STIHL The Official Stihl Chainsaws Thread

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

Has the carb been gone through yet? Sometimes a simple cleaning makes all the difference

Maybe the AM casting is not what it should be, causing port timing to be of?

Where's compression at?

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

Points or electronic?

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Make sire the choke isn't restricting the carb?

 

[FergusonTO35]

What do you think of the MS-251 without easy start or tool-less tensioner? 40-45cc is my favorite size saw to use and I like the way they look and feel in the hands.

 

[qurotro]

What do you think of the MS-251 without easy start or tool-less tensioner? 40-45cc is my favorite size saw to use and I like the way they look and feel in the hands.

Get an Echo 501 instead. Not that much bigger.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

I have two MS251s on my "I'll get to em sooner or later list"..., both with bottom end air leaks. Seals on one and bottom pan (at minimum) on the other. Over-engineered saws to work on. Pretty cool a/v and do have a nice and easy feel to run, but also seem kinda fragile to me. Not a big fan of single bar stud saws in general and am officially vaccinated against Easy-Start and Tool-Less tensioners when they come in! LOL (Which one of the MS251's also happens to be.)

I'd probably grab an MS250 or 026 cheap if I didn't already have em (or other options). My little beater 'go-to' is a Husky 141 freebie.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Hmm, may pass on this one. Thanks!

 

[Ford3000]

Hmm, may pass on this one. Thanks!

They are like every other clam shell, nothing wrong with them at the right price if they fit your task. They do not all leak, I like how the engine clamps together as a unit then mounts into the frame, seems a strong enough way to do it.
My father had one, it cut above its pay grade for sure, I see no over engineering in them at all, they are simple.
EDIT, I do not like the gimicky chain tentioner, but the easy start is a blessing for anyone who wants to keep their
elbow and shoulder in one piece, it is really easy on the old body.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

I see no over engineering in them at all, they are simple.

Every intake assembly for an economy homeowner saw should be so simple..., LOL

 

[FergusonTO35]

Haha, wow. A bit complicated, methinks.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

Piece o' cake once you've done a few 441s!

 

[FergusonTO35]

There is an MS290 for sale locally. Supposed to run good with good bar and chain, asking $225.00. I know its not proline, but are these decent saws? Would it be worth $200.00 or so? Any idea how it would compare to my Echo CS-500P?

 

[Ford3000]

Every intake assembly for an economy homeowner saw should be so simple..., LOL

View attachment 384681

Nothing complicated there, modern saws with strato tech are not like the older ones. I hate AT and MT because it takes away my ability to fix simple problems, because of complications that are not necessary.

 

[Ford3000]

There is an MS290 for sale locally. Supposed to run good with good bar and chain, asking $225.00. I know its not proline, but are these decent saws? Would it be worth $200.00 or so? Any idea how it would coIf it mpare to my Echo CS-500P?

If it is a low hour unit and working then its not overly expensive, Echo is just the better saw, and I would take it if there was a choice for similar money.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Stopped at the sob story pawn shop on the way home and they had a 2012 MS261 with newer 18" OE bar and chain for $275.00. Fired right up, seems to oil really well. Cosmetically typical for it's age but doesn't seem to have been abused. They said they would take $250.00 so I layawayed it.

 

[PogoInTheWoods]

You'll like that saw a lot unless it's seriously clapped out. If you're patient with your 'layaway' they'll likely take even less.

Don't see them for sale very often -- and for good reason.

 

[FergusonTO35]

It has a fair amount of honest wear since it is 11 years old, but for 30% the cost of new I figger its worth it. I can always sell it for more on Fleabay.

 

[heimannm]

Compression is better than I expected, almost 150 PSI.



I tried running it without the air filter to eliminate that objection, no real difference that I could tell. I did notice as it transitions from idle to full speed (slooowly) there is a brief period of spit back. Nothing really noticeable at idle or full speed but clearly spitting during the run up.

I tried it on Saturday with the cover off the front of the muffler and I can't say that there were any significant differences.

I have tried additional adjustments to the carburetor both rich and lean and the overall performance did not really change much.

I am beginning to wonder if that is the best performance I can expect from the Hyway??? Does anyone have a better experience with the Hyway kit?

Mark

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Ive haven't used the hyway 029-039 kits but I've had very decent results from their others . That being said I was never impressed with the 029 series.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

I have two MS251s on my "I'll get to em sooner or later list"..., both with bottom end air leaks. Seals on one and bottom pan (at minimum) on the other. Over-engineered saws to work on. Pretty cool a/v and do have a nice and easy feel to run, but also seem kinda fragile to me. Not a big fan of single bar stud saws in general and am officially vaccinated against Easy-Start and Tool-Less tensioners when they come in! LOL (Which one of the MS251's also happens to be.)

I'd probably grab an MS250 or 026 cheap if I didn't already have em (or other options). My little beater 'go-to' is a Husky 141 freebie.

Getting the 261 is a wise decision.
I bought 2 251s for some of our smaller rangers ,with the easy start. We've had zero problems with them and everyone loves those saws for small jobs. Honestly my feeling is that if you take care of the equipment you don't need to know how complicated it's put together.
This from someone who loves 441s.