Stihl MS230 Problems

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burnt03

burnt03

Feeling the Heat
Oct 30, 2011
264
Peachland, BC, Canada
I've got an MS230 that I'm having troubles with.

I have to feather the throttle for about 5-10 minutes while it's warming up, otherwise it'll bog and die as soon as you gun it. It idles perfectly.

I took apart the carb and gave it a good clean. It runs this way whether the air filter is on or not. I tried adjusting the L speed screw but it doesn't seem to make any difference (unless it's all the way turned in, then it won't start).

Any ideas?
 
If it bogs and dies when you grab the throttle at idle, that does sound like the idle mixture might be a little too lean, and that fits with the improvement you see as the saw warms up. If we assume you've cleaned the carb well then the other general category of problems to look for is air leaks. I'd carefully inspect all the fuel lines, primer bulb and impulse line.
 
If you don't find a hose leak, consider this....Sometimes, defects in tiny carbs are hard to find. And they really need an ultrasonic cleaning bath, which I don't have. I'm batting .500 on repair of dozens of carbs. When carbs are cheap, I buy a new one. The MS230 carb can be had for $7-$12 on feebay.
 
If the carb has limiter caps on the adjuster screws you need to take them off and open the low adjuster open about 1/4 turn or more. Steve
 
Thanks guys! The carb didn't have caps on the screws but the adjustment didn't seem to make a difference. I'll try giving it another good clean and see if it does the trick, otherwise I'll start looking for a repl. carb.
 
burnt03 said:
Thanks guys! The carb didn't have caps on the screws but the adjustment didn't seem to make a difference. I'll try giving it another good clean and see if it does the trick, otherwise I'll start looking for a repl. carb.
Click to expand...

Do you care to update us on the solution?
 
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Reactions: VirginiaIron
Did you check the muffler or spark arrestor? I had problems with my MS211 that were similar to yours and it ended up being a clogged spark arrestor screen.
 
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Reactions: VirginiaIron
This is a 2 year old thread,the OP probably has fixed or bought a different saw by now
 
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Reactions: VirginiaIron
Lol I saw the title of the thread and thought, "hey, I've got a 230 with problems too!" Funny it didn't come up as an alert. Never did get it fixed... it's a saw from work and we ended up "borrowing" a saw from another department instead. Good reminder though, going to check eBay for a carb after I post this.
 
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Reactions: VirginiaIron
my 361 has a fuel filter that needs cleaned too not sure if the smaller ones have that, original plug only lasted 4-5 months, he put another ngk under warranty lasted the same. put a e3 in it and its been 4-5 years, starts in half the time too
 
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Reactions: VirginiaIron
Still having problems...? Lol
 
mountainlake said:
Zack mentioned to check the muff screen, small Stihl saws like to clog them up bad. Steve
Click to expand...

You might be mixing too much oil in your fuel because I've NEVER had a clogged muffler screen in my two smallish (50 cc) Stihls running the recommended mixture. That's after 20 years of use in one of them.
 
Didn't happen to me as I don't own a small Stihl but I've fixed a few that had that trouble, either too much oil or letting them idle too much. Steve
 
BenTN said:
OP is probably running a husqvarna by now...;)
Click to expand...

That would explain why they don't have time to post anymore. They're still sawing! It takes a lot longer when you have to wait for it to cool down before it will start again! ;)
 
I had a Husqvarna that wouldn't start or run hot
Needed a crank seal. Replaced the seal runs good now
But I sill like my stihl's better
 
  • Like
Reactions: WoodyIsGoody
Forgot to mention, that was the first thing we did. Had the same problem with a 170 that wasn't letting it rev properly. Thanks!
 
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