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Got a mates MS231 to mend

MattG

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One of the local tree guys has dropped off his mate's MS231 for me to sort out. Apparently it runs, but it has bad idling and throttle response.

I've never looked at one of these saws before, but looking at it now:

2018-01-11 17.26.36.jpg

2018-01-11 17.25.49.jpg

I'm guessing that it's a strato-saw, but not m-tronic. Says it was made in 2011.

Anyone know much about these beasts? Anything to look out for?

Also I've never stripped down a strato carb before - anything I should look out? Any advice/guidelines etc.?
 

Adamski

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There were two different sized pistons on these. One is unobtanium. I had the unfortunate issue with this. Think yours is unobtainium with that model year. Not saying you will need a new piston. Just that’s all I can remember about these.. [emoji849]
 

MattG

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Not even a meteor replacement?

I'm given to understand that it just needs a carb clean, a plug and a tune. But it's probably a rev limited coil so I bet it will be a turd to do the H screw tune on.
 

Adamski

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Not even a meteor replacement?

I'm given to understand that it just needs a carb clean, a plug and a tune. But it's probably a rev limited coil so I bet it will be a turd to do the H screw tune on.

Literally looked everywhere in the end I was recommended another piston that then needed the strato ports and skirt changing. It was a pig.
 

MattG

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I just knew getting into stratos would suck. Fortunately this saw isn't for a tree guy, it's his mates, who just goes out to play with them some weekends. So I can probably take as long as I like :)
 

Adamski

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Yes this was the issue I had. But I could never find the 41.5mm. Pretty sure Meteor didn’t do one back then.
 

CR888

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Clean out the carb first. No need to worry about piston availability just yet. Diagnose the problem/s...then repair.Strato carbs are just carbs, no major differences.
 

MattG

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So people, the carb...... it's got the stupid recessed red limiters on. Yeah, I've removed them before on my own saws (usually with a thin craft knife, very small screw drivers and lots of patience).

But now I'm starting to do this semi-professionally, what's the best to remove the caps without the stihl tool. I read the manual, and tried to diagnose what's going on, and I'm thinking:

1. find a very thin self tapping wood screw and carefully thread it in, but not too far.
2. rotate the cap, till the lug aligns with the slot
3. try to pull the thing out

(I think it's easier to thoroughly wash a carb with the H and L screws removed)
 

Adamski

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Clean out the carb first. No need to worry about piston availability just yet. Diagnose the problem/s...then repair.Strato carbs are just carbs, no major differences.
I was just purely mentioning the fact there was a small production of the little used 41.5mm set up. That drove me insane :)
 

MattG

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Well, I'm gonna make sure the saws oiled and fuel, and the chain is razor sharp, then still how it behaves when I try to actually use the thing for a few cuts, checking response and idle and restarting etc.

Still would be good to know how others get the stupid recessed limiters out.
 

MattG

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So I took it out for a test. Checked oil and fuel (owner said it was fresh), just touched the chain slightly with file, but it basically seemed ok to get cutting.

The saw seems absolutely fine, except for a slight whirring noise. The engine performance wise seems fine for a working saw, cold start was easy, 1 pull hot restarts, idle doesn't miss, and the response seems pretty fine to me.

I made a couple of videos, to see if anyone had any comments about the whirring noise - if you can even hear.


It's weird that the guy who dropped off the saw said "just carb, and running issues". But it seems absolutely fine in those areas.

My theory is that since I'm new to servicing their saws, and this is the fourth one I've looked at I'm wondering whether they've deliberately sent me a good saw, to see if I'm a bullsh!tter, who'll rip them off and charge them for unneeded work??
 

Adamski

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My 346xp sounds like that and throws the cookies like a discus thrower. Seems fine to me.
 

Chainsaw Jim

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I'm assuming you cleaned the air filter?

The red limiter caps have to be turned to the correct position so the little tabs on the side line up with the notches in the metal. This isn't the same carb as yours, but it should give you an idea if the caps are similar.

20180112_081054.jpg 20180112_081114.jpg

I use a dental pick modified into a little hook to wriggle them out.

20180112_081926.jpg

If you do it right there will be no damage to the cap.

20180112_081131.jpg

The retainer will also pry out.

20180112_081205.jpg
 

MattG

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@Chainsaw Jim
Thanks pal, that instruction you just gave on the limiter caps was very good. Thanks for taking the time. Back to the saw.

I'm assuming you cleaned the air filter?
No I've not done that. Basically I've only just started looking at other's saws, and because the guys are generally very vague on their issues, I just make sure they've got some fuel, oil and a basically decentish chain, and see if it can basically start and cut wood with the saw, and that it re-starts, idles and responds well in between without me needing a screwdriver etc.. That saw most certainly does - I could cut wood all day with it I think without it p!ssing me off. So I've not even touched it at all yet.

The guy just wants it "mending", but hasn't been explicit in what's wrong with it. I think they are doing it to make sure I'm genuine (we have a lot of con men, rip-off artists in the UK unfortunately, who will try to take extra money for no work from folk), before giving me any more work. That is, they are expecting me if I'm honest to say "couldn't find nothing wrong with it", and if I'm a dishonest crook to come back with "the such and such is broke, that will be £100 please").

All I can hear is a slight whirring noise, but it doesn't sound that excessive.
 

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That whirring is most likely flywheel whine. Some saws more noticeable than others.
 

MattG

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Perhaps tomorrow, as another guy suggested I'll run it w/o chain/sprocket/drum and see what it sounds like, take off the f/w cover and give it a clean. But otherwise not a lot else to do, unless the guy actually wants me to do an actual filters/plug and carb service on it.
 

Adamski

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What makes a very slight whirring noise when revving? Kind of reminds me when a car alternator belt is fitted just a little bit on the tight side.

Probably air being forced through the air duct from the flywheel.
 
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