Stihl and the missing air filter

I did not want this to be my first thread here, I've got a mess of pics for you guys that I was saving for the first but I took my ms311 to the dealer to have them fix the kill switch. They did and I went out cutting and the chain kept spinning at idle and then it started dying. I was pretty frustrated as the saw never gave me problems running. It was perfect.

I took the cover off to check the filter and lo there was no filter. The dealer didn't put it back after fixing the switch. I know I should have checked. I called them and they told me to bring it in and "they'd make it right". What should I expect? Will the saw ever run the same or as well? Will it give me fits forever now? How awful is it for the saw to suck dust? I cut about 1 cord.

 

Id take off the muffler and take a look through the intake, too. If it scored from ingesting particles OR a lean condition, then your dealer better make it right for sure.
My dealer would probably replace the saw (i have a great dealer though).

 

Just curious did they charge for the kill switch fix? Usually just a adjustment on the old style ones. I cant remember how the 311 were as I only take care of 2 of those so far.

 

Yeah that doesn't sound good. Chain kept spinning was related to the tune which was related to no filter. 'Started dying' sounds real bad. You had a saw with a bad kill switch, well I guess they weren't kidding. Sorry. Yeah they owe you a MS 311 with a fixed kill switch I would say.

 

How do you forget an air filter. Makes me question their ability for good service. Wow.

A cord of wood is a lot of cuttin. I would have them put the air filter back in and then have a talk with them, that if the saw does not run right when you use it that they need to repair it. If it was just some fine saw dust that got in through the carb probably did not hurt it, but with no air filter who knows what it ingested including any dirt.

 

That's a lot of run time with no filter. I'd ask for a new saw. Rebuild including bearings and seals at a bare minimum. Work out a sweet trade up deal on a 362?

If they balk ask if you can take one of their saws and run it for a couple hours with no filter.

 

will be mysterius if they dont

 

I'd be getting a new saw.

 

They did not charge for the kill switch fix. It's a really great shop with a great reputation.

 

I hope your right and they do not give you any grief.

 

Wow that is terrible. Be hard to make that right with anything less than a new saw in my eyes. I like the thought of trading up to a 362 but that is probably $300+ more than a 311.

 

Well, I walked in all prepared to argue about getting a new saw and he handed me my filter and then handed me a new saw. I was so flabbergasted that I didn't even try to get the 391 or work a deal on a 362. He had it all ready for me. I'm astonished and thankful

 

That is a great outcome! You will remember him when you want another saw.

 

That's a great shop. I've always felt that the way a mistake is handled says far more about a shop than how they handle a regular customer interaction. Anybody can be nice when being handed hundreds of dollars in exchange for a product. It takes good business ethics to take that big of an oversight and make the customer happier than ever.

 

Nice. That is exactly how this should have worked out, that baby was toast and they knew it. Its good to see a buckeye dealer come through ............ but, you gotta be concerned about their service from here on in. Hang out here with us and there will always be someone around to get you through a lot of your own repairs. You'll be diagnosing and fixing things in no time!

 

All I can say is wow. Good dealer.

 

Thats what I'm talking about. Hard to come by a good dealer like that now days.

You know they feel like a heel over leaving off a air filter. Good thing wasnt a 660.

 

Nice.

 

Yea a new saw or total rebuild was in order. A cord is a LOT of sawing. Lots of dust saw and dirt!!!

That is exactly what they should of done.

This is a very good point. If they had not done it I would ask about running their demo saw, loaner or rental for a few hours without the filter and see how they reacted!!!