I'm using either Stihl or VP premixed fuel. Been thinking about some starting fluid but was a little hesitant. Thanks

I'm a Stihl certified Silver Level Tech and here is what I teach to a customer and especially if they are a first time customer of a Stihl (or any brand for that matter).

Make sure there is fresh or good pre-mix in the tank. If not dump it and put in some Motomix Stihl 93 octane gas. Assuming the pickup (fuel) filter is good the next step is the actual normal first step

PUT CHAIN LOCK ON push lever forward!!

1. Compress the top safety lever and squeeze the throttle trigger fully and hold it wide open and move the choke/start/stop lever to full choke position and hold it there then release your finger from the full throttle position and this will lock the full choke into position.

2. Pull the start pull cord 1 or 2 briskly or until you hear or feel a "pop" from the engine, the engine is now primed (more on this in a few), Even if the saw has a primer (bulb) the full choke ONE "pop" is all you need for priming.

3. Now put the start/stop/run lever into the secondary choke or partial choke position and pull the starter cord briskly and it should start and run at or around 5k rpm.

4. Let it run with the chain lock on until you can feel some warm exhaust coming out the muffler then blip the throttle, and it should idle on its own,

In short, lock it into full choke position, pull cord one or more times until you hear or feel a "pop". Put choke into the half or partial position, then pull starter.

Mike

I am fully aware of the official starting procedure, but lets be perfectly honest, 1 or 2 pulls never works, in fact 20 pulls don't work without some mechanical gymnastics or sorcery.

Then there's something wrong like a bad carburetor, coil etc., Just saying from my 60+ years of experience with 2-strokes, from 2-stroke motorcycles of 50cc to 550cc for a major manufacturer for 34-years as the technical manager and then on to a Stihl tech for the last 14-years. You don't know how many new and used chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, etc., I've started without doing anything but the procedure I described after being told "It won't start". At the most it ever takes is a new spark because it was soaked (fouled) because the previous person didn't use the correct starting procedure. Just saying I've done this for a living for decades. If I can't start a 2-stroke garden piece using this method then there is some adjust or mechanical issue. If it ran when you last used it then as long as the gas is good then it's the fuel has gummed up the fuel system or the spark plug is fouled.

If you think it might be a gummed-up carb and fuel system, then try some Stihl already mixed 93 octane ethanol free Motomix. What's best about it is the consistency of the perfect 50 to 1 ratio mix, premium gas 93 octane and ethanol free. Also there's VP Fix-It you can mix 50/50 with Motomix. Just trying to help.

Mike

We use to bring them into the house at night or put them in the passenger compartment in the log trucks for a little while to warm them up when it was below 50F outside

So it's only 2 years old.
Has it always been that hard to start?

I’ve had mine for probably 8 years now. I store it with stabil 360 in it and start it spring and fall if not used. It basically pops off like the one guy posted. Sure sounds like a carb issue.

Got a question about an MS250 chain saw. It no longer kills when turned offa t switch. I have to choke it to get it to kill.

Got a question about an MS250 chain saw. It no longer kills when turned offa t switch. I have to choke it to get it to kill.

Mikes' starting procedure definitely works.

On my 2-Strokes: primer bulb 4 times, trigger throttle 3 times, push the de-compression button in, set choke to wide open, pull 2-3 times Summer, 3-6 times Winter. Soon as it lights, tap the throttle to disengage the choke and take it off high-idle. Works every time. Let it idle until the cylinder fins are warm to the touch, do light cuts at half throttle for 5 minutes. Then run it as hard as you want.

Few things to try Guitar that have worked for Me in no particular order:

a) Pull the fuel hose out of the tank and check it. If it's not pliable and starting to harden they can crack and cause starting issues. Not noticable with a full tank of fuel, this usually shows up after you have been working the machine for an hour. I keep extra fuel line around for this reason.

b) The air breather element on my Husky is the same color as SAWDUST. Brilliant idea, a visual inspection and it looks like the filter is perfect condition. It isn't. Mine was getting miserable to start like yours, and the filter was plugged. Even after cleaning and seeing sawdust come out of it, it still looked the same. So, blow out your element whether it needs it or not.

c) The spark arrestor screen will get plugged with 2 Stroke oil, clean it. When it's plugged they are stubborn to start.

d) Pull the spark plug and hit it with a wire brush to freshen it up and start quicker.

e) Crack the fuel cap to introduce air to the fuel tank. My Husky breathes through a tiny port in the fuel cap, it has been plugged in the past and needed clearing to get fuel to the engine.

f) Like the fuel line issue above, the primer bulbs will also get brittle and develop a leak in the fuel system. Have a look for fuel drooling from the bulb under the plastic cover.

Cold isn't the problem, 2-Strokes ALWAYS start.
Generally if the carb has a plugged passage it shows up as a stumble off idle. This happens all the time, I pull the carb off once a year and blow it out.

I don't want to say "buy a Husky", because I have looked at Stihl before........

Hope these suggestions help You.

I've got an old 026, an 029 and an MS290. Have never had starting issues with any of them. Lock the trigger, fully choked, pull it until it just fires, release the choke and pull it one more time. Good to go.

My issue is with how many times I have to yank on it to get that first fire. Maybe I didn't describe it well enough. It is never 1 or 2 pulls, and probably not even 10. I have emphysema so I am out of breath pretty easily. So by the time I get it to fire I am already worn out and out of breath. I was just looking for an easier way to start it. Sorry for any confusion.

My current Stihl has a I'll say "spring loaded" mechanism so that the engine turns over after you release the pull rope. I don't remember what the marketing name they threw at it but it is IMO better that the traditional pull rope start, especially if the engine kicks back. Another good feature is being able to tighten the chain without using tools. I really like those two Stihl features. With that said my current Stihl can be sluggish to start and run, especially if it has sat for awhile. The afore mentioned starting mechanism makes it not as bad an ordeal as compared to the regular rope pull starting. In the past I have had a Homelite, McColloch, (sp), Pollan, Huskvarna, and a Timber Bear. The best one all around was the Huskvarna which I bought used at an estate sale for $75.
The bottom line...two stroke engines are finicky and add to that Emissions BS and the fact that they sometimes sit for long intervals between use, you just have to pick your poison. I've got a friend that really likes his electric chainsaw thus far...rant over.

"Easy2Start"

Honestly do you think of the hundreds of Stihl chainsaws that customers have brought in that complain that it won't start that I keep them for a day or two and then give them back with an $85 an hour bill and a can of starter fluid?? If it doesn't start using the procedure, then there is something not correct that needs to be addressed. Even something as simple as a carburetor high and low speed and idle adjustment.