For Sale Not Working Stihl Chainsaw Question

[num1hitter]

I found an ad on CL for a MS 280 (or 290 cannot tell from picture) Stihl Chainsaw that is not working. There is no description of the problem other than engine problems. The picture looks like its in excellent condition. I sent an email inquiring about more information. The seller is asking $80 obo for it. I am wondering if you think it might possibly be a good deal. Also what problems could I be looking at? Thanks for any input.

 

[ScotO]

Sounds to me like it was straight gassed or something. If the guy is trying to sell it that cheap, somethings up.

Ask him if it pulls over. Also, ask if it has compression......see what he says. A piston/cylinder kit is gonna cost a few bucks, if it needs one. But, that said, maybe it's just a carburetor issue. Very hard to say without having it in your hands. I've bought a lot of saws off of the internet (I rebuild them), and I can tell you I've bought some DOOZIES as far as being junk......

 

[num1hitter]

Sorry posted in the wrong forum...Mod could you move it for me? Thanks

 

[num1hitter]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to ask more questions if he gets back to me. I am pretty good with rebuilding small engines but new to chainsaws. Since you have experience with rebuilds whats the worst case price to rebuild?

 

[Jags]

Sliding this over to gear.

 

[ScotO]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to ask more questions if he gets back to me. I am pretty good with rebuilding small engines but new to chainsaws. Since you have experience with rebuilds whats the worst case price to rebuild?

probably around the 150 to 200 dollar range (if it needs a P/C and say a carb kit). Maybe a little more if it needs an ignition. BUT, make sure the saw doesn't have any cracked parts (cases, fuel tank, etc).

Offer him 50 bucks and see what he says. It's worth that in parts....

 

[num1hitter]

That's what I was thinking with the offer. Thanks a lot for the advice.

 

[Jags]

Pull the muffler and take a look inside. If its scored you are talking about investing some bucks to get it going again. If it ain't scored it most likely will take small bucks (ignition or carb kit, etc.)

 

[num1hitter]

Jags, thanks for the advice I will definitely take a look for scoring.

 

[Jags]

I don't remember the tip needed. Scotty - what tip is that to pull the muffler?

 

[StihlHead]

Mufflers are easy to pull on those saws. They all have the standard size (for Stihl) torx bolts (T-27). Once off, look at the P&C for scoring. Straight gassing is the most common way to fry them, but running them lean or overheating them can do similar damage.

A broken 280 would be worth more than a 290. Both are clam shell engines though, and you may as well get a whole replacement engine rather than replace just the top end like on pro saws. Pro saws are far easier to replace scored engine parts on, and hence have higher value when they are straight gassed. Replacing the entire engine would take care of engine scoring as well as bad bearings, crank or seals. On a 290 you can also pop in a larger 310 or 390 engine, they have the same frames. I would get a good used OEM engine before an after market one. OEM will last 2x as long. A 280 engine will be hard to find though, whereas a 290 will be easy. An unused OEM 290 complete engine on Ebay today is listed at $140/OBO. I have bought used 310 engines there for about $100.

 

[Jags]

Yeah. What is the torx though. T?

 

[StihlHead]

T-27 is the standard size torx for most Stihls, and that is all you will find on a 280 and 290/310/390. Stihl has a common scrench that comes in a lot of their saw tool kits that has the Torx driver on the other end instead of the screwdriver bit.

 

[Jags]

Thats it. T27.

 

[WES999]

As others said try to offer about $50. I bought my Husky 350 and 36 as non runners, paid $50 and $40.
Both had no compression due to bad piston and rings.

Many times you can save the cylinder by cleaning the stuck on aluminum with muratic acid. My 350 had bad crank seals, (the likely cause of failure) that needed replacing. I think I spent somewhere between $50- $100 in parts for each saw to get them in good running condition.

 

[ScotO]

I don't remember the tip needed. Scotty - what tip is that to pull the muffler?

Stihlhead nailed it. T27. Which, in the scope of everyday tools, is kinda an oddball. When buying a Torx set as a kit, I don't think the T27 comes in it. You'd have a T10, T15, T20, T25, T30, etc.....

That was back in the day, though. Maybe things have changed....either way, I bought several of those "good" T27's (both screwdriver and T-handled versions) as well as several 4mm and 5mm T-handled drivers too (for the older Stihls and Huskys).

Can't have TOO many chainsaws (or chainsaw tools) lying around the shop now, can we??

 

[num1hitter]

Thats good to know, I figured that it would be in the torx set that I have. I will make sure that I have it.

 

[ScotO]

Thats good to know, I figured that it would be in the torx set that I have. I will make sure that I have it.

The newer sets MAY have that bit, I don't know for sure. But several years back, I bought a couple Craftsman sets and the T27 wasn't in there....

 

[TreePointer]

If you are going to continue saw tinkering, Baileys has a nice Wiha set on sale right now:

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=WTK&catID=

More saw tools:

http://www.baileysonline.com/category.asp?catid=274

 

[Ashful]

Can't have TOO many chainsaws (or chainsaw tools) lying around the shop now, can we??

I still aim to get down to 5 saws:

1. Top handle (small)
2. Medium
3. Big
4. Loaner (for when a family member or your boss ask to borrow a saw!)
5. Pole saw

 

[TreePointer]

I still aim to get down to 5 saws:

1. Top handle (small)
2. Medium
3. Big
4. Loaner (for when a family member or your boss ask to borrow a saw!)
5. Pole saw

I feel a need to maintain five in each category. Darn CAD.

 

[MasterMech]

$80 for an MS280 that looks good? Deal. You could sell the plastics off it for $100+. You could always buy another MS280 (perhaps running) with a good engine and swap worst case scenario. Then you have a LOT of residual value in parts.

MS280 is a real nice machine too.

 

[StihlHead]

Stihlhead nailed it. T27. Which, in the scope of everyday tools, is kinda an oddball. When buying a Torx set as a kit, I don't think the T27 comes in it. ...(snipped)...

Yah, the 27 is an odd one, but they are becoming more common. I have a newer torx/hex/driver set and it has sizes in 5's from 10 to 40, and also the odd T8 and T27 in both hex and torx. That set also has the 3/32 hex bit for Hughes satellite dish feed horn mounts (hard to find size). I have several of the Stihl torx screnches as well as some dedicated T-27 t-handle torx wrenches. They are a must for tearing down Stihl saws, blowers and trimmers.

 

[MasterMech]

Plus

will make you wonder why you even bothered with anything else.

 

[StihlHead]

I avoid power/air/battery tools with torx bolts on saws. It is just way too easy to strip the threads on aluminum and magnesium parts with steel threads.