Stihl MS 290 starting issues

[ratzoe]

Good morning, I have read most threads about starting problems but still have having problems getting my chainsaw to start.

Tried to start it 2 weeks ago, would sputter(fired) like it wanted to start but would immediately cut off. Read a bit here and saw that the fuel line could be bad, so pulled it apart and replaced the fuel line and air cleaner (the fuel line was cracked). After cleaning it up and putting it all back together, I am getting no signs of starting. Plug was replaced last summer so I don't think thats an issue. Any ideas?? Thanks, any help or pointing to another thread would be appreciated.

 

[stuckmotor]

Does it pull like it has good compression? Sometimes mine pulls like it has no compression and won't crank. I think it has a sticky ring.

 

[Bluegill2]

Fresh mix?

Might need a carb clean, or kit?

 

[murphy1244]

One thing I learned about 2 cycle engines that you must clean the muffler out every so often.

 

[DT86]

Could be flooded.

 

[ratzoe]

Does it pull like it has good compression? Sometimes mine pulls like it has no compression and won't crank. I think it has a sticky ring.

Feels the same as before, good compression

Fresh mix?

Might need a carb clean, or kit?

You could be right that the carb needs cleaning or a kit.The thing is that it was firing prior to changing the fuel line and air cleaner..And yes, it was a fresh gas mixture.

Appreciate the replies, guys, thank you

 

[ratzoe]

Could be flooded.

Just pulled the plug to check spark, good spark and not wet.

 

[ratzoe]

Have read about priming, a little gas mixute down the plug hole and retry??

 

[newbury]

Good morning, I have read most threads about starting problems but still have having problems getting my chainsaw to start.

Tried to start it 2 weeks ago, would sputter(fired) like it wanted to start but would immediately cut off. Read a bit here and saw that the fuel line could be bad, so pulled it apart and replaced the fuel line and air cleaner (the fuel line was cracked). After cleaning it up and putting it all back together, I am getting no signs of starting. Plug was replaced last summer so I don't think thats an issue. Any ideas?? Thanks, any help or pointing to another thread would be appreciated.

Assuming you didn't foobar something while replacing the fuel line and after they sputtered you backed off the choke, I'd suspect a gummed up carb, possibly due to ethanol in gas.

I've had gummed up carbs that I fixed by a double dose of carb cleaner, time and patience.

Due to a back injury and subsequent surgery I let two 660's set with ethanol fuel in them for months. Neither would fire after I recovered. I drained ALL the fuel, put in fresh canned mix w/ a double dose of SeaFoam, then cranked them a dozen times. Let sit for a day, repeat the attempt to crank. It took a couple of weeks and I wouldn't do it every day, but eventually they fired.

Since then I only used canned ethanol free or bought ethanol free gas and with trial and error they seem to last months with fuel. I never know when I'm going to have to use one, and they are at different locations, but even after 2 months of non-use they sputter up after about 5 pulls at the most. Then I back off the choke a notch and they run in about three more pulls.

I've similar experiences with my other 4 saws, my 2 Stihl weedeaters and my BR400 backpack blower.

Other carb cleaners or home brew mixes may work. I rely on SeaFoam.

 

[ratzoe]

Other carb cleaners or home brew mixes may work. I rely on SeaFoam.

I was wondering along those lines since I have a generator that went through probs with ethanol and Seafoam clearing that up. This saw is 9 yrs old and this is the first time I have ever had a problem with it, but I think you are probably right about a gummed up carb.