Stihl ms311 air filter issues

[Frypan]

Anyone having air filtration issues with new stihl saws?
After purchasing a new  saw from stihl, a ms311 I  would have to say that I'm
Very disappointed with how it performs.
While cleaning the saw after use I noticed that the air filter wasn't sealing properly and a lot of dust and gunk was getting into the carby. I returned the saw and after they seen how little the air filter was doing they decided to upgrade the air filter system on it to the newer pod like type. All under warranty. Got the saw home and used it for 20 minutes, then took the cover and air filter off to find the carby covered in crap again. Back to stihl again. This time they claim to have not put a a larger cover on with the new air filter system as the old cover was hard up against the air filter, and they believe that was causing it not to seal.
Another week and I'm testing the saw out again. The air filter again was useless. This time after taking it back again stihl couried my saw to melbourne to the warranty department of stihl.
I received a phone call from stihl a week later and after a lengthy conversation they agreed with me that air filtration system on these saws are not the best. I can't believe that they sell a saw with a air filter system that isn't any good. They offered me a new saw but want me to go to a professional saw and I have to pay the difference which I'm not keen on forking out more cash. They won't give me a new ms311 as this issue will happen again..

Should I have to pay more money cause of issues with their products??
Any advice would be great if you have experienced in dealing with this sort of problem?

Thanks

[ladylake]

With a Echo CS590 at $400 and built a lot better plus way more power I'd tell them to keep the 311.   Steve

[Andyshine77]

I know of only a few saw filtration systems that will work well in Australia. The HD2 Stihl filters on the 261, the newer 362?s and all the larger 70+ cc Stihl saws. The Dolmar 7900 HD filter also works well. All the Husqvarna filters require spray on air filter oil. I love the echo 590, but I don't see it working better than the filter on a 311, without some filter oil.

How much dust were you seeing? a light coating, or were you scraping the dust out with a putty knife? ;) 

[Frypan]

Cheers steve I'll check out that echo saw.

Scraping the dusting out with a putty knife is how I would put it.  I was using the saw on really dry hard wood timber and maybe that's why this problem is a lot worse for me compared to if someone was cutting green timber.

I will be looking at going away from the stihl saws unless they are going to help out a bit with an upgrade.

Cheers

[JohnG28]

You'll get some of that fine gunk through, most the saws I've seen let some through. IDK about having to scrape it out. I seem to remember some saws needing a coat of grease on the bond between the filter and the base to get a good seal. Maybe this would make a difference with the 311? Might be worth trying if you get it back.

[SawTroll]

I understand that air filer issues have been pretty common with the 311, 391 and even the 362 - but I believe the situation partially has been improved?

[Andyshine77]

Cheers steve I'll check out that echo saw.

Scraping the dusting out with a putty knife is how I would put it.  I was using the saw on really dry hard wood timber and maybe that's why this problem is a lot worse for me compared to if someone was cutting green timber.

I will be looking at going away from the stihl saws unless they are going to help out a bit with an upgrade.

Cheers

The new setup on the MS-362 should stop most all the fine dust from getting passed. Same goes for the MS-261 and 241. I can guaranty no Husqvarna filter will be much better without the use of air filter oil. You're conditions are pretty extreme.

[JohnG28]

Wasn't there someone here not long ago with the same problem on a new 362? I think that's the saw I was referring to with the grease on the filter base.