Pick up the saw by the starter handle and see if it drops to the floor. If it does, it has a compression problem. Adding oil to the cylinder may get you started, but not necessarily fix the problem. Stihl ignition systems are very reliable, odds are that's not your problem.

Fuel today does not store as well as it used to. The best way to store seasonal equipment is completely dry of fuel.

cmbdiesel, something is wrong on your piston pricing. The entire engine capsule, assuming you need it, should be less than a new saw. Keep in mind that the MS290-310-390 series are considered "occasional use" saws, and are not as durable or easily repaired as the professional model saws.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.

Replace your fuel line ,they last 3 to 4 seasons then degrade after that, the stihls have better metal in the head and more rings in some cases than other cheaper brands ,not a throw away piece of equipment.You can call a service rep . they can lead you in the right direction .

piston and jug. at the time, kit was $325 retail, but looking now, and I see they are down to $100... The old O29 just might get those parts after all...
I priced parts out before I purchased the Husky, and I went for pro grade (162 se) but older.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Just get yourself a cheap Chinese chainsaw. I have one, 62cc Balmer, great to use & cost less that $100. When it finaly dies I will just get another one. So far its had 2 new bars & about 10 chains.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

when will someone invent a universal(?) one-way socket (grabs in one direction, slips in the other)- that you fit to your cordless (or corded) drill.
Then, every IC engine can have the negative of this socket on the crankshaft/flywheel/someplace accessable.

Now, starting is as easy as finding your drill - I've seen cordless drills turn over riding mower engines at a good speed.

Its possible to make semi-exposed shafts safe to use, and most people have a drill of some sort around the house.... am I wrong ?

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

JumpStart

the best advice i can give you is to buy a new carb for it. they are pretty cheap considering the hassle it saves you.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

Have you ever changed the air filter? My Echo chainsaw was a bear to start and then I realized I never changed the air filter. When I opened it up there was hardened saw dust and oil completely blocking it up. Once I cleaned the air filter and surrounding areas, the chainsaw fired up easily.

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Chad
2013 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL

Did ya'll know that once Stihl purchased the company that built the carbs for them?

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Jim

I went to get it serviced... the guy at the counter told me it would be about 3.5 weeks because of the backlog, but he was willing to check my ignition on the spot.... He put in a new spark plug and it fired right up! I was pretty embarrassed that I didn't try that, but we were out of there in 5 mins. Runs like new again!

Simple fix - it's all good.

Nice pile of fresh cut aspen wood seasoning as I type this... Have a good summer, everybody.

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

In December of 2008 they purchased Zama because of quality control problems. Stihl has always strived to be vertically integrated- over the years, they have purchased many of their independent distributors. They're also the only saw manufacturer that makes their own chain.

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'83 300D, 126K miles.