How to Fix Chain Oil Problems on a Stihl Chainsaw MS290

Remove the chain and bar from the chainsaw power head unit. Remove the two hex bolts on the right side of the unit with the included Stihl wrench tool or with an adjustable wrench.

Clean the grove in the chainsaw bar you removed in Step 1 by sliding a toothpick through its trough to remove any sawdust.

Clean the oil inlet hole in the power head. With the bar removed, clean the oil inlet hole passageway of any sawdust or debris with the toothpick by inserting it into the hole just between and above the two bolts that the bar retaining nuts are secured to. There should be no debris in the oil inlet hole if clean.

Remove the oil tank cap. Clean the seal inside the cap, then rinse out the oil tank with some standard mix 50-to-1 gas/oil mixture. Allow the tank to air dry for 30 minutes, then replace the cleaned cap.

Bend the tip of a straightened wire coat hanger and insert it into the oil tank through the filler hole. Hook it around the oil inlet feed tube an remove and clean the pickup filter with the oil/gas mixture. Replace the pickup body into the oil tank when clean of any sawdust and debris.

Start the engine with the bar still removed and check that oil is being fed by the pump correctly. Oil should be pumped out the inlet hole when the motor is running, if not, contact your local Stihl dealer for a replacement oil pump.

Replace the bar and chain onto the power head, fill the oil tank with Stihl chain oil, gas tank with 50-to-1 gas/oil mixture and use.