Stihl MS 362 - First report

[GM-GUY]

WOOOWWWWWWW :msp_w00t:

Got the new saw out for 1/2hr today, just some light stuff, and it is scary fast/powerful - and the book says it develops max power in 5-10 tanks of fuel :msp_scared:

The fill caps are - different - but nice I don't have to put the screwdriver on them to make sure I don't hose myself down.

The tensioner is rougher than my last saw, but maybe 17 years will smooth out the rough spots :msp_wink:

The anti-vibe mechanism is a welcome upgrade, the 'play' in the saw will take some getting used to.

The compression release is a nice feature, I can drop start it even when cold (I know the book says not to)
QUESTION: What if I forget to engage the compression release and crank it over anyway - does something bad happen, other than a sore arm?

I did turn the oiler up, the 'E' setting isn't matching use to the fuel tank - didn't use much fuel either.

That's about it for now - the Sandvik 'Speed Tip' even though it's been hanging on the wall for 5 years is running just fine.

 

[stihlrookie]

Congratulations

Fellow 362 user here. The book lies, it will take at least 20 tanks to fully wake up, no big deal. Leave the airfilter alone unless you have noticable power loss, taken from the dealer, tech rep and the book. No you will not harm the saw by not using the comp. release button, in fact I rarely use mine at all. I like the toolless fill caps, some don't. Just be sure to get them properly lined up before giving them a turn or you will end up with stinky leg. Cheers.

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Glad to hear you like it!

I don't know if you've see the 'flippy cap' threads here on AS..... Just make sure they're set correctly when you put them on....Or you will be washing your leg, boot, or what ever with bar oil or fuel........ Doesn't happen when you're first out. Happens when you've been cutting for a while and a bit on the tired side...(I have one boot that's a little darker than the other and a bit more water proof!).. other than that they work well.

 

[SawTroll]

..... I can drop start it even when cold (I know the book says not to) .......

HUH?:msp_confused:

Drop starting is about as efficient as it gets (if done properly) - what would you do to start a saw that you can't drop start? :msp_confused:

 

[H 2 H]

Rep sent new saw CONGRATS

 

[mdavlee]

Compression release helps starters live longer on the large saws with a lot of compression. I drop start everything even the 3120 without the decomp. Never really think about it most of the time.

I thought the E setting was economy on stihl oilers????

 

[GM-GUY]

The E on my old 036 was in the middle of the range, now it is closer to the low end of the range. My dealer told me it the new chain design from Stihl - flinging all kinds of oil down the bar.

Not sure if I believe that, but these new Stihl RSC chains sure do stretch - a lot more than my old ones from Oregon.

 

[SawTroll]

....
I thought the E setting was economy on stihl oilers????

It actually refers to "E-matic", Stihls name on the bar and chain features that are supposed to put the oil where it is most needed.

 

[SawTroll]

The E on my old 036 was in the middle of the range, now it is closer to the low end of the range. My dealer told me it the new chain design from Stihl - flinging all kinds of oil down the bar.

Not sure if I believe that, but these new Stihl RSC chains sure do stretch - a lot more than my old ones from Oregon.

All new chain stretch more than old used chain.

 

[mdavlee]

The 660 had an E setting in the middle and the book said it was the economy for short bars for it. The saw had the HO oiler but it still didn't oil as good as the 066 did.

 

[KenJax Tree]

The E on the oil adjuster means economy to save oil but i turn the oilers all the way up the saw dust soaks up the extra oil anyways

 

[nmurph]

Joe congrats. You will like that saw a lot.

Using the decomp does save the starter come wear, though I'm not sure it is a measurable or quantifiable amount. There is also a tendency to miss the first "hit" of the saw and then keep pulling the rope with the choke on, flooding the saw.

You only need to run the oiler open enough so that if you hold the bar over a stump with the saw wide open, you are getting a fine misting after a few seconds. Any more, and you are wasting oil.

All chain will stretch some when first used. But Stihl chain does not stretch nearly as much as Oregon.

 

[tommyus4]

Congrats on the new saw. It feels better using as opposed to holding. Not sure if that makes sense or even correct but seems that way to me.

My ms250 oil cap is annoying. It's gas and the two on my 362 are not an issue. I guess not all flippys are created equal or grooves on the saw.

 

[AJGross]

i just bought a 362 yesterday. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. It should be a gigantic step up from my old Echo CS-450.

AJ

 

[H 2 H]

i just bought a 362 yesterday. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. It should be a gigantic step up from my old Echo CS-450.

AJ

Congrats on the new saw and Welcome to AS :msp_smile:

 

[StihlyinEly]

Congrats on the new saw and Welcome to AS :msp_smile:

I share the congrats, but the welcome is a little late.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

I'd say you did good in buying a 362. I personally love them, even more than the 361. It takes at least 20 but more like 25 tanks of fuel to break them in right. Just run the piss out of it and it'll break in the way you want it to. A muffler mod will do wonders to one. When I had my mm'd 361, my buddies broken in mm'd 362 would completely dominate it. I knew then that I liked the 362 better than the 361. I think the 362 is the best 60cc saw out there. Except for maybe the 562 husky, but I havent ran one yet to know.

 

[GM-GUY]

My father-in-law steered me away from the Husky, just his experience. He had an old Stihl and retired it (locked it in the shed, uncleaned, gased and oiled still) he had a brand new Husky. The Husky gave him nothing but trouble several weeks/months after he bought it, opened the shed and pulled out the Stihl - started right up. He sold the Husky. This was 20+ years ago.

This isn't meant as a slam on Husky, I listen to my father-in-law. He knows what he is doing, gave me my lovely wife, and tolerates her living with me for 19 years now. More importantly, he took a kick-back to the face 25 years ago, picked up his saw, drove himself 2 miles to the fire department, and held the light at the ER for the surgeon to stitch him up. Side of his nose to his chin was laid wide open lost top & bottom teeth and a chip out of his jaw.

After I heard the story while dating my now wife I figured out I don't want to piss him off.

 

[RAMROD48]

HUH?:msp_confused:

Drop starting is about as efficient as it gets (if done properly) - what would you do to start a saw that you can't drop start? :msp_confused:

Its funny that with all of your chainsaw "Experience" no on ever showed you proper starting technique...

There simply in no need to "drop-start" a saw...not only is not good for plastic starter parts...it can be quit dangerous...

 

[Winchester356]

Congrats on the new saw. It feels better using as opposed to holding. Not sure if that makes sense or even correct but seems that way to me.

My ms250 oil cap is annoying. It's gas and the two on my 362 are not an issue. I guess not all flippys are created equal or grooves on the saw.

You know I have had the same problems with the oil cap on my MS250 but the oil cap on the 362 works good.