For domestic purposes and to use the chainsaw rather unprofessionally, the best and the most convenient option readily available for you in the market is the Stihl ms 291. However, SurferHandy would not recommend that professionals use it due to some essential functions lacking.

Otherwise, it is a chainsaw manufactured precisely to handle and cater to the everyday jobs of a carpenter or someone who wants to utilize a chainsaw for other purposes. Stihl ms 291 is a versatile machine capable of offering various functions to its users. 

As with every device, maintenance is also required for your Stihl Chainsaw to ensure that it always delivers a smooth operation. But, often or on more than an instance, Stihl ms 291 problems do occur. 

In this article, we will list the typical Stihl ms 291 problems while also proposing solutions or remedies that can be used to fix the issues. 

Stihl MS 291 Problems 

Unlike the other chainsaws in the market, the Stihl ms 291 is not an electric chainsaw. It has a gas-fuel engine that requires crucial and efficient consistent maintenance. Remember, the risk of problems with a gas engine is more likely than other alternative engines. 

To make sure that your gas engine keeps running and does not result in problems for you, there are four essentials: fuel, compression, spark, and air. All four are vital for an unproblematic operation of the Stihl ms 291. 

Now we will be talking about the commonly faced by the Stihl ms 291 users. 

Problem: Difficulty in Starting

Despite the progress that gas-fueled engines have made over the decades, some things have always been a task to eliminate, such as difficulty in starting a gas engine. Regardless of all the innovations, this is one thing that users need help with. 

Similarly, as there is a gas-powered engine in the Stihl ms 291, users of the equipment frequently complain that the device does not start. It would take recurrent and multiple tries at starting the engine before they could achieve success. 

Either this problem occurs because you are not starting the engine accurately or the gas in the fuel tank is insufficient to give rise to a spark to start the engine. Another reason could be the high weather temperature, whereby the engine becomes rigid and stiff to start. 

Solution: 

We are sure that you would have given starting the Stihl ms 291 already a lot of tries, but upon our insistence, give it another shot per the method that we will suggest. 

Firstly, start by checking the fuel tank and see if there is an adequate level of fuel present: not too much or too less. Then depress the chainsaw’s throttle and shift its choking to an ultimate position.

Following this, keep pulling on the starting cord until and unless you hear the engine firing. Lastly, move the throttle and switch up by a step to pull the starting cord once again and to the point where the engine fires. 

As soon as you hear the engine firing, squeeze the adjacent throttle, which will consequently release the choking and have your machine prepared to be put to use. 

Problem: Issues with Fuel

Ordinarily, we know that a problem with the fuel could only occur if there is a low liquid level in the tank. However, it is time we move beyond this theory and progress to exploring more possibilities, such as excess fuel in the tank or the product being too rich or lean. 

To evaluate the situation within the fuel tank, you would have to observe whether there is an under or an overflow of the fuel in the gas tank. Significantly less fuel in the tank indicates that the gas is prevented from reaching the cylinder from the tank. 

This can be because of the dirt accumulating in the filter for the fuel, which you would have to check and then conclude. If the dirt has clogged the filter, try cleaning it instead of purchasing a new one.

However, if you fail to do so, replace the old dirt-clogged fuel filter with a brand-new one. Too much fuel in the tank can also be problematic, and if the fuel has a mismatched composition to the one initially required, it would have difficulty passing through the filter. 

Therefore, no fuel will be provided to start the Stihl ms 291 chainsaws. 

Solution:

If you are using the Stihl ms 291 after a considerably longer time has lapsed or over three months since the chainsaw was in use and contained fuel, drain the fuel and refill it with fresh fuel.

This is because there is a likely chance that the remaining fuel in the tank of the chainsaw might have grown old, leading to its contamination. Using such fuel could not only cause the chainsaw not to start but also be a problem for the fuel filter. 

On the other hand, if the fuel has been recently added to the machine and you still have fuel problems, check whether the fuel is getting to the attached cylinder. This can be done by setting the choking to its ultimate position and pulling the starting cord multiple times. 

The following alternate we have for you is to check the spark plug. Sometimes the plug can be damaged, or due to droplets of fuel falling onto it, some components fail to work. If there is any issue with the spark plug, immediately replace it without giving the situation another thought.

Problem: Adjusting the Speed

Although screws have been fastened over the Stihl ms 291 to ensure convenience for the users when it comes to adjusting the speed or switching the machine from a high speed to low speed, or vice versa, it is not that easy.

Sometimes these screws fail to respond to the user switching their speeds to the ones they desire to use the chainsaw at. Typically, this problem is a result of the screws being incorrectly set that, again, impacts the engine’s rpm adversely and results in failure of switching speeds. 

Solution:

Hence, it is always an advisable option to opt for to adjust the speed of the chainsaw while it is running and about to be used or already in use. Changing the speed settings requires the fuel filter to be clean and perfectly adjusted in its allocated space. 

Problem: Clogged Filter of Air

Supposedly, even after you have checked the engine and other subsequent parts in an attempt to identify the problem, the issues persist, it is the turn for the air filter to be looked at.

Just like the fuel filter is an essential component for an unbothered and unhindered supply of fuel to the Stihl ms 291, so is the air filter, but the way the user is demanded this component differs. 

The air filter easily gets clogged while the chainsaw is in use. Wood carvings and rust or other materials tend to get stuck in the air filter, clogging it and hindering the operation of the Stihl ms 291. Thus, clean the air filters regularly. 

Solution:

The air filter is not instantly present to you on the surface of Stihl ms 291 but has to be extracted from within the machinery. To get gateway access to the filter for air installed in your chainsaw, begin the procedure by removing the surface covers. 

Underneath, you will discover the air filter, which two screws would hold, one on each side fastened and keeping the filter in its place. If deemed necessary, unscrew these screws and remove the air filter. 

Once you have the air filter outside of the machine, you may begin its cleaning. Ordinarily, users for cleansing the filter prefer to use a worn-out toothbrush as the bristles make it easy to swipe through every hold, getting rid of every dirt particle.

You can also use a cleaning liquid or a handwash soap along with the old toothbrush as an accompanying cleanser. After you have thoroughly dug through every hole and have eliminated every residing particle of dust, it is essential that you accurately fit the air filter back to where you removed it from. 

For your reassurance, try starting your Stihl ms 291 again and see if the problem you were initially having is reappearing. 

Conclusion

Even after reading through our article on Stihl ms 291 problems and properly utilizing the available solutions, you still need to have a smooth operation of the chainsaw. Then there is a likely chance that the occurring problem is not a surface-level problem and is within the engine. 

You cannot figure solutions for such problems out by yourself, thereby taking a professional’s assistance to eliminate the flaw as well if you have new care it well to make it life long lasting.