Karma: Got me a Stihl chainsaw

[N80]

Whenever there is a chainsaw discussion most folks usually chime in about how great Stihl chainsaws are and I usually point out how great my little 20 year old Homelite is, and how great it starts and all that. I also usually wonder why casual users would spend so much on a Stihl. Well, my little Homelite has finally bitten the dust. Still starts, still runs like a banshee but the chain oiler doesn't work. I've repaired the engine myself numerous times but I can't figure out why the chain won't oil and it gets red hot without the oil. The saw isn't worth paying to repair.

Well, just a few days ago my Dad drops by and gives me his Stihl 025 chainsaw. He can't get it to start right and doesn't want it anymore. Dad has early Alzheimers and that's probably why he can't get it to start and its probably time for him to quit using a chainsaw anyway. He thinks it is broken and can't be fixed.

I got it to start. You just have to follow the start procedure very closely and it is different from other chainsaws I've used. So, I think I've got a perfectly good, lightly used Stihl.

It is heavier than what I'm used to, but it cuts great. In the past I found it to be very easy to flood but I think if the instructions are followed to the letter that won't be a problem. Not sure why the complex start procedure but it seems to work.

It is my understanding that this is a light duty saw for home use. Anyone know anything about the 025 good or bad?

 

[Solo]

I've had my 025 for almost 15 years. I've never had a problem with it. I prefer the 16" bar for this saw. I have a 18" it does alright in soft wood but the 16" is better all around.

Solo

 

[randy41]

I have an 038 and I'm not sure what you mean by the starting procedure. With mine I choke and pull until it runs for a couple of seconds. Then I unchoke and pull until it runs. It takes a few pulls.

 

[thatguy]

Im borrowing my dad 031 (mid 70's) saw - he mentioned it being sorta hard to start and at times you had to take the plug out and put a little gas in it.. I replaced the plug with one of those E3 (never needs adjusting, high technology, could be a waste of good money plug) plugs and it starts for me on the 3rd or 4th pull (after following the same procedure randy41 uses)

Brian

 

[mbohuntr]

This is how I start my .025... put on choke, lock trigger on, pull until it sputters. switch off choke and pull until it starts. It may not be safe for beginners as I have the saw in my hands when I pull the rope. as soon as it revs, I take off the trigger lock. you may wish to skip using the trigger for safety.

 

[Ductape]

I've got an MS210 for my small stuff. Choke........ three pulls, it will kick once. Choke off...... pull again and she's off. Same exact routine every time. Its been a good saw.

 

[mjarrels]

I have a 026... sat for 10 years before I used it again... new fuel and 8 pulls and I'm cutting wood again!

mark

 

[N80]

The manual says:

Engage chain brake.
Pull trigger and depress the trigger lock.
Set choke to open.
Pull cord until it sputters.
Set choke to closed.
Pull until it fires.
Pull trigger which sets choke to run.
Release chain brake.

My old chainsaw, and others, had only choke on or off and a separate run/stop switch and you'd feather the trigger a little to get it rev'd up and going. No chain brake.

Not sure why we have had trouble flooding it in the past. In any case, no trouble flooding it now. Seems like a great saw. Clearly better than the Homelite.

Now I just need a reason to use the new (to me) saw!

 

[tractorsanmore]

Dad has a 025 that he bought new , good little saw I

 

[tractorsanmore]

whoops , I use it alot , have wore out several chains . We use only still oil in it

 

[studor]

I have used basically the same process to start all kinds of two stroke engines and it is basically the same as the manual without the chain brake part. Foot in the handle, choke all the way to the bottom, pull till it coughs,choke at half, pull till starts, pull trigger to take off choke entirely. The first part (full choke till it coughs) is not needed on primer bulb two strokes if you use the bulb. I have the MS 290 but my neighbour has the 025 -- his seems to work fine and mine has been trouble free for about five years. I have a McCullough that I got from my FIL when he started to not be able to start it due to loss of strength and dementia. You are getting a much better deal with the Stihl but the McCullough is started the same way.( I don't put the chain brake on with it either).

 

[lambs]

I do not have an 025, but have an 029 Super, and am also running an 066 Magnum that I'm borrowing from my Dad (he's 87 and not needing it anymore). I'm also doing some work on his 038 to see if I can put it back in service (oil leak).

All the posts make good sense to me, but there's one trick I have learned on the 029S that may also help those with smaller models....clean the air filter every couple hours. I blew the dust off mine with a compressor and it starts much better. Larger saws have larger filters and do not seem to be as sensitive. Be careful not to blow a hole in the filter media though. Stihl dealers actually no longer recommend blowing them clean, but then they have an incentive to tell you that.

Good luck and let us know how it works.

 

[jk96]

The other good thing about Stihl chainsaws compared to the box store brands is real dealers and service should you have a problem. Just drop it off and pick up when its repaired. Two years ago I backed over my 026 with my truck. (luckily big mud tires and soft ground). Dealer replaced a broken handle and chain cover and I was back in business in a less than a week.

 

[Hookblock]

I have a 021,025,260,and 361. The 021,025 are considered light duty, I have never used any of them for light duty, and all work great year after year

 

[Hookblock]

Forgot, this is how I got the 025 http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/126216-trash-treasure.html Still runs great

 

[N80]

Wow Hookblock, that was quite a find. My Dad had given up on this 025 mostly because of his Alzheimers and it would have ended up in a dumpster too except that my Dad has never thrown anything away!

I cranked it again this morning. No problem and I'm guessing the gas is pretty old. I'll dump out the old gas, make sure the everything else is set properly, get some new gas and some chain oil and it should be fine. The chain is very sharp. I think the last thing he did with it before giving it to me was to take it to the dealer but that was probably a year ago.

Dealer support does seem to be a nice feature.

Dad also gave me a very old Snapper riding mower a few years ago. The thing is junk and I suspect it was junk when it was new (the Briggs and Stratton on the back is great though). But, unlike the off brand stuff I can still get parts from the dealer and I've kept it running just fine. Good dealer support can make a fair product good and in the case of the Stihl, it can make a good product great.

 

[Richard]

I have an 038 and I'm not sure what you mean by the starting procedure. With mine I choke and pull until it runs for a couple of seconds. Then I unchoke and pull until it runs. It takes a few pulls.

Yep, same with my 044

 

[randy41]

The thought of using a trigger lock on a chain saw makes me shudder. I don't want a chain saw that runs by itself.

 

[RobertN]

I have my Dad's 024 sitting in the garage; had to do minor repairs after he let it sit... the fuel line rotted.

This has been a great saw. Grandma bought it for my Dad back in about 1980. He's used it, I have used it, him and my brother have abused it. It is still a GREAT saw.

I have a larger and a smaller Husky. If the Stihl is in my garage, I usually grab it first. It is just real comfortable to me. The Husky's are great saws too; I just have always really like this particular Stihl.

 

[jk96]

The thought of using a trigger lock on a chain saw makes me shudder. I don't want a chain saw that runs by itself.

The trigger lock is only when the unit is choked to start. It has a chain brake that locks the chain to prevent it from turning until unlocked.