Stihl 261 hard to start

[Cordata]

I have a stihl 261 with m-tronic.

 

Over the past few jobs it's taken quite a few pulls to start, and once it's fired up and running it seems fine, but starting it up even when it's warmed up and it doesn't need the choke can take many many pulls of the starter cord.

 

Sometimes it won't start at all when pulling the cord, and (strangely) when it's left for a few minutes after failing to start it and I try to start it, it starts pretty easily.  

  

Is there a common reason for this? I'm wondering if it's fuel related, maybe the fuel filter needs cleaned or changed? No other ideas are jumping out, advice would be much appreciated

[Dan Maynard]

Fuel filters are a couple of quid, find a YouTube vid on getting the old one out easily. Wash the air filter, change the plug. These things solve most starting problems to be honest.

[Bob_z_l]

Pretty sure others will make better comment but have you done the reset? 

Then on mine I changed the fuel solenoid for the updated (white?) version. 

 

[GarethM]

What's the year, if it's old the drive shaft can wear causing it to turn elliptically on the clutch cup/bearing.

 

If you remove the clutch cup and chain does it start easily?.

[Cordata]

20 hours ago, Dan Maynard said:

Fuel filters are a couple of quid, find a YouTube vid on getting the old one out easily. Wash the air filter, change the plug. These things solve most starting problems to be honest.

 

Thanks, I got a service kit with a new spark plug, air filter, and fuel filter, fitted them all and it started easily

 

It's about 4 years old and I've never replaced any of these through semi-regular use so think this sorted it out

[Cordata]

10 hours ago, Bob_z_l said:

Pretty sure others will make better comment but have you done the reset? 

Then on mine I changed the fuel solenoid for the updated (white?) version. 

 

 

I got a service kit with new air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug and when fitted this seemed to solve the problem.

 

I did pick up a fuel solenoid as well since you mentioned it, and some googling & youtube videos tell me that it's good preventative maintenance to replace this every so often, so I'll get round to replacing it when I have more time

 

Looking at this article on how to replace - 

How To Change A Solenoid Valve On Your Machine | STIHL Blog

BLOG.STIHL.CO.UK

---

Solenoid valves can wear due to dirt in the fuel tank on your petrol machine. Check out our quick guide to changing the solenoid valve here.

 

 

- it says to 'coat the solenoid valve below the collar with press fluid'

 

Did you do this, and if so what is and where can I find press fluid?

 

Thanks

[Cordata]

9 hours ago, GarethM said:

What's the year, if it's old the drive shaft can wear causing it to turn elliptically on the clutch cup/bearing.

 

If you remove the clutch cup and chain does it start easily?.

 

I replaced the air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug and it seems to have fixed it, but thanks for the suggestion I'll look out for that in the future

[Dan Maynard]

1 hour ago, Cordata said:

 

Thanks, I got a service kit with a new spark plug, air filter, and fuel filter, fitted them all and it started easily

 

It's about 4 years old and I've never replaced any of these through semi-regular use so think this sorted it out

That's good. Always possible it can be a deeper problem but you have to do the basics first. The air filter is washable, in any case a service kit every couple of years is sensible. Depends how much you use it obviously, if it's having a good run every day then maybe service kit every year.

[Bob_z_l]

2 hours ago, Cordata said:

 

I got a service kit with new air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug and when fitted this seemed to solve the problem.

 

I did pick up a fuel solenoid as well since you mentioned it, and some googling & youtube videos tell me that it's good preventative maintenance to replace this every so often, so I'll get round to replacing it when I have more time

 

Looking at this article on how to replace - 

How To Change A Solenoid Valve On Your Machine | STIHL Blog

BLOG.STIHL.CO.UK

---

Solenoid valves can wear due to dirt in the fuel tank on your petrol machine. Check out our quick guide to changing the solenoid valve here.

 

 

- it says to 'coat the solenoid valve below the collar with press fluid'

 

Did you do this, and if so what is and where can I find press fluid?

 

Thanks

I took that to be some "Americanism". I think I just pressed it home. I was a fiddly job with that retaining screw thing.

I might have lubed the O-ring with a light oil. Nothing more. 

That and the M-tronic reset and it was  changed saw.