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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Stihl ms290 oiler

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gary

10-23-2003 16:58:48




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I just bought a used MS290 and it does not seem to put a lot of oil on the chain. Is there an adjustment?




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stihltech

10-25-2003 18:38:45




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
1 tank of oil to 2 tanks is pretty standard on this saw, and many other small saws. The oil is being applied more efficiently than in older saws. As long as the chain is sharp, it is sufficient for anything up to a 20 inch bar. A good quality oil is a must.



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G-MAN

10-24-2003 11:14:52




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
A agree with pretty much everything listed below. I run a Stihl 044 and an 021, and although they don't throw nearly as much oil off as older saws, I have had zero chain lube problems. They changed the oilers because older saws simly overlubricate the chain, which causes sawdust and crap to build up under the covers. Ideally, you should run out of gas, and still have some oil in the reservoir. I make it a habit to top off my oil everytime I fill with gas, but my saws are pretty darn fuel-efficient, so a tank of gas lasts a while. I wouldn't suggest turning the oil up much, if at all. And like was said, use a good quality bar oil.

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jim

10-24-2003 07:09:51




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
I do not sell or like Stihl products, so do not take this as I am trying to sell something.
If you will use Stihl bar and chain oil, with the Stihl bar and chain, it should put out enough lubrication to keep your chain lubricated. I used to sell Stihl and we had a customer with the same complaint. We would take the saw apart, check it all out, nothing wrong, put bar oil in and it would oil like crazy, customer would take home, back next week, not oiling, the same routine. We finally quizzed the customer what kind of bar oil they were using, non name brand from the farm store, we convinced them to spend another 1.00 and but Stihl bar oil, they never did come back with the problem again.As for the saw at the bottom of the hill, if you are using Stihl bar oil and it is not oiling right,get a hold of Stihl in Virginia Beach, VA. There is a problem and I would make them stand behind it, or get the dealer you are buying from to give you the name of the distributor they deal with, you want your saw fixed and if they are not capable, then get you someone who can. Stihl's are designed to use a minimum amount of oil to get the job done, so everything has to be just right or it can cause problems.

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Joel Harman

10-24-2003 07:07:01




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
Oil use is about 1 tank per 2 tanks of fuel mix. Agjustment has + or - on it. Turn towards + if you want to use more oil. If your chain is smoking get the chain sharpened or loosen it. Should just be able to see bottom of drivers when you pull it away from the bar. Stating the obvious here - make sure it isn't running when you check this.



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Joel Harman

10-24-2003 07:06:22




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
Oil use is about 1 tank per 2 tanks of fuel mix. Agjustment has = or - on it. Turn towards + if you want to use more oil. If your chain is smoking get the chain sharpened or loosen it. Should just be able to see bottom of drivers when you pull it away from the bar. Stating the obvious here - make sure it isn't running when you check this.



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rhudson

10-24-2003 04:40:11




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
i didn't think mine was putting out enough oil either. i turned up the oiler and it still only takes about one tank of oil to three tanks of fuel. i was wondering if EPA had something to do with the oilers. if they found out that we were putting oil out there, they would have a fit. anyway, i take the bar off everyonce in a while, spray cleaner around the oiler holes and run the saw to see if oil comes out. it does, just very slow.

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Joe (Wa)

10-24-2003 01:58:36




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
RJ has it right on the oil adjustment screw. 3-4 years ago I bought a new 029 (same as yours). Burned one tank of gas and only used 1/2 tank of chain oil with the flow wide open. Took it to the dealer and got it back in a couple days. Same thing, back to the dealer. And again and again. Put it on a shelf in the shop figuring I'll work on it later.

Two months ago my old 360 burped. Break out the Stihl, buy a service manual, tear it down, put in a new pump, a new pickup strainer & tube, check for obstructions, the whole smear right to the letter per the service manual. Back together, run it with bar off, pumps oil like mad.

Ran a tank of gas, used almost a whole tank of oil. Hooray, I fixed it. Same day, two tanks later back to original 1/2 tank problem, bar & chain overheating.

By now I have about $500 into this saw and at the outside 10 hours of use. I threw it as far as I could down the hill (wasn't far I admit but not bad for an old geezer) went back to my shop and spent an hour fixing the old Homelite 360 and finished cutting my winter fire wood.

That 029 is still laying down there and I keep thinking next time I am down there with the backhoe I'll give it a decent burial. Maybe next year..... ..

Perhaps I just got a bad one. Good luck with yours. Joe

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Van

10-24-2003 06:32:19




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 Re: Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to Joe (Wa), 10-24-2003 01:58:36  
You may have gotten a bad one it happens. I have a 038 Super that I bought new in 1983 and a new MS 440 and they both allow the full range of adjustment on the oilers, from none to full open depending on the adjustment. I have mine adjusted to just under one tank of oil to a tank of gas.



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G-MAN

10-24-2003 11:17:37




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 Re: Re: Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to Van, 10-24-2003 06:32:19  
What do you think of that MS 440? My 044 is an absolute screamer and I love it. I only run a 20-inch bar on it, so it just plays with that. I haven't ran my 021 enough to really test it out yet, but it also seems to run well. The manuals say that it does take 15 tanks of gas to get them broken in, and I agree. They run better every time I take them out.



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Van

10-27-2003 05:33:39




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to G-MAN, 10-24-2003 11:17:37  
G Man,
I almost bought the MS 460 for fear of lack of power on the 440. I wanted a saw with more b@lls than the 038 (which is also a screamer) The 440 has definatly got the go go with a 20" bar. I have found that a bigger saw even though heavier is easier to use than a watchfob model. I am going to get a 026 or a swedish made johnsred for limbing later this year. I was told to stay away from the light duty made in USA Johnsreds by the dealer becuase they are made by Poulan and have proved "not as reliable" as the swedish made units. But getting back to the subject at hand the Stihl MS 440 is a powerhouse of a saw and I would recommend them to anyone wanting to cut wood or timber who don't mind the weight. I have owned most brands through the years and STIHL is how you spell chainsaw.

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G-MAN

10-31-2003 13:57:55




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to Van, 10-27-2003 05:33:39  
I agree wholeheartedly. I have a cousin that does pasture clearing, wood-cutting, sells firewood and builds fence for a living, and he's really sold on Sachs-Dolmar saws. He's got several, and they all run real well. They're just like Stihl, though - you're not going to buy them cheap, but you get what you pay for. I'm lucking enough to work for a JD dealership that also sells Stihl equipment, so I got my saws for cost plus 5% - very good deal. I bought my 044 first and cut with it for one winter alone, and then decided to get the 021 for limbing. I usually cut ash, hackberry, oak, hedge and other hardwoods. I knock the tree down with the 044, then grab the 021 to knock off the tops and chunk up the limbs, and then grab the 044 again when it's time to chunk up the trunk. Using the 021 saves a bunch of wear and tear on the 044 and me, as it's much easier to handle. It also saves the chain on the big saw, as I always seem to get a little dirt now and then while I'm limbing. There's nothing like heading out to cut wood for an afternoon with a good saw. I like it best when it's just cold enough that you can stay warm in long-johns, jeans and a good heavy flannel shirt - around 20 degrees or so is perfect.

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RJ-Az

10-24-2003 19:38:58




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to G-MAN, 10-24-2003 11:17:37  
I bought the MS390 with a 20" bar and really like the power to weight ratio. Here in SE AZ I cut mesquite in the valley and Fir and Pine on the mountain. The Forest Service started thinning some large beetle damaged trees this year so I got the bigger saw. I've only ran two tanks through it so far.



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RJ-AZ

10-23-2003 17:09:09




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 Re: Stihl ms290 oiler in reply to gary , 10-23-2003 16:58:48  
I just bought a new Stihl saw two weeks ago and found the oiler adjustment on the bottom of the saw. It is recessed in such a place and I had to put on my bifocals to figure it. You need a small screwdriver to adjust it. This is about the only thing that I don't like about this saw. My old 22 year old JD was on top and you could use the combination tool on it.



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