Starting Procedures for STIHL Chain Saws | STIHL Tips

Learn how to properly start STIHL chainsaws and avoid the risk of damaging the product.

#chainsaw
#maintenance
#howto

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[surf]

I watched this as my neighbor borrowed his Stihl to me. I've never owned a Stihl so figure out it's a good video. Darn thing took forever to start. You couldn't give me a Stihl unless I had a boat.

[curbkreature]

As a city boy with no father to teach me about chainsaws I thank you this is a very educational video 🔥🫡

[rw]

My dealer in Canada did go through this procedure. The best info is to only use the full choke for the first 1 to 2 pulls. No more,
Once my MS250 has been running for a while it starts in the run position no problem. After I have felled the tree, limbing requires many starts and stops and my MS250 is a breeze. Felling is quick. Limbing and bucking ain't.
It's a new saw and I'm on my third tree for my crown land firewood cutting permit, I'm very happy with this saw.

[jefferyfowler]

I bought 4 sthils in a row and followed all instructions. Great saws if you want to pull the rope all day. I always get my old Lombard out to get the job done.

[Rebel]

I have to keep watching this video every time I run my saw because I can never remember which way I'm supposed to push the chain brake to start it. I'm gonna take a sharpie marker and draw an arrow facing the front of the saw for start/brake on.

[karlrovey]

The most unrealistic portion of this video is the engine firing on the second pull for a cold start. You're going to be pulling a lot more than that.

[johneisel]

I cant get my 441 to start. Its a beast after you get it started but cant be sure it will start.

[marcfalardeau]

My question: what is the proper way to break in my new MS 250? Thanks, Marc, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦🌲🪵

[TheDeven]

I used to use my dads as a kid but it was already ready to go. What all do I need to do before using a new one for the first time and isn’t there some kind of gas/oil mixture that I’m supposed to use?

[ibtiam]

Thanks it's really help. First time user like me❤❤❤❤❤

[douglasthompson]

Should a compression release be expected on a MS180C EZ start for the initial pull before the secondary spring kicks in? Mine seems very stiff with compression fighting the initial extension of the pull cord. I bought it new and other than the dealer's check run in his shop it has never been used. I purchased it because a friend with the same model could extremely easily pull the cord and then have the secondary fire up the saw. Mine was never anywhere near as easy. Took it back to the dealer immediately to see if he had not given me the EZ version (later I verified that he had when I had to replace the pull cord after only a dozen or so pulls--never starting the saw) and he said it was the EZ. Well that was a dozen years ago or more and I am so disgusted with the saw it has sat on my shelf while I used my old Homelite and have never started it or used it. I pulled it out after being reminded by some YT videos and found that the outer jacket on the pull cord had frayed away with only the core remaining halfway up the cord from those few attempts at getting it to start years ago. It is actually harder to pull than the models without the EZ feature!! I have run saws all my life (I am in my seventies now) so I know what a saw should feel like to start, especially a small saw like the MS180C not even mentioning this EZ feature. Changing the pull cord was a treat as well. The primary spring popped out and was impossible to rewind whether on the bench or in the housing. Took it to my dealer and he tried for fifteen minutes before saying it wasn't worth the time and sold me a new spring in a plastic holder for insertion. Bottom line: had to buy a new spring for what should have been an easy common job on any saw. Even though the spring being replaced was unused. It should have been designed with a cassette to hold it in place when the starter assembly was removed. The housing is so deep that the lead angle prevents the spring from staying in the coil as it is wound. This is not a problem until you get an EZ start. The MS180 without is an easy fix. This will be a common frequent job on the EZ start as many commenters and presenters have shown on YT. Each time requiring a new spring. More than an inconvenience when you are far afield and have no parts available. I have rewound many recoil start springs on all kinds of equipment and never run into this before. Very poor design to say the least.
The main question also remains: is there a compression release for the original pull on the cord in the design that mine is missing?

[Ryanrobi]

I've been using Stihl chainsaws for 17 18 years I just recently bought a new MS251 for around the farm this thing is the biggest pile of dog crap I've ever come across in my life non-stop problems that never starts randomly some days it will start and it restarts fine. I cannot for the life of me understand how stihl has got so bad at building a chainsaw. I'm going to have to return this pile of garbage and buy a decent saw or just run my 18-year-old saw. Every time you want to use it it's a 3-hour process of fixing it.

[genuineimpulse]

Thankfully I've never gotten to the smoke issue. 441-M

[roman.venica]

I have seen that after the burp you can put the switch on idle (instead of half choke) and start from there. It works and you avoid the chainsaw going full throttle. What would be the medium-long problem of doing this?

[markkromer]

That's complicated. Haha. I have a 661 though. I'm just going to need to study this awhile

[truckercowboyrobertharris]

Cool video Stihl. I start my chainsaw on the ground unless I'm wearing my Georgia Boots than I start my saw between the legs and above the knees. Better to be safe than sorry.

[MM-qctf]

What does it mean when the chainsaw smokes while attempting to start it?

[kucingganteng]

What happen if i use only half choke lever on cold start?

[geoffreyquaile]

How do you hot start an MS 261 which only has a two position start switch?

[heatherbeane]

My dad has a old one and the place that repairs them said it would possibly cost $134 to fix it and for a new one it would be $200 so he purchased a new one and still can’t get it to start.