Back several weeks ago, I was sawing and having trouble with several of my saws. They were not running very good and became impossible to start sometimes when hot. It was really hot outside. Then I went thru a period where I didn't do any cutting for a while. I posted about it back awhile, on here. Anyway, someone reminded me about the little warm weather/cold weather vents on some of the Stihl saws. Anyway, yesterday, I decided to do a little saw maintenance as I knew the condition of my saws were not the best, based on my last run times. So, I took the cowlings off on my 261 and my 362 and noticed that the vents were set in the cold weather positions, but my 461 does not have a vent selection, as far as I could tell. So, I switched the 261 and the 362 over to hot weather position. And I was shocked to see how dirty the air filters were on all three saws. I guess I had cut a lot more then I had thought, since the last time I checked them. So, I blew them out with air and reinstalled them. All three saws seem to run great now. I guess I was choking them all out. A couple of questions: I just blew the air filters out as best I could, but should I have washed them? It seems like I read somewhere that you could do that. Also, how cold should it be, before I should consider closing those air vents?
Thanks, for the link. So, it looks like maybe 40 degrees is the line. I assumed that was about right, but I figured it might be more like 32 degrees or colder. I do know about Carbs freezing up in above freezing weather. I used to drive a VW Ba Ha Bug back in the 70's and had to relocate the breather to the inside of the carb to keep it from freezing up, I just never thought it would be an issue with a chainsaw, but guess it can be.
The air filters certainly can be washed. Use hot water and a good laundry or dish detergent to soak and rinse. Be careful not to scrub and rub the filter media too hard or it will weaken it and it will begin to thin out and not provide good filtering. It's very important to rinse the filters VERY well as any remaining detergent residue will collect fine dust like oil. Dry them well before using again. The cold air shutters don't really need changed to the winter mode at all unless you have trouble with icing. I do feel the saw will warm up and run a little better in extreme cold with that little bit of warm air off the cylinder comimg in to the combustion chamber. It is far more important to CLOSE the shutter in hot weather to help the saw run cooler.
I leave mine closed (set for warm weather) all the time & have had no issues, I cut occasionally when it’s around 0*.
If you replace the filters, go with the Stihl replacements. I’ve used Stens before, but they didn’t last. The tabs broke after a few removals and installations of the filter. I’ve always had good luck with other Stens products, just not these filters.
Lastmohecken Your air filters should have a symbol on them of a faucet if they are washable. I only use air on them if they don’t show the water symbol. I may be wrong & they may all be washable but that’s my rule of thumb on STIHL air filters.
My Ms460 has the Winter/Summer vent which ill change (if i remember) Havent checked on my other saws but they run okay in the hot weather. Just checked the 500 and none there. The only saw ive had trouble with hot starting was my 170 which ive since sold. Glad it was only a simple filter cleaning. Did you ever fix your 462 Lastmohecken?
Thanks for the info, fellows. I think the possibly the main problem I was having was that I was not cleaning the air filters nearly as often as needed.
Keeping the chain sharp and the bar groove clean is priority, at least to me. If you do that, the air filter should not be a problem for a while. The only time my air filters get dirty is when the chain is dull.
No, it's still in the shop, waiting on a new split half case. The shop keeps telling me, that they are starting to see orders come in, and hope it won't be that much longer. I was going to buy one on ebay, but figured out that it wouldn't fit my saw. Apparently, Stihl has made at least a couple of versions of the 462 regarding the cases. Naturally, the one I bought was the more rare version. I will give them a little more time. Since I have 4 other saws, it's not killing me to wait, except I do miss the 462.
Yep, you may have a point. And I also cut a lot of dirty wood. Talking about bar grooves, I had to replace the chain on 362 today, and while cleaning the bar I noticed that the bar was worn on both sides, and on both ends of the bar, (I do turn the bars over regularly), Anyway, I had to take a file and dress the bar on both sides and both ends, also. It's in good shape now, though. I think that particular saw, did not put out enough bar oil, until I changed out the pump, last year. I believe it may have accelerated the wear on the bar. I am running a lightweight 25-inch bar.
The bar on my ms390 is 15 years old. It has seen heavy and even commercial use. I have dressed it several times over the years and it will need to be replaced before too many more years go by. I would be very happy to get 20 years out of the bar. The engine is still making good power, but is showing some age. I have never touched the carb. It always starts.
Any pics? Any paint left on it? When i sold my circa 2010 MS290 a couple years ago bar had almost no paint on it. Only ran with a 16" bar that i flipped and dressed regularly. EDIT: found a pic
Yep, I tried that first, still wasn't enough oil, so I bought one for a bigger saw from one of the guys on here, and changed it out last year, and it made all of the difference. I get plenty of oil now.
Ive run my 361 (precurser to the 362) with 25 & 28" bar as i was in a pinch at the time. 20" is the longest npw as i have the bigger saws for them.
