Stihl MS 211 Starting Procedure (Step-by-Step)
To start an MS 211, first check fuel, chain oil, chain tension, and safety controls. Engage the chain brake and place the saw on firm, level ground. Use the cold-start position only when the engine is cold; after it fires briefly, switch to the starting-throttle position and pull again. For a warm engine, use the marked warm-start position, not full choke.
A useful starting tip is to let the control lever do its job: full choke is for a cold engine, while a warm engine needs less choke. Using the cold-start setting on a warm saw can flood it. I also check the chain brake, fuel, and chain oil before pulling the starter, rather than trying to diagnose a problem with the saw already running.
Before starting: checks and safe setup
These checks help prevent a failed start, unexpected chain movement, or damage from running without lubrication. The MS 211 is a 35.2 cm³ chainsaw, but bar and chain specifications can differ by market and equipment. Confirm that the fitted parts suit your saw, and use the owner’s manual for the exact control markings and any features on your model.
Before each start:
- Wear eye and hearing protection, chainsaw-rated leg protection, gloves, and protective footwear. Use a helmet with face protection where the work or local rules call for one.
- Check that the chain brake engages and releases, the throttle lockout works, and the chain catcher is present and undamaged.
- Inspect the bar and chain. The chain should be correctly tensioned and should not be damaged or loose. Stop the engine before checking or adjusting it.
- Check that the fuel cap and chain-oil cap are secure. Use fresh fuel mixed at 50:1 gasoline to STIHL-approved two-stroke engine oil.
- Check the chain-oil supply. Use suitable bar-and-chain lubricant and follow your manual’s directions. If the chain does not receive oil, stop and fix the cause before cutting.
- Move people and objects away from the starting area. Set the saw on firm, level ground with the bar and chain clear of the ground and anything else.
The MS 211 commonly uses a 3/8-inch Picco chain, but do not rely on that alone. Pitch and gauge must match the bar and drive sprocket; gauge may be 1.1 mm (.043 inch) or 1.3 mm (.050 inch), depending on the setup. Read the bar markings and chain package, or confirm the combination in the manual.
Cold-start procedure
A cold engine needs the cold-start setting to help it start. On the MS 211, use the control lever positions marked on your saw and explained in its manual. If your model has a fuel-pump bulb, use it as directed there; not every saw or market setup is identical.
- Engage the chain brake. Push the front hand guard forward until the brake is on. Keep it engaged during starting.
- Set the control for a cold start. Place the master control lever in the cold-start or choke position shown on your saw.
- Place the saw securely. Set it on level ground. Put your foot through the rear handle and hold the front handle firmly with your left hand. Keep the bar and chain clear of the ground.
- Pull the starter. Hold the starter grip and pull the rope smoothly until the engine fires briefly. Do not pull the rope all the way to its limit or let it snap back; guide it back into place.
- Change the control position. After that brief firing, move the lever to the warm-start or starting-throttle position described in your manual. Do not keep pulling with full choke after the engine has fired.
- Pull again to start. Continue with controlled pulls until the engine runs.
- Return the engine to idle. Briefly squeeze and release the throttle as directed for your control system. The lever should return to the normal running position.
- Check the chain. At idle, the chain must stop. If it continues to move, stop the saw and correct the problem before use.
If the engine does not fire at all, do not keep pulling endlessly. Recheck that you selected the correct starting position and that the fuel is fresh and properly mixed. The manual’s instructions take priority if its control layout differs from these general steps.
Warm-start procedure
A warm engine usually needs less choke than a cold one. Starting it with full choke may flood it, so use the warm-start or starting-throttle position marked for your saw. Keep the chain brake engaged while you start, then confirm the chain stops at idle.
- Engage the chain brake and set the saw on stable ground.
- Move the master control lever to the warm-start or starting-throttle position shown in the manual.
- Hold the saw as described for a cold start, with the bar clear of the ground.
- Pull the starter until the engine runs.
- Briefly squeeze and release the throttle if needed to return the control to idle.
- Check that the chain stops before releasing the brake.
Do not use full choke just because the saw has been sitting for a few minutes. Choose the setting based on whether the engine is still warm, and follow the control markings on your specific saw.
| Engine condition | Control position | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Cold engine | Cold-start or choke position | Pull until it fires briefly, then move to starting-throttle position |
| Warm engine | Warm-start or starting-throttle position | Pull until it starts; do not use full choke |
| Engine fires, then stops | Starting-throttle position | Continue starting pulls as directed in the manual |
| Chain moves at idle | Stop the saw | Correct the cause before use |
If the MS 211 will not start
A no-start problem is not always a carburetor problem. Begin with the simple checks: confirm the control position, fuel condition, and starting method. If repeated attempts do not work, pause and consult the troubleshooting section of your manual instead of changing carburetor settings by guesswork.
A common workshop-style scenario is a saw that starts briefly, then stops. The operator may have left it in the cold-start position after the first firing. The next step is to follow the manual’s instruction for moving the lever to the starting-throttle position, not to keep pulling with full choke.
Another common scenario is a warm saw that will not start after being set to full choke. Stop pulling and follow the manual’s flooded-engine procedure for your model. Avoid improvised fixes or prolonged starting attempts. If the saw still will not start, a dealer or qualified technician can check the fuel system, ignition, and other causes.
Before troubleshooting further, ask:
- Is the fuel fresh and mixed at 50:1 with approved two-stroke oil?
- Is the fuel tank filled, and are the caps secure?
- Did I use the correct cold- or warm-start position?
- Is the air filter clean enough for normal operation?
- Is there visible damage, a fuel leak, or another reason to stop and seek service?
Do not adjust carburetor screws to make a saw start. Incorrect settings can cause poor running or engine damage. STIHL lists an idle speed of 2,800 rpm in its technical data; this is not a starting adjustment. If the idle seems abnormal or the chain moves at idle, have the saw checked.
Once the engine starts
Starting is only the first check. Keep the chain brake engaged until you are ready to cut, and release it only when you have a clear work area and a secure grip. Hold the saw with both hands, stand on stable footing, and keep the guide-bar nose’s upper quadrant away from objects to reduce kickback risk.
At idle, the chain should remain still. If it keeps moving after you release the throttle, stop the engine and correct the cause before using the saw. The chain brake is a safety device, not a substitute for a properly idling engine.
Follow your manual for chain lubrication checks. If oil is not reaching the chain, stop and troubleshoot before cutting. Do not assume the saw is ready just because it started.
Common starting mistakes to avoid
Most avoidable starting trouble comes from using the wrong control position or rushing the setup. Use this short check before pulling the starter:
- Do not start with the chain touching the ground, a person, or another object.
- Do not drop-start the saw. Keep it controlled on the ground while starting.
- Do not run straight gasoline. Use the specified 50:1 fuel mix.
- Do not use full choke on a warm engine.
- Do not keep pulling with full choke after the engine fires briefly.
- Do not rely on the chain brake to make a moving chain safe at idle.
- Do not cut if the chain lacks oil or if a safety part is damaged.
FAQ
What fuel mix does the STIHL MS 211 use?
Use a 50:1 gasoline-to-STIHL-approved two-stroke engine oil mix. Make fresh fuel and follow the manual’s fuel requirements.
How do I cold-start an MS 211?
Engage the chain brake, select the cold-start position, and pull until the engine fires briefly. Move the control to the starting-throttle position, then pull until the engine runs.
How do I start a warm MS 211?
Engage the chain brake, choose the warm-start or starting-throttle position marked on your saw, and pull until it starts. Do not use full choke on a warm engine.
Should the chain brake be on while starting?
Yes. Engage the chain brake before starting. Release it only when you are ready to cut and have control of the saw.
Why does my MS 211 start and then stop?
Check whether you moved the control from cold-start to starting-throttle position after the first brief firing. If it still stops, check fuel condition and follow the manual’s troubleshooting steps.
What if the chain moves while the saw idles?
Stop the saw and fix the cause before using it. A chain that moves at idle can cause severe injury; do not treat the brake as a solution.
Does every MS 211 use the same chain?
No. Chain pitch and gauge must match the fitted bar and drive sprocket. Check the bar markings, chain package, and manual.
Can I adjust the carburetor to make it start more easily?
Do not adjust carburetor screws without the correct service procedure. Incorrect settings can cause poor running or engine damage; ask a qualified technician if basic checks do not solve the problem.
Can I start the saw with the bar resting on the ground?
No. Set it on firm, level ground with the bar and chain clear of the ground and all other objects. Keep a secure grip and never drop-start it.
What should I do if the chain does not get oil?
Stop the saw and troubleshoot the oil supply before cutting. Follow the manual; do not keep operating the saw without chain lubrication.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, David Hensley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
