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Thread: Stihl Problem

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    Johnch's Avatar
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    Stihl Problem

    I have a older Stihl 290 Farm Boss

    LOL It has cut wood for years with no problems

    But now it has one

    It started the other day and got bad the next day .... today
    Err I guess the problem started several days back as a minor problem
    Of course I wanted to cut up some limbs after church and now can't finish

    The saw starts fine and has full power
    But after 30 seconds or so of cutting , the saw looses power and stalls

    I thought it was the air filter , but after a good air filter cleaning it still happens

    I am dealing with the current headache , so I will take a few hours off

    But , any ideas what to check ??

    John
    Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    And I carry a LOADED Hell Cat

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    Did you check for a breather hole in the gas cap?
    R.D.M.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    bdicki's Avatar
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    Check the fuel lines, the ethanol softens and shrinks them, there is also a vacuum line to the carb that can crack.

  4. #4
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    gbrown's Avatar
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    I'm not a small engine mechanic, but I have a Stihl chainsaw and powerhead-hedge trimmer, weed eater and brush blade attachments. My powerhead started acting up. Would start and run just fine, but would stall out every time I released the throttle lever. Took it in and it was the ignition coil. Another problem I had with it is that it has a spark arrester in the muffler. Run for a while, then stall out. After a while, carbon will build up on it, clogging it up, causing back pressure. It's easy to remove, looks like a long wire mesh tube--you need a deep socket to get it off. Put it in a vise and use a propane or Mapp gas torch and burn it out, hit it with a small wire brush to get the gunk out. Haven't checked my saw to see if it had one on it, but probably does. Good luck with your saw.
    Last edited by gbrown; 05-05-2019 at 01:14 PM. Reason: Additional info
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  5. #5
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Check the fuel filter and fuel line inside the tank.
    They can clog and the line will collapse over time.
    Last edited by Winger Ed.; 05-05-2019 at 01:23 PM.
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  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Pablo 5959's Avatar
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    Cracked fuel line.
    I ordered my new one on eBay.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Winger Ed. View Post
    Check the fuel filter and fuel line inside the tank.
    They can clog and the line will collapse over time.
    There is also screen/strainer (item #31) inside the carburetor, that can get clogged with tiny particals, it is easily cleaned.
    I recall having the same symptoms as the OP, and cleaning that strainer solved the problem.


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  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Brokenbear's Avatar
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    Hole in the pickup line in the gas tanks will allow air into the air fuel ratio as well as starve the engine for fuel

    IMPORTANT XXXXXX if this is the problem and you continue to run it it has a very very strong chance to burn the piston/score the cyl walls

    You should consider a saw that old as replacing all fuel/vent lines as preventative maintenance

    Good luck
    BEAR

  9. #9
    Boolit Master


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    My friend had a Poulan that was doing nearly the same thing. It was the fuel line in the tank that cracked.

  10. #10
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    I second BrokenBear’s opinion.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    New fuel 1st ,also change fuel lines in tank to carb (45 yrs tree business) or see dealer (easier)
    Last edited by Edward; 05-05-2019 at 05:03 PM.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub Skeet06's Avatar
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    I keep 3/16” fuel line on stock for working on small motors. The ethanol attacks the interior or the hose and the exterior may look perfect.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Agree, ethanol gas= damaged fuel line

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    Just had same thing happen to my Husqvarna seeder. Start up and run for a bit and try to increase throttle and it dies. As many others said, over time the fuel line gets brittle and tiny air leak impedes gas flow.

    My leak was between fuel tank and carburetor, but it could be anywhere from the in-tank pre-filter to the carburetor. The parts are very cheap so I replaced everything in tank, external fuel line and fuel filter.

    My Honda tiller had similar symptoms but it turned out to be the carburetor “jets” which are actually membrane valves. Again very cheap replacement parts. You can get just the jets plate for about $10-$15 or replace the entire carburetor for about $30.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shawlerbrook View Post
    Agree, ethanol gas= damaged fuel line
    /\ Another vote for this.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master

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    Thanks
    I will check the fuel lines in the morning

    John
    Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    And I carry a LOADED Hell Cat

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    Check your primary fuel filter. Its the one in the tank that “clunks” when you roll the saw around. Gently blow it out and reinstall. If she’ll run grab a new one. I’d suggest a tune up kit, includes that filter, and air filter and a sparkplug.
    👍🏼

  18. #18
    DOR RED BEAR's Avatar
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    +1 for fuel filter and line may also have trash in carb.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master



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    Quote Originally Posted by Petrol & Powder View Post
    /\ Another vote for this.
    +1 also on the ethanol fuel line rot/breakage
    WebMonkey
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  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    So is the Stihl fuel in a can alcohol free? That's what I use in both saw and weedeater.
    Most of the tanks are gone and the windows don't rattle anymore. I won't be able to sleep now.

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