What do you guys think of the Stihl MS 250?

[LuDookie]

Wow, crazy. I have heard they come from the factory a little on the lean side to pass EPA, but I don't know that to be fact.

They definitely can be lean, especially if you are closer to sea level. I think they are getting better but I’m OCD when it comes to proper tuning. Tune it for sure.

 

[LuDookie]

Not sure how echo gets away with it but they have a lot of non strato engines, even the new 7310 if I’m not mistaking.

 

[SteveSr]

definitely not strato, but believe it is limited.

Maybe this is how they pass EPA with just borderline lean tuning.

They definitely can be lean, especially if you are closer to sea level.

Florida is about as close to sea level as you can get... without getting wet!

 

[LuDookie]

From what I can gather, there discontinued 550p a this same chassis was strato and was not a success.

 

[LuDookie]

Maybe this is how they pass EPA with just borderline lean tuning.

Florida is about as close to sea level as you can get... without getting wet!

For sure! I’m on the Texas coast so it’s easy to roast a saw!
And you’re right, maybe that’s how they pass. Either that or they donated to the EPA. It’s like big pharma, all about picking easy battles and money.

 

[scuzzy]

I hate my MS250 - what a peice of crap. Sometimes starts right up. And sometimes it can go to hell. I'll never buy another Stihl just based on that. All Echo now and one Husqvarna none of which give me problems.
Prob ought to just give it away. I haven't even pulled it out of the shed in a year now. I wouldn't feel right selling it - that would be screwing somebody.

 

[ammoaddict]

I hate my MS250 - what a peice of crap. Sometimes starts right up. And sometimes it can go to hell. I'll never buy another Stihl just based on that. All Echo now and one Husqvarna none of which give me problems.
Prob ought to just give it away. I haven't even pulled it out of the shed in a year now. I wouldn't feel right selling it - that would be screwing somebody.

If you don't have anyone in mind to give it to, I might would be interested in it for the shipping cost.

 

[EasyT]

I don't mean to keep bringing up my motorcycle, but Harleys also have a reputation of coming out of the factory lean. All this makes me wonder if most gas-powered machine makers do the same thing just to pass muster with the EPA.

 

[Parkerpusher]

I don't mean to keep bringing up my motorcycle, but Harleys also have a reputation of coming out of the factory lean. All this makes me wonder if most gas-powered machine makers do the same thing just to pass muster with the EPA.

That seems to be the case with most things

 

[ammoaddict]

Doesn’t matter a ton but this is most likely not a strato saw. Echo only has a couple strato saws, maybe only two. The 3510 and 4510.

Good to hear. That makes me want a 4910 even more.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

 

[Brushwacker]

I hate my MS250 - what a peice of crap. Sometimes starts right up. And sometimes it can go to hell. I'll never buy another Stihl just based on that. All Echo now and one Husqvarna none of which give me problems.
Prob ought to just give it away. I haven't even pulled it out of the shed in a year now. I wouldn't feel right selling it - that would be screwing somebody.

Probably a simple fix if you knew the problem. I felt the same way about the first 2 Husqvarnas i bought for myself and they were rated pro grade. 1 eventually was found to have a crack somewhere in the carb, the other had a faulty ignition.
If starting is the primary issue on the ms250 good chance it is choke related, the butterfly not closing enough. Linkages between the choke butterfly and the spring that holds the switch cam in position are easily bent a little or other and the choke is simply not closing well enough. Lot of times some one tries forcing the switch to choke without pulling in the throttle switch causing the complications. Or it could be a lean condition or other that needs found and addressed.
I might be interested in buying it, if your no interested in giving it away ☺
.

 

[Fatherwheels]

Someone is not comparing apples with apples. The CS-501P is a the pro 50 cc saw in the Echo lineup. But other than the aluminum handle, different piston and cylinder combined with improved porting, all those improvements are hard to justify the price over the much cheaper priced CS-490. Once the CS-490 is modded and re-tuned, it swiftly catches up to the pro saw in terms of performance. Again, what is not fair in my comparison is that the CS-490 is not passing emissions standards like the CS-501P. Life isn't fair, but I prefer to pay $275 rather than $500 plus US dollars.

Am only showing how expensive the 501P is, compared to the 4910,
which is just as good a saw, same cylinder, same piston, and when ported is no different than a ported 501P. The 4910 sadly is not sold in Ireland, I found the 4310 listed, but no dealer has them.
This post was about buying an MS250, am only saying there is better saw for the same money or not much more, and the OP will hopefully make the right choice.

 

[Parkerpusher]

I would sell the one I have now if you want it. Gave my last 250 to my dad and then replaced it about 4 months ago. Has gas and oil in it but hasn’t made a single cut.

If I can figure out how to post in the tradin post section I’m going to list this for a good price. And also a 355t and maybe a 455 rancher. This thread made want a little echo for real!

 

[EasyT]

Am only showing how expensive the 501P is, compared to the 4910,
which is just as good a saw, same cylinder, same piston, and when ported is no different than a ported 501P. The 4910 sadly is not sold in Ireland, I found the 4310 listed, but no dealer has them.
This post was about buying an MS250, am only saying there is better saw for the same money or not much more, and the OP will hopefully make the right choice.

Back up, pardner. I went with the Echo...

 

[Parkerpusher]

Back up, pardner. I went with the Echo...

Awesome! Which one??

 

[EasyT]

Awesome! Which one??

590, got a pic of it above...

 

[Fatherwheels]

Back up, pardner. I went with the Echo...

I think you will be happy you did, am not loyal to any
brand, I try and chose the best model regardless of the badge.
I recently bought an Efco saw, couldn't get an Echo that was not
going to cost 700.00 plus shipping here, so went with a saw at half the price.

 

[Parkerpusher]

590, got a pic of it above...

Must have missed it

 

[cookies]

I hate my MS250 - what a peice of crap. Sometimes starts right up. And sometimes it can go to hell. I'll never buy another Stihl just based on that. All Echo now and one Husqvarna none of which give me problems.
Prob ought to just give it away. I haven't even pulled it out of the shed in a year now. I wouldn't feel right selling it - that would be screwing somebody.

Start by retuning the carb, they are often very out of wack on ms-250s on the low needle, i have adjusted more than one to fix hard to start issues.
I know im 2 hrs away but if you need it adjusted come on through and i'll stick the tack on it and dial it in.

 

[matt_lamb_160]

I am glad so many have no love for saws like the MS250. Means I get them free spend 5 secs fixing what ever minor issue they have and end up with a good free saw. One I fixed this weekend was tossed because someone had messed with the coil position (probably because they couldn't get it to start for some other reason), the next person to grab it then broke the starter because they didn't understand the easy start system. The saw sat for 2 yrs. I fixed the starter (drilled and tapped the axle for a screw to retain the mechanism) adjusted the coil, primed it and it ran. Blew out the air filter and a minor tweak of the H screw (was actually pretty spot on as it was) and it runs like new.

Needed to pinch the bar off my 023, but I will be a new one for this. Not sure I need two sub 50cc Stihls but...