Honestly do you think of the hundreds of Stihl chainsaws that customers have brought in that complain that it won't start that I keep them for a day or two and then give them back with an $85 an hour bill and a can of starter fluid?? If it doesn't start using the procedure, then there is something not correct that needs to be addressed. Even something as simple as a carburetor high and low speed and idle adjustment.

No, I don't think you give them a can of starting fluid, what I'm saying is by the time you get these hundreds of chain saws that don't start, they have already been yanked on many, many times. I would love to take mine to the dealer after it has been sitting in my garage for 4 months in 20° weather before i touch it and watch them start it right there at the back of my truck, but they won't do that.

Well, think about it of the hundreds of chainsaws I've repaired, done maintenance on or tuned if they would still not start under conditions you described we would have a lot of returns and that's not the case. I do the service for 12 lawn and tree service contractors, and they work year-round and work five to six days a week and they depend on their equipment to start and run. If their equipment doesn't start, then it's a big issue and again that's rarely the case. If it doesn't, they know there's a mechanical or tuning issue. If hard starting in any weather condition is a problem with Stihl equipment their sales would die or be down and real professionals would not purchase them. Customers come in and ask why they should consider Stihl? I tell them as you drive by a lawn care company doing work check out what they are using or what's on their service truck and trailer and eight times out of ten it's Stihl and the fact they have more time on that equipment in one or two weeks than the average homeowner does in a year. If I get a chance, I'm going to take you up on that bet and take my early '80's Stihl 024 AV Super out of the shed that I haven't used in a few years and bury it in the snow overnight in 15 degree temps and and attempt to start it and count the number of pulls while still buried in the snow with three year old gas.

Mostly because you or a customer has indicated that it may be flooded or there is a problem? Here's one I got in that the customer said "It's been getting harder to start and now it doesn't"

With a customer's saw in this general condition, most times I won't waste my time trying to start it but clean the outside and chain cover and behind and under the air filter cover then get a maintenance kit with a new air filter, pick up body (fuel filter), spark plug, change them and start from there.

OT but check out the one we have on the shelf. You can tell the Stihl Pro saws by the metal bumper spikes and the housing are usually cast metal instead of plastic housings.

Your example in this case is really an insult and a distraction from the central issue. The OP brings up a real issue with starting after storage and you use an extreme example of lack of maintenance as support for your position.

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My saws don't look like that, I keep them clean, drain the fuel (yes it's Stihl motor mix) and oil after use and put them up. The 291 is for all intents and purposes brand new, it has had maybe 5 tanks of fuel run through it. If it's used on a regular basis it's fine. It runs great, idles and has great power, the thing is a beast. It even starts fine once I get the initial full choke engine fire. It's just getting it to that first fire that is the problem. I have zero issues with it otherwise so I find it hard to believe there is something wrong with it since it performs so flawlessly after that first fire.

Do you drain the carb and fuel line to it as well, ie run it out of gas?

If I'm understanding you, it seems like it starts OK, or better at least, once it's run regularly. It's after sitting for a few months that it gives you grief.

Unless Stihl specifies Premium fuel, I would try 87 Regular and see if it behaves better. I think what allows 93 to resist detonation would also makes it somewhat harder to ignite. Shouldn't matter with modern CD ignition but like any other Hotrod, some are fussier than others. When you fire up an old Homelite and then a Stihl, it's no trouble to tell which one is the Hotrod.

Kevin

I have run them out of fuel before but that just seemed to exacerbate the problem so this last time I did not. I thought about using some 87 octane fuel, at least to get it started.

There is a huge problem with the oil staying mixed with todays fuel. Even with non-ethanol premium and good synthetic 2 stoke oil it will separate. It makes them hard to start after sitting because the mix is off. I took the spout off my can to refill it with gas and then looked on the floor and said where the heck did that red oil come from? It had separated and it was from the bottom of the can. Around here they have even quit using Stihl oil and use echo oil only.

Years ago I had a Poulan or an Echo I don't remember which, bought it at Walmart, thing was total garbage, but it had one very useful feature, it came with a hand held corded electric starter that you used to turn the engine over. Saw was junk and the starter died in short order, but I thought it was a great idea. These days they could make a cordless starter like that. It would save a lot of grief.

Interesting, I will have to investigate that. That Stihl fuel is expensive, over $30/gal, but I've been using it.

somewhat related, at one time i had a 2-stroke snowblower.
as i only mixed up one quart of fuel at a time, [this was before pre-mix fuel was available] if it wasn't used completely, i would shake the container vigorously for several minutes before dumping it into the blower.
never had a problem.

Our neighbor just came down here looking for some help to get the starter from his small tractor back together and I asked him about getting his Stihl saws started. He says he has been bringing them in the house and putting them next to his wood burning stove for a couple hours and that helps, same concept Cab mentioned.