MS661 Love/Hate

[Brewz]

Hi folks

I get asked a lot if MS661's are worth buying.
My usual answer is "I don't know, I have never used one"

I watch the videos and read the praise of ported 661's but also hear tales of them being nothing but trouble.

They sure seem like a good thing so why do so many have trouble with them?

I have spoken to plenty of people who pull the line of the electronics being crap, and I will admit to thinking this myself, but is it true or are they just mis understood?

There are afew things I have read but am not 100% sure of the truth

Did early saws have issues with firmware and would not run right?
If so, what can be done to fix this.

Does using too much oil in the mix mess with them?

I have a tree service mate with a 661 and he hates it.
Recons it won't start properly half the time and runs like a dog

Any info or background that people can share on this, and autotune saws in general would be fantastic

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

 

[jmssaws]

Hi folks

I get asked a lot if MS661's are worth buying.
My usual answer is "I don't know, I have never used one"

I watch the videos and read the praise of ported 661's but also hear tales of them being nothing but trouble.

They sure seem like a good thing so why do so many have trouble with them?

I have spoken to plenty of people who pull the line of the electronics being crap, and I will admit to thinking this myself, but is it true or are they just mis understood?

There are afew things I have read but am not 100% sure of the truth

Did early saws have issues with firmware and would not run right?
If so, what can be done to fix this.

Does using too much oil in the mix mess with them?

I have a tree service mate with a 661 and he hates it.
Recons it won't start properly half the time and runs like a dog

Any info or background that people can share on this, and autotune saws in general would be fantastic

Who has had trouble with one?
I think there was problems with the very first ones several years ago but not any more.
Oil won't affect one,I couldn't find anything that affected one.

 

[jmssaws]

Hi folks

I get asked a lot if MS661's are worth buying.
My usual answer is "I don't know, I have never used one"

I watch the videos and read the praise of ported 661's but also hear tales of them being nothing but trouble.

They sure seem like a good thing so why do so many have trouble with them?

I have spoken to plenty of people who pull the line of the electronics being crap, and I will admit to thinking this myself, but is it true or are they just mis understood?

There are afew things I have read but am not 100% sure of the truth

Did early saws have issues with firmware and would not run right?
If so, what can be done to fix this.

Does using too much oil in the mix mess with them?

I have a tree service mate with a 661 and he hates it.
Recons it won't start properly half the time and runs like a dog

Any info or background that people can share on this, and autotune saws in general would be fantastic

He needs to have it fixed,probably the 15$ selinoid.
It will run circles around a 066 so if it's a dog and don't start well then it's broke or needs reset.

 

[T.Roller]

Who has had trouble with one?
I think there was problems with the very first ones several years ago but not any more.
Oil won't affect one,I couldn't find anything that affected one.

I've seen a few with extensive mods that ran strong with mtron

 

[stihl livin]

I had one that was ported and was great but with my 064 the 661 was traded for a solo hybrid. Someday I will own another 661

 

[jmssaws]

I've seen a few with extensive mods that ran strong with mtron

Ive ported one as far as I know to take one and the mtronic worked perfectly.
Actually stronger mtronic than with a regular carb.
I spent 2 months with 2 saws and 5 cylinders,I done some serious R&D and never had a single problem with either saw.

 

[porsche965]

I use them for Goony Busting. 60" plus hardwood. I even have one from the first recalled bunch, strongest one I have out of three. Muffler modded is all and can't seem to hurt them. The harder they are pushed the harder they work. Not one problem.

 

[Mastermind]

I had a guy call me a few days ago.......said they love em. Till they are about 4 months old. Then they sorta lose power. New solenoid, and a reset, good again for about 4 months. Now these guys are running four of them.....and killing a chit load of wood with em.

He asked if I would mod one for em.......I declined.

 

[jmssaws]

I use them for Goony Busting. 60" plus hardwood. I even have one from the first recalled bunch, strongest one I have out of three. Muffler modded is all and can't seem to hurt them. The harder they are pushed the harder they work. Not one problem.

I believe the old 4700 coil is the most powerful but also the leanest.

The saws I've updated didn't run as good.

 

[Brewz]

I do t have a problem with 661's
I would love to own one myself!!!

This was the info I was after

This saw was a daily basher in a tree service.
I have checked it over and all looks fine.

I might look into the solenoid and where it is, and find out how to reset it.
See if I can get his saw going better.

 

[Adirondackstihl]

He asked if I would mod one for em.......I declined.

Why you no like him?

 

[CR500]

I absolutely love mine.... smooth as glass and will warm up my hands

 

[Brewz]

Much of the apprehension I hear comes from people who don't understand the technology.

I guess I see a lot of love for them here, and hear people who work with them locally say they hate them and I am wondering why so I can try and fix em up

 

[Brewz]

He needs to have it fixed,probably the 15$ selinoid.
It will run circles around a 066 so if it's a dog and don't start well then it's broke or needs reset.

Ha ha, the $120 solenoid...

 

[Brewz]

I have a new one coming to me soon for porting.

 

[Funky sawman]

Had plenty of issues with the one I owned for a short time. Coil, solinoid, intake boot....

 

[Funky sawman]

Not to mention lack of dealer support, even lack of support from stihl pnw rep. Im kinda burned on stihls right now but i plan on owning a 261 and or 362 here shortly just cause i like the feel of them.

 

[sawmikaze]

I know plenty of service guys you couldn't give an m-tronic saw.

But some guys love em'..idk.

 

[sawmikaze]

Why you no like him?

If they get 4 months out of a stock one i don't think a ported one is a good idea.

Does your's still run good ?