Stihl Problem

[Johnch]

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 [smilie=b:
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

[blackthorn]

Did you check for a breather hole in the gas cap?

[bdicki]

Check the fuel lines, the ethanol softens and shrinks them, there is also a vacuum line to the carb that can crack.

[gbrown]

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.

[Winger Ed.]

Check the fuel filter and fuel line inside the tank.
They can clog and the line will collapse over time.

[Pablo 5959]

Cracked fuel line.
I ordered my new one on eBay.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

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.


https://www.diyspareparts.com/parts/stihl/diagrams/ms290/00a74a53-e185-4653-a0e8/

[Brokenbear]

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

[wv109323]

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

[dangitgriff]

I second BrokenBear’s opinion.

[Edward]

New fuel 1st ,also change fuel lines in tank to carb (45 yrs tree business) or see dealer (easier)

[Skeet06]

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.

[Shawlerbrook]

Agree, ethanol gas= damaged fuel line

[NWPilgrim]

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.

[Petrol & Powder]

Agree, ethanol gas= damaged fuel line

/\ Another vote for this.

[Johnch]

Thanks
I will check the fuel lines in the morning

John

[Chainsaw.]

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.

[RED BEAR]

+1 for fuel filter and line may also have trash in carb.

[WebMonkey]

/\ Another vote for this.

+1 also on the ethanol fuel line rot/breakage

[daengmei]

So is the Stihl fuel in a can alcohol free? That's what I use in both saw and weedeater.

[lavenatti]

I have an older Stihl 021 and was having the same type of problem. Changed the fuel line because, like everyone here says, it seemed to be the most obvious solution to the problem. It did the same thing with the new fuel line.

Crazy as it sounds it turned out to be the spark plug.

[Lloyd Smale]

little tip to guys who detest ethanol gas like I do. Most pumps today are the push button to select between different grades. If you switch on non ethanol premium the first qallon or so of fuel your going to get is the fuel left in the line above the selector valve above the tanks that the last customer bought so if he bought junk 87 ethanol **** and your filling your can your getting ethanol. When I buy gas for small engines I take a 5 gallon tank to the gas station and select non ethanol premium and pump the first 5 bucks worth of gas in my truck then start filling my can. Basicaly if your only filling a little chain saw can your not getting ethanol free gas. Local stihl dealer taught me that lesson years ago when I brought him a string trimmer and one of my chain saws that were both hard starting and just didn't run right. You will really notice this if you are like me and have 3 or 4 saws and some of them might sit a year before starting.

[GregLaROCHE]

I had the same problem with a newer Husquvarna. Sure seemed like it was starving for fuel. Blew through the fuel filter and it seemed ok. Put it back, still the same thing. Finally changed the fuel filter and it worked great. It’s a good idea to change the fuel filter once a year if you use the saw a lot.

[white eagle]

junk it and buy a Huskqvarna
had issues with Stihl a few years ago and went with Huskqvarna
never a single issue in the past 15 years

[WebMonkey]

little tip to guys who detest ethanol gas like I do. Most pumps today are the push button to select between different grades. If you switch on non ethanol premium the first qallon or so of fuel your going to get is the fuel left in the line above the selector valve above the tanks that the last customer bought so if he bought junk 87 ethanol **** and your filling your can your getting ethanol. When I buy gas for small engines I take a 5 gallon tank to the gas station and select non ethanol premium and pump the first 5 bucks worth of gas in my truck then start filling my can. Basicaly if your only filling a little chain saw can your not getting ethanol free gas. Local stihl dealer taught me that lesson years ago when I brought him a string trimmer and one of my chain saws that were both hard starting and just didn't run right. You will really notice this if you are like me and have 3 or 4 saws and some of them might sit a year before starting.

My dad used the same "trick" in reverse to keep from putting "low test" in his land yacht.
This was decades ago and he didn't like selectable pumps from the day they introduced them.

;)

[Johnch]

I checked and a local marina has 100% gas for boats
Hate that they charge a fair amount more for "Real" gas
But it will not be in total a huge amount more $$

Only problem is I will have to buy gas before the marinas close up in the late fall

I have several 5 gallon gas cans , so I can buy enough to last the winters wood cutting

John

[725]

I spend the extra for non-ethanol gas and use a synthetic oil to mix.

[JoeJames]

I am blessed with a local station that has whiskey free gas with its own nozzle. Been using it for my riding lawn mower for the last 3 years. Before that I spent half my time cleaning the carb. and changing out the fuel filter. Worth $.60 a gallon extra for sure!

[SSGOldfart]

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 [smilie=b:
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

Also mix some fresh gas. ethanol causes the gas to go bad,start with fresh gas. My mower does the same thing,every year!!!

[Conditor22]

I always use premium gas and ALWAYS add STA-BIL to EVERY can WHEN I get the gas.

and only use Stihl synthetic ultra 2 engine oil prevents many problems.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sta-bil+fuel+stabilizer&crid=11W9FVHEQYMNE&sprefix=STA-BIL%2Cautomotive%2C214&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_7

https://www.amazon.com/STIHL-0781-313-Performance-Engine/dp/B005DC0IRA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5T67CNZYCU90&keywords=stihl+oil+mix&qid=1557154342&s=gateway&sprefix=sthil+%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1

[dangitgriff]

You can thank Uncle Sam for the ethanol in our gas and the Stihl saws without H/L tuning valves—both abominations of the EPA.
My brother has cut trees for 30 years and hates the newer saws. He prefers Echo these days.

[sparky45]

Check Spark Arrestor, then if that doesn't fix the problem, change the gas tank filter and line.

[NWPilgrim]

If you are near a farm area there are usually gas stations that have a no ethanol pump. I think around here it is near $5/ gal. A local feed store likely knows which stations.

I usually keep one those quart cans of pre-mixed gas (no ethanol) in my chainsaw tool bag just in case.

[Lloyd Smale]

we are blessed around here in that most premium pumps are non ethanol 91 octane. Mostly because its a big snowmobile tourist area and those snowmobiles don't do well on whisky and neither do there drivers.

[Lloyd Smale]

stihl vs husky? My take on it. Ive owned both. Ill say this. Look at any professional logging operation where people feed there familys with a saw and those will be the only two youll see period. Id say up here its a few more stihls then huskys. But in a different locality that might change. Stihl still is the best selling saw in the world though. I buy stihls anymore. Why? Because my uncle cut for a living and threatened to kick my but when I was in my 2os if I bought anything else. That said I doubt theres a professional logger on this board. Most of us don't need a professional grade saw even if all you do is cut and burn firewood and you wont go wrong buying either brand. Me I burn propane anymore. To wore out to cut firewood so the stove collects dust and my saw use anymore is trimming a tree or cutting up something that fell across the road. Ive got two gas stihls and neither one has been started in over a year. Not since my wife bought me a little battery powered stiihl saw about a year ago. Thing has amazing power for its size. doesn't stink up my jeep when I carry it and ITS NEVER HARD TO START. Want to cut something pull the trigger. let go of the trigger and it isn't idling its off. Its quieter and smoother then any saw and battery life is about what youd get out of a tank of gas in a real saw. Battery charges in 2 hours. I don't know about you but after cutting a whole tank of gas im ready for a break anymore anyway. Power wize ill say this. I had one of the tiny stihl gas saws that's about the same size that I lost in a fire. this battery saw will put it to shame. It doesn't bog on anything that that little gas saw would. Its worth it to me just to never have to pull and cuss while pulling a recoil. Only down side is there not cheap. Probably twice the money a comparable gas saw would cost but you wont pry this thing out of my hand. My old uncle is probably rolling over in his grave though[smilie=l:

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

stihl vs husky? My take on it.

>>>SNIP
The other thing to consider is that NOW-A-DAYS, both manufacturers offer Professional saws, as well as Homeowner grade saws.
IMHO, with those two brands, you get what you pay for.
I am a homeowner who cuts wood to heat the house (about 3 cords a year) and I bought a Stihl 360 "PRO" about 20 years ago...It is MORE saw than I needed, but it is still going strong and never needed any major repairs. I use a 40 year old Stihl O24 for trim work and small trees.

[dangitgriff]

The Stihl 026 & 009 set the standard back in the day. [emoji41]
Sure wish They still made them that tough today. [emoji55]

[5Shot]

To keep the lines in good shape you should dump the fuel after each use and then run the saw til it dies. Reduces the amount of time the fuel has to attack the lines.

[earlmck]

You've got a bunch of good advice on places to start. Fuel delivery side is the most likely, always use good fuel great advice, spark plug always possible and an easy try, screen in muffler an easy try and high possibility, probably where I'd start. One other place that can cause those symptoms is the exhaust port clogging up. So if all else fails, take the muffler off and make sure the exhaust port is clear. Crappy gas and bargain oil can make an interesting build-up in the port (I found out).

[mattw]

I do not saw a whole lot, may 3 to 3.5 cords per year. Most of it is due to trees dying or some timber maintenance at my folks. For the really big stuff and for dropping large diameter trees I use a Stihl MS390 with either a 30 or 36 inch bar and for smaller stuff I have a pair of Husky's, a 445 and a 345 both with 16" bars as the balance very well. When I have quick work to do, the 445 is my goto. If it is smaller work or limbing I go to the 345 as it is really light weight and has plenty of power. I have an old Stihl 011 power head that I have been trying to revive for awhile, amazing little saw for limb work.

I would suggest checking the filters, lines and change the darn plug as they are cheap and will give more fits than you expect. Also, give the cap a squeeze to make sure you contact with the plug is really good.

[Smoke4320]

I have Stihl 031 1971.. we heat with wood
its cut more wood than any saw should ..
and Stihl going strong

[Geezer in NH]

Ethanol gas is the problem. All the loggers in my area don't use any. They buy their saw gas at the local airports. Non ethanol High octane low lead gas. It lasts for years in any saw or can. Expensive but worth it.

[woodbutcher]

:D Another little hint.When changing the plug,use some anti seize compound on the threads.If you don`t you just might have the threads in the head come out with the plug.I prefer the Permatex brand personally.I use it in my vehicles too.Don`t ask me how I know[smilie=b:.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo