Echo 290EVL

[Wood Doctor]

I have a CS-306 as well. Very good saws for the price you typically find them. I find the CS-300 to CS-346 series of saws always run well when I pick them up on marketplace. My dad has been running the same CS-301 for over 20 years

For example, this one?

I got this one from a yard maintenance company. I have never had any trouble with it. Pulls the 16" bar with ease.

 

[sean donato]

As long as you get the muffler real clean you should be able to get the cat picked out without opening it up. Kinda a pain to do, but doable with a it of time and patience.

 

[flatsfisher]

For example, this one?
View attachment 1091884
I got this one from a yard maintenance company. I have never had any trouble with it. Pulls the 16" bar with ease.

nice. there are several of those and the 345's for sale around here. 100 to 200 dollars running. as well as a couple of the older 3450 models. 305/306 are 30.1cc, 345/346/3450 are 33.4cc.

 

[flatsfisher]

As long as you get the muffler real clean you should be able to get the cat picked out without opening it up. Kinda a pain to do, but doable with a it of time and patience.

never even thought of that. it does look like a cast brittle material. I'll check it out. thanks!

 

[flatsfisher]

took the carb on the 306 apart. the PO must have kitted the carb as everything inside is fresh and new. however, he must have ripped the gasket between the carb and the reed block as he installed a completely wrong gasket leaving a hole exposed thru the reed block and into the crankcase. no wonder he couldn't get it to run.

 

[flatsfisher]

pic on the bottom is what the gasket should be according to the IPL.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Interesting and I have seen this before. Some suppliers selling carb rebuild kits do not supply the OEM carb gasket or even one that resembles it. That's likely because the same kit is used for several saw models.

 

[telecasterfool]

I have cleaned out a couple echo cat mufflers without cutting them apart. Start with a large drill bit, then a carbide, bulb-shaped grinding bit helps.

You don't need all of it out of there, just most. then blow it out really well, shake it and listen for any bits left.

 

[flatsfisher]

wasn't so bad. thanks for the tip.

 

[flatsfisher]

finally received the correct carb gasket this afternoon and the CS-306 is running great. guess it's technically a CS-305 now as I gutted the cat. installed new OEM spur sprocket and bearing. I also replaced the plastic clutch cover with a NOS one as the PO had melted it and the brake wasn't working (stuck in the melted plastic). cover was only 20 bucks, and it was easy to transfer all the brake parts. brake is working good now. looks like I need to turn down the oiler. also replaced all the fuel lines with some bulk rubber hose I had.

 

[flatsfisher]

oh, and a new OEM air filter.

 

[flatsfisher]

so, the Echo CS-290EVL and the CS-306 are 2 generations of basically the same saw. almost 2 lbs. difference. both have full fuel and oil tanks. both have 14" bars.

 

[Homer6679]

Good lookin saws!