MS 362 Air Filtration

[Greenerpastures]

Hi everyone.

In a round about way I ended up with a new MS 362.

What am wondering is, has Stihl sorted the problems
related to dust getting into the carb, I've seen posts regarding
this, albeit old posts.

If anyone has any advise on how these saws are now coping
regarding dust getting through, and how to sort it,
I would appreciate hearing your comments and experiences.

Thanks & Regards, john

 

[Dustin4185]

I haven't ran mine enough before sending to Randy, but I was surprised my 241 had some fines in the throat when I cleaned it up the other day. I greased the rubber seal to see if it helps.

 

[sawmikaze]

The issues with filtration were on the older standard carb version.

 

[RI Chevy]

I am surprised that Max Flo hasn't made a foam filter for these round filters yet.

 

[Greenerpastures]

I am surprised that Max Flo hasn't made a foam filter for these round filters yet.

Yes, it would be nice to have a filter to throw on top,
I saw one mentioned on another thread here, but could
not find a link to it, its an orange fine mesh that fits
over the top of the origonal filter, looks like it would be
a signivigint help, whether it is required or not.
Me thinks more is better, as the saw will compensate
for any slight inconvenience in air flow.

Regards, john

 

[Greenerpastures]

The issues with filtration were on the older standard carb version.

I am more than pleased to hear that, would still be nice to have
a cover to pop over the filter to add a little more protection.

Thanks, john

 

[Greenerpastures]

Thanks for the link sawmikaze
Outerwears part number 20-1114

 

[Greenerpastures]

I haven't ran mine enough before sending to Randy, but I was surprised my 241 had some fines in the throat when I cleaned it up the other day. I greased the rubber seal to see if it helps.

Thanks Dustin4185
How old is the saw with the fines in the throat.
Hope Stihl have solved this.
I moaned about my 490 Shindaiwa having a tiny
dot or two in the throat after first use, luckily before I
ever started the saw, I had oil on my fingers off the chain,
and when I rubbed my finger inside the throat to see if
it was smooth or imperfect or whatever, that oil smear
actually caught the fines in the throat, the filter its self
was the next isssues as I found fines inside it after a bit of
cutting.
So I took advise and put some vaseline around the outside
of the throat, sat filter on, and no more fines.
I also added a pot scrubber to block a hole in the bottom of the
airbox where I found most of the durt and dust was getting in.
Between these simple measures, I am delighted to say, no fines
in the throat anymore.
I have adopted the vaseline measure for all my saws, and will
be doing the 362 also.
If I find any inlets that are not filtered to the airbox, they
too will get the pot scrubber treatment.
Its better not to take any chances.

Regards, john

 

[Dustin4185]

Thanks Dustin4185
How old is the saw with the fines in the throat.
Hope Stihl have solved this.
I moaned about my 490 Shindaiwa having a tiny
dot or two in the throat after first use, luckily before I
ever started the saw, I had oil on my fingers off the chain,
and when I rubbed my finger inside the throat to see if
it was smooth or imperfect or whatever, that oil smear
actually caught the fines in the throat, the filter its self
was the next isssues as I found fines inside it after a bit of
cutting.
So I took advise and put some vaseline around the outside
of the throat, sat filter on, and no more fines.
I also added a pot scrubber to block a hole in the bottom of the
airbox where I found most of the durt and dust was getting in.
Between these simple measures, I am delighted to say, no fines
in the throat anymore.
I have adopted the vaseline measure for all my saws, and will
be doing the 362 also.
If I find any inlets that are not filtered to the airbox, they
too will get the pot scrubber treatment.
Its better not to take any chances.

Regards, john

Date of manufacture was 8/17. I just got it a week or so ago. It may have been me being careless when I popped the filter. Fines may have floated in there, but I don't take chances.

 

[Greenerpastures]

Amazing how technology has moved on,
and we are now at a point where a college kid
could design a better filter than Stihl.

I guess am spoiled being brought up with good
old listers and petters engines that just kept on going,
no comparrison with a saw, just a shout to those who
knew what worked and manufacturered it.

Thanks to all who commented regarding the filter problem.

 

[Greenerpastures]

Date of manufacture was 8/17. I just got it a week or so ago. It may have been me being careless when I popped the filter. Fines may have floated in there, but I don't take chances.

New saw then.
Is the filter similar to the 362, just smaller, or a different design.

The only filter I have seen no problem with is the ones on the
6100 dolmar and makita.

 

[Homemade]

After talking with a Stihl sponsored chainsaw safety intructor. He said on his 362, Stihl told him to never take the filter off to clean it. Once it’s plugged enough to cause run issues, then replace the filter and retune. Every time you take the filter off, you have a chance to compromise the seal, according to him.


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[RI Chevy]

That sounds like horse crap. You should be able to clean the filters and dismount them from carb housing without any issues.

 

[Greenerpastures]

After talking with a Stihl sponsored chainsaw safety intructor. He said on his 362, Stihl told him to never take the filter off to clean it. Once it’s plugged enough to cause run issues, then replace the filter and retune. Every time you take the filter off, you have a chance to compromise the seal, according to him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its an MT saw, won't it be able to adjust to compensate
for a slightly clogged filter.
If I take mine off, I will be putting on one off another
small engine, a cut off saw endures much more fine
dust than a chainsaw, cutting concrete, so will be looking
for a filter off one of those.

 

[Dustin4185]

New saw then.
Is the filter similar to the 362, just smaller, or a different design.

The only filter I have seen no problem with is the ones on the
6100 dolmar and makita.

Like I said, I never really looked at the 362 or 261 filter except to make sure they were seated before I ran the 261. The 362 was never fueled before I took it to Randy to be banana stuffed. I believe it is the same style of plastic cage, twist on deal. It is similar or the same as the 261. I didn't hit the saw with air before removing, so it may have let some fall in there.

After talking with a Stihl sponsored chainsaw safety intructor. He said on his 362, Stihl told him to never take the filter off to clean it. Once it’s plugged enough to cause run issues, then replace the filter and retune. Every time you take the filter off, you have a chance to compromise the seal, according to him.


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I can see where they are coming from. I don't think I will abide by that suggestion. I am sure those filters are pricey!

 

[Homemade]

The instructor was referencing a mTron 362, but I thought all 362’s had the same filter. And I’m sure Stihl is doing two things by setting this rule
1) they can sell more air filters because they won’t be getting cleaned
2) they can reduce the number of bearing failures because of air contamination’s. That doesn’t rule out fuel contamination or air leaks after the air filter.


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[Greenerpastures]

The instructor was referencing a mTron 362, but I thought all 362’s had the same filter. And I’m sure Stihl is doing two things by setting this rule
1) they can sell more air filters because they won’t be getting cleaned
2) they can reduce the number of bearing failures because of air contamination’s. That doesn’t rule out fuel contamination or air leaks after the air filter.


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Stihl are also ruling out our enough is enough
philosophy, and we all go to a brand that can atlest
make a filtration system to protect our investment.
I won't be buying a new filter every time it
needs cleaning, I will make a transition piece
to fit the carb and bolt on something else.

 

[Greenerpastures]

After talking with a Stihl sponsored chainsaw safety intructor. He said on his 362, Stihl told him to never take the filter off to clean it. Once it’s plugged enough to cause run issues, then replace the filter and retune. Every time you take the filter off, you have a chance to compromise the seal, according to him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well I thought I heard it all,
when its plugged enough to cause run issues,
take it off and replace it,
Sounds more like a sanitary towel manufacturer
than a saw manufacturer.
Last crowd I worked for with that mentallity,
I advised them to get into making dog food,
for they would have to work very hard to get that wrong.

 

[CR888]

One thing I don't like about the 241/261/362 air filter system as a whole is the air injection draws in air from the front of the saw. You'll often see the fan housing near the oil tank blocked up with chips. Yes the system don't suck in large chips but it does fine saw dust. By blocking up the air injection intake port, the saw will draw cleaner air in through the rear of the saw. Some vented holes in shroud need to be made but if you study what's going on and have a few hundred hours with saw in hands, you eventually realise the system can be improved greatly. Mind you I cut damn hard Aussie hardwoods which create fines more so than softer species. Fines won't kill your saw but they'll imbed in filter medium & hamper performance not allowing the saw to breathe. I'd love to see that chainsaw safety man come cut wood with me not ever removing his filter.lol

 

[Greenerpastures]

Thanks for posting CR888.
I will investige your findings, and try to impliment
a solution.
Using my Echo yesterday, there was very fine dust in
around the carb / air box.
I looked cloese under some light, and found it was mostly
geting in the 3/8 hole where you adjust the idle, and am sure
some other places, I will get a rubber grommet for the idle
access hole, and then monitor where the next weak spot is
and address it.
You would honestly think the saw manufacturers did no
testing of such things.

Regards, john