Bl8tant
ArboristSite Member
So 3 weeks ago I sold most of my saws and bought a new 261 C-M. The day I bought it, I headed straight to the woods and put it to work. By the end of the day I was so frustrated and disappointed. Here's the deal:
1) First start of the day (cold) it fires up with one or two pulls. Runs great.
2) Shut it off hot and wait more than a minute or two to re-start and it WILL NOT START. Takes 15-20 pulls and usually have to hold throttle wide open and drop start it.
3) If you re-start immediately (when hot) it's 50/50. It either starts on one pull or it refuses to start.
4) Once re-started it won't take throttle and stalls. Takes several cycles and eventually it takes off and runs fine.
I took it back to dealer and they kept it for a week. When I picked it up they said everything tested fine (he even bought the $500 Stihl carb tester that interfaces with a computer). They basically cleaned the carb and replaced the spark plug and gave it back. I took her to the woods and guess what - SAME ISSUE. When cold it starts fine. Once hot, you never know if it's going to take one pull or 50. And don't even think about using the compression release when hot.....guaranteed not to start. Once you get it going it runs great.
Obviously I'm taking it back to the dealer again. Just wondering what my options are ? Does Stihl ever "lemon-law" a saw ? Even if they claim they fixed it, my confidence in this saw is shot. I think they should give me a different saw off the shelf, but I bet that's not going to happen. I've bought over $2500 worth of saws, weedeaters, and blowers from this dealer. If they don't make this right.....well I am not gonna be happy.
What can I do ? How many times do I have to keep taking it back before someone says "dud saw". What would you do ? I'm obviously a Stihl fan and have no desire to change brands (none around here anyways).
1) First start of the day (cold) it fires up with one or two pulls. Runs great.
2) Shut it off hot and wait more than a minute or two to re-start and it WILL NOT START. Takes 15-20 pulls and usually have to hold throttle wide open and drop start it.
3) If you re-start immediately (when hot) it's 50/50. It either starts on one pull or it refuses to start.
4) Once re-started it won't take throttle and stalls. Takes several cycles and eventually it takes off and runs fine.
I took it back to dealer and they kept it for a week. When I picked it up they said everything tested fine (he even bought the $500 Stihl carb tester that interfaces with a computer). They basically cleaned the carb and replaced the spark plug and gave it back. I took her to the woods and guess what - SAME ISSUE. When cold it starts fine. Once hot, you never know if it's going to take one pull or 50. And don't even think about using the compression release when hot.....guaranteed not to start. Once you get it going it runs great.
Obviously I'm taking it back to the dealer again. Just wondering what my options are ? Does Stihl ever "lemon-law" a saw ? Even if they claim they fixed it, my confidence in this saw is shot. I think they should give me a different saw off the shelf, but I bet that's not going to happen. I've bought over $2500 worth of saws, weedeaters, and blowers from this dealer. If they don't make this right.....well I am not gonna be happy.
What can I do ? How many times do I have to keep taking it back before someone says "dud saw". What would you do ? I'm obviously a Stihl fan and have no desire to change brands (none around here anyways).