STIHL ISSUE

[Stihlmike]

Just got my Stihl last Friday. It cut very well until last Wednesday. The saw just cut out on me mid cut. I tried to start it and when you would give it gas it would just die. The primar ball will not take gas into it and when you press it you can hear air escaping from some where.

The air filter is not gummed up, and it ran when I took it off in the garage. I took it back to the dealership.

Anyone know what could be up?

Owners manual suggests that I check the muffler for obstructions that would not allow the exhaust to escape. Also states that the screen in the fuel tank could be clogged. I find this hard to believe since I had only cut 4 times with the saw before it went down.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Jon1270]

I am not one of the more expert saw guys here, but it sounds very much like a fuel problem, nothing to do with the exhaust. Given that the primer ball isn't moving gas and you can hear air hissing when you pump it, I'd say there's something wrong with either the primer itself or the fuel line before it, so that air is being pulled in instead of fuel. Probably not a big deal.

 

[smokinj]

Sounds more like the fuel filter.

 

[Ashful]

This is a brand new saw? Totally cut out while running, or failed to start again after shut-down?

If cut out while running: failed ignition module. What we refer to as "infant mortality" in electronics.

If failed to start again after running okay: you probably got it flooded. Dry it out (remove air filter and spark plug, pull starter many times), and try again.

 

[Stihlmike]

I had stopped cutting, and it cut out while idling. Tried to get it to go again. I could get it to run with it on half choke, but when i hit the gas and the choke would move to run, it would cut out. You can get it to run for a little while and open throttle, but as soon as you stop giving it gas and its warm it will shut off.

I am hoping the dealership can fix it but I am getting antsy knowing how much wood I have to get done before winter. I just don't want them to wait mid week to look at it, decide it needs parts, then I have to wait even longer until the parts get in.

 

[Ashful]

Perhaps a vacuum leak. At idle, or with choke on, you develop maximum vacuum. When you go wide-open with choke off, vacuum is minimal, so if there's a leak, that's when it shows up. Particularly when you first punch the throttle, before the RPM's hit.

"how much wood I have to get done before winter," does not compute. Wood cut today will in no way be ready to burn this year.

 

[clemsonfor]

Carb issue if I ask me. Maybe ignition but if still sputtering??? Not sure how these units can fail. In outboards they can fail yet still spark partially.

My stihl Is old enough to not have a primer bulb??

 

[Stihlmike]

They are sending the saw to another dealership in the area to get worked on. It is still on my way home from work. I am hoping that the other dealership is backed up and is why they are sending it to a different dealership, and not because they don't know whats wrong......

 

[MasterMech]

The saw just cut out on me mid cut. I tried to start it and when you would give it gas it would just die. The primar ball will not take gas into it and when you press it you can hear air escaping from some where.

If the primer bulb re-inflates after you press it, either a fuel line has popped off a fitting or developed an air leak or the check valves in the primer assembly itself have gotten stuck.

If the primer sticks in after you press it, most likely the fuel line is pinched/clogged or the filter is hopelessly clogged.

Hopefully your dealer gets this sorted out rapidly.

 

[cnice_37]

Stihlmike.... time to become HuskyMike? J/K

What model Stihl? From what I can figure out, its a new saw, and has an air leak. Primer bulb is very well the culprit.

 

[Stihlmike]

i believe it is a ms 230 ce

 

[MasterMech]

i believe it is a ms 230 ce

Slam dunk repair under warranty would be to just replace the carburetor as long as the fuel filter/lines check out. I know Stihl would happily give a dealer a carb and .3 hrs to replace that carb as opposed to a fuel line, filter, carb kit and a full hours labor (or more) to repair it.

 

[bogydave]

Sounds more like the fuel filter.

+1
I would've thought fuel filter or collapsed/plugged fuel line.
(assuming good fuel)
keep us posted

 

[clemsonfor]

A new saw with a plugged fuel filter?? He could filter 100 gallons of fuel with that and be fine. Maybe a plastic hunk out of the filter clogged the line?? A casting imperfection

 

[bogydave]

A new saw with a plugged fuel filter?? He could filter 100 gallons of fuel with that and be fine. Maybe a plastic hunk out of the filter clogged the line?? A casting imperfection

That's what I was thinking,
new saw ?
some piece of plastic or manufacturing debris plugging the fuel some how.
Maybe not the fuel filter but I'd check it. ( small piece of clear plastic wrap in the fuel tank ? )

 

[mikefrommaine]

They are sending the saw to another dealership in the area to get worked on. It is still on my way home from work. I am hoping that the other dealership is backed up and is why they are sending it to a different dealership, and not because they don't know whats wrong......

That does sound strange, unless you bought it from a hardware type store and their only tech is on vacation.

Sounds to me like the carb just needs a good tune.

 

[Boog]

Ahh, the dreaded local Stihl dealer woes............. Got to go with it while its still under warranty.............. but once that ends, we'll all help you fix it here

 

[DexterDay]

My dealer always has a loaner saw. If they are gonna have your saw for any extended time, then you can take there's. it ain't no Pro model, but it will keep your business going if that's what you do for a living (I know you don't, but if you NEED one, they should always have a loaner).

 

[MasterMech]

My dealer always has a loaner saw. If they are gonna have your saw for any extended time, then you can take there's. it ain't no Pro model, but it will keep your business going if that's what you do for a living (I know you don't, but if you NEED one, they should always have a loaner).

I would love to provide something like that whether it be a mower, saw, trimmer, etc for my customers too. But I keep thinking about the liability involved and it stops me from offering. Especially with a saw. I'm sure rental companies have insurance up the ying yang for such an occasion that someone injures themselves with a rental/loaner tool but honestly I really don't think I can afford additional insurance at this point.

 

[clemsonfor]

But your didf MM. Your not a dealer. At a dealer a customer spent a lot of money to hopefully have a trouble free saw. When it breaks 6 months in that's a huge let down. They do it so there not as upset. I see your point as it will make people happier and more ready to use ur shop but isee where your coming from.

 

[Stihlmike]

When it breaks 6 months in that's a huge let down.

I would have been happy with 6 months this was 4 days in.

 

[Jon1270]

I wouldn't make too much of this yet. It's inconvenient, but one problem isn't a pattern and I still doubt it's a big deal. I'd be more disappointed in the dealer than in the saw itself, because it seems likely that they could've handled this better.

 

[Ashful]

My dealer always has a loaner saw. If they are gonna have your saw for any extended time, then you can take there's. it ain't no Pro model, but it will keep your business going if that's what you do for a living (I know you don't, but if you NEED one, they should always have a loaner).

No disrespect meant toward the OP, but the dealer is going to handle a pro customer much differently than a guy who bought one rancher level saw. If a dealer has a loaner, it's probably an under the counter offering to make amends to a regular pro customer, not the home owner they met 5 days ago and sold one mid-level saw.

 

[Foragefarmer]

When it breaks 6 months in that's a huge let down.

I would have been happy with 6 months this was 4 days in.

I would bet there are more problems with new saws in the first week or two than the whole rest of the warranty period. That was the way it was when I was a motorcycle mechanic.

 

[DexterDay]

No disrespect meant toward the OP, but the dealer is going to handle a pro customer much differently than a guy who bought one rancher level saw. If a dealer has a loaner, it's probably an under the counter offering to make amends to a regular pro customer, not the home owner they met 5 days ago and sold one mid-level saw.

Tu-Chet.....

Your prob right on that one. Didn't even look at it like that.