Stihl MS201T takes 3 or 4 pulls to start

[JKR]

My Stihl always starts on 2 to 4 pulls depend on the temp when cold. My Husky starts the same way.
When warm up and running both start with one pull.

 

[Sodo]

ms201 stinks. Stihl didnt just drop the ball, they passed it to the other team, tackled there own team mates and let the other guy have a go with there wife afterwards. After the great but sadly departed ms020 and ms200, its a sad expensive joke.

Thats been my experience with "you get what you pay for". Usually the way it turns out is:
"You get what you pay ATTENTION for."

Apparently the saw-performance fellas have figured the MS201 out, but now its "a project". And it seems like I'm always willing to "add a project" to my list. First I gotta figure out WHAT to do.

JKR you are referring to your Stihl MS201? What "year" is it? I hear That 2012 & 2014 had "the problem" whereas its solved by 2014 with a bunch of changes (that 2012/13 owners have to "buy" from Stihl).

 

[crazyal]

I'd have no problem modding a saw but when I buy a new saw I just want it to work. I want it to be reliable and last for 15 to 20 years. I know in this day and age that seams like asking for a lot. My 15 year old Husky is hard to start cold, 10 plus pulls. But once it's warm it starts with one or two pulls. My New Dolmar takes 3 or 4 cold and 1 once warm (it still needs to be broken in and have the carb tuned). When blocking up wood I often run a full tank through it but when limbing I'm often shutting the saw off. If working hard all day having to pull an extra 2 or 3 pulls all day long would add up.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Gas drains back into the tank? I'm keeping my MS250C!

 

[TomSeller]

Stihl had some birthing problems with the 201, but they are a quality saw with issues resolved. I wish I had one. The pro tree contractors often consider them standard issue for a reason. The 200 model was legendary.

 

[traktorz]

Our MS192, which has a primer, is an easy starter. I think the MS201 lacks it, hence relying on fuel lines and fuel pump membrane in good conditions. The MS201 carburetor might be faulty and causing the mentioned hard starting problems. Also check the spark plug for not more than 0.50 mm gap. Our 11 year old Jonsered CA2252 recently got a carburetor cleaning and replacing of all gaskets and diaphragms. As a result, a better fuel pump performance and the saw now starts on one less pull! Better throttle response as well, which might depend on an improved needle adjustment.

 

[Yamaha2112]

Occasionally I get the urge to fuel a bonfire with a few of my Stihl products.

 

[gladehound]

You could probably sell that Stihl MS201 for enough to buy a new Echo 355T and have cash to spare. Once even slightly warm, the echo starts in the first 8 inches of the first pull. It has good balance and cuts plenty fast (this is not your father's Echo). Very pleased with mine. A climbing saw should start on the first pull. Period.

 

[Yamaha2112]

I'm slowly making the move to Echo myself.
Probably the most underrated brand at the moment.

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with my Stihls.
Not going to replace all of them, but Echo is looking better and better these days.

 

[TomSeller]

My 5 Stihls are some of my most reliable starters of my ~50 engines. They always start the same. I do not worry about the Stihls starting when I need them.