Stihl MS-290 Questions.

The last time I used the Stihl MS-290 when first starting it would do this funny sound and cut off; sort of like opph or whatever; guess I should take a video of it so you can really know, when you try to increase the engine speed. It would start again and I would have to play with the throttle a bit; pressing a bit and releasing when I thought it was going to do it again, and then it would run fine. However, I noticed the chain would want to continue to turn at idle, which scares me. What is causing this and how do I fix it?

 

That first sound is called the burp. This is how I start mine: full choke, pull until it burps. Half choke-- one or two pulls it is running, probably spinning. Give it a little gas and then spinning stops and I'm ready to cut. Could always start it with the chain break on, that's what I do if I'm in kind of tight quarters.

 

No, this is not normal operation. I know about starting the saw; the choke first, the first little aputter, then open choke. I try to explain better.

After starting the saw and it is running, when I try to apply throttle it does the funny sound, omph, or something and will die. I have to bump the throttle a few times making sure not to let it does the noise thing because it will die. Once I get pass that it will run and I can cut. The chain often continues to rotate around the bar when I set it down and leave it running while doing something like adjusting a log; it will sometime stop rotating at idle and just jerk a bit. Do I need to have the carb adjusted or is this a problem with the fuel or what?

 

Sound like a few turns of a screwdriver and you will be good to go. DexterDay or MasterMech should be able to help you more.

 

I really love my saw and I won't forget the kindness of the folks here that helped me to get it. I don't know much about adjusting the carbs on chainsaws. Are there some videos or instructions to guide me?

 

Brian, didn't you make one of these? I remember viewing it before I tuned my 250.

 

Sounds like some Skype time between Brian and the 290 are in order. Lol

I believe this is the video you speak of griz.

 

The saw doing this omph noise and start die because the carburator needle stuck for a moment
If the saw do the same and at full throtle adjust the H screw
try to control the chain from the LA screw , if not see the clutch , if not test the saw for leaks .
if the saw work good at full throtle and not at idle is mark that have leaks
hope i help you

 

Have you checked to see if your air filter is clean?

 

I took the cover off and brushed it lightly with a toothbrush.

 

Saw Carb Tuning

 

It is a little technical. I had never tuned before and felt confident in trying it out after watching. I watched several times, listened, took notes, and dove in. That was all before I had a Tach. I was tuning cautiously rich. That is a good place to start. After I got a good tach I started tuning a little leaner to somewhere between the rpm specs and what my ear said.

It is a great video. For me the most helpful party was hearing the sounds that everyone talks about when tuning by ear.

 

My 455 starts good and idles good, but until it warms up, it bogs considerably. It makes a funny "blurp" type noise and then, when warm, runs fine. Is that similar to what you are seeing?

 

That vid was extremely helpful to me when I was starting out. If that chain is still moving when you are all tuned and idled down you may need to replace the springs on your clutch.

 

Yes, I think that is what I am seeing. It only started doing it when I was cutting the red oak. Could this be because the weather has turned colder? Colder air is denser. I am guessing I just need to tune the carb a bit.

 

I dont have a Stihl, but on my Echo under the cover that houses the air filter there is a little passageway with a removable gate. In cold weather you remove the gate to let more air in. Does anyone know if her saw would have one of these?

 

MMM. I did download a pdf for the manual; I should go read that again.