I found this on craigslist last night and thought it sounded like a decent deal. MS290 that was pretty dirty and had been setting for a couple of years but didn't look like it had a lot of wear. He said it set with gas in it and when he dumped it out and put fresh in it stated leaking. I really don't need it but I thought worse case I could part it out and get my money back. Got home and started messing with it and found the fuel line was pulled out of tank. Starts on mix sprayed directly in carb but wont stay running. Pulled carb off and it is nasty so not sure if I can rebuild or not. Piston looked perfect from both sides. I replaced the 20" bar with an 18" that I had but if I keep it will probable put a 16" on. So what would you do? Replace with OEM carb or one of the china knock offs. Oh almost forgot. I paid $70.00 for it
I have it soaking right now but the H screw will not budge. The inlet is completely solid and the surface under the top is pitted. I will let it soak a couple of days and see if anything frees up.
Sounds like the diagnosis for that carb is dismal. I'd put an OEM carb on it but that's only because I've yet to try a china carb. Have you priced the OEM carb yet? For what you have into it, I doubt you could get hurt regardless. Oh yeah, muffler mod that puppy! And I thought you said it was dirty? If it was, looks like it sure did clean up nice!
OEM would be a safe bet, but if your looking to flip it? I'd go China. Only because there seller rating is still great. If they didn't work? Someone would say something? Everything I have got from them, has been of decent quality, looked very close to OEM standard, and worked well.
And the china carbs are kike 19 shipped from china right? You can probably find a new and used OE Carb on eBay. That is a popular saw and there plenty of guys parting those new for cash.
Oh it was bad. 3 hours, lots of hot water and degreaser and it turn out pretty good. It will be my first MM but that with the 16" bar it will be kinda nice on the smaller stuff. I found another used carb local for $10 so ill get a kit for it and try that first.
First thought was to just flip it but since I don't have much in it I may just it and have some fun with it. Be a good one to try my first muffler mod. If I ruin it I can always part it out and get most of my money back.
Ya know, Clem's got a point...... The 45cc 'Quake should wake right up with a good old fashioned muffler disembowelment.
