Stihl MS250 First Impressions and Problems (No Cutting In This Video)

After 16 years Jeff's Poulan 16" chainsaw finally surrendered and it was time to upgrade. He purchased a Stihl MS 250 and encountered a few bumps along the way as he dialed it in. He's worked out a reliable cold starting procedure and he's going to only use premix fuel in this saw and his other 2 cycle engines and he explains why.

Watch Jeff buck a stem with this saw:

Jeff picked up a new MS291 and did a walk-about on the bench with the new saw and the MS250 side by side:

Specs:

Questions & Answers – Inspired by actual YouTube comments:

Q: Can I leave a thoughtful comment, tip, or constructive criticism regarding your video?
A: Sure.

Q: Will you advise me on a particular problem I’m having that is similar to what I saw in the video?
A: Depends.

Q: I keep watching your useless videos, I guess that’s time in my life I’ll never get back.
A: Press the stop button.

Q: Operator Aire.
A: It’s spelled “Error.”

Q: I’m upset that you forced me to watch your free video. What are you going to do to make this right?
A: Send you an invoice?

Q: Click on my user name and you’ll see that I’ve never posted a video about anything but I’ve got tons of opinions about your videos.
A: We noticed.

Q: Jerk! Unsub…
A: Don’t let the keyboard hit you in the ass on the way out.

Q: I have problems with obsession and you are my new BFF. Will you talk to me 24/7/365?
A: No.

Q: Can I meet with you?
A: Dude.

Q: I’m a professional and as such I have a deep belief that ONLY professionals are allowed to do what you did in the video. Are you professionals?
A: No.

Q: You didn’t show the circuit-breaker being turned off - therefore it didn’t happen. Won’t people get poked with 120 volts from their finger up to their elbow if they don’t turn the breaker or switch off?
A: Yes, we suspect they would.

Q: I have tons of experience. You did it wrong in your video. Will you remove your video from YouTube?
A: No, and your experience makes you sound old and inflexible.

Q: You look like a 1944 German soldier without a helmet.
A: Thanks?

Q: I’m a professional and your video diminishes my ability to earn a living. Can I leave a comment whining about that?
A: Hmm, let’s see. No.

Q: I’m smart and you’re dumb. I know everything there is to know about the subject you showed in the video and I want to blather on about how much I know.
A: You need to get yourself a girl, mate.

Q: I’m 40 and live in my mom’s basement. I’m feeling poorly about myself and I want to take it out on you with complete anonymity, can I do that?
A: Sure. As long as you don’t mind us deleting your comment and banning you from the channel.

[dirtyshirtinfo]

Update: The "over oiling" problem resolved itself. I recently purchased an MS291 and it leaked even worse. For example, standing stationary with the saw running produced a standing puddle of oil in the driveway, coated my shoes and turned my pants into a fashion statement. I had to loosen the oil filler cap to release pressure or the saw would just pour oil all over my bench. That problem also resolved itself. I've come to believe that multiple heat-cycles are what is needed to resolve the leaky oil problem on these saws. Both saws are functioning as I would expect.

[Ranger]

Always had trouble starting my 250.
After watching I tried the half pull first and started right up with 3 pulls. Many thanks

[larryreno]

I’ve used Stihl for years. The only time my saw failed is when a vehicle ran it over. Once you understand how the saw works it works great. An ignorant owner is a unhappy owner.

[JB-ssbv]

Man, you had a tough time with this saw. With the same saw I haven’t had a single issue. First day from the store I cut wood for 6 hours straight, no issues other than a dull chain.

[johnadcock]

Your how-to-start tips were the only thing that worked for me in starting my new MS250. Thanks!

[markwiseman]

Thanks for your info on your starting method for the MS250. I have bought one recently and they do flood easily if you are not aware of the possibility. One pull on full choke is more than enough and then onto rapid idle and I don’t have problems with flooding anymore. Enjoy your 250!

[ciphercode]

On a cold start you're supposed to hold the throttle wide open as you push the master control lever into the choke position, this sets it up on fast idle. Pull it a couple times til it burps, then flip the switch up one notch and it starts easily. All stihl saws are made this way and it works nicely. For a warm start, just click it down one notch from the off position and pull.

[gugigraubvogel]

Nothing wrong with MS 250. It's always the owner. I have run Stihl for 30 some years, I never have problems. It"s true the technology change, but the basic is the same. Get ready, how the other saw was working...Got used to what you have....

[SonyaFernau-veib]

I got this saw and never had any of these problems in six years

[Designrjn_VT]

As an arborist of many years. I have owned and operated Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna. many different Model ranges from home owner to Pro Models. I have heard this same complaint from new apprentice loggers to home owners on starting the saws. First thing to note is, it’s a Chainsaw. It’s not a trimmer or a blower. So read the starting instructions. I noticed right in your video you didn’t squeeze the trigger when putting it in full choke. Then you did it below the camera. So your still not used to starting it. Second the choke is designed to add extra fuel via a Venturi into the intake port and bottom of the crank case. Weather it starts or not with two maybe the pulls on full choke stop. The switch to high Idle. Pull 1, 2, 3 times max it will start. Blip the throttle to drop the rpm to idle. All three major manufacturers use the same brand carburetors. Zama or Walbro. They work the same. All three brands have Choke, high idle and run/idle. Every brand instructs you to start the saw the same way. The 025, ms250 has been on the market longer then almost any saw Stihl sells. Yes it has been revised. 1 out of maybe 500 new high quality saws may come home with a problem. Use quality fuel follow starting procedures. When cold. Then read about starting with a warm or hot engine, it’s all in the instructions. Done!

[gosteel]

THANK YOU SO on showing us how to start this saw. I bought a used one (practically new) for about half or a new one. Watched the guy in the shop just rip it and it started. Came home and could not get it started, Flooded immediately and felt a bit defeated. So I get it out and do exactly what you said and BAM, it's running like gem. Much love Brother!!

[barry]

Bought a ms180 c and in 4 months the ethanol fuel mix messed it up..ever since that time I switched to non ethanol and having no issues whatsoever within a year went out and bought a ms250c ..now it’s been over 10 years and both of them STIHL rocks !….great saws 👍🏼

[Cooldibs]

I’m a STIHL certified technician and fix these things as my job. From my experience, stihls will take a little longer to start when new until the engine and carb breaks in. After that they’re super easy to start.

[rickylaw]

Put a new carburetor on mine. Started and ran great for a year. Then i had to slightly adjust carburetor. Now cranks right up and runs good.

[mr.anonymous]

If your having start issue maybe yall should read the users manual, it's not this complicated . 3 pulls full chock 2 to 3 pulls half chock, when its warm start from half chock, buy high octane rec gas an use hp ultra 2 cycle oil, dont over tighten your chain, everytime you fill it up add bar oil, an just so you know a almost empty tank ran side was needs more gas less you getting pinched fellin a tree in that case us a fellin wedge an wedge banger.

[snowfreak]

Very informative video! Thank you for sharing your experiences with this saw. I recently purchased this model and had issues flooding it upon getting it started. I will try the premixed fuel next and see how it performs. Thanks again, much appreciated! 👍

[Sleepyjudei]

Gas tank cracked bc the saw was bouncing in my trailer. Bought a replacement and fixed it myself and also bought a case. Works great just leaks oil.

[markdisario]

Choke all the way down, pull till it coughs once them move switch up one, then pull it an start it up . Thats how you start these saws

[johnclarke]

Starting a 250 can be difficult. It is a high compression saw with a heavy pull over. I have two of them. One, I built and the other a brand new one. Either one will wear out your arm and shoulder. I start all my saws the same way. I pull them until they roll over and then push the control lever up to half choke and pull until it starts. If you miss the roll over and continue pulling in full choke you will flood the saw. If the saw jerks back, I consider that to be a roll over and push it up to half choke, immediately. I never consider a saw to be over oiling. The 250 does not have an adjustable oiler, so it is what it is. Use Stihl Platinum bar oil. It will reduce oiling because it clings to the bar.

[hastyone]

I’ve owned four saws of similar size. This Stihl is BY FAR the best of them all. My friend has the same exact saw and been running it hard for four years. Never a problem.
1. choke
2. Pull till it burps (typically 2-3 times)
3. Run mode
4. Pull 2-3 times
5.STARTS

This has been my experience with over two years and 30 tanks of fuel.

Two tips that are essential.
Run fresh Stihl premix synthetic fuel (93 octane) 50:1
Clean your air filter every three times you use it, I blow them out with my compressor and wash in warm water with joy once at the end of the season. Good luck! It’s a great piece of equipment.