Stihl 290 problem

[koda]

Hello all,

I am new to the site and I like what I see so far. OK here is my issue(one of many) I bought a Stihl 290 On Feb 26, 2007. Yesterday I lost the engine in it. I took it to the dealer where I purchased it and he told me that the piston, cylinder, and crank were gone. I asked how did this happen and he smelled the gas in the tank and said "bad gas". He went on to explain that it was old gas. Well I have been using this saw for the past month at least twice a week and using the fuel from the same can. I ran it for 10 minutes before it seized yesterday. After it seized, I grabbed my 026 pro and gassed it up with the same can and cut for approx. 30-45 minutes without a problem. Well I just can't believe that "old gas" caused me to ruin an engine in a basically brand new saw. I have sawed approx 20 cord of firewood with it in the past year so it has seen pretty light use. I keep it inside and I keep the gas inside in order to keep condensation down and water from leaking into the can. The fuel I was using is approximately 2 months old and the owners manuel warns against keeping fuel longer than 3 months. I also mix it just a tad rich because I am worried about losing a motor. I can deal with a fouled plug or black smoke if it happens but in any event I take every precaution to baby this saw as I wanted it to last 10+ years. So much for that. Well back to the story. The dealer told me that it was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do. I understand the warranty is a year but I feel that one month over warranty with this issue that the Company ought to come good for it or at least some of it. Well I went back to the dealer today and boxed it up and took it to another dealer that I am very familiar with and he said he will at least try to do something for me. Has anyone else had problems with engines in this model or ever had "bad gas" cause a probled to this magnitude? Any info would be a big help. I also told the dealer that if Stihl can come good for it then I would walk out with a new 361. The dealer I bought from screwed me on an earlier deal but I figured buying a new saw off of him then I couldn't go wrong. I guess the old saying is true. Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice, shame on me!

 

[parrisw]

2 month old gas, shouldn't be bad, I've run older stuff then that with no prob. I think he is feeding ya a line. In the end I think your screwed no matter what, since it is over a year, they don't need a reason at all to deny you any right to any warranty. Sounds like that dealer isn't very good, so I would go some place else.

 

[stihltech1]

Comments

A couple of quick things to keep in mind.

Never use a metal gas can to keep any gas in. Metal condensates and will introduce water into the gasoline.

I am a certified Stihl Service Technician, I did it for a living for 8 years. In the 8 years and about 10,000 new pieces we sold, NEVER had a new saw seize under common conditions. The only time would be when somebody would run straight gas in them.

One thing to check would be for air leaks, around the crank seals, intake, carb. These would be the main areas to look for the intake of air other than througth the venturi of the carb.

Hope this helps!

 

[woodyman]

A couple of quick things to keep in mind.

Never use a metal gas can to keep any gas in. Metal condensates and will introduce water into the gasoline.

I am a certified Stihl Service Technician, I did it for a living for 8 years. In the 8 years and about 10,000 new pieces we sold, NEVER had a new saw seize under common conditions. The only time would be when somebody would run straight gas in them.

One thing to check would be for air leaks, around the crank seals, intake, carb. These would be the main areas to look for the intake of air other than througth the venturi of the carb.

Hope this helps!

Never herd the metal gas can thing before.I have been using the same metal gas can for my saws for the past 25 years and never had a problem.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

BS on the metal can thing, and old gas wrecking a saw.
When a saw dies, it's usually an air leak, or no oil in gas, bad carb adjustment, or just worn out. It would be very rare that there was something wrong with the saw from the start that caused the problem a year later.

Any saw you buy is only as good as your dealer. Sounds like you have bad saws. LOL!

If you have more specific questions, hop over to the chainsaw section: http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[huskystihl]

BS on the metal can thing, and old gas wrecking a saw.
When a saw dies, it's usually an air leak, or no oil in gas, bad carb adjustment, or just worn out. It would be very rare that there was something wrong with the saw from the start that caused the problem a year later.

Any saw you buy is only as good as your dealer. Sounds like you have bad saws. LOL!

If you have more specific questions, hop over to the chainsaw section: http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

I agree on the metal can. I use a can that was past down and it works fine with our saws, sounds like you got a turd and a bad rep I would piss and moan!

 

[huskystihl]

Hello all,

I am new to the site and I like what I see so far. OK here is my issue(one of many) I bought a Stihl 290 On Feb 26, 2007. Yesterday I lost the engine in it. I took it to the dealer where I purchased it and he told me that the piston, cylinder, and crank were gone. I asked how did this happen and he smelled the gas in the tank and said "bad gas". He went on to explain that it was old gas. Well I have been using this saw for the past month at least twice a week and using the fuel from the same can. I ran it for 10 minutes before it seized yesterday. After it seized, I grabbed my 026 pro and gassed it up with the same can and cut for approx. 30-45 minutes without a problem. Well I just can't believe that "old gas" caused me to ruin an engine in a basically brand new saw. I have sawed approx 20 cord of firewood with it in the past year so it has seen pretty light use. I keep it inside and I keep the gas inside in order to keep condensation down and water from leaking into the can. The fuel I was using is approximately 2 months old and the owners manuel warns against keeping fuel longer than 3 months. I also mix it just a tad rich because I am worried about losing a motor. I can deal with a fouled plug or black smoke if it happens but in any event I take every precaution to baby this saw as I wanted it to last 10+ years. So much for that. Well back to the story. The dealer told me that it was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do. I understand the warranty is a year but I feel that one month over warranty with this issue that the Company ought to come good for it or at least some of it. Well I went back to the dealer today and boxed it up and took it to another dealer that I am very familiar with and he said he will at least try to do something for me. Has anyone else had problems with engines in this model or ever had "bad gas" cause a probled to this magnitude? Any info would be a big help. I also told the dealer that if Stihl can come good for it then I would walk out with a new 361. The dealer I bought from screwed me on an earlier deal but I figured buying a new saw off of him then I couldn't go wrong. I guess the old saying is true. Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice, shame on me!

I think stihl is telling their reps that if something goes wrong with their saws they should blame it on the gas. My dealer keeps talking about gas thats more than 30 days needs to be dumped, dolmar and husky aren't saying that, but stihl is saying it willl tie up their motors, WTF?

 

[parrisw]

I think stihl is telling their reps that if something goes wrong with their saws they should blame it on the gas. My dealer keeps talking about gas thats more than 30 days needs to be dumped, dolmar and husky aren't saying that, but stihl is saying it willl tie up their motors, WTF?

Ya, just a generic excuse. I would raise HELL!!!!

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Never herd the metal gas can thing before.I have been using the same metal gas can for my saws for the past 25 years and never had a problem.

25 years and no rust? That's pretty good! I just tossed a metal can and went to plastic because of rust.

 

[ap1]

Newb here. I've been reading and learning. This is a very informative site.

I'm not a pro, but I know a few things.


If the gas sits for 2 months the oil will separate form the gas. If you don't shake both the saw and the can to remix the fuel, you're asking for trouble.

Regarding the metal can; as a practical matter there may or may not be a problem with condensate, depending on local conditions or climate, but in theory the metal can will tend to allow condensate to form, whereas the plastic will not.


My Poulan siezed awhile back. I wondered after the fact if it might have been due to me not shaking the mixture after it had sat a while. I've since rebuilt the engine and it runs fine again.

But while the Poulan was down I went and bought a 290 with an 18" bar, and it runs great. I was trying to resist the temptation to get too much saw (not to mention spending too much money), but I kinda wish now that I'd gotten the 390 with a 20" bar. Other than that, I love the 290. It's heavier than the pro models but it's a utilitarian beast. I run full chisel chains and it cuts through locust like a champ.

In any case, it's critical to keep the mix ratio exact, or even slightly rich, and remember to shake any fuel which has been setting for awhile.

 

[superfire]

saw ??

you said you cut twenty cords with it that sounds fishy. no non pro saw should last more than a 6 cords of firewwood with out major engine problems. th 29 290 should bae able to cut 3 cords of wood a year no prob but 20 is way to much for such a light weight of a saw. sounds like it needs to be rebuild or recycled .

 

[huskystihl]

you said you cut twenty cords with it that sounds fishy. no non pro saw should last more than a 6 cords of firewwood with out major engine problems. th 29 290 should bae able to cut 3 cords of wood a year no prob but 20 is way to much for such a light weight of a saw. sounds like it needs to be rebuild or recycled .

I think he meant to say 2 cords. A homeowner saw can cut 20 cord without seizing but not 20 cords in a year.

 

[superfire]

saw

I think he meant to say 2 cords. A homeowner saw can cut 20 cord without seizing but not 20 cords in a year.

thats what i was wondering 2-3 cords on a non pro sub 60cc saw is what i am talking about when i am talking per season.

 

[aktoyota]

Don't get confused with running extra oil to make a saw run "rich". Going from 50:1 to 40:1 acutally leans out the fuel mixture. The more oil in the gas means less fuel is acutally consumed. Lubrication is critical to any 2-cycle engine but high heat burns them up to. Just thought i'd chime in. I hear people say the same thing with quads. Running 60:1 over 50:1 can make a saw run cooler but I wouldn't try it. Stick with what the manufacturer recommends.

 

[koda]

I think he meant to say 2 cords. A homeowner saw can cut 20 cord without seizing but not 20 cords in a year.

No I meant 20 cords. I don't consider that a lot of wood and my older stihls have cut a lot more than that over their lifetimes. Really doesn't matter if it cuts 20 cord in a year or over ten years. 20 is 20. But anyways I upgraded to a 361 so all is well now I hope.

 

[huskystihl]

No I meant 20 cords. I don't consider that a lot of wood and my older stihls have cut a lot more than that over their lifetimes. Really doesn't matter if it cuts 20 cord in a year or over ten years. 20 is 20. But anyways I upgraded to a 361 so all is well now I hope.

There is no doubt that you can cut twenty. I can chunk up a chord in a half hour and the 290 should not have seized up. My tightwad neighbor burns 5 cords a year and uses a craftsmen and has no issues outside of the fact it takes him 2 hour to do what I can do in a half. Point being I would have pitched a b%tch if it was my saw!

 

[koda]

Well I did pitch a fit and Stihl being the professional corporation that it is is making amends. They are giving me a certain amount of credit to a new saw. I really can't expect any more than that as it was out of warranty. It is a credit to them that they are willing to come good.

 

[2FatGuys]

you said you cut twenty cords with it that sounds fishy. no non pro saw should last more than a 6 cords of firewwood with out major engine problems. th 29 290 should bae able to cut 3 cords of wood a year no prob but 20 is way to much for such a light weight of a saw. sounds like it needs to be rebuild or recycled .

You're kidding... right?

Prior to my CAD affliction, my choice for firewood saw was my OLD (1987) Husqvarna 50 (49cc). That saw cut 4-12 cords per MONTH for its first 15 years (probably averaged 7 per month). I had other saws, but loved (and still do) the power to weight ratio of that saw. It still goes with me to every tree job I do. I may not use it as much now (too many other good saws on the truck), but it is my "go-to" saw when I have an issue with one of the others. It is not a "pro saw", but it has worked hard for a long time. It has never had a piston / jug replacement and is still on its original carb (only one rebuild in 19 years). Maybe your experience of non pro saws not lasting more than 6 cords is due to different maintainance practices or cutting habits. My experience is that ANY saw will work hard and long if properly cared for (fuel mix / air and fuel filter cleaning & replacement / proper tuning / good bar and chain care) and treated right (no dropping / throwing / etc.). There is no reason why ANY saw should fail just from being worked.

 

[md_tree_dood]

In some states its illegal to store gas in anything other than a metal can (for commercial use that is).

One month out of warranty is out of warranty.

I'm happy to hear that you're getting a credit though. Buy a pro series saw.

 

[cmetalbend]

Total BS on the metal can issue. VP race Gas Recomends metal containers for anything that won't be used in a weekend.