Warm Restart Problems

MasterMech · May 1, 2017

MrWhoopee said: ↑

I have done this, and it does work though it may take several pulls. It's a difficult (and potentially dangerous) maneuver since you can't lock the throttle open and must hold the saw with one hand while pulling with the other. I'm getting old and my strength is not what it used to be.
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Check out the video above. No need to "throw start" the saw. Pin it down like you just caught it stealing eggs outta the hen house and pull!

Ralphie Boy · May 1, 2017

MasterMech said: ↑

Check out the video above. No need to "throw start" the saw. Pin it down like you just caught it stealing eggs outta the hen house and pull!
Click to expand...

Isn't the real problem the fact that it floods easily? If that problem is fixed there are no spooky starting issues. I dont like the idea of starting a 661 at full throttle.

The hot start problem seems to be a reoccuring theme with some of the 'first edition' M-tronic saws. I've seen it in Stihl reviews on their website and a couple other forums.

Well, anyway both my 362 and 661 are headed to the shop at the end of the month to get checked out. My trusty 461 will be standing by as usual.

MasterMech · May 1, 2017

Ralphie Boy said: ↑

Isn't the real problem the fact that it floods easily? If that problem is fixed there are no spooky starting issues. I dont like the idea of starting a 661 at full throttle.

The hot start problem seems to be a reoccuring theme with some of the 'first edition' M-tronic saws. I've seen it in Stihl reviews on their website and a couple other forums.

Well, anyway both my 362 and 661 are headed to the shop at the end of the month to get checked out. My trusty 461 will be standing by as usual.
Click to expand...

I've got a 261CM and a 441CM that have never given any issues with hot restarts. Stock or modified. They fire first yank (warm or hot) Every. Single. Time. And that is why they are usually the first ones in the truck when it's time to go cutting. With Stihl's system, they are designed to be started in the "Start" position every time, regardless of temperature. But I will admit that old habits die hard and I do not always push the switch fully down and will re-start just like on a traditional saw. And yet I still have never had trouble.

I've experienced the Husky hot restart issues and a lot of that is not following the procedure they lay out in the manual. But, should there really be a special rain dance to restart the saw? It may be unavoidable with how their hardware is setup. But it obviously creates issues with the operator experience.

Folks have always complained about how "hard to start" Stihl equipment is. BR320/340/400/420 series backpack blowers were notorious for flooding easily, and of course plenty of checkerboard conversations about how good those Stihl saws were, too bad they're such picky starters.... and of course in today's retail environment, it's taboo to suggest that it may be a procedural or operator error. Hence many of those negative online reviews. The marketing on the tools is so good, the tools get sold to some who have more experience with a smartphone than a chainsaw.

Until the thing fires on it's own, at the push of a button, it will be impossible to satisfy everyone. And even then, it's going to be highly unlikely.

Mag Craft · May 1, 2017

Ronaldo said: ↑

If it dies when you give it throttle and acts like a cold engine, the low side jet likely needs to be turned counter clockwise a little to richen the mixture.

Sent from my Z832 using Tapatalk
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Yep I agree the saw sounds like it is a little to lean on the low side jet. Typical from the factory. It does not matter what elevation you are at the saw sounds like it is lean on the low side fuel mixture.
I live at 6000 ft.

tamarack · May 1, 2017

clemsonfor said: ↑

Put the chain brake on if you like it won't let it turn.
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Thats what i love about fhc is we have some good level headed intelligent members who can always find a safe solution for morons like me. Ya thats a great idea and im gona use that next time im in that situation.

Ralphie Boy · May 1, 2017

MasterMech said: ↑

I've got a 261CM and a 441CM that have never given any issues with hot restarts. Stock or modified. They fire first yank (warm or hot) Every. Single. Time. And that is why they are usually the first ones in the truck when it's time to go cutting. With Stihl's system, they are designed to be started in the "Start" position every time, regardless of temperature. But I will admit that old habits die hard and I do not always push the switch fully down and will re-start just like on a traditional saw. And yet I still have never had trouble.

I've experienced the Husky hot restart issues and a lot of that is not following the procedure they lay out in the manual. But, should there really be a special rain dance to restart the saw? It may be unavoidable with how their hardware is setup. But it obviously creates issues with the operator experience.

Folks have always complained about how "hard to start" Stihl equipment is. BR320/340/400/420 series backpack blowers were notorious for flooding easily, and of course plenty of checkerboard conversations about how good those Stihl saws were, too bad they're such picky starters.... and of course in today's retail environment, it's taboo to suggest that it may be a procedural or operator error. Hence many of those negative online reviews. The marketing on the tools is so good, the tools get sold to some who have more experience with a smartphone than a chainsaw.

Until the thing fires on it's own, at the push of a button, it will be impossible to satisfy everyone. And even then, it's going to be highly unlikely.
Click to expand...

You are exactly right about operator error. I see a lot of talk about "setting the choke" and such. These folks do not understand that the M-tronic saws don't start like an 066, 660 or 461.

That being said, my 661 won't start hot 'by the book'. The 362 is somewhat easier to start hot by the book. I don't know why except that maybe because it's a smaller engine. 6 or 7 pulls on the 661 and I'm ready for !

For the 661 I'll pull the plug, which never seems very wet, pull the cord 3 or 4 times then replace the plug and try again. After all that it generally starts on the third pull. I don't really know if it's because of what I did or if after doing all that it's cooled off enough to be happy again.

Anyway off to the shop at the end of the month.

clemsonfor · May 1, 2017

Ralphie Boy said: ↑

You are exactly right about operator error. I see a lot of talk about "setting the choke" and such. These folks do not understand that the M-tronic saws don't start like an 066, 660 or 461.

That being said, my 661 won't start hot 'by the book'. The 362 is somewhat easier to start hot by the book. I don't know why except that maybe because it's a smaller engine. 6 or 7 pulls on the 661 and I'm ready for !

For the 661 I'll pull the plug, which never seems very wet, pull the cord 3 or 4 times then replace the plug and try again. After all that it generally starts on the third pull. I don't really know if it's because of what I did or if after doing all that it's cooled off enough to be happy again.

Anyway off to the shop at the end of the month.
Click to expand...

Just curious, why the end of the month?

Ralphie Boy · May 1, 2017

clemsonfor said: ↑

Just curious, why the end of the month?
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Going out of town so I won't need saws for a while. And even with the 661 being a bear to hot start, I think I can get through all the big stuff with backup from the 461.

My wife and I are bicycling from our home near Rabbit Hash, KY to Niagara Falls then on to Chatham, New York. Keep an eye on the everything off topic forum because I'll be posting a link to our route. We have hopes of meeting some of the FHC family along the 900+ mile route.

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Warm Restart Problems

MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

Ralphie Boy

MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

Mag Craft

tamarack

Ralphie Boy

clemsonfor

Ralphie Boy