Did something dumb today.

[NE Woodburner]

They were only in the sun long enough to dry out so I'm really not too worried about UV damage for that short of a time. They did get pretty wet with a full tank of fuel mix dumped on them so that has me worried a bit. As I said before, they are not that old and were in good shape. Not more than a year ago I had replaced an old set that were dirty with sap and pretty worn and faded and thought it was time to upgrade.

I guess another $100 spent is better than a cut leg.

[WV Sawmiller]

  I'm just repeating what they said at the chainsaw safety class at the PBS.

[doc henderson]

there is an internal cam that has to turn as it closes, and if it is out of since, it pops out.  you can usually tell the triangle does not go into the notch.  when putting them in, I find the tab that is the smallest and line it up with the gap that is the smallest to get it started.  If it wasn't such a DANG puzzle.  I like the simple and reliable.  I had a screw cap that the inner part started moving in the outer and had to get a new one.  It at least was not like a murder mystery trying to figure out if anything or what was wrong.  and if you do not notice, you get gas all over yourself or your shop or vehicle.  other than that, they are ok.  

[Resonator]

Sometimes you can index the tab on the cap pushing it with a flathead screwdriver, then it will seal better. But ultimately they are a wear part, and my Stihl dealer keeps quite a few replacements in stock. One other fix the bigger MS series saw caps are interchangeable, as I have switched caps between my saws before to keep 1 saw going.

[rusticretreater]

Great, a design that allows folks with a hot saw to spill fuel everywhere.  Guess I'm going to Stihl away from them!

[Peter Drouin]

I don't have a stihl saw for a lot of reasons.

[mudfarmer]

what an odd thing for them to not just fix if it's such a problem I like the flip-up huskie caps, they are still threaded but don't need scrench if they are too tight and nothing puzzling about it

[rusticretreater]

Curious that they would take the risk of leaving these caps in production.  Sounds like a huge liability problem in the future, to the tune of millions upon millions of doe-re-mi.

[Hilltop366]

I have had no issue with mine on a 361 and the 261 that I have now but will factor in that I don't use my saw as much as a lot of people on here.

On the other hand I get accustomed to having them and when I grab my little Makita I miss the Stihl caps a bit.

[Crusarius]

I learned that if there is any sawdust in the seals they leak. I also learned that the stupid things are indexed so they only fit one way. Which is super freaking annoying. but overall when they are clean they work good.

[beenthere]

Have found no problem with mine at all. Won't say more. 

[jpassardi]

My weed whacker is a Stihl and was a PITA to start from day 1. Saws are all Husky and I have no complaints. I'm sure Stihl has many quality saws as well.

[aigheadish]

I've got a commercial grade Stihl weed eater that I haven't had issues with. I don't remember which one and thinking about it I don't remember if it's got the cam or screw cap.

[doc henderson]

I think they thought we would like the toolless caps and not need a scrench.  If you have a dozen chainsaws, you can prob. find something to stick in a slot to get a cap loose.  I think they fell into the trap of design for both homeowners and pro.

[Magicman]

I have 4 Stihls with flippys which have not given me any grief, but given the choice, I probably would choose the screw cap.

[doc henderson]

Your time may be coming , but you may also pay careful attention each time you replace the cap.  when it does not work right, it will get your goat.

[TimW]

My oil cap (forgot which Stihl) popped the locking lever up once and leaked a little.  I thought it was me just getting older and forgetting to push it down.

[doc henderson]

it usually feels different when closing it if it is wrong.  you can look to see if the triangular tab is setting properly in the corresponding notch.  or wait till gas or oil soaks your clothes.

[Magicman]

My oil cap (forgot which Stihl) popped the locking lever up once and leaked a little. 

Tim, I would say that if it popped open, it was not properly closed.

[TimW]

My oil cap (forgot which Stihl) popped the locking lever up once and leaked a little. 

Tim, I would say that if it popped open, it was not properly closed.

Thanks Lynn!

[jpassardi]

How bout you go with: "someone" didn't put it on properly...   

[doc henderson]

It is not always that you put it in the wrong orientation of the slots.  there is a thing where it does not fully "un-cam" and therefore it will not full close to the register tab and does not seal.  in fact, sort of pops up on one side and leaks

[JD Guy]

I've had only 1 or 2 instances in over 40 years with my Stihl saws where the caps didn't seat properly and I got doused. Obvious operator error and ever since those early adventurers I'm diligent about putting them back on properly. Oh, one of those instances I didn't put the gas cap on at all....thinking about other things and refueled and just picked up,the saw and started cutting 

[Magicman]

I did that with oil.  Of course I have also heard of an instance where the fuel tank was topped off with chainsaw oil. 

[Resonator]

Had a customer a few years back get a good deal on a saw that way. Previous owner had put bar oil in the gas tank, and vice versa, and insisted the saw was ruined. My customer dumped the tanks, refilled the proper fluids, and it started right up.