Stihl MS 250 Chain Saw Problems

[platefire]

Hammermech----I'm not familiar with Opti-2 Oil?

MJN-Glad to hear someone with the same saw has had the same problems. I'll include you start tricks in with my own. Agree,
I don't want another 2 cycle type saw without a primer bulb. I didn't realize it didn't have one until I got it home

RevB--Likeswise, I remembers in the 80's converting my push mowers from points to Solid State ignition. I never missed checking
point gaps and filing points one bit

 

[outdoorpowermike]

7 years is way past the life off the carb pump gasket. Sounds like engine is flooding out because carb gaskets are hard. This condition will flood engine in just a couple pulls. 1st thing to do is a compression test 98-130 psi is good. Next remove muffler a look at piston for scratches or bad piston. Replace with new carb if everything looks good.

 

[platefire]

7 years is way past the life off the carb pump gasket. Sounds like engine is flooding out because carb gaskets are hard. This condition will flood engine in just a couple pulls. 1st thing to do is a compression test 98-130 psi is good. Next remove muffler a look at piston for scratches or bad piston. Replace with new carb if everything looks good.

Haven't tried to fire it up since that last limb clearing. If it continues to be hard to crank, I'll have to do some tuning up. I've got a lot of trees in
my yard and every time a wind comes up, I have some measure of clean up to do.

 

[RevB]

Well I took it back to the Stihl Shop today. Told him it just wasn't cranking. He ask me if I had tried to crank it today. I said no. He picked it up
and pulled the crank cord about 25 times in quick succession and it finally fired and ran good. He said it was just flooded and you have to pull
it like that to clear it out. I'm not sure in my physical condition I can pull it with that intensity for that long---so I hope it's a little easier to crank
when I go out to cut my limb in a few minuets.

If it's flooded, simply remove the spark plug and pull it over a few times...then wait. Fuel will evaporate. Install plug, reattempt starting. You don't need to pull it over 25 times in rapid succession.

 

[RevB]

7 years is way past the life off the carb pump gasket. Sounds like engine is flooding out because carb gaskets are hard. This condition will flood engine in just a couple pulls. 1st thing to do is a compression test 98-130 psi is good. Next remove muffler a look at piston for scratches or bad piston. Replace with new carb if everything looks good.

If the pump gaskets are stiff and inoperable the exact opposite of what you describe will be the condition.

 

[XD2200]

I've had this one 7 years with no problems until recently when it wouldn't crank. I tried all my little tricks with draining old fuel and
putting in fresh fuel and checking spark which appeared no spark. Took it to a authorized Stihl dealer. They replaced the ignition
module for $130 and it ran fine to cut up one tree limb that had fallen. Took it out today to cut up another limb and it's doing the same thing
as before, not even a hint of wanting to crank. I checked the spark and could see a very faint spark but it was a spark! Right now
I'm pretty aggravated. He said to bring it back if I had any problems, don't know what that means! another $130??? After while
it starts approaching the cost of a new saw. My last Stihl lasted 30 years, so I was kinda hoping it would be a repeat

I have a MS290 and it took 25 pulls to start. Finally tried using Stihl Moto Mix and problem solved.

 

[LawnWizard]

Rivets, that is the same procedure in my Stihl MS250 Manual and what I follow most of the time but---when that
don't work? I usually let it sit a while and try that procedure again and it usually fires up. This time none of that
procedure would work for me and it was a reason, the Ignition Module was out and was replaced. I cranked and
ran well for me to do one job last week. Then this week it was acting just like it did when the ignition module
was out----just dead. So I'm glad it's working now because I really like this saw.

On funny note----before I took it to the Stihl Dealer I called a local repairman that I had used years before to get him to work on my saw. The
second I told him it was a Stihl his whole demeanor changed and he was angry! He said I don't work on Stihls and he told me
about the Stihl dealer in town that I didn't know we had--so I appreciate that. I wanted to ask him why he felt that way about
Stihls but by the sound in his voice, I decided to leave it alone:>)

My guess is that he won't work on them because after market parts are not readily available. That means he has to go to a dealer, buy the part at retail price, mark it up, then sell it to you. Also, every Stihl saw Ive seen is hard to start if not used nearly every day. Echo offer saws in all price ranges, are easier to start, dollar for dollar as (or more) reliable, AND offer a 5 year warranty on non commercial use. Now the Echo bashing will start, but I've had, and repaired many of them. Easily my favorite saws.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

This may be a little trivial but did you put a new plug in it after the new ignition coil?

E-0 yes if you can find it but why 91 octane?

my octane is better than your octane

 

[Johner]

I've had this one 7 years with no problems until recently when it wouldn't crank. I tried all my little tricks with draining old fuel and
putting in fresh fuel and checking spark which appeared no spark. Took it to a authorized Stihl dealer. They replaced the ignition
module for $130 and it ran fine to cut up one tree limb that had fallen. Took it out today to cut up another limb and it's doing the same thing
as before, not even a hint of wanting to crank. I checked the spark and could see a very faint spark but it was a spark! Right now
I'm pretty aggravated. He said to bring it back if I had any problems, don't know what that means! another $130??? After while
it starts approaching the cost of a new saw. My last Stihl lasted 30 years, so I was kinda hoping it would be a repeat

Have you changed the fuel filter? After that long the filter deuterates, then it clog's the very fine screen in the carb. I think mine is an 027 no plastic heavy as a horse. Also changed the tank filter and cleaned that screen and it still runs.

 

[BGS Mex]

I've had this one 7 years with no problems until recently when it wouldn't crank. I tried all my little tricks with draining old fuel and
putting in fresh fuel and checking spark which appeared no spark. Took it to a authorized Stihl dealer. They replaced the ignition
module for $130 and it ran fine to cut up one tree limb that had fallen. Took it out today to cut up another limb and it's doing the same thing
as before, not even a hint of wanting to crank. I checked the spark and could see a very faint spark but it was a spark! Right now
I'm pretty aggravated. He said to bring it back if I had any problems, don't know what that means! another $130??? After while
it starts approaching the cost of a new saw. My last Stihl lasted 30 years, so I was kinda hoping it would be a repeat

Maybe you should take it back to the folks who installed the ignition Module. Maybe it failed (?) They (I hope) will stand behind their work. Unfortunately in most cases electrical parts aren't warranted. Was it an OEM Piece?