Stihl ms261 problem

[CJBOTA]

I have been using two Stihl chain saws for the last few years. One was an ms250 and the other is a ms 361. I use the saws quite a bit. We generally cut between 10 to 15 chords of wood each year. Anyway, the last two years the ms 250 has been Nickel and diming me to death. More importantly, my time comes at a premium these days. Nothing worse on a nice Saturday morning than a chain saw that is not working.
The ms250 is a residential grade saw. I always liked it because of it's power to weight ratio. But since I started having constant problems with it I decided to upgrade to a "better" saw. I zeroed in on the Ms261. Although it is a little heavier than the ms 250 it has more power and is rated for commercial use. I was a little shocked at the price of $620, but my dealer said it was a great saw.
So the first day I use it, it starts right up and runs great. I'm thinking great choice, lots of power, not that heavy, my problems are over for a while. Well that lasted for one tank of gas. I stopped and refueled and then it wouldn't start. I pulled and pulled, took a break and pulled some more. Quit for the day and later pulled some more. The next day I pulled and pulled some more. The more I pulled the madder I got. I took it back to the dealer and told them for $620 it should last more then one tank of gas. They checked it out and said there was no spark. They said they would order a new module and get it running. When I got home my wife yelled at me for not making them give me a new saw. I guess I'm getting soft in my old age. So they called today and said the saw was ready to go. When I pick it up tomorrow I am going to ask them how often I am going to have to replace this module and how much does it cost when the warranty runs out. I swear to god if this thing breaks again I am going to sove it up somebody's butt. I am mad as **** and I am not going to take it anymore.

 

[mikehaugen]

I don't know, problems happen, even with new things. The 261 has a great reputation (maybe not as good as the older 026 though) and it sounds like your dealer took care of it appropriately. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[jeff9366]

I have been using an MS261 for three years, with no problems. I buy Stihl products because of reliable dealer support. I hope dealer will get your saw in good shape immediately or replace it.

I had an MS250, bought used, prior to the MS261, my first new chainsaw and lightest in Stihl's commercial line. The MS261 is a lot more saw.

 

[lumberjack1986]

I would save the righteous anger for something more deserving. Things break, if you can't handle that, buy your firewood from someone.

I have a Husky T540 (~$640) that made it through a couple tanks and it started running very poorly. Turns out the impulse line split... stuff happens. My dealer is ~550 miles away, they overnighted me another impulse line and all is well.


If your saw won't start in a few pulls... something is wrong and wearing yourself out on the pull cord isn't going to fix it.

 

[CobyRupert]

I would save the righteous anger for something more deserving. Things break, if you can't handle that, buy your firewood from someone.

If your saw won't start in a few pulls... something is wrong and wearing yourself out on the pull cord isn't going to fix it.

- Naw, don't listen to this. If you do something but don't get the desired results, just keep repeating the same thing that doesn't work over and over, then take a break and repeat it again. Quit for the day and try it again. The next day, try the same thing that didn't work again and again and again. Remember- just keep repeating the same thing that doesn't work. Expect different results!! Good luck!

Sorry, I kid your approach. A more helpful approach would be to learn how to 1) check for spark. 2) check for gas entering cylinder. 3) The only thing left is making sure air can get in there too. - That's going to diagnose over 95% of all your problems. There's lots of resources on here and the internet. It's not hard, and you'll feel better doing it yourself. Though, if it's under warrantee and you've got the time for a trip to the dealer.....eh, forget what I said.

 

[CJBOTA]

Ok guys, good advice. Since I've gotten older I just don't seem to have the patience I once had. To be honest it's not just the chain saw. It seems like every day something different breaks. I've got myself spread to thin. I used to take the time to learn and do things myself. Many things just seem more complicated today. Have you looked at the owners manuals today. There are3 pages of safety warnings then one sentence telling you how to do something. Then you start looking for more information and the only thing you can find is the same sentence in 9 different languages. But you guys are right, you just got to find a way to figure it out. Thanks for the input and letting me vent. I am also glad to here good things about the 261.

 

[CobyRupert]

True, my old saw manual would tell me how to set the low and high jets. Like you say, the new manuals now instead have 3 pages of safety warnings and one sentence. Unfortunately that sentence usually is "Take chainsaw to a qualified dealer for service."

 

[cre10]

Is yours an M tronic?

 

[s219]

Hopefully that was the only problem. I have owned a 261 for about 3 years and it's been great. My 261 is not an Mtronic model though. While it does improve performance/efficiency, I am not sold on Mtronic myself, as it makes the saw more complex than I can service in the field.

 

[CJBOTA]

The dealer told me they have sold several of these and this was the first one with this problem. He said this part is warranted for 5 years and out of warranty it would cost $100 to replace. Now that I have calmed down i still think this is a good choice. We are going to cut some wood this weekend so we'll see how it goes. Great power to weight ratio. I also had him adjust the oiler to full open. It wasn't using much chain oil. Mine is also a Milltronic but I'm not sure what that means.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I bought a husky 372xp. Good saw. Ran for awhile then it wouldn't shut off. Somehow the ignition wire got shredded (copper) and there was no way to disconnect it. I fixed it in about 10 minutes and aside from ruining a bar or two (use it for cutting dirty stumps), it's been a good saw. Have had problems with Stihl but other I know haven't. Everything has issues and I agree with your assessment of yourself. When you are spread thin, everything is a crisis or you don't have the patience to deal with it. I have always tried to be patient with inanimate objects and stupid people. it keeps my blood pressure down.

I would suggest, as something I've learned running a land clearing business for 20 years, to have a backup in place that will get me by while my front-line machine or tool is in the shop. that saves a lot of stress, too, but I feel the pain of a $600 saw. If you can find a used husky 346xp, I'd pick one of those up for a backup. It zips through firewood and is fairly light for its power.

 

[TomSeller]

I have an MS261 and it quickly became my go-to saw over my MS441, MS026 and MS192T. I have not had a problem with my 261, I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

In time I have become more patient. I guess it is because I have experienced so much that things like this are just something you work through. Stihl is a top notch company and I would be surprised if they don't make it right it it fails again (unlikely). Good luck.

 

[swines]

Your 261 is going to take about 5 tanks of fuel before it starts working at its top performance. You'll notice it loosening up and running better and faster. You'll need to retune the saw a bit richer after it loosens up.

Probably the best saw I currently own. After getting mine broken in, it now cold starts on the first pull if I'm fast enough to get the choke off.

Mine really likes fuel with no ethanol in it. If you can afford TruFuel, MotoMix, or VP 50:1 - try some and I think you'll notice a difference in performance. I use Torco 100 gas with Stihl oil in the winter as I can leave the fuel in the saw with no fear of gumming or the fuel going stale.

Great saw - you'll love the power after it's broken in.

 

[oldballs]

I gotta sympathize with CJBota,. having had the same experience. After using Homelites for about 40 years, I treated myself to the MS290, FarmBoss. I was so excited.....then had the warm no start problem after it started cold. Well my frustration was exhausting for this old fart.

But a visit to the dealer, who has good people, fixed that. Now I just a happy old fart again.