Choke adjustment on Stihl MS 361

[eguinn]

I have a problem with my 361, when you put the lever all the way down to the choke position it will flood, after about the fifth or sixth pull on the starter rope. At this point the saw has not fired yet, or has not poped. Usually you have to put the lever in the run position and pull and pull until it pops or tries to fires. The saw is pretty new and only has 5 or 6 tanks of gas thru it. What is the proper procedure for setting and adjusting the choke so that it does not flood so bad? Thanks

 

[PES+]

I recommend getting your dealer to take care of it it should be warranty

 

[Logjam]

Back to the dealer

I agree with pest.

Your saw should at least fire when cold and on choke.

Although, mine is finiky. Once it fires on choke, I move the lever to high idle.
2 pulls, it starts. then bleep throttle to normal idle.

If I keeep pulling it on choke after firing, it'll flood.

Have the dealer check it out.

 

[Trigger-Time]

I would take it back to the dealer................but just for grins
try starting it with out the decomp, if you have'nt already

 

[windthrown]

Starting Stihls

Although, mine is finiky. Once it fires on choke, I move the lever to high idle.
2 pulls, it starts. then bleep throttle to normal idle.

If I keeep pulling it on choke after firing, it'll flood.

That is the way that both our 290 and 361 start. I put them on full choke, 2 pulls and they fire/rev a few times and die. Then I flip the levers to semi-choke, and they start. Semi seems to work better than full choke, for whatever reason. Standard Stihl starting method?

 

[windthrown]

Decomp flooding...

I would take it back to the dealer................but just for grins
try starting it with out the decomp, if you have'nt already

Hmmm, I read once that the LA fire department put zip ties around their Stihl chainsaw decomp buttons to keep them from flooding. But I think that the trick with Stihls is to move the lever to semi choke after 2 pulls to get them to start, and to keep them from flooding.

 

[Lakeside53]

My 361 has it's initial start on the 4 or 5th pull when it's been unused for more then a few days, or third pull if more recent. I don't use the decomp for cold starting - much more reliable starting cold starting without it.

 

[GASoline71]

My 361 has it's initial start on the 4 or 5th pull when it's been unused for more then a few days, or third pull if more recent. I don't use the decomp for cold starting - much more reliable starting cold starting without it.

Same here... never flooded mine.

Gary

 

[SawTroll]

Move the lever from choke to fast idle at the faintest sign that it wants to start, and after about 3-4 pulls, even if it hasn't "popped".

That works for me with all my saws (and others I have used), not just the 361......

 

[rxe]

Agree on the decomp. I never use it, and don't see the point - I used to follow the instructions and use it, but starting was harder, and very prone to flooding.

I know what it is meant to do, but if you can pick up a big saw (that might need a decomp), then you can probably start it unassisted. I don't find an 880 any harder to turn over than a 460.

If it hasn't started or popped after two pulls on full choke, move the lever to fast idle. If it still doesn't start, take it back to the dealer - they should all start really easily.

 

[Canyon Angler]

I just pull the rope on mine with it on full choke 3X and then, whether it has popped or not, I put it on "run" and start it. Usually starts within 5 pulls.

 

[kstill361]

Are you drop starting it? I noticed on mine, it will start faster if you hold the saw stable. I start mine between my legs, or on the ground, it makes a difference.

Kevin

 

[RiverRat2]

That is the way that both our 290 and 361 start. I put them on full choke, 2 pulls and they fire/rev a few times and die. Then I flip the levers to semi-choke, and they start. Semi seems to work better than full choke, for whatever reason. Standard Stihl starting method?

Thats pretty standard, I have a slightly modded 066 that cold on full choke if it has not popped by the second pull I put it to semi and it starts on the second or third pull,,, if i leave it on full choke more thn two pulls it floods everytime but the carbs been modded a bit so it has plenty of fuel.... I did open the muffler a bit more and it seems to start better without flooding,,,

 

[Lakeside53]

.

I know what it is meant to do, but if you can pick up a big saw (that might need a decomp), then you can probably start it unassisted. I don't find an 880 any harder to turn over than a 460.

.

If I miss my 880 decomp pop, and pull again, my wrist/arm is just about ripped off!

 

[rxe]

Never had a Stihl bite me on starting. An Alpina, yes, that brute can really hurt and your fingers are numb for the rest of the day. I just drop start them, and really don't notice the difference between any of the Stihls.