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General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: welderskelter on June 09, 2021, 03:49:25 PM

Title: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 09, 2021, 03:49:25 PM
Mine takes 5 pulls to fire on choke, and 5 pulls on high speed then it seems to always start. Its an 066 but my 038s seem to match. Just wondering if anybody has found an easier way. I do know from watching my neighbor that he usually gets his going faster but he is younger and stouter. I was trying to figure out how to put a primer bulb on it. Ha.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Tacotodd on June 09, 2021, 04:16:02 PM
Try choke on and fully pull the starter out SLOWLY about 5 times. Then regular pull to start. Sounds like they need some carb tuning.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Twowithone on June 09, 2021, 04:26:54 PM
My 026 was always a pain.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Hilltop366 on June 09, 2021, 04:45:36 PM
My 361 is the same way since new, I thought it was because I use it infrequently but after a year and a half of sitting I pulled my 25 year old Dolmar 115 out of the shed and it started on the forth pull so I guess not.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Spike60 on June 09, 2021, 04:50:26 PM
Oh yes, always. That is definitely a problem with most if not all Stihl products. Many Stihl owners spend a lot of time going to PT sessions from trying to start their saws.  Husky's on the other hand never have an issue starting. Not even the auto-tune models in the 92° temps we've had this week. I can't recall a customer ever complaining about a starting issue in the 30 years I've been in business.  Huskys always start on the first pull, and just wait until the new "voice command" start models arrive next year.  :D

Been a rough week, hope you boys are laughing.  8)
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: lxskllr on June 09, 2021, 04:55:37 PM
Spike...  :^D

My Stihls all start easily, but not as good as my echoes. I have a sick 026, a 362cm, and a 661cm. I formerly had a 362 non cm. My echoes are cs400, and cs2511t. My PoulanPro isn't even too bad, but it stalls more frequently when cutting conditions suddenly change. Might just need a bit of tuning.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: sprucebunny on June 09, 2021, 05:04:22 PM
I have no complaints about my small Stihls. Don't own anything else.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: btulloh on June 09, 2021, 05:37:30 PM
Mine aren't hard to start as long as I don't leave fuel too long and I follow the recommended procedure. I did have a problem with my old 026 for a while, but I found if the trigger was held wot during the choking phase it would prime a lot faster. I think the choke mechanism was designed to do that, but over time it got out of adjustment and failed to hold the throttle. Probably could have fixed that, but I just keep a little velcro strap there to hold the trigger. The 066 might need the same little helper. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Gary Davis on June 09, 2021, 08:30:37 PM
try a new spark plug I have several stihs and they all start easy  the 038 was having trouble but the plug had not been changed for 20 years 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 09, 2021, 10:42:29 PM
I am not saying my stihls are not dependable. If they had been I wouldnt have them. Its just that I would like to start easier because an 066 about makes me wonder how much longer I can run that thing. I would hate to have to go to a smaller saw because they just cant keep up. I enjoy cutting with that saw. I will just have to eat more wheaties before I go to the woods.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: btulloh on June 09, 2021, 11:02:05 PM
Quote from: Gary Davis on June 09, 2021, 08:30:37 PM
try a new spark plug I have several stihs and they all start easy  the 038 was having trouble but the plug had not been changed for 20 years
Have you had the plugs out lately?  At least take a look. I tend to run my plugs too long and I'm always amazed when I finally put a new one in a saw. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: thecfarm on June 10, 2021, 05:22:51 AM
Quote from: Tacotodd on June 09, 2021, 04:16:02 PM
Try choke on and fully pull the starter out SLOWLY about 5 times. Then regular pull to start. Sounds like they need some carb tuning.
Listen to him!!!
I have a 372 husky. Have to pull 4-5-6 times on that thing. Than I did what Tacotodd posted. That saw will almost start on the 2nd pull now. I think I slowly pull my 3 times. But whatever works.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: aigheadish on June 10, 2021, 08:02:25 AM
My first real exposure to a chainsaw was a small 16" (MS260? I don't remember) Stihl, borrowed from my FIL. It made me completely crazy with the amount of pulling I had to do to get it running. I eventually replaced the spark plug and carb on it and that made it a little better but after seeing my neighbor fire up his Husqvarna 455, very easily, I went that route when I bought my own. I don't use it too frequently but it always starts easily. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Fishnuts2 on June 10, 2021, 08:38:14 AM
I always thought my Stihl blower, trimmers, and saws started pretty good until I started using and collecting other brands.  There is a difference for sure.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: PoginyHill on June 10, 2021, 08:51:55 AM
I'll have to try Tacotodd's method. Mine start reliably, but it can take 5+ pulls. My newer 261CM starts easier - maybe 3-4pulls most of the time. Ones with traditional carbs, I was told to pull with full choke until you here ANY firing - even a blip. Then partial choke. Otherwise you'll flood it. That seems to work for me.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: JJinAK on June 10, 2021, 06:10:34 PM
It will be tough to out-do @Spike60 (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=13669) for the answer of the day!  I guess I should have switched a long time ago.  I have a 362, and a 461, and I really don't have issues with either.  I tried some voice command on them earlier, but no avail.  Waiting for the upgrade.

JaJ
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Hilltop366 on June 10, 2021, 06:24:13 PM
Quote from: JJinAK on June 10, 2021, 06:10:34 PMI tried some voice command on them earlier, but no avail.  Waiting for the upgrade.


Had a car salesperson tell me about a customer trading in his car and wanted to know if the new one had voice activated cruse control like his old one, the sales man said "I've never heard of that" the old guy says " sure it does every time I go over 100 kph I hear a woman's voice saying SLOW THE %$# DOWN! 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: barbender on June 10, 2021, 07:46:40 PM
My Stihl doesn't start any harder than my Husky or Jred saws. In fact, my Jred 2171 is a bit of a son of a gun to start if it has sat for a while. It takes a lot of pulls to get gas through it.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: 421Altered on June 11, 2021, 11:26:38 AM
What PoginyHill said above, but, critical that you hear it "pop".  When you hear it pop, put choke control lever one notch up from full choke, and pull till it starts.  After it starts, let it idle for 3-5 minutes before using.
  Another way i sometimes use is to pour a very small amount of mix onto the air cleaner, then crank it, seems to me to be about 1 or 2 less pulls this way.
  These methods are for a cold saw.  A warm saw, don't choke it at all, just pull the rope and if it's in tune, it should crank first or second pull.
  I volunteer with a church chainsaw team.  They don't use a chainsaw till we go to a disaster.  They almost always flood the saw.  They can't hear the pop, and just keep pulling with it on full choke.  So, now I tell them, on a cold saw, put it on full choke, pull sharply three times, move lever up one notch, pull till it cranks, don't touch the saw, let it idle 3-5 minutes while putting on the ppe, then saw is ready to take the throttle and work.
  I only use Stihls, 024,032, 038M, 064, 084. Church group uses ms250, ms361, ms261cm, these methods work on all of them.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: 421Altered on June 11, 2021, 11:31:50 AM
I should have said the ms261cm is the sole exception to this starting method.  For a cold start move lever all the way down and crank it.  Let it idle 3-5 minutes and it's ready to work.  For a warm start, don't do anything but pull the rope!
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: 21incher on June 11, 2021, 01:34:38 PM
My Stihl ms 290 saw, fs 85r wacker , and backpack blower were all hard starting.  That's  why I switched  to all Echo products and would never go back to Stihl after experiencing the difference. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 11, 2021, 02:15:31 PM
I never let mine idle unless I set it down to throw a limb out of the way. I like to let it warm up about 10 seconds then it wants to start sawing.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Ianab on June 11, 2021, 04:09:46 PM
There does seem to be an "Art" to starting them. 

From cold it's setting full choke, then pull them over a few times until it "pops". You aren't trying to start them at that point, so you don't have to be very energetic, and a slower pull will do the job. I figure this "primes" the carb, and it now has fuel in it. Then flick the lever to the actual "starting" position, and it should start  with 2 or 3 more pulls. Some other saws do start easier, but at least my Stihl is consistent. 

Warm should be no problem, don't use the full choke, push the lever to full choke, but bring it back to the start position before you pull. Might take one pull, or 3, but it should fire up fine. 

Where I sometimes mess up is if the saw has sat for 10 minutes or so. Now is it "warm", or has it cooled off  ???  If you guess wrong then, you can flood it.  So I usually try the warm start. If that doesn't work, then ONE pull of full choke, and back to the warm start usually gets it going. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: firefighter ontheside on June 11, 2021, 04:34:11 PM
I have never had any problem starting any Stihl that I have had or the FD has had.  They have all started exactly the same if you follow the start up procedure in the manual.  The only thing I ever had trouble with was my Stihl string trimmer.  I got rid of it because it would not start.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: ladylake on June 12, 2021, 04:12:39 AM

 Out on saw jobs I see a lot of Stihls hard to start even after being run earlier, some start good.  Steve 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: grabber green on June 12, 2021, 06:42:26 AM
welderskelter ,No, stihl saws aren't always hard to start. Mine have always started easy and I had never heard of anybody having trouble starting one until this thread. I can recomend an electric chainsaw to replace your smaller saws. A friend of mine use to keep one plugged up at the tail of his mill for trimming ,just hit the trigger and cut.Worked great and  saved alot of starter rope.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 12, 2021, 09:32:21 AM
Grabber Green, I dont have any trouble starting my stihls. It just seems like the 10 pulls it takes to start mine is too much. I thought when I started this that I would find some guys that had already solved the problem for me and I wouldnt have to invent the wheel to do it.( An electric chainsaw. Now thems fighten words.) Ha. :snowball:                                
I thought about getting a Husky for a starter motor. :D
Any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: btulloh on June 12, 2021, 09:36:55 AM
None of the suggestions above help at all?
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 12, 2021, 12:30:07 PM
btulloh. Yes they might. Only I have just changed the plug. And the way I start mine is pretty much as everybody else says. I do clean the air filter regularly.  Dont know what else to do. Thanks everybody.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: donbj on June 12, 2021, 01:52:14 PM
Quote from: welderskelter on June 12, 2021, 09:32:21 AMI thought about getting a Husky for a starter motor.


Well at least you'll have a dependable starter motor! :)
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: thecfarm on June 12, 2021, 09:50:19 PM
Pulling it over slowly with the choke on does not help?   ???  Made a BIG difference with my 372 husky. 
I also have a new 450 that I do the same thing. The slow start. That sometimes will catch and start on me.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: SwampDonkey on June 13, 2021, 05:21:35 AM
Only Stihl I've run was a clearing saw. Never started hard. Push in decompression. Prime 3 or 4 times, two pulls. And the pulls was short not like starting a lawn mower. Couple quick snaps and you're off. Husqvarna was some getting used to, on those choke/switch button gizmos. Push decompression, prime 5 times, 3 or 4 light pulls, then she fired up. And it don't run smooth at first either, same with their clearing saws, gotta trigger feed it a few times for it to wake up. And that's brand new to. Now if we had the real Husqvarnas without those primer bulbs and switch gizmos you'd see a world of difference start'n them. You can't always improve upon what already worked, you just make a mess of it. :D
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Spike60 on June 13, 2021, 05:51:24 AM
I was being a goofball before, but on the serious side, some of this is often the case of guys getting older and not being able to to snap the rope as quick as they used to. And looking at the age of some of the posters, I wonder if that's part of it. Please don't anyone get offended. But this happens quite frequently in the shop. Often with someone I've known for years. Natural to think it must be the saw, but blanket statements suggesting everything a company makes being hard to start means we ought to look at the bigger picture.

Ignition coils need certain RPM's to fire at all. Traditionally, most saws would fire at about 1400-1500 RPM's. Less than that and there's just no spark. Some newer coils fire at 700 RPM's. This is the deal on some of the newer Huskys without a deco on them. Decos have their own downside in that they make the saw easier to pull, but now you're trying to start a saw with minimal compression. A problem that's worse with both new saws that aren't broken in and older saws that might be getting tired.

One thing we can't see here is anyone attempting to start a saw. When I run into this at the store, I usually ask a customer to "show me how you start it". It's then obvious if they are struggling to pull the starter rope. Then I have to diplomatically explain what's going on. As I'm almost 65 myself, I say "we" when talking about getting old. Can't just start the saw and embarrass the guy.

This is something to consider as we get older, among a whole list of things we'll all be dealing with. Part of life.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on June 13, 2021, 05:58:33 AM
Chainsaws are like women. They are all sisters  but not identical twins .Some no matter what brand or age you just have to handle differently .Stihl as a whole aren't any harder to start than any other brand .
Three examples ,038 Magnum ,modified .On a cold start maybe 10 pulls .After first start nearly every time on one .Stihl 024 usually 5 or 6  cold ,1  or 2 warm .Husqvarna 2100 CD .Cold  1 with the choke ,after just one no choke else it will flood .maybe 4 or 5 after .BTW you do not want to flood a 99 cc chainsaw with no de-comp . :o
Stihl blower and weed wacker .Usually 3 or 4 prime bulb, choke .They always start easy .
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on June 13, 2021, 06:07:51 AM
To add to what Spike said what will help is a D-Handle where you can get a good grip on .Of all I've ever used the D from a Stihl 460 rescue saw is the best I've found .
A story on hot mags .My modified 038 mag will fire on a relatively slow pull .It nearly pulled good old Fred ( Stihl Boy ) through the recoil once .I scolded him .Any time you see a D on a chainsaw it's on there for a reason .These are not the trim the apple tree in the back yard twice a year type saws .
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: gspren on June 13, 2021, 07:58:00 AM
Quote from: 421Altered on June 11, 2021, 11:31:50 AM
I should have said the ms261cm is the sole exception to this starting method.  For a cold start move lever all the way down and crank it.  Let it idle 3-5 minutes and it's ready to work.  For a warm start, don't do anything but pull the rope!
That sounds like an awful long time at idle, I don't think I let mine idle more than 20 seconds before I blip it a time or 2 and get cutting.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: barbender on June 13, 2021, 09:06:39 AM
I could go back in and have coffee if I let my saw warm up for that long!😂😂
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: 421Altered on June 13, 2021, 12:53:43 PM
Maybe I'm letting mine idle too long.  I know a 2 stroke air cooled engine is different than a 4 stroke water cooled engine.  But, I was thinking with the longer idle time that the bearings, piston and rings would be pretty much heat soaked before I started making heavy cuts with the saw, thereby helping the saw to last many more years.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: barbender on June 13, 2021, 01:25:40 PM
I wouldn't say what you are doing is incorrect, just that most of us are too impatient to leave ours idling😊
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on June 13, 2021, 08:54:58 PM
The Amsoil crowd give me the raspberries about my old school 32 to 1 mix .They fail to realize my saws seldom idle so how could they carbon up ? ;D
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: barbender on June 13, 2021, 09:30:59 PM
Amsoil can keep their raspberries😂 I do like their Sabre oil, but I sure don't run it at 100:1. 32:1 for me, no fouling either. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: donbj on June 13, 2021, 10:15:50 PM
Quote from: Spike60 on June 13, 2021, 05:51:24 AM
I was being a goofball before, but on the serious side, some of this is often the case of guys getting older and not being able to to snap the rope as quick as they used to. And looking at the age of some of the posters, I wonder if that's part of it. Please don't anyone get offended. But this happens quite frequently in the shop. Often with someone I've known for years. Natural to think it must be the saw, but blanket statements suggesting everything a company makes being hard to start means we ought to look at the bigger picture.

Ignition coils need certain RPM's to fire at all. Traditionally, most saws would fire at about 1400-1500 RPM's. Less than that and there's just no spark. Some newer coils fire at 700 RPM's. This is the deal on some of the newer Huskys without a deco on them. Decos have their own downside in that they make the saw easier to pull, but now you're trying to start a saw with minimal compression. A problem that's worse with both new saws that aren't broken in and older saws that might be getting tired.

One thing we can't see here is anyone attempting to start a saw. When I run into this at the store, I usually ask a customer to "show me how you start it". It's then obvious if they are struggling to pull the starter rope. Then I have to diplomatically explain what's going on. As I'm almost 65 myself, I say "we" when talking about getting old. Can't just start the saw and embarrass the guy.

This is something to consider as we get older, among a whole list of things we'll all be dealing with. Part of life.
Yes, for sure! And I can only toss a non starter 30' now vs 50' back in my younger days! :D 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: 421Altered on June 14, 2021, 10:14:42 AM
With our church volunteer group's ms261cm the guy that runs it nearly always when the saw is cold, when he cranks it, immediately, and I mean as quick as he can, he pulls the throttle.  Most of the time it shuts down. It has to run a little bit before it will run and cut.  The saw is still fairly new, not more than 6-7 tanks through it.  
   He also has trouble cranking the ms250's, and ms 361, like a lot of people, he can't tell when it 'pops", and keeps choking it till it''s hopelessly flooded.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Skeans1 on June 14, 2021, 10:28:36 AM
Out of the couple Stihl saws I have the only decent starting one is a 500i I don't think I've pulled on the cord more the. 5 times to get it to start since day one. The 462 is ok just requires a lot more pulls even with the cylinder primed it also seems like it's more sensitive to how long it sits vs my Huskies I've ran previously.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: zippski on June 14, 2021, 12:51:23 PM
My MS461 was always a hard starter when cold.  About 8-10 pulls, but only 1-2 after being warmed up.  

So far, my MS500i is a huge disappointment in the starting department.  It gets a lot harder to start as the temps rise.  Many, many pushes in the primer, and many start-miss-run-out-of-fuel misfires before it finally lights up and stays running.  I have tried every starting technique I can think of to get rid of this annoying issue.  I have already had it back to dealer who says "it checks out fine on our computer".  It's not fine and I am starting to get peeved - I expected much more from an CAN$1800.00 saw that was supposed to have "computer fuel injection".  Apparently I am not the only one with this issue with the MS500i.  There is a discussion going on in the other-forum-that-shall-not-be-named about exactly the same starting issues and symptoms. 

Best starting Stihl I have ever owned is my MS362.  That thing starts super easy, even when cold.  One pull once warmed up. 

Leigh
zippski
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Greenhighlander on June 14, 2021, 04:13:13 PM
The only Stihl saw I have is a ms 251 .  No matter the temp it takes 3 pulls with the choke on , then one pull with it off to start cold. When warm it is one pull .  It has been that way for all the years and the many hundreds of hours I have used it. 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: realzed on June 14, 2021, 08:54:04 PM
Gotta love the original rhetorical question that began this thread..
Struck me as something one would hear like: "how come all Husky type of saw clutches have so many problems and issues and why haven't they changed the design?" or "why do all Echo tools need so much service, and why is so hard to get decent service - is it poor dealerships or bad parts availability?"
This all sounded and hit me as if it was one of those 'have you stopped beating up your wife yet?' type of questions meant to smear someone or in this case a brand with a wide brush with no means of logical response that sounds or seems valid..
I'm sure all types of saws (or any manner of yard and small utility equipment for that matter) have a wide range of users who have experienced various difficulties using or getting them to perform the way they expected when they first acquired them - some of those issues obviously stemming from an inability to properly read operator's manuals and/or follow instructions well, and some could be due to poorly set up equipment - possibly even from new..
But just maybe, many the expectations of those who use them are also unexpectedly higher than they should be in many cases, due to naivety or even advertising hype..
Just my own take on it obviously, but I have had experiences with many various brands of saws and a lot of other small equipment that gave me both fits and pleasures using, but seldom have I blamed the brand before I blamed the setup of the pieces themselves or the condition they were actually in by the time I got to use them!
Just say'n..
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 14, 2021, 11:55:05 PM
Realzed.There were about 40 some different posts on here about starting chainsaws. That was my intent when I posted it. I gave away my old 700 McCoulloh when I bought my 066 because my neighbor needed a saw and it couldnt keep up with the Stihl.  That 700 would pop on the second pull and lots of the time I would get the choke in before it stopped. So excuse me for wondering if it was a thing with Stihls to take longer to crank. I do realize that the 700 carb was bolted to the block. The stihl carb is on a rubber hose about 2 and a half inches back from the block. That might be a factor.
But I reread your post and I still beat my wife when playing scrabble quite often. And I am not blaming Stihl. If I was I would be a hypocrite because the only kind of saws in my shed are Stihl 025,3-038s, 045, and an 066. I am kind of stuck on stihls. I bought the 066 new in 04 for 750 dollars.so I am sure it wasnt hurt.
I dont think you posted to try to help anybody. And you certainly didnt hurt me as I am used to posts like this one.
I do hope you have a nice day. Thank you.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: lxskllr on June 15, 2021, 06:26:28 PM
What's the definition of a hard to start saw? My Stihls I can get running in ≤5 pulls most times, doesn't matter how long they've been sitting. After warmed up, they're one pull starts. That's not as good as my echoes, especially the 2511t. About all it takes to start that is a stern look. I can sometimes start that in one pull cold if I'm fast turning the choke off. My echoes are small though, so it's not an apple-apple comparison.

How many pulls does it take before someone thinks "This saw starts hard"?
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Real1shepherd on June 15, 2021, 07:11:32 PM
My definition on a well tuned, no air leaks saw....excessive would be more than 5 pulls to start cold. If you're pulling your saw 10 times to start it cold, that's ridiculous and either a bad design or some problem in the saw itself. I wouldn't tolerate that and I run older saws.

In my mind, the newer saws should start better than older saws.....unless EPA requirements have messed that up.

Kevin
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: donbj on June 15, 2021, 09:17:48 PM
Quote from: Real1shepherd on June 15, 2021, 07:11:32 PM
My definition on a well tuned, no air leaks saw....excessive would be more than 5 pulls to start cold. If you're pulling your saw 10 times to start it cold, that's ridiculous and either a bad design or some problem in the saw itself. I wouldn't tolerate that and I run older saws.

In my mind, the newer saws should start better than older saws.....unless EPA requirements have messed that up.

Kevin
I cycle my saws to keep them from sitting too long without running. After sitting a month and a half the 394 was running in three pulls. Two on choke and one to fire up. If I was quicker I could have had it on two if I got the choke pushed in in time. The two 2100's are the same within a pull or two. 181SE 3-4 tugs, Jonsered 820, 2065, 262XP average 5-6 pulls. I have a late 60's 65 series that fires up on 4-5 pulls.
The only running Stihl I have is an 034 Super that takes about a dozen or more to fire up. But once it fires up it is an awesome cutting saw, just harder to start.
I don't have the experience in this regard as many of you guys but the red ones seem to take off quicker.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: welderskelter on June 15, 2021, 09:44:43 PM
Never had a red saw , dont know why. Havent heard that much bad about them. My neighbor liked them. I have a 2004 model 066 stihl, my neighbor just bought one last year, my other neighbor has had one of the old flat top ones for ever and I believe the other one of his is a 754 an old saw. All of these saws takes 8 to 10 pulls no matter how cold. But you gotta luv em they really make sawdust.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on June 16, 2021, 08:38:48 AM
Well again it seems every saw has a personality .I have several large displacement saws that see very little action .As such rather than wear my arm out I give them a little prime on the first start which afterwards  they  fire right up .
Two identical saws Partner P-100 99 cc high compression no decomp .D-handles of course .One 3-4 pulls on choke one after choke off .Putt putt putt .The second same 3-4 with choke on  then set the throttle lock and one or two it's off and running .Both after a warm up one or two .I can live with that .
People complain about having a 3 cuber that won't start .Try that on a 6 cuber with a large bore Tillotson model HS carb that is designed to push a high fuel volume because it takes a lot of fuel for them to operate .As such there's fine line between starting and flooding .You do not want to flood a high displacement saw .


  
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Real1shepherd on June 16, 2021, 10:05:43 AM
Quote from: donbj on June 15, 2021, 09:17:48 PM
Quote from: Real1shepherd on June 15, 2021, 07:11:32 PM
My definition on a well tuned, no air leaks saw....excessive would be more than 5 pulls to start cold. If you're pulling your saw 10 times to start it cold, that's ridiculous and either a bad design or some problem in the saw itself. I wouldn't tolerate that and I run older saws.

In my mind, the newer saws should start better than older saws.....unless EPA requirements have messed that up.

Kevin
I cycle my saws to keep them from sitting too long without running. After sitting a month and a half the 394 was running in three pulls. Two on choke and one to fire up. If I was quicker I could have had it on two if I got the choke pushed in in time. The two 2100's are the same within a pull or two. 181SE 3-4 tugs, Jonsered 820, 2065, 262XP average 5-6 pulls. I have a late 60's 65 series that fires up on 4-5 pulls.
The only running Stihl I have is an 034 Super that takes about a dozen or more to fire up. But once it fires up it is an awesome cutting saw, just harder to start.
I don't have the experience in this regard as many of you guys but the red ones seem to take off quicker.
Exactly. All my old J'reds(80,90 910,621) and the Husky 2100 start in three pulls....if I'm quick with the choke when they spit, one less pull. My newer J'red 2094 starts around 3-5 pulls....but I need to run and practice starting with it more. It needs a carb kit too and an USC session. It had some hasty work done before I bought it. Fantastic saw though and I can't say enough good about it....finding parts...forgetaboutit....lol.  

While saws can have individual personalities, the same models are more alike than unlike. That's how I can tell for example, if a 2100 is tuned and running right.

Kevin
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: donbj on June 16, 2021, 09:47:00 PM
So far the 394 is the quickest start. Got a couple more coming my way.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on June 17, 2021, 08:43:20 AM
If mine become hard to start which they will with some age I find out why .The very first saw I ever bought ,a Poulan S25DA will still start in about 4-5 pulls after sitting  for two years .Fact ,perhaps just luck , I had the saw for 30 plus years before I needed to rebuild the carb .One carb rebuild, one clutch side seal and new fuel lines since 1974 .
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Real1shepherd on June 17, 2021, 09:23:30 AM
Quote from: donbj on June 16, 2021, 09:47:00 PM
So far the 394 is the quickest start. Got a couple more coming my way.
Do tell!!

Kevin
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: ehp on June 17, 2021, 09:48:45 PM
Yep my stihls are hard to start. The 462 started on second pull this morning and the 400 took 3 pulls and that from not running sense yesterday . Have seen lots of times the 462 start on first pull
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: donbj on June 17, 2021, 09:56:22 PM
Quote from: Real1shepherd on June 17, 2021, 09:23:30 AM
Quote from: donbj on June 16, 2021, 09:47:00 PM
So far the 394 is the quickest start. Got a couple more coming my way.
Do tell!!

Kevin
Still in the works but looks good.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on June 18, 2021, 06:16:51 AM
A little story from a few years back .Two dead ash trees about 30" in diameter ,two saws ,Stihl 038 mag, modified . Stock 700 McCulloch .In the course of the day in 90 plus degree weather bucked nearly 6 cords of wood with a helper .
Alternating between two saws of course the Stihl out gunned the old Mac .Quite frankly it will run straight up with a stock 660 . Even in that heat it always fired up on one pull after a refuel .The Mac with the horizontal cylinder needed a 20 minute cool off after a fuel stop .
I wore my helper to a frazzle ,in his 40's .I was around 62 at the time .He said to my wife RIP ,I can't believe that old man out worked me .She said he's been at it a lot longer than you as I sat on my patio having a cold one ,barley pop you know . ;)
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Canuckhunter on September 08, 2021, 11:11:30 AM
Quote from: PoginyHill on June 10, 2021, 08:51:55 AM
I'll have to try Tacotodd's method. Mine start reliably, but it can take 5+ pulls. My newer 261CM starts easier - maybe 3-4pulls most of the time. Ones with traditional carbs, I was told to pull with full choke until you here ANY firing - even a blip. Then partial choke. Otherwise you'll flood it. That seems to work for me.
My Stihl 311 has exactly the same routine to start.
Full choke til it hints at a blip then half choke and away it goes. From start usually 3 pulls once warm I set it to half choke and it starts mostly after one pull. Took me a long while to figure out this routine.
My 025 stihl I had for 20 years would start with no routine after 2 pulls, darn that was an awesome saw. Lost that saw in a divorce, still burns me.
I just bought a 261 pro saw this year to do smaller work around our land and I have to say that is an easy starter as well. With the electronics in it I usually start on the first pull but sometimes it takes two.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: sablatnic on September 08, 2021, 03:46:00 PM
No problems with my Stihls, the Husqvarna 180 is worse. And the Lombard is far worse!
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: CUT N RUN on October 15, 2021, 12:33:40 PM
Quote from: welderskelter on June 09, 2021, 03:49:25 PM
Mine takes 5 pulls to fire on choke, and 5 pulls on high speed then it seems to always start. Its an 066 but my 038s seem to match. Just wondering if anybody has found an easier way. I do know from watching my neighbor that he usually gets his going faster but he is younger and stouter. I was trying to figure out how to put a primer bulb on it. Ha.
congrats on the fact you  own a 066 , and you are 71 y.o.  and can still run it !!  I wish i had one   :-\ - - years ago i went with non ethanol fuel , and pulled carbs for cleaning and diaphragms , = much better starting . oem carb kits are cheap , and i found it was only a 1 or 2 beer job !
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Spike60 on October 15, 2021, 01:55:36 PM



That right there is a more interesting way to calculate your labor rate.  :)
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: WLzM1A on February 10, 2022, 03:43:21 AM
Quote from: welderskelter on June 09, 2021, 03:49:25 PM
Mine takes 5 pulls to fire on choke, and 5 pulls on high speed then it seems to always start. Its an 066 but my 038s seem to match. Just wondering if anybody has found an easier way. I do know from watching my neighbor that he usually gets his going faster but he is younger and stouter. I was trying to figure out how to put a primer bulb on it. Ha.
Stihl trying to start it :D I have a MS250 that will make ya wanna throw it when cold.  My 038 is fine, my 066 is fine.  
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: moodnacreek on February 10, 2022, 08:45:20 AM
There is a pile of Stihls up at the sawmill and only one or two start easy. The little 017's are the worst, about 20 pulls if not primed in the morning. I have even tried new oem carbs and that helps for a few weeks. The 262 Husky will start quick and one of the 039's also. If they had prime buttons there would be nothing to it.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Fishnuts2 on February 10, 2022, 09:24:00 AM
Quote from: welderskelter on June 12, 2021, 12:30:07 PM
btulloh. Yes they might. Only I have just changed the plug. And the way I start mine is pretty much as everybody else says. I do clean the air filter regularly.  Dont know what else to do. Thanks everybody.
Maybe try opening up the low speed jet a little bit.  That helped some for me it seems.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Al_Smith on February 10, 2022, 10:11:09 AM
Some people make a big deal out of rebuilding a carb which it is  not .Some say they "cleaned " the carb which normally is an exercise in futility  .If it's all stiffened up it just plain will not work correctly, simple as that .Every carb manufacturer has a web site with directions trouble shooting etc .If you can't follow directions just google it on you tube and watch .It doesn't even take me one beer to rebuild a carb ,about 10-15 minutes tops .BTW you don't need to use aviation fuel, marine gasoline or designer fuels like VP .As a rule they will run just fine and dandy on pump gas .It's not about the fuel but rather the fuel delivery . 
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: 421Altered on February 10, 2022, 11:04:15 AM
Sometimes I cheat a little when I know a saw hasn't run in a day or so, and it's a hard one to pull over.  Like my 038 magnum, and my 064, neither one has a decomp button, so, you don't want to pull it any more than you have to.  What I do is remove the air filter cover, splash just a little mix on the air filter, choke it, and turn saw over to compression point, and give it a strong, smart pull. 9 times out of 10 she will fire right up! Sometimes may have to pull it once more.  Don't overdo the splash or you'll flood it.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: moodnacreek on February 10, 2022, 07:36:41 PM
Quote from: 421Altered on February 10, 2022, 11:04:15 AM
Sometimes I cheat a little when I know a saw hasn't run in a day or so, and it's a hard one to pull over.  Like my 038 magnum, and my 064, neither one has a decomp button, so, you don't want to pull it any more than you have to.  What I do is remove the air filter cover, splash just a little mix on the air filter, choke it, and turn saw over to compression point, and give it a strong, smart pull. 9 times out of 10 she will fire right up! Sometimes may have to pull it once more.  Don't overdo the splash or you'll flood it.
Thats not cheating here, it's standard procedure.
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Dave Shepard on February 10, 2022, 09:13:09 PM
My 020T and 036PRO started well, but both have been on the bench for many years with carb and fuel line problems. Both bought new/low hours. :-\ Every Stihl I've run for other people has been tough to start. My 395XP is one pull choked and one pull unchoked and it's idling, and it doesn't start at full throttle, either. ::)
Title: Re: Are Stihl saws always hard to start?
Post by: Magicman on February 10, 2022, 09:58:47 PM
I only have 3 Stihl saws but I also have 3 Stihl leaf blowers.  Each of them have their own starting peculiarities and sequence but none of them like to be 'over choked'.  Full choke until it hits and then half choke until it starts which usually is not but one more pull. 

I had trouble with the 362 when I first got it but the trouble was me thinking that it needed to be choked during the day on restarts.