Stihl MS291 questions

[babaoriley]

I got this stihl ms291 from original owner. He said he bought it new, ran couple times then no more running. Saw looks new to me, compression is good, piston looks good. Only problem is, he got it serviced somewhere and those people are so bad. They removed everything and didn’t put them back like they were. Bolts/screws are all over, intake boot and spark plug are loose. Now my problem is, I try to pull start it without knowing screws and bolts are all over the place. The ignition coil are loose as well and of course it’s tangled up with the flywheel. I think the coil is toast, but I don’t know if the flywheel is okay. I attach some pics, any advice would help, thank you!

 

[irhunter]

Gosh.

I'd put the parts you have back on the saw...correctly...and, see if it has spark, runs, or pops with mix down the hole.

If there is any sign the previous guys had the flywheel off, I would remove and reinstall. Same for clutch.

Good luck.

Roy

 

[babaoriley]

Gosh.

I'd put the parts you have back on the saw...correctly...and, see if it has spark, runs, or pops with mix down the hole.

If there is any sign the previous guys had the flywheel off, I would remove and reinstall. Same for clutch.

Good luck.

Roy

It ran, I got it running at first, then let it sit for a while. Tried to start it again today, then realized a lot of things are loose and the coil is stuck with the flywheel. Put it all back together but now the saw won’t start. Likely the coil is messed up, just wanna hear you guys opinions.

 

[irhunter]

Now, that is is not running, have you checked for spark? Tried mix down the plug hole?

One good thing about these saws is finding used parts (other than pistons), from saws being parted, is easy. Also, many 271 parts fit.

One bad thing...they are not great saws. A fellow thinking about buying a coil, and then maybe a flywheel. and then maybe..... You just want to be sure you really want a 291.

Roy

 

[babaoriley]

Now, that is is not running, have you checked for spark? Tried mix down the plug hole?

One good thing about these saws is finding used parts (other than pistons), from saws being parted, is easy. Also, many 271 parts fit.

One bad thing...they are not great saws. A fellow thinking about buying a coil, and then maybe a flywheel. and then maybe..... You just want to be sure you really want a 291.

Now, that is is not running, have you checked for spark? Tried mix down the plug hole?

One good thing about these saws is finding used parts (other than pistons), from saws being parted, is easy. Also, many 271 parts fit.

One bad thing...they are not great saws. A fellow thinking about buying a coil, and then maybe a flywheel. and then maybe..... You just want to be sure you really want a 291.

Roy

lol I know they’re not good saws but for $75 for the power head that looks new and I have some bar and chain laying around so why not? I took the wire off, and pulled a couple, no spark that I can see. I think the coil is fked up.

 

[GenXer]

I'd get a new coil and space it properly. Then run it.
I had an 017 coil do the same. Saw ran fine after coil replaced.

 

[babaoriley]

I'd get a new coil and space it properly. Then run it.
I had an 017 coil do the same. Saw ran fine after coil replaced.

Space it properly ? How you do that? Thanks!

 

[GenXer]

Space it properly ? How you do that? Thanks!

Some use a piece of paper for the gap between the coil and flywheel.

 

[babaoriley]

Some use a piece of paper for the gap between the coil and flywheel.

Thank you, haven’t paid attention much to this. Now I have to check my other saws to see how it is setup.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

You need to disassemble and reassemble the saw correctly. Short of that you run the risk of destroying it. Yup, just that simple.
Get the IPL and service manual from Ray Benson and take your time.

 

[thompsoncustom]

Space it properly ? How you do that?

Business card is an old school way.

 

[Oletrapper]

It ran, I got it running at first, then let it sit for a while. Tried to start it again today, then realized a lot of things are loose and the coil is stuck with the flywheel. Put it all back together but now the saw won’t start. Likely the coil is messed up, just wanna hear you guys opinions.

That coil is shot. May have sheared the key on the flywheel from the looks of the coil also. Take it all apart and start over. Good luck. jmho OT

 

[babaoriley]

Business card is an old school way.

Sounds good to me, now I gotta check my 025, it’s hard to start sometimes and I did remove and put the coil back.

 

[Stihl Learning]

Some use a piece of paper for the gap between the coil and flywheel.

A thick piece, like a business card.

 

[babaoriley]

View attachment IMG_0807.mov
Good news guys, I adjusted the coil, it took a little effort to get it started but it runs great now. Same coil same flywheel.

 

[Oletrapper]

View attachment 1183559
Good news guys, I adjusted the coil, it took a little effort to get it started but it runs great now. Same coil same flywheel.

Really hard to believe that the coil gap is correct with the laminate messed up as bad as it is. Oh well. Good luck with it. jmho OT

 

[babaoriley]

Really hard to believe that the coil gap is correct with the laminate messed up as bad as it is. Oh well. Good luck with it. jmho OT

lol it needed a little tweak, but yeah I adjusted it and use a business card like you guys said. So thank you very much!

 

[babaoriley]

So the owner did buy it brand new, ran it full speed with chain brake on, messed up brake band and clutch. He tried to return it I guess. They inspected it and didn’t put things back together. I put things back together, and replaced clutch, brake band and a new brake cover. Now she screams with a 18” bar and chain. This thing is a lot lighter than my 38 mag but looks very flimsy to me lol

 

[GenXer]

A thick piece, like a business card.

I've found some cards to be too thick.
I've used aluminum foil before with great success.

 

[ZeroJunk]

I was trying to figure out what service a saw would need that required taking any screws out.