Anyone have issues with their Stihl MS-250

[weimedog]

How reliable has yours been...those of you who have ACTUAL real time experience on these little saws..please!

How about those "Easy Start" versions?

[eamassey]

I have a MS-210.  This is a second saw, used mainly for fencerow work.  This saw cuts beyond my expectations- especially if the chain is really sharp.  I would think that one should for sure choose the MS-250 if it is to be an only saw. I have cut up to 20" red oak.  I really like the "Eazy-Start".  If you have even the slightest hint of joint pain, etc., or, are in the over 60 age group--- this thing can be valuable.  My saw is only a couple of months old.  I must tell you that I am a bit skeptical of the performance of the EZY-start system, and the quick adjust chain tensioning system----over the very long run of time.   However, today, with maybe 10 hours on the saw, I am well pleased with the saw, to include EZY-start and chain tensioning.

My other saw is a Dolmar 116, about 20 years old.  If it ever gives any trouble, I will go to a 460 or 372.

[sawcollector]

This saw started life as the 1123 series back in 1990, then sold as as a 021, 025. Since then it has evolved into the MS 210, MS 230, MS 250. It is a modular engine design, as I explained in another post, which is fine for homeowner / occasional user use. It is not designed to be used as a logging saw for several hours a day.
The nice thing about a design that has been around a long time is that any problems have been sorted out and dealt with. The Easy2Start feature works well and has been trouble free. The only complaint I have heard is that it may be easier to flood the saw on a cold start since you may not hear it "pop" on the second spin and know to open the choke before the next pull.
The QCA (Quick Chain Adjuster) works great but seems to be either a love it or hate it kind of thing. The only thing that needs to be done is take the bar and chain off and clear it out often, but I do that after I am through cutting so I have never had a problem with it.

[rebocardo]

I like my MS-250 just fine. Very nice for limbing and smaller stuff, revs fast from a stand still compared to other 33-45 cc saws. I would not cut 16+" oak all the time with it though.

> I have heard is that it may be easier to flood the saw on a cold start

Actually, where I have flooded it is on warm starts after refilling. I think because I use to leave it laying on its side before and after filling while I did other things. I have learned not to choke it on restart.

I like the saw, I might actually keep this saw for over two years.

[Polly]

  i got a 250 and i was watching ty a greenhorn was trying to start the saw reminded me of myself i wish my wife had bought one with easy start option 

[MartyParsons]

We carry one in the truck to all the shows this summer. Works great.
Marty

[amberwood]

I have one as a second saw, great for quick docking and trimming around the mill. I have used it as a delimbing saw for harvesting and with a sharp chain works well. No probs with starting hot ot cold. Standard starter.

DTR

[park ranger]

I bought mine new to thin 40 acres about 15 years ago. I love the saw, it's small and just the right size for cutting up small stuff and packing up the trail.  I have cut a lot of fire wood with it but you have to bend over too much.  I have had a bad cage on a crank bearing, it was plastic and broke into chunks.  I have done the bearings, a ring at the same time, a carb kit, and the rest is routine maintenance.  I have a ton of hours of use for the money I've put into it.

[isawlogs]

 I have an 025 that has been around for a while and gets used often . This saw is on the bike and will do all chores that is required from the bike saw .    It is light and has some balls for a saw that size , now it aint no 036 and I aint trying to saye it is , but for its size and weight I really like it .

[Cut4fun]

My brother loves his 025-250. But be  warned if you ever have to tear it down to work on it, you will kick yourself. Plastic case with clamshell crank design. Fine while they are running. But dig into one and they are POS. I gave away a 029 super that looks like new after tear down to keep from having to put a piston in it and putting it back together. Thats how bad they are to work on  .

[Engineer]

I've had mine for ten years plus, and like it, my father and brother also have them. 

If it dies, I will replace it with a pro saw, probably a Dolmar 5100 or Stihl MS260.

[SawTroll]

I don't like those saws, lots of soft plastic and way too much vibration.
Hard to work on as well.

[isawlogs]

I hate those saws, higly vibrating plasitc POS.....

  I think you have never used one to state something like that about one . I think you dont know how to appreciate a good home owner saw if you saw one . 
 This is my opinion.

 One does not need  only to have  pro saws . there are good less expensive saws out there , you should get out more and look into it .

[SawTroll]

I don't like those saws, lots of soft plastic and way too much vibration.
Hard to work on as well.

  I think you have never used one to state something like that about one . I think you dont know how to appreciate a good home owner saw if you saw one . 
 This is my opinion.

 One does not need  only to have  pro saws . there are good less expensive saws out there , you should get out more and look into it .

I have used and worked on some of them, owned by friends.

The Husky counterparts are much nicer saws, specially the 350.

[Rocky_J]

The Stihl 025 is one of the best homeowner saws around. It's been a solid performer with very few updates for the past 15-20 years. Stihl makes some crappy homeowner saws but this is not one of them.

I'm not fond of the new 'easy start' gizmo, just another example of Stihl fixing a non-existent problem (like those infernal gas caps). I suspect most who buy it have no idea how it works and will take the saw to the dealer for routine maintenance and servicing. People who can change their own spark plug and sharpen their own chain wouldn't bother with some dumb 'easy start'.

[Engineer]

My dad, who's approaching 70 and has some pretty bad arthritis in his hands and arms, would benefit greatly from the easy-start feature.  He has an MS250 without it, and I am going to approach the dealer and see if his saw can be retrofitted with it.  If not, I'm going to help him sell his saw and get a new one with the easy-start.  He has a very hard time (i.e. painful) starting his saw.  The feature may not be for the younger folks, but it sure benefits the older people who sometimes stop cutting wood altogether due to physical ailments.

[SawTroll]

I don't like those saws, lots of soft plastic and way too much vibration.
Hard to work on as well.

  I think you have never used one to state something like that about one . I think you dont know how to appreciate a good home owner saw if you saw one . 
 This is my opinion.

 One does not need  only to have  pro saws . there are good less expensive saws out there , you should get out more and look into it .

Opinions vary, it would be no fun otherwise!   

Btw, I changed the post you quoted........

[isawlogs]

  Yes they do  , now had it been posted as such, the response would not have been the same . I realy hate it when something that aint all that bad , such as the 025/250 gets knocked down to a POS. I know it aint the best feeling saw out there , not the less vibration free , but you must give it what it has going for it being a low cost homeowner saw . I think most saws are good , good if used for the purpouse they where built for.
 There are a lot of people out there that just dont have the 600$/800$ or more to buy a prosaw, they need to be able to fall back on the less expensive owner saws , now if all we do is jab them as POS how in the world will they be able to make a sound decision on what to get .
   I aint saying that the 025/250 is the end of the line for small inexpensive saws ... It has being around long enough to have some proof of reliability to some extent .

   Oh ... sometimes opinions are expressed from emotions too ...

[rebocardo]

I know a guy in his 50s that likes the easy starting due to a shoulder injury where he can't pull that hard with his right hand though he can easily hold the saw.

I like the new gas/fuel caps too.   

[Red 93 L1 #3383]

I like the new gas/fuel caps too.   

Same here, I wish my 064's & my 020T had them.