Stihl MS250: end of the road?

[bitsumishi]

So I have had my 250 for 10 years. Used it only in the winter for cutting firewood. Regularly serviced either by me or by dealer. Found it to be a great all round saw with an 18" bar both for small and large stuff, with a great power to weight ratio.
Couple of months ago after I serviced it, it would start fine but as soon as I revved it, it would stall.
Took it to a repair shop who told me the new spark plug I had put in was faulty and he replaced it and checked the saw: spent 45 minutes on it, total bill $130.
Anyway, I used it for the first time since the 'repair', yesterday, and it worked for 20 minutes, then kept stalling as I was using it (especially if I turned the saw on it's side), then wouldn't start at all.

Question is I can't really face the inevitable argument with the repair shop as I am recovering from a heart procedure.
As the saw is 10 years old, is it worth persevering with this saw either with more cost or stress or should I get something else?
Trouble is no one seems to make a 45cc saw at only 4.6kg. I have a newish Dolmar/Makita 61cc but for most stuff I need to cut, it is too big and heavy for me.
I suspect that the issue was the carby all along? and I dont think the part itself is very expensive. I'm just not sure that spending another 100/200 bucks on a saw which is 10 years old is a wise thing to do.

 

[jd548esco72]

get an echo 490

 

[cus_deluxe]

That dealer should be ashamed of himself. Me personally, i wouldnt put any more $ than you already have into that saw, but thats just me. Aftermarket carbs can be had for $10 or so on ebay, and are easy to replace if youre feeling adventurous. Fuel line also sounds like a possibility, which is a little bit of a bugger to do on these but not impossible for the average guy either.

 

[jd548esco72]

if you can do your own work you'll be way ahead--

look up hudzl and farmertec -- people gripe about china parts but i have found them to be decent most of the time and very inexpensive . they have saved a lot of saws that otherwise would be too expensive to fix.

 

[bitsumishi]

That dealer should be ashamed of himself.

He's a Husky dealer not Stihl, so I doubt neither of them will want to get involved. Trouble is the local Stihl dealer is even worse!

 

[HarleyT]

Sounds like a fuel line with cracks in it.... But crap will be in the carb too.
Take it back to that dealer.

 

[HarleyT]

Better yet, take off the air filter cover and look at the fuel line yourself, between the tank and carb.

 

[HarleyT]

take some pics.

 

[cedarhollow]

get a new ms261 and never look back

 

[HarleyT]

get a new ms261 and never look back

@ $2500 in Australia.....

 

[Jed1124]

Dolmar 421

 

[andrethegiant70]

Sooner or later, saws need service. That's a homoeowner model for sure, but the very cool thing about it is that the 250 can be rebuilt with kitchen drawer tools (and an 8 dollar Stihl t-handle wrench for about $40. But, you have to want to. If you're committed to NOT digging in, then yes, go buy an Echo and Fleabay the 250. If you feel like returning it back to it's former glory, then do some searches on here... lots of 'em on the 021/023/025/210/230/250. All the same saw.

I'd say you either need seals (somewhat less likely on this saw) or some carb work (somewhat more likely). A VERY useful thimg, if you're going to fool with saws.... get a carb rebuild under your belt... surprisingly easy and cheap. And by the way, in a few years, the "new" Echo will need some carb work.

 

[JonCraig]

I have 9 saws... only 1 of them is UNDER 10 years old.

 

[Khntr85]

Can you cut up a steak when you sit down for dinner????

If so you can easily fix this saw, and probably for $20 or less....

 

[bitsumishi]

Ok thanks everyone. Bedtime here. I will take a closer look at the saw tomorrow. Anyone have a link to a parts diagram as I have never been further in than the air filter and spark plug.

 

[backhoelover]

turning it to the side and the saw dying tells me the crankseal when out

 

[bitsumishi]

Noticed that the last couple of years, its been hard to pull the cord.....sometimes gets stuck halfway through the pull.

 

[Sepia]

Ok thanks everyone. Bedtime here. I will take a closer look at the saw tomorrow. Anyone have a link to a parts diagram as I have never been further in than the air filter and spark plug.

Ask for an IPL and WSM here and your wish shall be granted
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/the-beg-for-manuals-thread.68615/unread

 

[Sepia]

Sounds like your saw is due for some maintenance. Some time and effort will be required by whoever does the work. Do it yourself and it likely won't cost very much at all. Pay someone else and you might as well take the advice above and buy a new small Echo or Dolmar, and post your Stihl on the internet for sale.

 

[grizz55chev]

Noticed that the last couple of years, its been hard to pull the cord.....sometimes gets stuck halfway through the pull.

Hydro lock from excess fuel in the cylinder, bad carb.