Stihl MS290

[WillClimb]

Just bought an MS290 (new version of the ol' 029)...and brand new, straight from the dealer, with the dealer's gas mix in it, it seemed to get bogged down on stuff that it should be able to handle with no trouble.

Any ideas?

One thing, when I bought it they told me that most professionals like the 3/8 chain better than what comes on it and that if I had other saws with 3/8 chains they may be interchangeable. So, I agreed, and they changed the sprocket and chain over to 3/8.

 

[glens]

And bar, right?  Likely.

I'm afraid you'll not get much encouragement here for using an 029.  Personally I think they're a fine saw for their purpose.  The only thing I dislike about them is they are somewhat heavier than they need to be.

If you don't need the same size chain (pitch, gauge, and driver count) for other saws, then changing over to the 3/8 pitch probably wasn't necessary. That chain <i>may</i> perform a little more poorly than the .325 would, if for no other reason than the drive sprocket pitch diameter is slightly greater on the 3/8, thus running the chain slightly faster.

If you haven't dulled the chain somehow the saw should be sufficient for just about any casual need.&nbsp; I've used one with a 20" bar cutting 20" hickory, beech, and ash, and it performed acceptibly for me.&nbsp; Perhaps you simply need to get a couple of tanks fo fuel through it.

Maybe you could expound a little on what you'd experienced?

Glen

 

[NevadaWalrus]

I think what Glen touch on near the end is what may be your problem. Most Stihl saws need a few gallons of run time for the rings to seat in before the engine really gets cooking.

 

[Saw Man]

Sorry to inform you, that the MS290 isn't like the 029.

Look underneath at the four screw heads. Some of the newer saws by Stihl, and Husky are built using a horizontal split cap crankcase, whereby the engine drops into the tank assembly. just like the Homelites, McCulloch's, and some Poulans are.
This is a cheaper way to manufacture, compromising durability, and power.

Like the others have posted, give it a few tanks, and it will open up more.

 

[sedanman]

Saw Man, This is EXACTLY the same saw as the 029. The 029 was built just as you describe.

WillClimb, I think they mis-led you when they talked you into 3/8 chain on this saw, .325 won't bog this saw down. I just got a pico (3/8 low profile) set up for my 026 and it's un-stoppable now!

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by sedanman
I just got a pico (3/8 low profile) set up for my 026 and it's un-stoppable now!

I have been wondering if anyone would do this on a 50cc saw. Glad to see that you like it!

 

[WillClimb]

Well, the 3/8 chain and sprocket was put on before I ever used the saw. They weren't installed as a result of the problem. I just thought maybe it had something to do with the loss of power. Figured since the saw came standard with .325 that I got the one guy, in this otherwise good saw-shop, that learned how to switch sprockets and thought he could do it on any saw. I've probably already filled the tank ten times.

The shop is looking at the saw presently. One person mentioned the spark arrest screen but the one guy I really trust there says that if the arrestor was the problem then it got clogged from running too rich. I've been running 50:1 and the problem started from day one, when I was running it new off of the dealer's complimentary gas.

Any more thoughts?

 

[Bill G]

Saw Man.

I am sorry to say I believe you are dead wrong and Sedan man is correct. My opinion which is based on observation and not usage. (never owned nor plan to own a 029/029S/MS290) is that they are all the same basic saw. I believe they could switch between the old on new models on the assembly line by inserting the new stickers.

Bill

 

[glens]

Will, I'm wondering if 3/8 chain isn't just slightly over the top for the saw.

At 8,000 RPM on a 7 tooth sprocket of each pitch, you're looking at chain speeds of 40 MPH for the 3/8 versus 35 MPH for the .325.&nbsp; The same number of cutters round the sprocket either way, but the longer pitch chain is running faster, and it's less flexible to boot.&nbsp; (for point of reference, if you care, a .325&times;8 is almost the same at 0.4 MPH less than the 3/8&times;7)

That's really just wondering out loud.&nbsp; I guess if your 55R(s) pull the 3/8 okay the 290 sure ought to.&nbsp; I was running .325 RS on the 290 I spoke of earlier.&nbsp; What chain did he outfit you with?

I guess there's always the possibility the shop guy got something wrong in the changeover, or you might be the unlucky 1/10,000.&nbsp; Just the other day I was cutting with my "little" brother who has an MS290 that's plenty healthy at less than a gallon through it.&nbsp; I'll be watching for a report on what you find.

Bill, I agree with you (as I understand things), except you forgot the <i>main</i> difference that accompanied the recent name change -- the new filler caps.

Glen

 

[Bill G]

If I remeber correctly the old cap was black and the new one has orange on it. Once again that is an assembly change and not a production change. Assembly changes are cheap to implement. if it only involves adding a different color dye to the injection molder it is cheap. Production changes are very expensive. If you must totally retool it will take many years to recoup the expense. This is one of the reasons why auto makers do not change body styles for several years.

Bill

 

[Jwoods]

029

I own one, but am using the original .325 chain. My saw is real touchy on the air filter. If it's not clean, it'll starve itself and bog down. It's very much a top-end saw. Anything takes it off peak, and you're done-no bottom end torque that is.

I have thought about putting a 3/8 chain on the saw, to switch back and forth with my 066. I'm sitting here wondering if the 3/8 chain is just enough to keep your saw off of peak. I'm basically re-stating what Glens has said. Your dealer should have the parts laying around to at least try the original sprocket and chain.

Joe

 

[jetmecanic]

Willclimb,
My 029 was the same way until I opened up the muffler. I can post some pics if you want. It really woke the saw up. Good luck and let me know about the pics. I might even have an old one to mod if you want.

 

[ricksvar]

I would agree .325 chain would be better for the 290.I have a 16" bar on mine with .325 RS chain which I consider a good match to it's power and oiler volume.

My 026 has a 16" bar and 3/8" low pro chain.A great combo for the saw in my opinion,received many positive comments about it's performance.

Rick

 

[jokers]

Hey Rick, is that lo pro or narrow kerf you run on your 026? I never knew anyone to run lo pro if they had a choice, lol. Oops, just read through and noticed Sedanman said he runs the same thing.

I think the original 290 in question here should be able to pull 3/8 pitch no sweat. I`d be looking into all of the suggestions put forth by our generally knowledgable brethren as to why it is struggling. I don`t generally hold this model in high regard but something isn`t right if it can`t easily pull 3/8 chain before the powerhead is worn out.

Russ

 

[ricksvar]

Hi Jokers,

It's pm on the 026.I have pmn with a 14" bar combo on my 021.

Rick

 

[Saw Man]

Oops, so much for hurrying to write. Thanks for keeping me straight.
Now as Paul Harvey says, "And now for the rest of the story"

Should have written 028 which preceded the 029. MS290 is same as the 029 execpt for fuel caps, decal, and I think the tank assy.

Engine construction isn't the same HD design as the other saws which now have 'Pro' decals on some to clarify models.

MS on the decal stands for Motorsagen auf Deutsch. Motorized saw would be a English equivalent.

325 should be somewhat faster as the kerf is narrower. Probably smoother too, but 3/8" is much cheaper for manufacturers to buy/make. That helps keep the price down to the magic $299.

 

[stihltech]

290

Every 029/290 I have ever sold has had .325 chain on it. I think 3/8 is pushing it a little, although the lo pro may not be to bad.
Just comes down to sizing the chain to the saw.

Now where did I put that 12 tooth for the 66?

 

[sedanman]

Careful Stihltech, I've only found one Stihl bar that will let you run Pico on an 066 and it's 16" long, it's not in the bar and chain catalod either, it's in the price book. For the smaller mount there's an 18" Pico bar.

 

[stihltech]

picco

Actually tried picco on an 056 once, just was not enough tooth to make the difference worth it.

 

[WillClimb]

The MS290 is definitely sold off the rack with the .325 chain on it, not with a 3/8.

I appreciate all of the replies! I feel like I've learned a pretty good bit of saw knowledge off a thread that I started.
Anyway, I'll keep y'all updated on what the dealer comes up with. I did mention to the saw tech (the one that I trust), that maybe the 3/8 was too much for it and that Charlie (the one I'm not so sure about) just didn't know it.
The tech didn't seem to think so but he's going to try cutting with my saw and they'll either fix it, or give me a new one - which I think I'll request the .325 chain for.

There are a couple of questions I 've been asked throughout this thread, that I haven't answered yet. I'll get back to y'all. At least one of the questions I'm sorry to say I can't answer due to my lack of saw knowledge....but I'll find out for ya. That's how you learn, right?

Later -
Will Allen
Arborist/Owner - TreeLogic