Stihl MS 291 burnt out after 1 hr

[HarleyT]

Yeah, I am not buying into the "SAP" theory, or else it would be talked about a bunch more.

But the chainbrake meltdown, well, that is very, very common. As well as the owner's denials/blame etc..

 

[drumbum]

I can't believe I read the whole thread.

Saw that cuts with brake on? Drum spinning with brake engaged?
Saw melted from cutting technique, dogging?
WTF

 

[MaineMikeD]

P.M. me your serial number. I'll look it up and see if they filed anything on it.

I sent you the info. Stihl already has this, but thanks for the offer.

 

[HarleyT]

Well, the dealer must not have even registered your saw when they sold it to you.

Call the distributors and raise some hell:

Northeast STIHL
2 Patriot Way
Oxford, CT 06478
Telephone: 203-929-8488
Fax: 203-944-5642

 

[MaineMikeD]

Well, the dealer must not have even registered your saw when they sold it to you.

Call the distributors and raise some hell:

Northeast STIHL
2 Patriot Way
Oxford, CT 06478
Telephone: 203-929-8488
Fax: 203-944-5642

Already did. Below is their response:
Thank you for the purchase and use of a STIHL MS 291 Chain Saw. I am sorry to hear of the engine issue you are having, attached please find the STIHL Gasoline Guidelines Brochure as fuel accounts for 97% of small engine starting and running issues. As you can see below the saw was shipped to the dealer on 9/5/2012 and never registered, we use a month after the dealer received the saw as a in service date when this occurs. I spoke the Chad Little’s about your saw and the piston and cylinder are badly scored, if a chain saw has a defect in materials or workmanship it most often fails in the first 30 days of ownership. There are a number of things that may cause a saw to fail, improper storage or fuel age or mix, improper operation, or an air leak in the engine. As your saw operated for 3-5 years before failing I am sure we can rule out any defect from STIHL, with a saw that is not registered and age of 3-5 years you are outside the guidelines of assistance from STIHL.
Regards
Fred Froatz
Technical Service Manager
Northeast STIHL

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Maybe the saw makers should put a blinking red light on top of the saw to warn people that the chain brake is on...

 

[MaineMikeD]

Maybe the saw makers should put a blinking red light on top of the saw to warn people that the chain brake is on...

Not sure what the point of your sarcasm is. The OP stated that wasn’t the case, and my MS291 it obviously isn’t the case.

 

[HarleyT]

So, how many years, or more over, how many actual hours were put on your saw?
Or, how many chains have you been through? {just for an idea of actual usage}..

 

[MaineMikeD]

So, how many years, or more over, how many actual hours were put on your saw?
Or, how many chains have you been through? {just for an idea of actual usage}..

1 chain. Under 50 hrs. I’ve owned it about 4 years now, but reported problems within the first month. The saw has spend most of its time on the shelf since I had to actually work. Each time it was used I used a premix nonethanol to eliminate the possibility of the well known ethanol issues in small engines. I went out into my garage and just snapped some images. FYI, I have never EVER cleaned this saw. It might not look immaculate, but you can tell it has had very little use.

 

[MaineMikeD]

1 chain. Under 50 hrs. I’ve owned it about 4 years now, but reported problems within the first month. The saw has spend most of its time on the shelf since I had to actually work. Each time it was used I used a premix nonethanol to eliminate the possibility of the well known ethanol issues in small engines. I went out into my garage and just snapped some images. FYI, I have never EVER cleaned this saw. It might not look immaculate, but you can tell it has had very little use.

FYI, by 1 chain I mean I’m still on the original chain. I’ve sharpened it myself twice.

 

[HarleyT]

Yeah, actually , I would say well under 50 hours.

 

[HarleyT]

I mean, actual run time, way low.
So is that the state that the saw is in now?

 

[HarleyT]

So how did they say "piston damage"? Did they show you the damage?

 

[MaineMikeD]

So how did they say "piston damage"? Did they show you the damage?

Those pictures are from today. The dealer just told me over the phone it was a scored piston, and it would cost more to fix than getting a new saw. I had them keep it while I contacted Stihl. Stihl said they weren’t going to do anything. So I picked up my saw, and I’m out >$400. I trusted Stihl based upon my experience growing up, and everyone in my family owning them. I was an idiot to think that way, apparently.

 

[HarleyT]

Do you have a torx tip wrench?

Just take off the top cover and the muffler, and snap a pic of the piston.

Real easy to do.

 

[HarleyT]

The crankcases on that line of saws is pretty solid, I rarely sell one.

 

[HarleyT]

Metal crankcase bottom molded into the crankcase/housing, with back bar stud into metal, coil mount, oil pump mount, one of the bottom screws into metal. Solid.

 

[MaineMikeD]

I believe

Do you have a torx tip wrench?

Just take off the top cover and the muffler, and snap a pic of the piston.

Real easy to do.

27

Do you have a torx tip wrench?

Just take off the top cover and the muffler, and snap a pic of the piston.

Real easy to do.

 

[Chris-PA]

Yeah, I am not buying into the "SAP" theory, or else it would be talked about a bunch more.

But the chainbrake meltdown, well, that is very, very common. As well as the owner's denials/blame etc..

I'm afraid I don't buy the sap theory at all either, because:

1. There is no sign of excessive sap on anything in the pictures, just a burned clutch area and an otherwise pretty clean case.
   
2. Saws are designed to cut wood, and all wood has sap to some degree. Why doesn't this happen all the time?
3. It looks just like every other plastic cased Sihl that got run with the brake on, or left on high-idle with the brake on.

BUT...If the saw were a Poulan Pro 5020 the damage would likely not have happened, because it has an outboard clutch (the heat source) which is held further from the plastic case, and has a metal clutch cover. A plastic case and an inboard clutch is a bad design, especially for those who insist on starting their saws with the brake on.

And none of that has anything to do with the scored piston above.

 

[dougand3]

Whew, that is one ugly piston/rings...could the saw have been straight gassed? If not, there has been a big air leak or way too lean carb for quite a while.