Stihl MS310 Starting Issues - Stupid Owner Tricks

[Beltzington]

A couple years ago I purchased a 20" chainsaw to deal with some larger trees needing cleanup on some property we purchased, everytime I needed the saw it would not start. I could always get it started in my garage after the usual fuel, spark, air checks but having heard all the praise for Stihl chainsaws I was very under impressed. Yesterday I needed to cut a 24" tree and sure enough the saw would not start. Convinced I had a carb problem I took took it to a dealer today and told him what was going on. He asked me how I normally tried starting the saw and I said the same way I have started my Echo for the last 30-years. Choke until it turned over and then 1/2 choke until it would run on its own. He smiled and said you will flood a Stihl if you try more then two pulls in the "cold" setting. He then started the saw without any problem. Seems I did have a carb flooding issue, the operator.

 

[3930dave]

Small engines definitely have their own "personalities" when it comes to chokes. When we get used to a certain choke setup, we don't even think about it anymore.

I swear my Briggs generators are setup for something like -60C for full choke. If I ever have to start 'em at anything close to that temperature, I'll raise a toast to the carb designer - that is, at least as soon as I get feeling back in my fingers !

Rgds, D.

 

[retiredmgn]

Yup. Just the way I've been doing it. I have just become used to the fact it required 6 pulls at half choke.
Now you tell me. :confused3:

 

[JeffandTamara]

I have a similar experience and related question on a different saw....I have a Husqvarna 455, Starts great cold, runs good, idles fine and will start right back up if shut off for less than say five minutes...But if you let it cool off more than that, It will flood for sure. I then have to take the plug out and dry it off and repeat several times, then at full throttle try to start. Maybe I am missing something and just not doing something right, but seems like I have a problem. I would have thought that any carburetor problem, it wouldn't run and idle good.....

 

[Beltzington]

Hi Jeff - Keep in mind I am before mentioned stupid operator. To your question, today the Stihl Dealer did tell me my previous procedure (Full, 1/2 Choke) was applicable to Echo and Huskey's so my uniformed guess is you do have a carb issue. Good Luck. Frustrating time of year to be having saw issues.

 

[retiredmgn]

I have a similar experience and related question on a different saw....I have a Husqvarna 455, Starts great cold, runs good, idles fine and will start right back up if shut off for less than say five minutes...But if you let it cool off more than that, It will flood for sure. I then have to take the plug out and dry it off and repeat several times, then at full throttle try to start. Maybe I am missing something and just not doing something right, but seems like I have a problem. I would have thought that any carburetor problem, it wouldn't run and idle good.....

I just went through this a little bit ago. The guys gave me some good info. Not sure how to post threads.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chainsaws/260737-stihl-wet-plug.html

I ended up getting an aftermarket carb for $30 from Weedeaterman in Va. Has website. Haven't put it in yet but was the cheapest way to go.

 

[newbury]

I've 4 Stihl chainsaws - 088, 660, 660, 021. All take 2 or three pulls at full choke, if COLD, till they "pop" then a pull or two at half choke.

 

[cqaigy2]

I've 4 Stihl chainsaws - 088, 660, 660, 021. All take 2 or three pulls at full choke, if COLD, till they "pop" then a pull or two at half choke.

Ditto. My Stihl is pretty old though.

 

[buck12]

I've 4 Stihl chainsaws - 088, 660, 660, 021. All take 2 or three pulls at full choke, if COLD, till they "pop" then a pull or two at half choke.

My 260 has required at least that since new. My saw is cold natured and always has been. Now I have a Kawasaki string trimmer and it the easiest small engine to start I have owed or used. My Dad has a Poulan pole saw that makes me thankful for a few pulls on my saw. The Poulan takes multiple pulls and then it has to idle for at least five minutes before you can touch the throttle. These small two stroke motors seem to each have a personality of their own.

 

[mrmikey]

Small engines definitely have their own "personalities" when it comes to chokes

Isn't that the truth. My Echo, couple shots of the primer, two pulls with choke it'll run for a couple of secs, choke off and the second pull like that it'll start. Any other procedure, forget it, more finicky than the ex .....Mike

 

[LD1]

All the small engines that I have and have ran all seem to have their own personality. And no two are exactally the same. The challenging part is figuring out that personality and you are all set. It sounds like you got if figured out. Now just dont forget about it next time you go to start the saw.

 

[20 20]

I have been told by a few stihl dealers if it does not start by the 3rd pull something is wrong. Knock on wood my stihls have allways started within no more then 3-4 pulls. IF they don't then I know something is up and it's past time for maintenance.

 

[newbury]

I have been told by a few stihl dealers if it does not start by the 3rd pull something is wrong. Knock on wood my stihls have allways started within no more then 3-4 pulls. IF they don't then I know something is up and it's past time for maintenance.

This sounds like

if it does not start by the 3rd pull bring it in to us and we'll fix it (for a nominal 1 hour charge)

I can't remember when any of my 4 Stihls EVER reliably started on 3 pulls COLD after having set more than a week. It's ALWAYS been at least two or three pulls to get it it to "fire", adjust the choke, and then another one to three pulls. If they've set for a long time and gummed up due to non-ethanol gas it has taken up to probably 200 pulls to get the fuel system cleaned out with Seafoam. But that's another story.

Thankfully I've never had to take any of them in for maintenance.

 

[JakeBrake]

Does anyone else remember back in the day when Stihl ran ads that said Stihl saws always started on the first pull? As I recall the Federal Trade Commision made them stop.

Back then (about 30 years) I had a Stihl 031 that would start on the first pull 99% of the time. Now I have a Stihl MS310 and I've experienced all the problems mentioned by the previous posters on this thread.

 

[markrich]

I have a 1998 Stihl 440 Magnum that always starts if I use the following procedure: pull on full choke until it fires, then 1 to 2 pulls on half choke. I use high test gas and ethanol treatment.

I have a 2012 MS 250 that I have fought with since I bought it. Dealer gave me the same advise as the original poster. Never pull more than 2 times on full choke. Give up after three additional pulls on half choke. Pull the plug, close the choke, pull 7 times, reassemble, start the procedure over. It's a PITA. Fortunately, once started it runs fine.

 

[20 20]

Newbury: I do all my own mechanical work, my point is that in my experience with stihl whether it be my saws or the weed eater they allways start without much effort. The few times I've had an issue it was a matter of simple maintenance. I have owned other brands of saw and do know what a PITA some can be, even have a hole in my shed where the saw flew into when it was launched by a very PO'ed owner. Maybe I've just had really good luck with the stihl brand, maybe I have access to magic gas that never gives issue's, or maybe it's because I'm a stickler when it comes to maintenance on my machines?

 

[turnkey4099]

I have 3 stihls, 210, 310, 361 No problems with flooding on any of them and the "more than two pulls with choke will flood" is, to put it mildly, BS. at least two or more until it pops, off choke (there is no "half choke". only high speed on the MS series stihls) and one or two more they are running.

The 361 did have a flooding problem at first but that is because the "pop" is very muted and easy to miss.

Harry K

 

[Beltzington]

I have 3 stihls, 210, 310, 361 No problems with flooding on any of them and the "more than two pulls with choke will flood" is, to put it mildly, BS. at least two or more until it pops, off choke (there is no "half choke". only high speed on the MS series stihls) and one or two more they are running.

The 361 did have a flooding problem at first but that is because the "pop" is very muted and easy to miss.

Harry K

Based on your air resistance your fall rate may vary but you can't deny the effects of gravity. Having shown me the saw started fine by using less choke what are you suggesting the correct response would have been from the dealer?

 

[markrich]

I have 3 stihls, 210, 310, 361 No problems with flooding on any of them and the "more than two pulls with choke will flood" is, to put it mildly, BS. at least two or more until it pops, off choke (there is no "half choke". only high speed on the MS series stihls) and one or two more they are running.

The 361 did have a flooding problem at first but that is because the "pop" is very muted and easy to miss.

Harry K

I've worked on gasoline engines since I was 14, and that was 44 years ago. I've successfully tuned a three carb set up on an Austin Healey 3000. I know a flooded carb when I smell one. I have used chainsaws almost that long. Sir, I must call BS on your BS.

 

[turnkey4099]

I've worked on gasoline engines since I was 14, and that was 44 years ago. I've successfully tuned a three carb set up on an Austin Healey 3000. I know a flooded carb when I smell one. I have used chainsaws almost that long. Sir, I must call BS on your BS.

I called BS on the "more than 2 pull will flood a Stihl. It _is_ BS. If yours does it, the carb needs attention. That one can flood any engine with a carb is an easy thing to do.

Harry K