Removing Stihl Limiter Caps

sarge14 · Feb 26, 2009

Just thought I'd pass this on. The limiter cap on the High set screw of my MS460 has kept me from 4 stroking the saw during adjustment. Also, the saw had a dead spot when going from idle to full throttle and the Low set screw wouldn't take it out. After several adjustments the dead spot still showed up. I checked the impulse/fuel line and the carb for leaks, with everything checking out AOK.

Last week, I talked to a friend of mine who is a mechanic at our local Stihl dealership and he told me that he has had this type of problem before and the best thing to do is take out the limiter caps so the saw could be adjusted right. He said the best way he found to remove the caps is to remove the carb and take a coarse drywall screw and screw it down into the red limter cap (Either Low or High). He then told me to take a pair of pliers and pull the screw out and the cap would follow. He said to repeat this for the other cap.

Well tonight I tried it and it worked perfect. A small part of the plastic was left inside, but after removing the set screws and with the help of a small screwdriver, I got the rest of the caps out.

I readjusted the carb and it works like a brand new one. I searched the threads for this type of removal but couldn't find anything. Hope this helps someone with a problem like mine.

2000ssm6 · Feb 26, 2009

Good info but you need to replace the caps when it's tuned, the caps help keep the screws from walking out.

sarge14 · Feb 26, 2009

2000ssm6 said:
Good info but you need to replace the caps when it's tuned, the caps help keep the screws from walking out.

Are the screws known to walk out on this or other Stihl models?

2000ssm6 · Feb 26, 2009

sarge14 said:
Are the screws known to walk out on this or other Stihl models?

The older models had a spring behind the screw to keep 'em steady. You may not ever have a problem with yours coming out but the caps are only a quarter or two each. Cut off the big tab so you can adjust the screws without having to pull the caps back out.

sarge14 · Feb 26, 2009

2000ssm6 said:
The older models had a spring behind the screw to keep 'em steady. You may not ever have a problem with yours coming out but the caps are only a quarter or two each. Cut off the big tab so you can adjust the screws without having to pull the caps back out.

Thanks for the info! :cheers:

ironman_gq · Feb 26, 2009

I just used a pick. the tab on the cap lines up with a slot in the carb body and they slide out most of the way then pull em all the way out with pliers. I was able to leave my carb on and had em out in less than 5 minutes

SCOOTER · Feb 26, 2009

I use a small crochet hook,, and just pull them out,, cut off the tabs with an exacto knife and push them back in.. no problem at all.. that's the way I do it and works like a charm

flashpuppy · Feb 26, 2009

I'm not real familiar with the Stihl limiter caps. Does anyone have a pic so I can get a better understanding of this?

Brian VT · Feb 26, 2009

I just cut the tabs off with a razor knife. Why pull them ?

Before:

Lakeside53 · Feb 26, 2009

Different carb... those you can trim without removal.. The later HD series you cannot.

Orange Hill · Feb 26, 2009

Brian VT said:
I just cut the tabs off with a razor knife. Why pull them ?

Before:

The newer Stihl carbs have different caps then you have pictured. They are recessed into collars and have to be turned fully clock wise to line up the tab with the channel cut into the collars before they can be pulled.

Brian VT · Feb 26, 2009

My bad. Sorry. I guess the EPA caught on and made it tougher. SOBs.
How long before they mandate fixed jetting and nothing will run right ?
Fuel injected, computerized, catalytic convertered hand tools ? Those sound affordable and light weight. :dizzy:

matt9923 · Aug 5, 2009

Brian VT said:
My bad. Sorry. I guess the EPA caught on and made it tougher. SOBs.
How long before they mandate fixed jetting and nothing will run right ?
Fuel injected, computerized, catalytic convertered hand tools ? Those sound affordable and light weight.

I know this is old but just what i was looking for.

If they do that idk what will do.
Fixed jet carbs.. i have to work with those hunks of crap all day on these craftsman lawnmowers.

angelo c · Aug 5, 2009

matt9923 said:
I know this is old but just what i was looking for.

If they do that idk what will do.
Fixed jet carbs.. i have to work with those hunks of crap all day on these craftsman lawnmowers.

I have a question.
If the limiter caps really cause the adjustments to not "walk around" does it really matter. I think if your going to use a saw you should need to be able to tune it almost as often as you adjust the chain. the fuel and conditions vary enough to support my thinking right?. I don't think setting mixture and Idle speeds is a "set and forget" thing. Kind of like chain sharpening I guess, something you need to learn how to do right eventually.

mwood1986 · Nov 30, 2009

Pictures! From my Stihl 029 I removed.

Thought I'd tag these pics to this thread to help a little I didn't remove my carb either and just used a screw I had in arms reach

Before I started

After I took out the rubber grommet which comes right out

Here I just put a drywall screw in it a couple turns which grabbed the cap enough to turn it and line up the groove so I could pull the cap out

Here I pulled it about halfway out with a little effort (sawdust kinda hung it up a bit)

Same with the other side

And the final product, the little metal insert that held the caps in place came out with the second cap so I just tapped it back in as a screwdriver guide more than anything.

Hope this helps someone out :chainsaw:

Rookie1 · Nov 30, 2009

Nice job removing limiters. And nice job adding pics to the thread.

gemniii · Mar 1, 2010

Where can one get replacement caps?
The previous owner "trimmed" mine I think and now they seem to "walk".

The saw was running fine with the low set about 3/8 out (versus the start point of 1/4), but when I went to start it today after about 1/3 hour of sawing two days ago, it was over a full turn out and flooded. I know I should have checked it first.

The local stihl shop doesn't sell the caps (or tool) separately.

matt9923 · Mar 1, 2010

gemniii said:
Where can one get replacement caps?
The previous owner "trimmed" mine I think and now they seem to "walk".

The saw was running fine with the low set about 3/8 out (versus the start point of 1/4), but when I went to start it today after about 1/3 hour of sawing two days ago, it was over a full turn out and flooded. I know I should have checked it first.

The local stihl shop doesn't sell the caps (or tool) separately.

Iv bought them, if you dealer cant order parts get a new dealer.
you need the part #? what saw

gemniii · Mar 1, 2010

matt9923 said:
Iv bought them, if you dealer cant order parts get a new dealer.
you need the part #? what saw

Thanks, yes I could use the part # for the 660. I was hoping to find someplace that sold them online, because I hate going to useless dealers.
The one closest to me (about 5 minutes by car) is normally pretty good. I'd go to Thall10326, but he's about 90 to 120 minutes away, a long drive for a pair of caps.

But then I do want a 40" bar, and Bailey's no longer offers free shipping.

HMMM??

matt9923 · Mar 1, 2010

cap- 4203 121 2700

tool- 5910 890 4500

Removing Stihl Limiter Caps

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