What's wrong with the MS661?

Not meaning to start some sort of "kick the Stihl lovers" thread, or bash on Stihl bullsh*t, but what's the deal with the 661CM? Two seconds ago I found yet another one for sale that is listed as "needs work". I know there's been some sort of coil and/or solenoid upgrades on them, but what - on a basic level - is going wrong with them? Is it fixable (is it spendy)? Is it worth chasing one of these saws, or when they go south are they pretty much toast???

 

@blacksmith had some issues. Maybe he could chime in.

 

After owning one, I will never own another. Nuff said

 

Details? I'm assuming you're a pro logger or woodcutter?

 

Semi retired logger, i had a new one a few years ago, used it for hazard tree felling and bucking, what a pain it was to take that saw back to the dealer once a week for intake, carb and ignition issues

 

I have a 661CM and love it. Always starts. Never coughs or dies. Bone stock. Use it for part time logging (felling and bucking).

 

Ugh, yeah. No.

 

@Redbull661 can you shed some light on this for me? Is it looking like Stihl will sort out whatever the root problem is?

 

Redbull actually bought that saw from me

 

I've heard mixed reviews in general about it, but lots of guys here love theirs and others wouldn't trade their 660 for one.

 

You gotta hand it to him. The man knows what he likes... even the "problem" children in the bunch...

All the 50/50 love/hate reports I've heard about this particular powerhead (and Mtronic in general, to a degree) have kept me pretty wary about even looking at one.

 

Im a swedish redhead kind of a guy anyways. I dont follow cream sickles anymore.

 

Which, in reality, equates to more like 95/5. We hear most of the stories of failures, but only a small percentage about the good ones.

 

Same for the 562’s

 

Wow. Thanks @Redbull661

One question - what's the pricing on replacement parts like?

Obligatory link to the MS661 Carb, Coil & Solenoid thread: http://opeforum.com/threads/ms661-info-on-new-carb-coil-solenoid-released.13529/

 

I don't have a 661, but have 2 M Tronic saws, and I will add not to try to run them low of fuel. If you do, the computer will make it rich (to protect the saw from an air leak) and my 261 took about 7 tanks to return to normal. Could not do the reset, because it would not idle. Often had to pull the trigger to get it running, and not let it idle to keep it running. Was a real PITA, but it is back to normal now and I love it.

I don't do as much warm up as Red Bull, but I do always let them idle 10-20 seconds before shut down. Never changed any parts on either of them (except tune up parts), and my 362 was the first M Tron one my dealer sold.

I wish all my saws were M Tron.

 

My local Stihl dealer hates them, he tries to discount 461 to the loggers so they buy them instead, but 1 crew likes the power of the 661, but they have a few saws sitting at his shop everytime I stop, they just rotate them in and out, dealer says they always need reprogrammed, makes me think I will never own one unless it's really cheap.

 

Owning one for your own use is likely much different than letting employees run them. Just sayin!!!

If Red Bull and I can do it, you can too!

 

If it can't hold up in real world use then I don't want it.