Q & A on new 5100S

[nocando1945]

After reviewing many threads, I decided I had to have a 5100S. After making the 15 mile trip to the only Dolmar dealer in the area 4 or 5 times and getting the same answer each time. " None in stock, they are ordered and will definitely be in by Saturday. And I can't give you a firm price until the saws arrive." The price wasn't really an issue, but I can't believe that don't know when or if they will be in stock;so, finally I bought one off ebay. The saw arrived new in box with warranty card as advertised. There is no mention of where specifically did you buy the saw on the warranty card. Just the date, last name, etc. The saw shipping included was $360 with 18" bar (not 3/8). Now the instruction book keeps referring to the dc valve (which the saw doesn't have) and gives fairly specific instructions on tuning the saw but instructs you to have the dealer tune it. My question is "Is the saw setup at the factory to run through the breakin period, or should it be tuned by a dealer before it is run?" My only experience with new saws is 2 026's and neither had ever been started when I brought them home from the dealer and a friend received an 025 for xmas, and it arrived in a new saw case and had never been started either. I realize that the Stihl dealers are supposed to set their saws up, go over them, etc., but I've never heard a saw run at either the Stihl or Dolmar dealer.

 

[Luke]

My new 5100 was purchased at a dealer and handed to me in a box. I'm not complaining, just pointing out that it didn't get any special "tuning". Mine started out rich enough that it did not hit the rev limiter and I left it that way. It has probably 7 tanks thru and I just recently had to adjust the idle and it just started hitting the rev limiter. If I remember correctly, one of the builders commented that they should hit the limiter hard. They said work it up to the limiter with a tach, then 1/8 turn to lean. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[nocando1945]

Q & A on 5100S

Thanks Luke! The 2 026's & the 025 I mentioned ran fine right out of the box, and I suspect the 5100S will also.

 

[NYH1]

I realize that the Stihl dealers are supposed to set their saws up, go over them, etc., but I've never heard a saw run at either the Stihl or Dolmar dealer.

Congratulations on your new 5100s. I hear they're great saws!

Both my Stihl's were set up and ran at the Dealer when I bought them, and I bought them at two different dealers. The first one I bought (my 021) they even went over the basics with me, you know......."bar oil go's here, you should get about two tanks of fuel mix out of one tank of bar oil", "the fuel mix go's here", "here is the on/off/ choke switch and this is how it works" ect. ect. ect. When I bought my second one the guy already knew I had experience with Stihl chain saws. I bought chains and air filters from him. He was going to give me a once over with the saw but I told him I was all set........which he already knew!

I would have a dealer make sure your saw is tuned right. Or you can buy a tachometer and ask the guys with experience (one of which I'm not!) on this site how to do it yourself. Saws are like anything else, if they're not set up and tuned right they won't run right.......and you can burn them up!

 

[sugarbush]

warranty card

fill in the dealer you bought it from. ask that dealer how to tune it. the problem with your local dealer sounds strange!

 

[nocando1945]

Q & A on 5100S

Honestly, the last new saw I bought was in 1993. Obviously, the litigation situation has probably caused new policies at the dealers. The Dolmar dealer sells Husky, Echo, and Dolmar but mostly is a lawn mower dealer. The Stihl dealer sells mowers also but seems to concentrate much more on saws. The Dolmar seems to be pushing 455 Husky's. The counterman touts the old Stihls but sings high praises to Shindaiwa which no one sells that I'm aware of.

 

[SawTroll]

.... If I remember correctly, one of the builders commented that they should hit the limiter hard. They said work it up to the limiter with a tach, then 1/8 turn to lean. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I have also read something like that some time ago, but I don't really know if it applies to stock 5100s........

...seems a bit risky to me......

 

[Four Paws]

My new 5100 was purchased at a dealer and handed to me in a box. I'm not complaining, just pointing out that it didn't get any special "tuning". Mine started out rich enough that it did not hit the rev limiter and I left it that way. It has probably 7 tanks thru and I just recently had to adjust the idle and it just started hitting the rev limiter. If I remember correctly, one of the builders commented that they should hit the limiter hard. They said work it up to the limiter with a tach, then 1/8 turn to lean. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hitting the rev limiter is BAD. If you adjust your carb so the saw hits the limiter, and then turn the screw another 1/8 turn to lean, your saw won't run for very long afterwards

 

[outdoortype]

5100s setup

My Dolmar dealer showed me how to start the saw and then ran it to make sure that it was oiling properly. I'd be nervous about checking the high speed with a tach because you'd be WOT no load-before the first few tanks. Unless you think that it's running lean I wouldn't mess with it. It seems you hear of engine failure due to lean adjustment and almost never hear of a saw dying of too rich adjustment. Please correct me if I'm wrong.