Stihl 261 air filter questions

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Highdesignfool

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I've used the hell out of my 261 lately and decided to break it down and clean it up. I always tap out the fine particles and lightly blow from the inside out.
Can these filters be dunked in soapy warm water and flushed from the inside? I'm used to K&N filters for my vehicles being cleaned this way.
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Mild soap and water in a bucket, ring it out by waving your arm and let her sit for 24-48 hours in a ventilated are to AIR dry. Avoid the temptation to use an air compressor... I know I know I've done it, but plan ahead and service the filter when you won't need that saw for a couple days.

I have a spare filter for every saw I own for just this situation. I also have the outerwear pre filter, which I can clean with an old paint brush I keep in my saw box if I'm doing a lot of cutting in the field.

Great saw, I have he same one

Jason


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Mild soap and water in a bucket, ring it out by waving your arm and let her sit for 24-48 hours in a ventilated are to AIR dry. Avoid the temptation to use an air compressor... I know I know I've done it, but plan ahead and service the filter when you won't need that saw for a couple days.

I have a spare filter for every saw I own for just this situation. I also have the outerwear pre filter, which I can clean with an old paint brush I keep in my saw box if I'm doing a lot of cutting in the field.

Great saw, I have he same one

Jason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Where do I get that pre-filter?
 
I'm surprised Stihl doesn't offer these. I notice several off road ATV/dirt bike manufacturers use outerwear and out their name on the packaging. Stihl could totally market these outerwear

Let us know how she fits and post up pics

Jason


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I'm surprised Stihl doesn't offer these. I notice several off road ATV/dirt bike manufacturers use outerwear and out their name on the packaging. Stihl could totally market these outerwear

Let us know how she fits and post up pics

Jason


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ok I will
 
I cut mostly pine and aspen. The saw is always sticky with pine pitch mixed with bar oil and sawdust. What do you guys use to clean everything up? I ended up just soaking a rag with carb cleaner. Maybe gas would do it too.
 
I'm surprised Stihl doesn't offer these. I notice several off road ATV/dirt bike manufacturers use outerwear and out their name on the packaging. Stihl could totally market these outerwear

Let us know how she fits and post up pics

Jason


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Some have reported that they hold more in than they keep out.
 
Some have reported that they hold more in than they keep out.

Hey Brad,

I'm not sure who "some" are but for me they work great at protecting the filter and allowing the main filter to do its job. I suppose like anything else they require maintenance and cleaning intervals proportional to the conditions the saw is exposed to. It's not a slap an outerwear and and forget it kinda deal. In very dust conditions, every fuel up, gets bar tip greased (sugihara), air filter inspected or cleaned as necessary and bar chain groove cleaned out with a tool. If the outerwear look covered, I will take it off shake it off and reinstall. If it's really bad I can leave it off and wash it in warm soapy water later.

I suppose it ultimately doesn't prevent maintenance and if that was someone's expectations then yes they could end up with a clogged outerwear if they neglect inspecting the air filter and or cleaning it as needed.

While we live in an instant gratification society and some (not all) prefer minimal maintenance, I on the other hand prefer a greasable ball joint or u joint on a car, yes it requires me to crawl under there and grease it but it makes them last longer when maintained versus the ones without grease zerks. As it pertains to the outerwear yes you will be taking it on and off cleaning it, it's not about less maintenance, it's about improving the air filtration on the piece of equipment and making it a two stage filtration system that in a tiered fashion can stop as much stuff as possible from getting into your valuable engine.

In short, outerwears are great for off road/dirty/dusty environment equipment, they are not for those that like maintenance free or the guy that likes u joints and ball joints that have no grease zerks.

Another topic for another day... but I'm not a K&N fan and have seen too many issues with them, but outerwears have no down sides in my humble opinion, others experiences may very and I would love to hear why they would not run and outerwear.

Jason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I cut mostly pine and aspen. The saw is always sticky with pine pitch mixed with bar oil and sawdust. What do you guys use to clean everything up? I ended up just soaking a rag with carb cleaner. Maybe gas would do it too.

Cancer is bad... lost too many friends and family and I've adopted a new philosophy, and that is I used the least carcinogenic cleaner I can to get the job done. I would start with dawn dish soap in very warm water and a soft bristle brush like an old tooth brush. If I had to step up to carb cleaner or break cleaner or gas or diesel I would, but I always try hot soapy water first.

Jason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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