STIHL ISSUE
- Thread starter Stihlmike
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
- Status
My vote is to pick up the 361 for $300 if it's in good condition. I don't have EZ start on my 441 and it does require a few pulls, but not the end of the world.
The 361 is the pro equivalent of a 290. I think the 362 has 1 more h.p. than a 290 with only 3cc more displacement.
I don't want any more saws myself. If I came across a super buy on a 660 someday, I'd be tempted, but not at the new price.
The 361 is the pro equivalent of a 290. I think the 362 has 1 more h.p. than a 290 with only 3cc more displacement.
I don't want any more saws myself. If I came across a super buy on a 660 someday, I'd be tempted, but not at the new price.
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
!
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Just couldn't swing the pro series price. Went with the 290 farm boss. Going to go with the 18" bar on it.
I am getting the trade in cash value on my 230 but was told that the tax that I paid on it is non refundable. Wish that was not the case, but at this point it is what it is, and I just want to get cutting agin.
If I wait to go to another dealership to get a new saw, I would have to wait until next Saturday, and just cant afford to wait that long. I believe I will go to the other dealer for all of my repair, wich is hopefully none. They gave me the opportunity to just take the value off of my card for the 230 but I need a saw. If this one ends up having issues, I will not be purchasing a STIHL again.
I had thought about the 251 but it has the easy tooless adjust on it and I do not like this option. I think this is the best saw that I can get withing my budget, and still have the warranty. Wish I knew more about saws to take advantage of the pro saw that was offered to me but just can't go that rout right now. Will be upgrading in time, and just hope that It was a fluke that the other saw had so many issues.
Do you guys run the STIHL moto mix, or purchase the non ethanol gas for your saws. I am worried about the effects of ethanol on chainsaws, and want to do everything in my power to avoid issues caused by gas with ethanol mixed in.
I am getting the trade in cash value on my 230 but was told that the tax that I paid on it is non refundable. Wish that was not the case, but at this point it is what it is, and I just want to get cutting agin.
If I wait to go to another dealership to get a new saw, I would have to wait until next Saturday, and just cant afford to wait that long. I believe I will go to the other dealer for all of my repair, wich is hopefully none. They gave me the opportunity to just take the value off of my card for the 230 but I need a saw. If this one ends up having issues, I will not be purchasing a STIHL again.
I had thought about the 251 but it has the easy tooless adjust on it and I do not like this option. I think this is the best saw that I can get withing my budget, and still have the warranty. Wish I knew more about saws to take advantage of the pro saw that was offered to me but just can't go that rout right now. Will be upgrading in time, and just hope that It was a fluke that the other saw had so many issues.
Do you guys run the STIHL moto mix, or purchase the non ethanol gas for your saws. I am worried about the effects of ethanol on chainsaws, and want to do everything in my power to avoid issues caused by gas with ethanol mixed in.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Most new OPE is designed to handle the ethanol fuel. Most of us run it in our older equipment, too, and relatively few have had any problems. My dealer recommends that you dump out the ethanol fuel and pour a little non-ethanol canned mix into the saw for storage, but otherwise save your money and just run standard pump fuel.
Me? I'd return that POS, and send DexterDay a private message. He'll sell you a good reworked pro saw at a fair price, and will stand behind it, if you have any trouble. I know I'm putting words in his mouth here, but I think he's a good guy. Your alternative is to find a Stihl dealer who is a real pro saw shop, not just a general OPE dealer. They'll usually have reworked pro saws, with a short warranty, which you can pick up at half the cost of new. You will know the mechanic who worked on your saw, and can go to him if/when you have trouble with it.
I run out of the pump , 89, or 93 octane fuel that's up to 10% ethanol mixed with your synthetic two-cycle oil of choice. No need to use a richer mix than 50:1 in that saw. Do not over think the fuel issue. You bought a good reliable saw that will run fresh fuel mixed with good oil.
You want to avoid issues with fuel? Storage is key. Store it in airtight containers out of the sun in a relatively cool location. Your shed that reaches 100+ during the day and back down to 60 and humid at night is a poor choice. Out back under the pine tree is a poor choice. The front porch is a poor choice (usually). But your garage that stays between 70-80 degrees all summer long is probably a much better choice.
. Run the saw dry if you will not be using it for more than a couple weeks. Dump any mix that reaches 60 days old in the lawn mower or your pickups (full) tank. I won't deter you from using stabilizer products in your mix fuel but its usually not necessary if you take care of the fuel to begin with.
Last edited by a moderator:
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
I run husqvarna semi syn oil only because I don't have the warrenty offer stihl gives u to run theirs and because I do t have a close stihl and BC I can get husky oil at Lowes when there.
I run premium non e fuel but I can get it easy at my normal station. The oil has a fuel stabilizer in it as well. If I ha. To I would run E fuel but I don't so I don't!
I run premium non e fuel but I can get it easy at my normal station. The oil has a fuel stabilizer in it as well. If I ha. To I would run E fuel but I don't so I don't!
Easy now,
. I can think quite a few members that started with 290s or 455 Ranchers that remember them fondly. And now run 60-70cc pro saws. The 290 is far from a POS. So long as Mike isn't looking to cut hundreds of cords per year or trying to beat a stopwatch, the 290 is stone reliable, responds really well to a muffler mod for more power, and sells quite well due to the recognition of the Farm Boss title. He should be able to get at least 60% of his money back once the warranty is up 2 years from now and he's ready for big boy toys.
I bet the 361 would have been less than the 290 Offer stands for any member 
and yes, I would stand behind it
Congrats on the 290. There a good saw.. Now let's see some pics. You know the rules. No pics = Never happened
![[Hearth.com] STIHL ISSUE](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/110/110313-60e1f51ee3c65a81bff5a5673d3dd391.jpg?hash=GQlkZAc4uG "[Hearth.com] STIHL ISSUE")
![[Hearth.com] STIHL ISSUE](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/110/110314-caa3d49a7574eec001ab13c837239c2f.jpg?hash=6P5w9Fb1J5 "[Hearth.com] STIHL ISSUE")
Offer stands for any member and yes, I would stand behind it Congrats on the 290. There a good saw.. Now let's see some pics. You know the rules. No pics = Never happened
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Ashful
Minister of Fire
That came off wrong. I meant that Mike's 230 is a POS... not that all farm saws are!Easy now,
I'd still rather have a used pro saw than a new Farmboss, though.
Last edited:
I love my Farm Boss. It is a good little saw. My 441 has more power but also drinks fuel.
To the O.P., I understand why you chose as you did. You have a good saw as would have been the 361. You got a warranty and should have many years of trouble free service. Congrats!!
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Just to show you not all stihls are trouble, and I know I have put this here before. My 390, which is a big brother to yours was like 7 years old before I had a bad fuel line. A $8 part and it was back in service!
I am beginning to think that STIHL is POS. I went over on my lunch break to pick up a new farmboss. Paperwork was ready. Swiped my card. Salesman went back to put some gas in it and make sure it ran and such. Sat there......sat there some more...... sat some more.......
He came back with a totally different farm boss. I asked what was the matter, and he said "Im not going to lie, I can't get the other one started"
NOW YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Is this my luck? 2 new saws from Stihl and they are junk from the box? I am going to let him set up the other farm boss and pick it up today, but what are the odds of that. I am starting to lose faith in STIHL.
Dexter, Those pictures are awesome, and nothing personal. I appreciate you offering me that saw but I would not know how to work on it at the current time if something would happen, all be it my own error.
Can I just not win?
He came back with a totally different farm boss. I asked what was the matter, and he said "Im not going to lie, I can't get the other one started"
NOW YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Is this my luck? 2 new saws from Stihl and they are junk from the box? I am going to let him set up the other farm boss and pick it up today, but what are the odds of that. I am starting to lose faith in STIHL.
Dexter, Those pictures are awesome, and nothing personal. I appreciate you offering me that saw but I would not know how to work on it at the current time if something would happen, all be it my own error.
Can I just not win?
My farm boss is 11 months old now. I have never had that issue. Maybe there's something goofy with that dealer or the guy wasn't very good with saws.
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
You have bad luck for sure. But honestly that's not the case with 99% of them. My uncle has an 026 that in like 15 years has had NOTHING done to it!!
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
- Status
