Stihl won't start

[gbsk]

I have a Stihl MS290 chainsaw that a friend gave me. I am having a lot of trouble starting it. 3 chainsaw mechanics said it was fine. I live in Alaska and it does not get very hot here. Now the highs might be in the 50s. Otherwise I tried to start it this way.

What I do is grab the handle, be sure to depress the safety switch on the top of the handle. Then I grab the trigger and push the vertical selector switch(stihl calls this the master control switch) on the saw, down to the bottom (fully choked) if it is cold. If it is warm move the selector switch up one position. Put the saw on the ground with your foot in the trigger handle. Put your left hand on the wrap handle and your right hand on the starter rope. Pull the starter rope slowly until you feel it engage. Then once you hear a pop, if you had a full choke move the selector switch up one notch. And keep cranking until the saw starts.

Why and how can I get this to start?

Maybe it is just me. My son had a friend over who said he did lots of chainsaw work. I asked about mine. We went outside and I started it on 2 tries so the guy could not comment on it. I have tried to start it every day for at least the next 3 days and can't start it. It does seem to pull hard. I am not that big at 140 lbs. but don't think I am that weak. Yesterday, I tried and it farted on the choke so I put it up a notch and pulled at least 20 times and nothing. At the end, it got much harder to pull and it was the saw and not that I was tired. I tried it again today. It started pretty easy. However, a bout 5 min. it, it conked out and would not start even though it "puttered". I did not choke it either. Am I pulling it wrong or not choking it right?

Thanks

[peatff]

It sounds like the carb needs some attention or adjusting at least. Once it's started it should keep running and start easier with a simple pull.

[spudulike]

I would suggest that in trying too many times to start it, the crankcase is filling with fuel causing it to lock.

You only need to pull it over a maximum of around five times on choke before it pops.

When the saw has popped and starts on the fast idle, does it spin over fast or does it run at pretty much normal idle BEFORE pulling the throttle and the idle settles to normal.

No saw should need over 15 pulls to get it going and a lot less if it has run in the last week. 

 

[gbsk]

When I do get it to start, which is rare, it normally starts within 5 pulls.  Like I said, I have only been able to start it 4 times out of maybe 25 times.  Other people can start it but  even they have trouble sometimes.  Before pulling the throttle up after it starts, it runs pretty much normal on fast idle.  Thanks for the reply.

[billpierce]

I'd get a complete carb kit with replacement needle give it a good clean and go from there

[spudulike]

1 hour ago, gbsk said:

Before pulling the throttle up after it starts, it runs pretty much normal on fast idle.  Thanks for the reply.

It shouldn't and means either the throttle valve isn't held open sufficiently or the low speed fuel setting is far too rich. Make sure the L screw is one turn out and take a visual on the throttle valve with the choke setting on fast idle and make sure the valve is kicked open by a few mm.