at either the MS311 or MS391 since (according to the dealer) the legendary MS290 Farm Boss is going to be discontinued soon (it's has older technology). Both the 311 and 391 have decompression valves for easy starting and the 290 does not. They also use 3/8" chains and the 290 uses .325".

Stihl is renown for starting problems.

Been using Stihl saws for decades, never had any starting problems.

 

[bglz42]

My one year old MS290 is going back the the dealer. Hardest starting saw I ever owned. It will be the last Stihl equipment I ever buy... same with my Stihl tiller...Doesn't start worth a darn. Sorry for the rant. Nothing pizzes me off like a non-starting two-stroke...

 

[DeereMann]

I have a Stihl 026 (1989), MS460 (2005), 018 (2007). They start a little lean, due to EPA regs, but not excessive. 4-5 full choke pulls, then they'll sputter, usually can't catch 'em in time to go off choke, then a couple more pulls w/o choke @ W.O.T. Not a huge deal to me.

The big M.S. 460 is my tree feller & trunk bucker, has compression release button for starting. Stihl has never failed me, they are built right, cost more but don't wear out.

Posters are right - don't use alcohol in gas at any amount in a 2 stroke engine - it washes 2 stroke oil off the cylinder walls, if engine is carbureted & the fuel comes past the crankcase. For fuel injected 2 strokes it does not matter nearly as much.

Also the semi or full synthetic 2 stroke oils are very good - engines smoke much less & lubricate better. Make sure you use air-cooled 2 stroke oil, the recipe is quite different than liquid cooled 2 stroke engine oil (marine).

 

[DT86]

My one year old MS290 is going back the the dealer. Hardest starting saw I ever owned. It will be the last Stihl equipment I ever buy... same with my Stihl tiller...Doesn't start worth a darn. Sorry for the rant. Nothing pizzes me off like a non-starting two-stroke...

You have bad luck, or aren't doing something right.

 

[bh3zfc]

I have six stihl saws no problems at all with starting. Normally it takes at the most three pulls when cold.

 

[TomSeller]

Stihl is renown for starting problems..

On the contrary, Stihl is known for reliable starting. It may take a few pulls but that may have more to do with their carb setup and how they flow fuel. I would rather pull 3 or 4 times and ALWAYS get a start 1 pull after first burp than have a saw that sometimes starts on one pull, other times 3 or 4 pulls, sometimes never.....

 

[Will_C]

All of my Stihl equipment-a 260 saw, a 320(?) blower,a 250 trimmer and a 85 trimmer-start the same.2-3 pulls with the choke on, then 2 pulls with the choke on. They have been the way since new-nothing less, nothing more. The 85 trimmer and the blower are 10-12 years old. 1 pull when they are warm.

Will

 

[xring100]

On the contrary, Stihl is known for reliable starting. It may take a few pulls but that may have more to do with their carb setup and how they flow fuel. I would rather pull 3 or 4 times and ALWAYS get a start 1 pull after first burp than have a saw that sometimes starts on one pull, other times 3 or 4 pulls, sometimes never.....

Yeah they start almost as easily as an ECHO engine. My stihl ms660, ms361, 100rx and dads 026 all start in about 4 pulls after sitting as you describe. All my echos 770t , es 1000 and old string trimmer have generally started 1st or second pull.
I would not describe either brand as difficult to start.

To the O.P. After first pop on full choke you must go to half choke or you will flood it and have trouble getting it to fire

My buddies husky saws are definitely more cold blooded at least in his hands.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I too have a hard to start 029. I use Stilh sythetic oil with 89. Maybe I should go to 91 octane? My weed whacker and my hedge trimmer will start on 2-3 pulls or less and my BR600 starts with one pull everytime. My usage is mostly seasonal and I dump the gas over winter and spray the cylinders. I can live with that.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I thought (based on my dealers comments) the 290 is the new designator for the old 029. Mine is hard to start, but probably from old gas as I don't use it that often.

 

[bglz42]

When I go the dealer, I am going to ask them what I am doing wrong... I follow the manual exactly and still have tons of trouble starting the Stihl equipment. Maybe mine is not set up right from the factory? Using the "canned" gas, because all we can get here is ethanol. I love that Stihl when it runs, though!

My Echo equipment starts every time...two trimmers, a blower and saw...

 

[clemsonfor]

I thought (based on my dealers comments) the 290 is the new designator for the old 029. Mine is hard to start, but probably from old gas as I don't use it that often.

The 290 is the new saw? They havent made the 029 in over 10 years i guess, the have not made any 0?? saw in about that long that i know of?

When I go the dealer, I am going to ask them what I am doing wrong... I follow the manual exactly and still have tons of trouble starting the Stihl equipment. Maybe mine is not set up right from the factory? Using the "canned" gas, because all we can get here is ethanol. I love that Stihl when it runs, though!

My Echo equipment starts every time...two trimmers, a blower and saw...

I have an echo trimmer, it is way more cold natured but i think its due to a weak clutch and its down on power, i bought it second had from a freinds landscape buisness for $50 and it was one of the main ones they used for years!!

But to the SAW Pull your trigger and put it on CHOKE so that its at wide open on its own. Then pull the cord till you hear it fire. It probably will just burp once or twice, sometimes if really cold it will runn more?? Dont worry about catching it and pulling off the choke. It will die after it fires once, take you hand and move it to half choke, DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE, then pull the cord and it should fire in 2-3 more pulls mabe only one if its a newer saw. Then grab the handle and you can pull the trigger to take it off wide open. Then just kind of warm it up before you go at it, the book says " to just hold throttle just enough so that the chain barely will move" this is proably for safty reasons, or you can just goose it like every one esle does and rev it lots.

I have used many stihl saws. I have owned a ms390 for 9 years and used an older 026 of my uncles, my friend just got a 290 all start the exact same. My saw has the most hours of them all on it. I have rebuilt the carb once as i thought it was the problem when i had a split fuel line, and have adjusted my carb out of factory settings and it still starts almost as good as new.

I work with loggers and have started various things that they have.. pole trimmer, numerous saws, some that are pretty beat, no trouble. Now most of those saws would be considered warm as they had run that day but they only run them for like 5-10 minutes every hour or so to trim trucks but there still in my opinion warm.


I think you may have gotten a lemon or just useing wrong procedure.

Like has been said if you pull the cord after it has fired that first time and you have not moved it to half choke it floods, and is a bear to start. You will have to then go to half choke but most likely you will have to drop start it with no choke and your hand holding the throttle or either let it set for a few mins. I have flooded mine not paying attention and it makes it way harder to start. But i have only done that once or twice in all these years.