The Top Reason Stihl Chainsaws End Up In The Repair Shop!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- The Top Reason Stihl Chainsaws End Up In The Repair Shop!
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#donyboy73 #stihl
➡Do you like STIHL's switch and choke system? Also what is the most common reason STIHL Chainsaws come into your shop for?
Please comment and let us know!
@@donyboy73 I think it’s a good system and works very well. Although as your video clearly points out, you need to be familiar with it 😉
I'm just a user but I'm used to the Stihl starting system so it works for me. My question to you is this: Do you have a polite way of saying to the customer "Read and follow the %#%^& owners manual starting instructions."? That's all I do and the saw always starts. It's hard to pull over for the first few pulls then it pulls more easily and starts readily.
Why would ANYONE purchase a premium brand chainsaw and NOT read the Owner's Manual? I hope you're charging these people at least 1-hour of your labour.
@@OhNoMrBill-yg3dy No different than a new car. Although the dealer that sold it for 35k+ will be more than likely to explain what you should have read in the manual and not charge. There is no way they could point out anything you may encounter after you drive off the lot. That’s why they have manuals and even DVD’s back in the day. I completely agree 👍
@@Farmer-bh3cg chickmecanic shows how to start first pull starter cord couple short pulls before really pulling
You and Steve’s saloon are the best
Right on buddy!
What's the beer of the day Sir?
@@StevesSmallEngineSaloon Don’s a great guy but he needs some beer in his life!!
@@donh215 If you didn't notice, he had a Coors can on the workbench!
@@royevans7793 ok, REAL beer then
I am a Stihl bronze tech through ace hardware, (Washington) this situation happens all the time, once deflooded, I always repeat the starting procedure with the customer to help the customer be successful next time. Maybe I will send them to watch this video as well.
I’m a silver stihl tech at an ACE in Texas. Donny is absolutely correct. I’m convinced people need to take a class before they buy a saw. If I sell the saw I take the customer into my shop and show them how to start the saw.
@@hflora1049I’m a platinum tech
@@hflora1049 typical overly complex german engineering. Make simple things very dificult and counterintuitive . Not everyone has an owners manual handy. Not everyone can figure out the "universal" hieroglyphs. And yes. Im German and I own German stuff.
I’ve encountered you numerous times in the comments and I must say that you are more annoying than indecipherable hieroglyphs and sophisticated German engineering. It sounds like you are quite bitter to have been spawned as a needy simpleton that was thrust into a world where intelligence and the ability to learn is advantageous.
Spot on. Still running my 1985 024, bought new from a dealer/shop. They went thru the start procedure and advised allowing the saw to warm up at part throttle for a minute or so and letting the weight of the saw be the ammount of force put on the bar when cutting. Don't push it hard. 40 years of flawless service proved them to be correct. I really thought the reason for them being in the shop would have been hammering the throttle on a cold saw.
So the engine has not been reconditioned at all? 😲😲
The alternative to all this is for the owner to read the manual before they use the saw. It is pretty clear on the starting procedure. I've never had a problem starting My MS271.
Yep. When I got my first Stihl I made the same mistakes. Then I read the manual 😅. Great tips. Thanks Donny
Excellent advice Don. My most common chainsaw repairs are blocked carburettors from dirty fuel containers or wrong fuel mixture. Drop starting putting too much force on the easy start spring and breaking it. Also not using the correct chain oil. Its unbelievable how some people treat their valuable equipment. Have a great day.
I frequently see badly damaged bars. Large burrs and deep grooves at the nose on one side. On most saw work orders, I write that the customer should be counseled to flip and dress the bar with every sharpening.
Full choke, high idle, run, off. This is what a senior Stihl tech support man once told me. The burp s he called it is when you take it out of choke and into high idle.
Yeah it is the a count of abuse people put their investments through is beyond
Thanks for a great video. Technically, Stihl does not recommend pulling the starter rope on full choke until the saw sputters. Rather, they recommend pulling it up to three times, but not more. Stihl advises switching to half choke after 3 pulls, even if the engine does not sputter on full choke. This is to avoid the flooding you demonstrated after repeated pulls on full choke.
This made all the difference with my MS 250. Using full choke until it sputters would flood it so fast.
I have an easy start that I have had so much trouble starting. I take it to the dealers and they all told me it started right out. One guy told me what I was doing wrong but didn’t show me how to do it right. This solves a problem for me. I will stay to start it later today to see if it works.
Ms180c here. Saw was less than a month old and stopped running, wouldn’t start. Ace hardware replaced the spark plug and voila. Said I running too rich. I’ve been mixing 50:1 for 15 years for an Echo backpack blower and never a problem. Brought my Stihl home, cleaned up the original spark plug, and runs fine. Now I have a new spare plug. Live and learn.
I have used many brands of Sawa over the past 50 years. The STIHL system is probably the easiest, smartes design I've seen and used. If you have a problem with the method have your wife do it.
Wow, this is EPIC ! 💗 I’ve owned 3 STIHL Chainsaws in 15 years-1st was stolen (along with my John Deere tractor… ugh), 2nd I willingly loaned/gifted' to my Auto-Mechanic Son. who needed it... he probably knows all this stuff, and the 3rd, one I’m still occasionally fumbling with now. These tips will save me from a Future of Fumbling, until something finally works! I hope the thief sees this too-he’s probably still struggling just like I was!
A carbureted car is 10 times easier to start than a stupid Stihl saw. Turn key, pump the gas pedal 5 times when the engine is cold then crank , it STARTS. With Stihl????? .........are you serious , you silly german squareheads?
At the risk of losing my "man-card", the cause (in my opinion) is the lack of reading the owner's manual where it shows you how to start the saw. lol 😉
Yep lol
You don't lose your man card, you just get a hole punched, you only get 5 hole punches..... Lol, you are absolutely correct sir.
I was thinking the same thing!
Ditto. Ditto. Ditto!!
@@knighthawk86855 hahaha...oh-oh...I was a heavy equipment mechanic and had to read a lot of service manuals...perhaps the titanium card I had back then helped??
😁
I am pretty sure a good explanation of how to start the saw, and how the choke system works is included in the instruction manual provide with each chainsaw, of course smart people don't read manuals. They just screw up their saws and then take them to the shop to get fixed. Thanks Donny, for setting the smart people straight as usual. This is the best small engine channel in the world.
Smart engineering keeps simple things simple . I swear those german Stihl engineers are first trained in how to make simple stuff unneceassarily complex and counterintuitive .
@@BertGraefSo you *still* can't figure it out, even after Donny explained it to you *real slow* ...?
-Maybe powertools, sharp items and anything more complicated than (blunt...) scissors just aren't "your thing"? 🙄
I have never handled a Stihl chainsaw ! Only owned & operated 3 cheaper Poulan chainsaws. They all have the push/pull choke lever seperate from the ignition on/off lever switch. Now that you have clearly demonstrated the Stihl combination on/off/choke switch mechanism, I believe I could successfully start one & clear a flodded one if someone brought me one! Thanks Dony ! Paul from S. Central Tx.
Great information you just told us. Thanks for explaining this to the Sthil people. If every I have to start one or buy one I would no what to do. Thanks bud.
True Master mechanic- knowing how to create the problem, then fixing! Always a pleasure.❤
German engineering. Make simple things overly complex and counterintuitve. Pathetic.
It’s a hangover from WW2, Hitler is haunting even 75 years after death…
@@BertGraefI think we can all see the "pathetic" on display here... 🙄
RTFM :) Good video, manual for the saw has these instructions, seemed clear to me.
I think a lot of people buy saws mail order or from big box shops. It is a good reason to go to a local dealer who will show you how to start it.
No doubt about that.
Stihl always asssumes everyone can figure out thier universal hieroglyphs. And complex starting procedure of interlocking this and that. Its so pathetic. Make things simple, not complex and counterintuitive for gosh sakes! These kinds of things frustrate people and destroy brand loyalty. Give a first time user who happens not to have a manual handy,or uses thier stuff only occasionally like 90 % of homeowners. They cant always remember the complex procedure of interlocks and and switches every time they use thier damm equipment. Big warning on thier saws should say FLOOD THIS THING AND YOUR SCREWED..
My local dealer didn't assist in this regard at all. All he was intent on doing, was fitting me out with as many accessories as possible. I read the manual and had no difficulty.
I bought mine from a Stihl Dealer and got a new hat. But no advice.
@@BertGraefDid you even *try* to figure-out the hieroglyphs?
Because they make the instructions for a frikkin Lego kit look over-complicated, and those are designed for a 4 year-old... 🙄
Oh yeah... "FLOOD THIS THING AND YOUR* (sic) SCREWED"?
-Really?
Did you actually watch the video or just come here to make furious/frustrated shouty comments because Stihl equipment is "Too Complicated" for you to operate?
*FYI, "You are" shortens to "You're", while "Your" implies posession/ownership of something, but I guess that explains why the hieroglyphs make you so angry, huh?
My brother in law brought me two of his Stihl chainsaws saying they wouldn't start. I went through the proper starting process and sure enough they would not start. I poured out his motomix and put in my mix 91 ethanol free gas with VP racing 2-stroke oil 50:1 and they started up perfectly.
The dealership is a big part of the customer experience, without good and clear instructions it will always happen. Great video thank you.
I agree. After watching the video it occurred to me that maybe the dealerships should be required by Stihl to give some basic practical operation and safety instruction.
@@briantaylor9266 They probably do. But does the customer pay attention?
@@briantaylor9266Dealers do give customers a demonstration of how to start and operate the machine during the handover, whether the customer remembers said information is another story.
@@astroboy5137 if so the dealership has failed the first fundamentals, capture the customer attention.
That's a good reason to buy from a dealer instead of big box stores
That's pretty simple Dony. I don't have one but still didn't know this about them. Thanks for the lesson..lol
Outstanding video, clear and concise. Good quality on the production👍
Cool, MS 391 here. Been doing like you showed for like 10 years, awesome saw. Thanks for the refresher course!
God bless ..don...hope all is well up there...
Perplexed! Brought up to keep equipment in ready order. 40 & 30 year old Stihl saws and trimmers start on third pull thanks to my up bringing and your show. Thanks for that🤗
Despite the care I have misplaced the THRUST WASHER for my Stihl FS66 Brush Cutter. Dealer, Stihl Corp., says NO LONGER AVAILABLE. Scoured the internet and rummaged small engine repair "dumps". The STAR thrust washer is readily available, but not the older version I need. Rats!!! Maybe you can steer me in the correct direction. Thanks
send me an image at donyboy73@yahoo.com
I’m a long time subscriber and enjoy all the instructions here. I’ve gotten pretty good at working on my chainsaws and helping others because of this channel. Please explain to people what the CHOKE is and what the term FLOODED means exactly. I’m shocked at these questions from those that have no clue and are chainsaw owners. Thank you for the great lessons and instructions. God bless.
Mike
I think the best saw that steel chainsaw makes is the 500i I love that chainsaw fuel injected starts every time and it has a lot of power. Love it. Great video as usual.
The tip is not only suitable for chainsaws but for all Stihl engines
Such an excellent video! I have several Stihl products and they all have to be started the same way. They’ve always been difficult to start! But once again, Dony shows us how to avoid the repair shop and save money.
I recommend you use the highest octane gas you can find, for me it is petro-canada 94 oct., mixed with good oil , and most important when you fill your small gas can put the first gallon or 4 liters in your car ( because the transfer valve is far behind the nozzle ) and you will have the best possible fuel. The higher price for this gas is small compare to the benefit on your small engines : trimmer, saw, edger weed eater... please let me know if this helped you
a well engineered chainsaw should be simple to start without having to look for the owners manual every time you use it. NOT EXASPERATING . Because you certainly do forget the complex stihl "procedure" if you only use the thing once every year or two.
@@BertGraef"The complex Stihl proceedure"?
FFS...😅😂🤣
People sometimes force the choke lever down without depressing the trigger first, which can bend or break the choke lever off under the cover.
"People"...?
I think you meant to say "Dumbasses"...? 🤔
Choke, Pull, Pull, Pop, Choke Off, Pull, Start. Been using this method for years. Holding wide open and pulling until it starts as you showed is the way to go. Thanks for the vid Don!
This is exactly how it's done. I don't know why people don't just read the instruction manual. If you're fast, you can bump the choke lever down at the same time as the "pop" and it'll take off without another pull of the rope.
Stihl always asssumes everyone can figure out thier universal hieroglyphs. And complex starting procedure of interlocking this and that. Its so pathetic. Make things simple, not complex and counterintuitive for gosh sakes! These kinds of things frustrate people and destroy brand loyalty. Give a first time user who happens not to have a manual handy,or uses thier stuff only occasionally like 90 % of homeowners. They cant always remember the complex procedure of interlocks and and switches every time they use thier damm equipment. Big warning on thier saws should say FLOOD THIS THING AND YOUR SCREWED..
No dude, I’ve already told you that warning “Flood this thing and you’re screwed” was a tattoo above your mommas bush and her brother didn’t know how to read.
i even start my outboard like this LOL
@@Truthaddict42Great comment buddy, but sadly I don't think Burt'll be able to read it without a grown-up to help him...
As I said in a previous comment, the "complicated hieroglyphs" make the instructions for a Lego kit look over-complicated, and those are designed for a 4 year-old to figure-out... 🙄
Yep! Good advice. The advice as to how not to flood the engine is described in the manual. Trouble is, many do not read the manual.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people own equipment and don’t read the owner’s manual. This applies to so many everyday devices we all use but the manual usually contains some insightful information that makes the device that much easier to use. In this case it’s just a failure to start. I would bet the people experiencing this issue have most likely not read the safety instructions either which is a bigger concern. Another great video that will hopefully enlighten some folks 😃
Especially when the person has no familiarity with the item.
The manual while nice to have doesn't always help someone. There are people who only learn from seeing things done visually. Once they've had something shown to them a few times they can do it with ease and repeat it themselves. My mother is a visual learner but she always has to physically repeat it herself to fully get it. No amount of reading or explaining will help. Show her a couple of times and then let her repeat the steps on her own. :)
@@Slane583 Very good point! Even for those who can read the manual, the quality of where it is produced these days sometimes leaves a lot to be desired 🤪
@@tundranomad Very true! Although when it comes to chainsaws and having repaired different brands the starting process is different. It took me a minute or two to figure out the Stihl the first time I worked on one. It’s an easy start once you are familiar with it but many other brands require pulling the choke out which partially engages the throttle. Both ways accomplish the same thing but are different.
It is amazing how many things you can pick up as you maintain and repair different things. I purchased a new personal watercraft many years ago and due to the fuel injection the winterizing process was different than that of the older carburetor style units. The end of season oil change and cylinder fogging required removal of the spark plugs to fog the cylinders. After replacing the plugs the procedure required a crank with no start. This only required holding the throttle at full and cranking which disabled the injectors to prevent a start. Over the years, I have also learned that many cars have the same function. This can be helpful for a vehicle kept in storage for some time. Hold the pedal to the floor and cranking the engine shuts off the injectors and allows oil to flow before running the engine.
@@johnw1178 Indeed. If instructions for everything came in the format LEGO uses for their brick kits I don't think anyone would have an issue putting things together. 😂
Great/timely video! Had the same issue at first. Took it back to where i purchased it and they explained how to properly start it. I now have no problem starting my Stihl.
I'm very happy with the switch. Always starts as you described. What I do wonder though is the correct way to put the chain on. Mine came off after using it many times but not checking the adjustment on this occasion. I'm pretty sure I got the orientation correct but I may as well ask the question while I'm here. Easier than finding a manual :)
Good video and I'm glad I'm starting mine properly. I have a Stihl MS181 C-BE that I got in 2021 and I never remember how to do it. Unlike what sounds like lots of people, I read through the manual to make sure I don't screw it up and flood it. I don't use it enough so it just doesn't sink in. Been using only Tru Fuel 50:1 since I got it and it has always started within a few pulls.
Love this guy!.. the best chainsaw channel!..👍🤙🏽
Thanks for explaining the starting procedure for Stihl. My saw is really good to start following the manual. My neighbour needs to see this as he has no idea and is constantly complaining about starting his machine. I'll share this with him. Thanks again.
Stihl is destroying itself through thier ridiculous overly complex engineering. Give a first time user, or even occasional one who forgets thier overly complicated starting procedure an exasperating experience , and the user curses the Stihl brand and warns ten others.
The starting procedure is simple and intuitive. I haven’t had a stihl chainsaw for 7 years and I bought a new ms261 a couple of weeks ago and been running it almost every day now. I got no starting demonstration, read the manual, and it fires up with just a few pulls when cold, and first pull when warm every time. If you think the procedure is ridiculously complex and over-engineered, I seriously wonder how mechanically inept you are and how you function at all in life. I definitely wonder why you think you your opinion should have any value to others when you are incapable of executing basic procedures. I wouldn’t say Stihl is destroying itself, I would say that Stihl equipment, perhaps inadvertently, maybe not, has built in operating procedures that eliminate or discourage unqualified individuals from operating their equipment. If starting a Stihl chainsaw is too complicated for someone, then that person should not be operating a chainsaw. There are WAY too many ways to hurt yourself and safe operation is many orders of magnitude more complicated than starting up the equipment.
@@Truthaddict42Very well said indeed Sir... 🙂👍
This dumbass Bert has left a whole bunch of furious comments on this video raging about Stihl equipment being "over complicated", so I advised him that maybe powertools, sharp items or anything "more complicated" than (blunt...) scissors really aren't (or *certainly shouldn't be...* ) "his thing", so I'm pleased that somebody else can see the red flags waving here, huh? 🙄
I had a variation of the first issue. I would follow the correct procedure, but the lever would jump from choke to half-choke.
I’ve seen where people force the choke lever and break the bracket internally that holds the lever - not good.
typical german engineering. Make things overly complex and counterintuitive. And if you break that shtty bracket in your exasperating experience , throw the damm thng away.
Great video. My MS250 is easy to flood so I have found great success with only pulling full choke once or twice (regardless if it shows any sign of life) then switching to partial choke.
I love all my Stihls, they seem to all need a little work with loose bolts at the oil reserve tank. There are many times i don't even use the choke on a couple of my stihls. What i do worry about is yanking on the easy start rope, sometimes i forget and rip away.
Excellent demonstration 😀
Great information sir thank you for sharing your wisdom
Thank you for the simplistic understanding. Now I know what I’ve been doing wrong.
Once I learned how to, it's okay! I learned to cut with a Homelite and McCullough as a teen. My saw is Husqvarna 55 Ranch that refuses to die! Stihl is engineered to frustrate at times... Good tips! 👏👍
Stihl is destroying itself through thier ridiculous overly complex engineering. Give a first time user, or even occasional one who forgets thier overly complicated starting procedure an exasperating experience , and the user curses the Stihl brand and warns ten others.
GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE N THANKS
Coors Light??? I though you all had good beer in Canada. Maybe ask Steve for some suggestions.
LOL! Right on buddy...
Better than bush that beer is deer piss
Yes, Steve & Dony know their wrenching, Steve also knows his beer. Thanks to both of you for your channels!
I've worked on 2 Stihls saws without the manuals and didn't realize the correct way to start it. Thanks for the great video.
A carbureted car is 10 times easier to start than a stupid Stihl saw. Turn key, pump the gas pedal 5 times when the engine is cold then crank , it STARTS. With Stihl????? .........are you serious , you silly german squareheads?
A lot of these weekend tree trimmers should not be allowed to own a chainsaw.
Excellent save at 4:35. Great explanation
haha yes lol, you learn to have good reflex in a small engine shop!
Keep your videos coming They are all very helpful
@@donyboy73 Stihl is destroying itself through thier ridiculous overly complex engineering. Give a first time user, or even occasional one who forgets thier overly complicated starting procedure an exasperating experience , and the user curses the Stihl brand and warns ten others.
I have always found that switching means to be counterintuitive, up for off?? Great info!👍
Great tutorial. I have a Stihl MS260, and I like the choke system. (For context, I also have a Husqvarna and an Echo.) My question is: are the owners not reading the manual for starting instructions, or is the manual poorly written, or both?
The manual is in pictograms/hieroglyphs so that one manual covers all the different languages of the world, and is so well done that it makes the instructions for a Lego kit look complicated...
The issue is that people just don't *RTFM* (or even look at the frikkin pictures)...
I don't have many chainsaws come into my shop. Only trimmer/edgers and hedge trimmers. Thanks for showing us this issue with the Stihl saws. I wonder if this principle would apply to the Stihl trimmers and hedge trimmers?
Some Stihl tools have a bulb that pulls fuel through the carb and you can pump all you want without flooding but the "listen for the slightest grumble" then open the choke and pull again still applies.
@@wayneessar7489. You’re right on!
Yup, all Stihl carbs work this way 🙂👍
That's good information, I always flood my saw lol . I'm going to try that 😊
Blame stihl. Thier starting procedure is complex and frustrating for such a simple thing. They are destroying themselves. Nothng is more frustrating than to try to start a flooded Stihl. Nothing destroys Stihl brand faster than a trusting customer who paid extra $$ to buy quality, that to become exasperated by a balky tool. Word gets around fast. Manuals get lost or misplaced. A user cant always rember the exact start procedure if he uses thier equipment only occassionaly, like 90% of us do.
With my 261CM, I set the full choke setting, and it starts that way. I then let it run that way for 5-10 seconds before blipping the throttle, removing the choke. I've never used the half-choke feature. The only time I use that is on my BR700, which hasn't been run for a day or two. Full choke and a prime if it sits longer.
Excellent tutorial.
MS-250. Hardest saw I ever had to start!!!
My old Home lite was a joy!
I tell older people not too buy it because they can’t pull it 😂
They are, I actually made a video on that, the ms250c with easy start is much easier to pull.
"easy start"? Oh boy! I need that.......@@donyboy73
The Stils are quite powerful saws. As a result, they have a lot of compression that you feel when pulling the rope. It takes some strength to pull it.
Great video buddy very helpful I have a still 250 and you are right they flood easy thanks for sharing
Great Explanation 👍👍
Thanks for your help
The best explanation I've heard so far👍
Thanks Don. I have the MS290, I'm very happy you showed how to start the chainsaw correctly and how to unflood the chainsaw. . I only use it once or twice in the Summer.
trust me,,, you will forget the Stihl start "procedure" , flood the saw next season and waste another hour of your life next year either searchng for the manual or coming back here.
@@BertGraefFrom all your angry and frustrated comments on this video, I wouldn't trust you to open a letter without hurting yourself... 🙄
If the Stihl was shown and explained in the manual like you did, it wouldn't be so much of a problem. The user guide for a new Stihl chainsaw user with no experience is disastrous!
Excellent video! Even thought I did read the manual, I always seem to have trouble starting my saw...
I leave a sticky note on my Stihl with the procedure spelled out because I use it rarely and forget how to get it started quickly. Plus I have Husky's and they have a slightly different procedure.
Always great information thanks!
Excellent advice thank you.
Great explanation! I wish I'd seen this when I first started using a Stihl chainsaw - would helped a lot!
silly Stihl engineering.
Fortunately, the salesman showed me this exact procedure when I bought my Stihl.
trouble is, most of you forget that exact procedure ayear from now, if you dont use it. You will end up flooding it anyway and cursing stihl in your exasperation.
Smart salesman!
Bert, you got it all wrong. That’s why we’ve taken up a collection and bought you a brand new fisher price bubble mower.
@@Truthaddict42😅😂🤣👍
@@Truthaddict42Maybe a used one from a garage sale might be a better bet for poor Bert, because he'll only get frustrated and smash it with a rock... 🙄
I want to thank you for your help. I watched your videos and restored my ms180c. Question, I bought a aftermarket carb and it came with gaskets. Is there supposed to be a gasket between the intake and carb? And do keep the little hole on the carb open? The kit gasket partially covers that hole...thanks a bunch Don...
The same basic starting procedure my father (a logger ) showed me 50 years ago. Full choke until it sputters, partial choke and full throttle to start. When I picked up my new stihl the salesman showed me the switches and it made sense straight away. RTFM - Read The F"ing Manual.
It is backwards , from when we are little kids we learn that DOWN IS OFF. It is taught that it is for safety reasons Then hand someone a saw and the habit takes over.
Not in my part of the world, down is on. A German manufactured saw would follow a European convention.
typical overly complex german engineering. Make simple things very dificult and counterintuitive . Not everyone has an owners manual handy. Not everyone can figure out the "universal" hieroglyphs. And yes. Im German and I own German stuff.
You’re repeating yourself. Are you just bored? Maybe if you’d take the time to learn how to learn, you wouldn’t have to burden us with your complaints about how these new fangled gizmos are really effin your life up!
@@michaelcatherwood4088 thank you for letting me know. I never knew that. Guess like others drive on opposite side. Take care
@@Truthaddict42 get lost
When all else fails:READ THE DIRECTIONS!
That is always the last option lol
I start mine with the chain brake on. I think I got that from the destruction book!?
Other than that, I find the choke system ok and it works....even uses same system on my trimmer and other stihl tools. Keeps it common.
An old car with a carb is 10 times easier to start than those silly stihls.
There is additional quirk if you engage your chain brake and disengage choke by the 0 - 1 switch only. When started the chainsaw will try to rev up with the chain break engaged. I don’t think that is healthy
Made simple ------------------------------------- THANK YOU
Hey Donny, I have one for you. I have a Stihl 021, that I have owned since new , over 30 years ago. For most of it's life, it doesn't matter if I haven't started it in a week, a month or since last year, I choke it and pull it either 8 or 9 times before it pops, then it starts right up after shutting the choke off. I did a carb kit once, but it still started the same way. Any guesses why?
So basically ... the problem is people don't read manuals? lol The choke mechanism does seem a bit convoluted and unintuitive though ... I wonder if lawyers had anything to do with that.
Personally I don't like the design.
@@donyboy73Same here... There are some design quirks that really annoy me, when it comes to starting and servicing the Stihl's. 🤨
I've had my Stihl MS260 for over 20 years so I don't really remember learning the starting procedure. But I know it didn't take long to develop the muscle memory so I don't even have to think about it. There is an advantage IMHO to having all the controls (choke, run, stop) right under your thumb.
@@donyboy73 Yeah, if it's that common of an issue (which is a totally unnecessary "problem"), that tells you right there it's a bad design.
I wasn’t aware of this. I use my Stihl MS661 Magnum only once or twice a year for some light pruning of our shrubs & it’s always a problem. Worst part tho is the Queensland heat with my helmet, chaps, gloves, ear and eye protection. Damn thing leaks chain oil all through the luggage area of our Tesla too when I forget to empty it.
Very detailed video Thanks Donyboy73.
I thought it would be some kind of defect that builds up over time, but it's an issue of not reading the manual. Not reading the manual will create issues on most if not all small engine equipment, no matter the brand. I don't use my Poulan Pro 20" PR5020 much at all, so I always refer to the manual before each use, or at least the Quick-Start Guide page on starting which I printed and keep near the chainsaw. I hope this video helps those Stihl users. Your title will help nonsubscribers find it and hopefully subscribe. Great one, Don! 👍👍
Very well said
Well I now know what I did wrong. Thank you for explaining how easy. I thought I bought a lemon. 😂
Hey Dony, that was very detailed and to the point! I worked on one of the 170's from a neighbor who had owned the saw for several years but had forgotten how to start it somehow. I had to figure out what you just showed since I wasn't familiar with it. Some how he had lost the ''link'' inside and I had to order one. In the meantime I made one from a heavy coat-hanger! I do know these were prone to warpage if my memory serves me correctly ( the plastic parts relating to the trigger) not sure if you've encountered that yet or not? Very well done my friend! From Sophia, N.C. USA
The linkage might bend if people force the lever without holding trigger wide open.
People never read the owners manual on anything. Why? Dony as always a great job
A carbureted car from the 70s is easier and much less complex to start than a silly Stihl. Would you need an owners manual to start your car every morning too?
Ill admit I didnt know how to use the choke at first. It would be hard to start and flood all the time and I would pop the spark plug out and dry it off until it finally started. haha
thank you for the content. very valuable.
I once experienced on a 361 that it never gave me the stutter or burp and kept pulling it till I was wore out.
in retrospect I am pretty sure I flooded it . what is the max pulls you would do on full choke before going back to 1/2 choke or even just start position,
I've seen some say only 2 or 3 pulls on full choke even if it doesn't burp, but sometimes my saws take maybe 5, esp when having sat a while.
is it a valid technique to pull x times and go to 1/2 choke?
thanks
Kevin
Helpful info,Thanks
Excellent video, Don. Thank you. God[Bible] Bless you.
its amazing that so many people own saws and always struggle with starting them. I blame USER Error on MOST issue with saws. I bought 4 new Stihl saws when I bought my land and ive been doing side tree work for 3 4 years and ive had ZERO issues with any of my saws. They all start and run awesome. Im positive that USER error is 90% of the issue people have.
A carbureted car is 10 times easier to start than a stupid Stihl saw. Turn key, pump the gas pedal 5 times when the engine is cold then crank , it STARTS. With Stihl????? .........are you serious , you silly german squareheads?
Ok I didn't know that thanks for the tip !
GReat Video, so clear and well described !
Good tip.
Thanks
If users would read their manual booklet,everything would be easy
I hate that switch. Never had a problem starting the saw but my thumb is always hitting the lever and shutting the saw off. It's another example of Stihl's over engineered for no purpose device. A simple toggle switch and separate choke linkage work just fine!
Thank you
A Stihl dealer mechanic showed me how to unflood the chainsaw by pointing the blade downward and pulling the cord while holding the throttle open. That works fast.
unflood, not unfold.
.
@@BertGraef thank you for correcting me. Autocorrect plagues me.
I found the position of the heat shield makes a difference when starting a hot Stihl.