anyone else having hard time starting a ms361 stihl

hello all, i have a 2 year old ms361 i bought new. i love the saw, but it is hard to start. 4-5 pulls with chock on, then it starts to run. flip to run 4-5 more pulls, now it quit all together. i can start it and it revs up and dies, over and over again, lightly used saw, i always put fresh 93 mixed gas in , used at least once per month, i have 2 times cleaned the carb since this started, new plug, clean air filter , good spark. i would use this saw more but i keep grabbing the 260 pro. i use the 361 on 20" diameter wood and up. i probable should take to dealer but i figure it will kill $125.00 and i cant do that now, any thoughts are appreciated

Make sure that the carb to boot clamp didn't come loose & that there are no intake leaks from the filter to the cylinder(try to wiggle the carb & carefully push on the boot clamp with a screwdriver. Check the fuel line from carb all the way to tank filter for cracks. Is fuel line tight on carb barb fitting? Randy

classic fuel line problem

Rob

Decompression valve?

S

Mine has always started like that, its also two years old but I would say heavy use. definetly change plug, if you havent already, and check fuel lines. When you say cleaned carberator does that mean you have removed it?

yes i removed carb

Make sure all the rubber hoses are connected well with no cracks. And reset to factory setting to get it going and adjust from there.

Reving up and then dies is the fuel line it starts sucking air as you rev it up. I have replaced a ton of these.


Rob

So far mine starts very easy, not used much but a little over a year old, I think mine starts better with out using the decompression button.

you're not new to saws, but if your starting procedure is as you have typed it, then you are doing it wrong.

Full choke = couple pulls ('til it starts to gurgle)
Half-Choke = couple more pulls ('til it takes off)
Trigger = give it a few revs (this pulls it out of half-choke)

You miss the first pop on a 361 its going to load up with fuel like a big dog!

I would agree with the new fuel lines and fuel filter, I end up doing mine once a year or so.

Had a Husky like that, you really had to listen for the first pop, Randy

Before you take anything else apart, check for spark immediately after it dies. A weak/failing ignition module would cause the symptoms you mention. Especially if you can't restart it after it dies and it starts after you let it sit for awhile.

If it's dying after you get it started and you can re-start it right away, then I'd check over the diaphragms in the carb very thoroughly. Even better, just throw a diaphragm/gasket kit in it. Pressure test the fuel line if you can't spot any pinholes visually.

Loosen the gas cap. Maybe a plugged vent? Seen that before on other saws. Dunno where the vent is on a 361 and if it's prone to getting plugged.

That describes my 346xp to a T. It runs for 10 minutes, dies & can't restart, let it cool & it starts right up. I have a coil on order for it, Randy

yes i wrote starting order wrong, i do it as you mentioned

That's what I figured, but I just thought I'd check. I know you aren't new to saw starting, but sometimes it helps to start at the beginning.

Jay got that right.My 361 always starts like a champ but I have a friend that's hard of hearing and he constantly floods his 361.Just can't hear the pop.

Couple years ago my oldest son did that to my 361, then he grabbed the 250 and flooded it to. We spent the rest of the day with the 180 whittling on a large oak I had just felled. Next day those saws were still flooded and we were messing with that same oak. My younger son said We are not doing this again, grabbed the 361, left the gas off and pulled and pulled and pulled till he cleared out the cylinder. He then set the choke and it started right up. Did the same to the 250 and we were done in no time.

My 361 starts every time when I don't use the decomp valve. It's a lot easier to hear that first pop after 5 pulls or so, then starts up 2 pulls later. If your using the decomp valve try starting without it, probably not that easy of a fix but thought I'd chime in.

I will keep that in mind because I miss it alot..........After running the bigger saws!

Damn! 7 pulls? Here I've been threatening to trade in my old Partner on a new Stihl if'n when it takes more than 5 pulls to start the old girl. 7 pulls for a new Stihl? Is the 362 any better?

361 will start a little harder than most saw, but the pull are not hard. 7 pulls on an 880 your already tired 7 on a 361 no big deal. Once its warm one pull all day.

Not trying to sound rude or anything, but are you serious or joking? If someone is going to tote around a 15lb saw all day, either cutting firewood, bucking logs, or cutting brush, or anyone of the other numerous jobs we all do, I think pulling a cord 7 times vs. 2 or 3 to start a saw is the last thing that people are gonna worry about.

If that's the case, I'd suggest one of those cute little electric saws for you. :lol:


However, I imagine you were being sarcastic