ms390 problem

[TomKildare]

HI ALL....

I need some good advise please?

Recently purchased ms390 and with just about 2 (yep, two!!) hours on the engine, it is VERY difficult to start when the engine is hot. So, naturally enough, I took the libeerty of having it dropped back to the Stihl dealer. That was two days ago and I've heard nothing from them since. Is this normal accepted practice?

Also, I wanted a set of bumper spikes (inner aqnd outer) for the ms390 but I got the impression they are not available. In your experience, is that correct please?

B.T.W..... this is a fab forum!!!

 

[TDunk]

It all depends on how reputable your dealer is. When i first went to the dealer i go to now, they were ok....told me when the saw would be done, stuck to the price the had told me etc. Now they call me if a customer comes in and has a tree job, if someone is selling a nice saw, or even if they ordered something by mistake and they think i can use it. I.E., don't always go by first impressions, they probably have to deal with so-called "pro's " all day long. But once they realize that your a straight shooter, and keep going back there, the service will change.

 

[1953greg]

the saw could be ready for you to pick up

i fabricated my own (u can too if you have a file, drill, jigsaw, and sheet metal) outside dawg from sheet metal. just use the inner dawg for a spike pattern and implement the mounting part. use lock nuts on the little (5mm i think) mounting bolts. the outer dawg wil be longer, measured front to rear, because the mounting holes in the chain cover are farther rearward. maybe 3/8". b sure to use the file to smooth edges.

 

[TomKildare]

Actually, the dealer is very reputable and we ahve been dealing with them for nearly 40 years, going right back to our parents time which is why I'm a bit mad.... I suppose the service cannot get any worse HA HA. But what about a new MS390 with just 2 hours on it, surely this is highly irregular? We have been using this brand going right back to the ald AV 441 etc and have not experienced this level of problems?

Eh, we have a fairly decent workshop so it's very good advise to make my own bumper spike... thanks for the inspiration!!!

 

[pas]

Word of advice from someone who's been there, done that. Run, quickly, away from that 390. It's a POS disguised as a chainsaw. Really. Unless you don't intend to use it and just like looking at it on a shelf, as some do around here with their chainsaws. Then its a good saw, 'cause it does look good. Don't dare try using it though.

 

[04ultra]

Word of advice from someone who's been there, done that. Run, quickly, away from that 390. It's a POS disguised as a chainsaw. Really. Unless you don't intend to use it and just like looking at it on a shelf, as some do around here with their chainsaws. Then its a good saw, 'cause it does look good. Don't dare try using it though.

Most saws dont like being dropped....





.

 

[stihl 440]

390

Hopefully you didn'y buy that one off ebay with a 36in bar on it! WooooooWeeeeeee, would that be a monster! eh? LOLOLOLOLOLOL It probably took them 2 hrs to cut one log with that one! No, I'm just messin!:jester: I had a similar problem with my 440 about 2 weeks ago. It was the L screw, was too rich, leaned it out while saw was hot till it would idle and she was a one pull starter everytime again after that(used to take 2-3 pulls when hot before which wasn't normal). Try getting the saw hot, them playing with the L screw. Should fix it. :rockn:

Oh BTW: Welcome to AS! Site is addicting!

 

[Lakeside53]

Actually, the dealer is very reputable and we ahve been dealing with them for nearly 40 years, going right back to our parents time which is why I'm a bit mad.... I suppose the service cannot get any worse HA HA. But what about a new MS390 with just 2 hours on it, surely this is highly irregular? We have been using this brand going right back to the ald AV 441 etc and have not experienced this level of problems?

Eh, we have a fairly decent workshop so it's very good advise to make my own bumper spike... thanks for the inspiration!!!

Pick up the phone and call them.... Two days??? heck, you're lucky it's not the busy seasons oh, it is... dang...

Ignore pas - he's dripping in sap.... and is supposed to be banned. Hmmm....

 

[nilzlofgren]

Word of advice from someone who's been there, done that. Run, quickly, away from that 390. It's a POS disguised as a chainsaw. Really. Unless you don't intend to use it and just like looking at it on a shelf, as some do around here with their chainsaws. Then its a good saw, 'cause it does look good. Don't dare try using it though.

I have a MS390. Never had a problem, and its cut a lot of wood. Never in the shop, never stops running, always fires up, (unless I flood it) cuts trees with out a problem. Stick with a 20" bar. I can't complain at all.

 

[RiverRat2]

HI ALL....

I need some good advise please?

Recently purchased ms390 and with just about 2 (yep, two!!) hours on the engine, it is VERY difficult to start when the engine is hot. So, naturally enough, I took the libeerty of having it dropped back to the Stihl dealer. That was two days ago and I've heard nothing from them since. Is this normal accepted practice?

Also, I wanted a set of bumper spikes (inner aqnd outer) for the ms390 but I got the impression they are not available. In your experience, is that correct please?

B.T.W..... this is a fab forum!!!

How are you starting it when its Hot, R U chocking it by chance?????? if u were and you fouled the plug it may be nothing more,,,,,,just choke it one time for the day,,,, they are normally very reliable saws,,,,use fresh fuel 89 octane minimum, good pre-mix, I like and use Stihl Ultra,

Good luck and welcome to @rborist $ite,,,,,
and get your Wallet warmed up,,,,,

 

[NEK VT]

Ms390

Awsome saw.. I have two... they start first pull and cut great. If sombody dosen't know how to sharpen a chain then they might say they don't like the saw but if you maintain the saw and keep it sharp it is awsome. I chock once when starting the forst time for the day or if I have many hours that I wasent using it... after that its first pull every time no choke.

 

[bump_r]

I have a MS390. Never had a problem, and its cut a lot of wood. Never in the shop, never stops running, always fires up, (unless I flood it) cuts trees with out a problem. Stick with a 20" bar. I can't complain at all.

OK, riddle me this: how can it "never stop running" AND "fire right up"?:jester:


BTW, the Stihl dual bucking spike/roller chain catcher for the MS361 is a direct bolt on for the 290/310/390 chassis. I've got a thread about that somewhere around here... With pics!!! YAY Pics!


Oh, here it is! http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=41530

 

[TomKildare]

oh oh pas.... I get the slight impression you don't like the 390..... I could be wrong here!!!!

As for 04ultra, given that I treat my saws just about as good as I treat my women, I just wouldn't' dare drop one ha! ha! Although I do seem to recall a story...., nah, it's more like a fable (gulp!!), of a new johnsered (just out of the wrapper!!!) permanently disappearing on us a few years ago, last seen totally airborne and in full flight down the side of a steep mountainside during a "sky-line" (not of the Nissan Skyline car type) clear fall operation and it was never, ever seen again. Poor thing!!!

I like the way you think Stihl 440! When I get the (new) 390 back from the shop (it's been 3 days now and no word... I'm cracking uuuuup), and if it's not running good, I'll be sure to delicately insert the screwdriver into the L screw and make the necessary adjustments. Thanks for the advise.

Now then, young Lakeside53, what's all this about our pas.... supposed to be banned etc etc. Isn't this like one of these pregnancy situations where one is either pregnant or one is not pregnant... one can't be " a little bit pregnant" so is our pas banned, not banned or "a little bit banned" ha ha ha ha

I'm delighted to read what you have to say nilzlofgren.... inspirational!!!! and my 390 c/w 20'' bar... PHEW!!! Though I recall the dealer saying he would supply me with a 25'' bar which I could fit "at my own risk" and that he would not guarantee the saw thereafter.... So that's when I made up my mind to purchase a new 441 c/w 25'' bar or should I just stick with the 440 which is also available in the shop.... gosh, decisions decisions decisions!!! Ha ha ha.

Thanks for the kind welcome RiverRat2 and for the info on the choke but, especially since we are having a very warm spell of weather (imagine Ireland with no rain, a rare event ha ha ha), I'm always reluctant to use the choke. However, and there's always a "however", could the choke be mistakingly operated by a malfunction within the saw??

NEK VT with 2 390's.... two??? luck for some eh? Ha ha. Delighted to read your comments on "no choke". Thank you.

As for bump_r, thanks for the great information on the dawgs.... got to get that double dawg with the roller chain catcher. It's just what I had in mind but I don't think my metal fabrication skills are up to a production that good!!!! so would you know if part # 1135 650 7750 fits the 390 please? I hope they do and that it's available in Europe/Ireland!!

BTW.... I'm sticking by my previous statements.... awesome forum!!!!

 

[RiverRat2]

Good for you mate!!!!

They are good saws no matter what you might hear from some of the members here that rag on them because they are not pro-grade saws,,, if you take care of it it will last you a long time

 

[TomKildare]

Thanks RiverRat2, you sound just like my dealer ha ha ha!

 

[tdb]

390 stihl

I went to my stihl dealer last summer with my 032 , it would not run , they told me to take and try a 390 I did I used for a weekend , what a nice saw ,it started up first pull every time , cut fast , and worked hard . I really like the saw , I wouldn't be afraid to own on . TEDMI.

 

[Peacock]

So that's when I made up my mind to purchase a new 441 c/w 25'' bar or should I just stick with the 440 which is also available in the shop.... gosh, decisions decisions decisions!!! Ha ha ha.

Without a doubt go with the 441. The 440 is no slouch, but the 441 has more grunt, is smoother, easier on fuel and easier on air filters.

I LOVE my 441.

 

[TomKildare]

Another day gone by without my new 390.... and I'm having some serious doubts about the purchase of the 441 from the same dealer.... What's going on I wonder?

Although tdb states how good the 390 is, my experience has been somewhat marred by the dealer I reckon.

Thanks for the advise Peacock, but I think I should go to another dealer for my 441, particularly when my dealer didn't want to know about the twin dawg with the roller type chain catcher which I wished to purchase. Even when I supplied the Stihl part number (thanks to this forum!!!), they said it has to be checked. Ah now, get real here or do I just expect too much from dealers????

 

[GASoline71]

No you don't expect too much... they should be willing to look up any part and order it for you. Especially when you supply them the part number.

I'm spoiled with my dealer network here. So I can't even imagine what you have to deal with.

Oh yeah... BTW... ignore anything "pas" posts...:spam: he is a reincarnated PITA. He will stir trouble just for the sake of doin' it.

Gary

 

[pas]

After dropping that much quid on a saw, I would be on the phone to them every day asking the dealer what was going on with the saw. And if I got the runaround from the dealer, my next recourse would be to call Stihl directly, and tell them the dealer 'experience' you were having. There's no excuse for piss-poor service at the prices Stihl charges for their products.

Also funny is how your dealer trys to immediately distance themself from the warranty if you attach a 25" bar to that 390. That should be a hint right there to run away from that particular saw, as a 60cc saw should have no problem whatsoever with a bar that size. To each their own, though.